OPENS 1 JUNE 2021
From the team behind much-loved Notting Hill restaurant Uli, comes Huo, a pan-Asian restaurant found on Chelsea’s Park Walk.
The dining room at Huo has been designed by Jonathan Clark Architects, foregoing the minimalist, clinical aesthetic favoured by many Asian restaurants in favour of a beachy, easygoing feel. In fact, the restaurant’s interiors are largely inspired by the area’s pet name of ‘Chelsea Beach’ (supposedly acquired because of the nearby tanning salons and wealth of alfresco terraces).
While you won’t find sand covered floors or parasols above tables, you can expect to be embraced by calming driftwood colours, a white timber raft ceiling and portraits of beachy scenes lining the walls. The serene atmosphere is further enforced by an abundance of natural light flooding in through the restaurant’s windows, as well as tropical plants which are dotted throughout the space. There are a few tables available on the streetside terrace too, should the weather be playing ball.
Huo’s menu travels far and wide, encompassing an array of dishes cherry-picked from around China and Southeast Asia, including dishes from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The menu is divided up between snacks, small plates and main dishes, as well as seasonal specials which change each week. Drinks meanwhile, take in international wines, house cocktails and sake, alongside specialty teas for teetotallers.
Begin with the likes of edamame with rock salt, vegetable spring rolls and chicken gyoza. Next up, choose between main courses such as pan-fried teriyaki black cod with asparagus or crispy shredded chilli beef. Lively curries are also on the menu, while all dishes can be paired with rice dishes including egg-fried and Singaporean style.
To finish up, indulge with desserts such as toffee banana fritters or a selection of mochi, before heading to the standalone bar for post-prandial cocktails and bar snacks.