Chino Latino offers a menu of delicious fusion food in a newly-renovated modern setting. The restaurant recently received an extensive makeover, offering one of the best river views out there, through huge floor to ceiling windows. It’s a low-lit beautiful space, with tones of dark grey and red, making it feel like a grown-up, relaxed dining room and lounge. The staff move quickly between the tables ferrying platters of sushi and extravagant looking desserts to happy diners.
The menu is also new and boasts of a range of exciting treats. They have captured fusion food perfectly here: the chefs have found wonderful combinations that highlight both Asian and Latino flavours; you can expect tacos with Asian spice and dim sum with Chilean flavours.
I enjoyed a Dragonfly cocktail which I would highly recommend – served in a tall glass with a wedge of dragonfruit in the top, it contains vanilla vodka, red chillis, lychees and fresh lime. It was citrusy and fresh, without being too sweet.
There’s a range of sharing plates that you can get stuck into as well as a list of mains; the difficult part is choosing as the menu sings of beautiful flavours and exciting combinations. We started with a trio of taquitos – mini crisp taco cones filled with wagyu beef, lobster and vegetables. They were a real treat both for the eye and the palate. Served in a spiral structure, each taco sat in its own holder, just waiting to be plucked from the stand and enjoyed. We also enjoyed their beautifully fresh spider roll sushi; filled with soft shell crab and avocado.
We then opted for the black cod with spicy miso which was a highlight of the evening. The cod was soft and flaky but coated in a sweet, sticky miso glaze. It went perfectly with our side of steamed bok choi. Our second main was the monkfish tail served with yuzu dressing and yuzu jelly. It was a huge piece of fish, served on the tail bone which the waiter delicately pulled away for us. Monkfish is one of my favourite types of fish and this piece, graced with citrusy Asian flavours, was cooked to perfection.
Dessert was a sharing platter containing little brownie bites with a peanut butter parfait, a coconut and date cheesecake and an array of fresh fruit with balls of ice-cream and sorbet dotted around. It was the perfect way to end a delicious meal.
With its glossy new makeover Chino Latino is perfect for a date night or a classy dinner with friends. The makeover is truly remarkable and the new menu is stunning.
18 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TJ
