An empress’s feast in the heart of Mayfair
Going for a Chinese meal on a Friday night is a lovely thing to do, but going to MiMi Mei Fair on a Friday night is truly special. Everything I’d heard and read about this Chinese restaurant in Mayfair filled me with anticipation, and my pre-dinner glance at their website—announcing “A celebration of Chinese culinary arts”—built my excitement further. MiMi is set in a beautiful Georgian townhouse on Curzon Street in the heart of Mayfair, or Mei Fair if you prefer. So let’s see what the mythical Empress MiMi—keeper of ancient Chinese culinary secrets according to the restaurant’s story—has to offer at this exceptional Mayfair fine dining destination.
Before visiting MiMi, I did some research on the restaurant (I can almost see the raised eyebrows from regular readers). I was intrigued to read that somebody described MiMi with a vibe that’s part Wong Kar-Wai film, part Mayfair sophistication. Now I must confess that I’m not a film buff and had never heard of the filmmaker or director. So, as I’m always keen to learn, I did watch some trailers of his films. Walking into MiMi, there’s definitely something atmospheric happening. Yes, it’s very much a Mayfair townhouse, but there’s something else—you’re suddenly in the world of 1920s Empress MiMi, all dreamy lighting and vintage glamour. Is it a Wong Kar-Wai film? I’m not sure, but it certainly sounds impressive.
Once settled in this impressive dining room, we were presented with the menu. With so many dishes to choose from, we needed help. The team at MiMi were very keen to assist, and we soon had a plan: starters, the signature duck course, and then mains.
Exceptional Dim Sum and Langoustines at MiMi Mei Fair
We started with mixed dim sum, including chilli crab, prawns, chicken, and pork. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so even my camera skills can make these beauties look good—and I’m happy to report they were exceptional. Each dumpling was a perfect parcel of flavour, with delicate wrappers giving way to perfectly seasoned fillings. Did I have a favourite? Possibly the pork, with its rich, savoury depth, though my wife Leigh sided with the crab. To be honest, choosing between them felt almost unfair—they were all magnificent.
Alongside the dim sum, we chose crispy golden langoustines with added Périgord truffle. Having visited the Périgord region last year, this felt like a combination made in heaven. I was right—this was such a spectacular dish. The plump langoustines were skilfully wrapped in angel hair pasta, which was so light and added another texture. The truffle added an earthy luxury that elevated the entire plate.
MiMi Mei Fair’s Spectacular Peking Duck Experience
I have to confess I was looking forward to this course more than any other. I’d read about how good the best Peking duck in London was at MiMi and was keen to experience it myself. It can be dangerous to build your expectations so high, only to feel disappointed. However, I can quickly confirm it was possibly better than I could have believed.
First, the Peking duck is carved in front of you by the chef. Using what looked like a large meat cleaver, the chef gently and quickly carved the duck with the skill of a teppanyaki master. This was indeed the most impressive culinary theatre, performed by a truly talented chef.
We were presented with slivers of the perfectly cooked skin to try first, which we dipped into granulated white sugar to enhance the rich flavour. The rest of the duck arrived, served with traditional pancakes and sauces. Sometimes words can’t adequately describe how good something is, and this is one such occasion. I can’t remember having better Peking duck—it was sublime. I’ve resisted the temptation to throw more adjectives at how good it was because I think you get the picture.
Sea Bass and Black Pepper Beef: Perfect Main Courses
We ended our banquet with two dishes: Atlantic sea bass with spring onion, ginger, and soy, and diced black pepper beef fillet, paired with egg fried rice and Hakka noodles with bean sprouts and shiitake mushrooms. The sea bass arrived beautifully presented and was light and flaky, its aromatic sauce a refreshing counterpoint to the duck. The beef, tender and succulent, carried a gentle heat from the peppercorns. The sides—fragrant, fluffy rice and earthy, umami-packed noodles—rounded out the meal beautifully.
The Verdict
Sadly, all good things come to an end, and it was time to leave the empress’s house. A visit to MiMi is more than just going out for a meal—it’s an experience, somewhere special to indulge and immerse yourself in fine dining excellence.
As well as two upstairs dining rooms, MiMi Mei Fair offers booth seating downstairs and a stunning private dining area.
You’ll find MiMi Mei Fair at 55 Curzon Street, London W1J 8PG. Book via their website (mimimeifair.com)
Looking for more foodie adventures? Dive into our cracking reviews of London’s best restaurants, pubs, and cafés right here
