His & Hers (the editor, Emma and the food reviewer: me) had a great meal and lovely evening at Liu Shi, 60 Hope Street, just recently.

Feature by: Jean Hill.

I thought the spring rolls were the best I had ever tasted. Their sea-bass with lemon-grass and shredded ginger was delicious. So to be invited back to eat at The Fuzzy Duck which is the bar beneath Liu Shi was irresistible.

We stepped down a staircase into a cosy, welcoming bar where we sat on comfortable, all enveloping, classic leather chairs, placed around a log burner, with a glass of wine in hand, that all combine to warm the soul.

The menu is comprehensive, though there are bite sized options too. There is live entertainment.  The evening we were there, a singer/guitar player was performing covers of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Springsteen and others. His arrangements were inspired and added to the whole experience of the evening.

I have no idea how this keeps happening (possibly a chef’s secret): this time the prawn crackers were the best we had ever tasted. I had to keep up, otherwise our editor might have devoured them all.  Our mains were sweet potato katsu curry and a duck burger. Sweet potato and carrot turned out to be a winning combo for the curry. I had never tried a duck burger before. It was truly memorable. It had a rich, mellow, all semi-sweet succulent meat flavour with great depth and came with hoi sin ketchup and cucumber. Totally different from a beef-burger in a good way.

It is still fine dining, in a very relaxed, chilled out atmosphere. There is a Sunday roast menu: there are banquets to be had, including a vegan option.

My day had been an interesting one: all first world problems, but still challenging. This bar is a mood changer: a chance to shrug off the cares of the day and relax into an ever improving alternative reality. Definitely worked for me. We had a great time and it is one to return to for old-fashioned hospitality and great food.

Website: https://liushihopestreet.co.uk/the-fuzzy-duck/

From the archives: Liu Shi has a lot to offer throughout summer.