The Buddha Bar, Knightsbridge

Last Updated on December 12, 2016 by Fiona Maclean

An Asian Feast at the Buddha Bar, Knightsbridge:

I was invited to the launch of the Buddha Bar in Knightsbridge at the end of October 2012.  As it happens, I’d already accepted another invitation that evening so turned up very late and rather tired.  And, it was full to the brim of glamorous twenty-somethings wearing skyscraper heels and dresses that looked as if they’d just come off the designer racks at nearby Harvey Nichols or Harrods.  Now, I like to dress up a bit, but I did feel conspicuously under-dressed on this occasion and didn’t stay for very long!

What food I saw at the Launch though looked delicious and I was thrilled to be invited back to sample their menu properly.

Of course it always helps to start with a champagne cocktail, and this one, called Bubble Wrap was particularly pretty –  a blend of strawberry & raspberry puree, rose and raspberry cordial, elderflower liquor, a touch of Belvedere, and Champagne.

Downstairs to eat, in the very beautifully and exotic dining area, watched over by Buddha and the Dragons who seemed to know exactly what I was tasting and did a much better of tweeting than I did (well, come on, I was far too busy eating!).  I do like edame beans though and these were served two ways – as pictured with salt and with a soy dressing.  The crispy sushi was delicious too, although I’ve noticed wasabi in my photo which I don’t think I discovered on the night!

There was some rather fabulous sashimi, beautifully presented – and another platter of sushi.  These were sharing plates so I didn’t taste every piece of fish, but I can vouch for the deliciousness of octopus and salmon sashimi.

Perhaps my favourite dishes of the evening – the crispy spiced squid and tempura prawns came with the Buddha Bar signature chicken salad.  And at that stage I’d probably eaten quite enough!

But then again who could fail to enjoy lobster…

By the time we got to desserts I was quite grateful for the delicious platter of fresh exotic fruit

And totally incapable of eating the creme brulee trio or the perfect pear with ice-cream or even the exotic pineapple dessert

A fabulous evening of gourmet pan-Asian dishes served with style.  The Buddha Bar is somewhere for a special occasion, when you want to dress up and eat well in glamorous company and exotic surroundings without leaving London.  It’s food you can linger over in an environment that lends itself to spending time drinking and enjoying the ambience.
Buddha Bar
145 Knightsbridge,
London,
SW1X 7PA