I like to get dim sum frequently and rather than going to one of our usual places, my friend suggested we try Hutong at the Shard.
After navigating security and the lifts (which have buttons, but also signs saying “do not press the buttons”), and dealing with a flustered front of house, we got to our table. We weren’t seated at a prime windowside table, but effectively one row back. It was fine though; you could still see plently of construction cranes from our table.
Rather than order the set menu, we went a la carte and chose some sliced pork belly with cucumber, turnip dumplings, various dim sum, peking duck, mapo tofu, green beans in pork, steamed rice and some puh-er tea to drink. The food itself was pretty decent (the turnip dumplings were the highlight for me), though I did notice the cucumbers had dried up a bit. Nothing was standout apart from the turnip dumplings, even though we had selected plenty of their house specials.
The main concern was the tempo – the starters came out quickly, and then we had to wait an age for our duck, and then another huge gap before the mains. I nearly started eating my serviette in hunger. The room was not well-lit, which I assume was supposed to highlight the views outside; but it somehow gave the place a gloomy atmosphere.
We chose some mochi and sesame buns for dessert, which were not terribly inspiring. Then finally we managed to pay – the amount was less than I feared, thankfully.
Overall, it’s not a *bad* place but with a few tweaks it could be so much better (sharper service, more care on the cooking, sorting out the lighting).