Bull in a China Shop (Shoreditch)

• Bull In A China Shop is a new opening from the guys behind dim sum favourites
• Polished brass extends along one side with a bustling back bar filled to the brim with prime Japanese and Scottish whiskey bottles
• We kicked off with complimentary wings
• Butchered from the rotisserie with one hell of a cleaver
• I went for the halloumi and red pepper offering which was a tastier combination than I was expecting but ultimately let down by the dry and tasteless bap a gimmick too far perhaps
• Matt's fish burger was so so but Ella enjoyed her chicken burger so one for the team there
• They were a bit hit and miss with a bizarrely dry quinoa offering but a good slaw to counteract it
• Dessert was a bread and pudding offering with charcoal bun running through it and a gloriously sweet
• Cinnamony custard over the top that was then finished with a blowtorched sugar
• They have an extensive list and are more than happy to recommend
• These tumblers along with the accompanying cocktails were the stars of the show
• My life long companionship with chicken has been a committed
• If you manage to open the door (I had a brief but intense battle with a dodgy handle)
• You have 30 expertly selected Japanese and Scotch whiskies to choose from and it is immediately obvious that many hours have been spent ensuring that only the best reach the shelves
• The interior is immediately appealing
• The restaurant section is tucked around the corner away from the bar
• Especially when the charcoal old fashioned is on offer (when we went
• I'm not one for even attempting to maintain a ladylike self composure when wings are on the table
• While I'm not sure that the charcoal bun was hugely dissimilar in taste from a regularly coloured brioche bun
• That didn't pose a problem and it certainly provided instagram with something to get its teeth into
• There were resounding groans of enjoyment for the deep fried cauliflower cheese bites which were indulgently moreish
• Because this pud is a comforting delight
• The charcoal bun was soaked in whisky
• The whisky was unanimously the winner of the evening for all involved
• Animal skulls and Tom Dixon pendant lights which all work well with the chinoiserie
• Very tender and moist with a subtly sweet coating on the skin
• The blanched cauliflower and orange was pleasant enough
• They specialize in Japanese whiskeys but it was rather too early in the day for that kind of thing
• I am a massive fan of Japanese Whisky and there are simply not enough bars out there taking advantage of such a wonderful product
• Chicken and Whisky are two of Tim&rsquo
• Bull In A China Shop is a self described contemporary bar and restaurant located in trendy Shoreditch
• It certainly fits the part with its low lighting and cavernous decor creating an intimating dining experience (albeit one that will also test your night vision)
• On offer alongside 30 types of Japanese whisky is a menu inspired by the Orient including a twist on the traditional congee and a fried chicken charcoal brioche bun burger
• Those will have to wait another day as what caught my eye was the rotisserie chicken served with a choice of their freshly made salads
• Brined in ginger then marinated in an Asian yogurt before being finished with a Nikka glaze
• The chicken is among the juiciest I've had in recent memory
• Though this meal was certainly tasty
• It is definitely a great addition to Shoreditch's bulging dining scene but I'm not convinced it has done enough to set itself apart in what is a very competitive market
• In reality spontaneity on a date is very hard to come by
• The outside is unobtrusive
• Behind the old pub frontage the atmosphere is buzzy yet relaxed
• The rotisserie chicken is seriously more ish
• The superfood salad was a damp squib in comparison
• Let the whiskey work its magic and you are all set for an evening of relaxed conversation and damn fine drinking
• Go for a Wabi / Sabi with Hakushu Single Malt Distiller's Reserve
• Charcoal Old Fashioned with Nikka Yoichi
• You can't far wrong with the rotisserie chicken (brined with ginger
• Marinated overnight in Asian yoghurt with a Nikka whisky glaze)
• Butter pudding with chamomile spiced rum custard
• The Panko crusted chicken burger with pickled ginger
• Lime chutney is also worth a look
• If you like chicken and you like whiskey this is your kind of place
• Bull in a China Shop is the second offering from brothers Stephen and Simon Chan who already own The Drunken Monkey dim sum bar further down Shoreditch High Street
• I've passed by Bull in a China Shop (Shoreditch) a lot of times but to be honest what made me go in was that I really needed the bathroom
• The bathroom is in fact not particularly impressive
• The cocktail list is pretty good
• I decided to go for one of their house cocktails called something with Toro if I remember right
• I have to say it was very nice and I liked it a lot
• The venue itself is quite small and it can get quite crowded
• All cocktails were based on Japanese single malts taking centre stage
• Sharing plates is the way to go here
• Bull in a China Shop makes you mentally prepared for Asian fusion and this is definitely what you get
• Think diner type food but with an Asian twist

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