Bobby Chinn's House of Ho to open on 6 January
Bobby Chinn's first UK restaurant, House of Ho, is set to open on London's Old Compton Street on 6 January 2014.
The modern Vietnamese menu will reflect Chinn's 18 years living and working in Vietnam, where he owns two restaurants in Hanoi and Saigon.
A soft opening at the 90-seat Soho restaurant has started, running until 4 January, with the restaurant open for dinner only with a preview menu offering a 50% discount on the food, but full price for drinks.
Signature small dishes on the launch menu include: smokey aubergine and crispy shallots with warm scallion vinaigrette; apple-smoked pork belly with braised cabbage; lemongrass monkfish; duck "a la banana" (shredded confit duck banana blossom salad); seafood ceviche with mangosteen truffle vinaigrette; "Shaking Beef"; molton marou chocolate cake; and sweet corn che. Prices range from £4.50 to £15.
The international wine list comprises approximately 60 bins, including a selection of sakes. Prices start at £21 (bottle), and there are 12 by the glass from £5.25.
Both classic and innovative cocktails are featured, enhanced with homemade bitters and syrups, including house favourites such as the ‘Ho'rny Devil (lemongrass vodka, Vietnamese Devil's Chilli, fresh coconut), ‘Ho'-Groni (Campari, Tanqueray 10 gin and pomelo bitters), and Nam Fizz (lemongrass shochu with Prosecco and lemongrass); prices range from £7 to £9.
The interior of the new restaurant features a 10-metre bar, a semi-private area for up to 10, light oak wooden flooring with patterned tile borders, bamboo tables, and mixed seating upholstered in leather.
Chinn was born in New Zealand to a Chinese father and Egyptian mother, and has lived in the USA, New Zealand, England and Vietnam, where he has been since 1996. He now resides in London.
He has hosted the award-winning World Café
From 6 January, The House of Ho will be open from Monday to Saturday, with lunch from 12pm to 3pm, and dinner Monday-Wednesday from 5.30pm to 10.30pm (until 11.30pm Thursday-Saturday).