With a string of successful global restaurants to his name, sometimes it’s hard to keep tabs on international TV chef Gordon Ramsay’s culinary ventures. And he’s not afraid to branch out into new dining experiences either, as he has shown by opening his first Asian eatery, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, in London’s Mayfair. Luxurious Magazine’s Sabi Phagura went along to sample the delights.

Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay proudly sits on Grosvenor Square in an unassuming 18th-century building. It’s only when you step inside the entrance that you’re greeted with the huge red logo marking your arrival at this restaurant.

Having arrived for a mid-week lunch, I wasn’t expecting the restaurant to be heaving. Alongside rows of dozens of gold paw-wagging Maneki-neko Japanese figurines lining the wall, there was a buoyant group of business diners, tourists and couples who were already seated comfortably sipping on drinks and eating in the L-shaped room.

Opened in 2019, Lucky Cat was inspired by Gordon’s travels through different Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and China. Lucky Cat’s menu reads like a culinary journey, thoughtfully exploring different Asian cuisines. I wouldn’t expect anything less from such a joint.

Our beaming waitress, Dominika, was swift in giving us the rundown of the menu. Diners will find a healthy list of dishes from sashimi and sushi delivered from the raw bar to Lucky Cat’s signature black cod, JFC, short rib and bao.

Unable to decide due to the variety and calibre of the menu, I took a gamble, asking Dominika to choose an array of dishes for me to give me a flavour of this place.

Asian Inspired Menu
At the helm of the kitchen is executive chef André Camilo. He and his team, with support from Gordon himself, create new dishes every season, so there’s always something new to try. And in true Gordon Ramsay style, only the top foods from reputed suppliers make the cut in this and his other restaurants.

Here, they range from top fish suppliers in Japan and Spain, beef from the acclaimed Lake District Farmers, Wagyu from Japan, right down to the London-based Eaten Alive, who create a unique kimchi and yuzu hot sauce for the restaurant.

The crockery isn’t overlooked, either. It’s supplied by Surrey Ceramics, a family-owned business that creates and supplies bespoke plates and crockery to Lucky Cat.

While I admired my surroundings – the bar, glass cabinet stocked with wine, extravagant lighting, plush seating areas and the Japanese figurine chopstick holders at my table, Dominika arrived with a selection of starters to whet my appetite.

Cooked at the stoves and prepared in the vast open kitchen, Padron peppers, Dragon Roll, JFC (Jolly Fried Chicken), tofu and spicy avo bao buns, tomato salad and Kyoto cucumbers were duly laid out. I didn’t know where to start.

But start I did, and I literally couldn’t stop – especially with the JFC. Hands down, it’s the best fried chicken I’ve eaten. The hot Korean miso and black sesame are what made it stand out, while the hint of chilli gave it a real kick.

I also didn’t think it was possible to get excited by the cucumber. Normally a bland vegetable which is tossed into a salad, this dish with a simple sesame dressing made it outstanding.

Taking a break to digest the ample starters was a good idea as the main comprising of grilled miso salmon coated in wasabi miso, baby chicken cooked in wakame and lemon, accompanied by egg fried rice with xo sauce and grilled tenderstem broccoli with smoked emulsion was nothing short of a banquet. To be honest, I expected minute portions.

The food was on point, although the salmon was a tad on the sweet side for me. And while I thoroughly enjoyed the dressed broccoli, I thought it was on the pricey side at £15.

While new dishes are created each month, a selection of previous Lucky Cat favourites are revisited and refined. I was pleased to learn that JFC is available in all seasons. I would happily walk into Lucky Cat and order just these washed down with a drink.

Other staples include the Bonito Fried Duck Leg Bao, the Hand-Dived Scallops with Yuzu, and the exquisitely simple, classic Yellowtail sashimi.

Desserts may not be commonplace at other Asian restaurants, but Lucky Cat has made a special effort. The dedicated all-female pastry team in Mayfair carefully weave flavours of rose, lychee and yuzu through the dishes. But as tempting as they were, I passed on pudding, opting to have the Lucky Car truffles to accompany my flat white to round off the meal.

Talking of beverages, the drinks menu features a curated cocktail range, including the signature Lucky Negroni. And there are plenty of beloved classics featuring an Asian flavour twist. But if you prefer the mighty grape, the wine and sake offering is equally extensive.

Private Dining Experience
For those looking for a more fancy, immersive dining experience, the semi-private options make an exceptional choice. The Chef’s Table seats ten and is paired with a bespoke menu completely tailored to guests’ tastes. Meanwhile, the Kitchen Table offers two menus that elevate the signature offering. Furthermore, three private dining rooms capture the personality of the main restaurant for an intimate lunch or dinner.

If you fancy yourself as a chef or baker, the Lucky Cat team are committed to sharing their knowledge through a series of boutique masterclasses. From sake to sushi to showstopping cocktails, you can recreate dishes to impress guests when you’re back at home. The team even promises to some of the secrets behind Lucky Cat’s specialities.

If you’re a fan of pan-Asian food rich in flavour and taste and enjoy fine dining in a swanky room, then I can highly recommend the Lucky Cat. Some of the dishes may appear to be on the pricey side, but you can savour every moment of them by using chopsticks over traditional cutlery.

Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay – Where and How?

Lucky Cat can be found at 10 Grosvenor Square, London W1. For reservations and more information on Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, visit www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/lucky-cat.

Read more dining features and news here.