Stepping through the door of BA Orient is as relaxing as slipping into a warm bath, thanks to its deep purple hues and sultry candlelight. With a scattering of low-set tables and plush velvet seats, BA Orient exudes contemporary Oriental sophistication; and a look inside the beautifully embossed menu confirmed to me that the food would be just as magnificent as the surroundings. Special mention has to be given to the wonderful cocktails we sipped while choosing our food – they were beautifully decorated with flowers and fruit, and tasted divine.

On the advice of our waiter, we ordered a selection of dim sum, as well as a grilled meat dish and a noodle dish. When the array of food arrived, I dived straight into the steaming bowl of udon noodles, topped with deliciously tender and flavoursome duck, while my companion dunked a chunky chicken skewer into a bowl of satay sauce. The dim sum were equally delicious, in particular the shumai – steamed balls of chicken and prawn finished with glistening tobiko caviar. We could not resist a dessert of deep-fried cream custard buns – these sweet little parcels left us with childlike smiles on our faces. To experience pure enjoyment in a sophisticated and luxurious setting, you simply cannot beat BA Orient.