Amy Poon Opens Restaurant at Somerset House
Chef Amy Poon opened Poon's at Somerset House, blending family Chinese traditions with modern flavors in the new restaurant concept. The Observer covered the opening as part of London's evolving dining scene. The restaurant represents a fusion approach that honors traditional Chinese cooking while incorporating contemporary techniques.
- The Poon's legacy began in 1973 when Amy Poon's father, Bill Poon, a seventh-generation master chef, opened the first Poon's restaurant in London's Chinatown after being disappointed with the quality of Chinese food in England. - The original Poon's of Covent Garden, which opened in 1976, earned a Michelin star in 1980, a first for a Chinese restaurant in the UK, and attracted a celebrity clientele that included Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, and Barbra Streisand. - Before opening the permanent restaurant at Somerset House, Amy Poon revived the family brand through a series of popular pop-ups, including a three-month stint in Clerkenwell in 2018 and a wontoneria at Carousel. - The new restaurant's menu features dishes that pay homage to the original, such as clay pot rice with wind-dried meats, a recipe first introduced to the UK by Bill Poon. - In addition to the restaurant, the Poon's brand also includes a retail line of sauces and condiments, such as their well-known "Extraordinary Chilli Oil" and "WO Sauce." - Amy Poon did not initially plan to join the family business, having pursued a career in PR and advertising in Japan and Singapore before returning to London and reviving the Poon's brand. - The design of the 60-seat Somerset House restaurant was a collaboration with Janet McGlennon and even involved a feng shui master to ensure a harmonious environment. - One of the signature dishes, prawn toast, is humorously named "The Hill That Amy Didn't Die On," reflecting a playful approach to the menu which also includes a dessert trio by pastry chef Helen Goh.
