Ash Lee
Last January, to celebrate the Chinese New Year, we invited chef Ash Lee of Berlin’s iconic ChungKing Noodles to join our kitchen.
For the occasion, Ash created a dinner inspired by the regional cuisines of the Sichuan province and Chongqing. A menu of mouth-watering, spicy, traditional dishes featuring the likes of Sichuan Style Diving Pickles, Black Tea Smoked Duck and Chongqing Style Street Noodles alongside New Year’s classics such as Fried Sticky Rice Cake.
After the event, we sat down to talk with Ash about memorable bottles, museum hopping with a glass of Champagne at hand, and more.
Here is the full interview.
1. You're handed a wine list, what do you do?
Depends on where I am. I usually either go by region. Either and area where I am at or my favourite regions. Sometimes it also depends on what kind of wine I would like to drink on the day.
2. How do you know the wine you're drinking is good?
Everyone has their own taste. Good ones to me are what I enjoy the most.
3. What is something fascinating you’ve been told over lunch?
What does club sandwich stand for? Chicken Lettuce Under Bacon! Boom
4. In whose company do you most enjoy drinking wine?
People who are open-minded and not just drink natural wine.
5. Can you describe your ideal combination of wine, music, and setting?
One thing I have always wanted to do is to visit museums with a glass of champagne in my hand with my own music or without any music. For restaurants I actually appreciated good wine without music in the background because the noise/sound of busy service is music itself.
6. What sort of food would you add to the equation?
Always down for something deep fried.
7. What is the most memorable bottle of wine you’ve drank?
Benoit Marguet champagne Sapience 2007
8. Where did you drink it?
Arpège
9. Is there a characteristic you look for in a wine and in a friend?
Patience
10. What is your approach to drinking?
Right people and right time to drink with
11. Do you apply this approach in other aspects of life?
Sorta I recon.
12. What shall we open next?
Always champagne and armagnac :)
New Opening Times
Starting from this summer our opening times are changing. From Tuesday 1st August onwards, our restaurant will be open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, and for lunch on Saturday as usual.
Summer Break
Our last day open before the holidays is Saturday 5th August. We will be back as usual from Tuesday 15th August.