If it’s one thing restaurants know that instagrammar’s like, it’s a stunning floral installation and in the call of Spring nothing beats a good cherry blossom.  This season both Roka and P F Chang’s have graced our instafeeds with beautiful pink displays and with London still snowing in March, getting some sushi under a cherry blossom might be just the thing!

Having visited Shinjuku Park in Tokyo during Sakura season, I can say I’ve seen nothing that encapsulates Spring so beautifully, the expectations therefore were high.  Since both restaurants have the cherry blossom installation as a Pop Up and not permanent feature I thought I’d compare the two on which was better.

The Décor

The cherry blossom décor is not new to Roka, the Charlotte Street branch celebrated Sakura season last year and they’re continuing to feature it this year.  As you walk in to the basement in to Shochu Lounge the feature is spectacular. The blossoms hang overhead covering the entire ceiling of the bar alongside the dim lighting with a subtle pink tint creates a very romantic feel.

PF Chang’s dubbed their cherry blossom installation as the Bloom Room, like Roka the main restaurant remained untouched and all the pink loveliness was saved for their basement area.  The wow factor was the floral wall entirely covered with petals.  This was nicely balanced with white paper lanterns hanging overhead, a white piano at the centre and plenty of white fairy lights to off set what could’ve become pink blossom overload.

The food

Shochu lounge served food from the restaurant above so there wasn’t a special menu tying in with the blossom décor, although they did however dedicate a whole range of cocktails.

 

P F Chang’s also served food from the restaurant above however in relation to their actual Pop Up they created a whole menu using cherry blossom flavours in their drinks and desserts.  The beautiful display of the seasonal menu was set up in the Pastry Lab and had everything from Cherry blossom cheesecakes and macaroons to mocktails.

The verdict

On appearance clearly Roka’s canopy of cherry blossoms is undeniably stunning, 87% of you also agreed on my instagram poll.  However if food is more important than ambience then you’ll love P F Chang’s pop up of both cherry blossom decor and menu.

 

Shochu Lounge (Roka) 37 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1RR

P F Chang’s 10 Great Newport St, London WC2H 7JA