The Britomart precinct may be all concrete and queues, but look for the mini rainforest with twinkling fairy lights and a neon sign in the birdcage, and all will be well in the world. This is a dumpling house cross cocktail bar, and we’re all over it.

With ceiling lanterns, floral antique chairs and oriental figurines guarding the menus, XuXu (pronounced ‘su-su’) is Far Eastern elegance meets English Victorian, and it works together like BarChick and booze. The menu is full of fresh ingredients, and a good helping of gin. We like the Monsoon (Appleton Rum, lime, sherry and ginger) with our bamboo basket of Hanoi-style dumplings, the perfect bite size accompaniment.

With table service only, this isn’t a prop-up-the-bar kinda joint. Take a seat indoors on one of the intimate tables and wait to be served, or head outside to the lush little courtyard. Rum, dumplings, paper lanterns and crushed velvet suddenly are a good combination.