We kicked things off the only acceptable way: cocktails on the rooftop. The sun was out, the sky was a crisp winter blue, and the heated pool was doing that very Shoreditch thing of looking both wildly inviting and too glamorous to touch. Tempting as it was to lounge outside, we slid indoors for a couple of pre-lunch tipples. The standout? The Brick Lane cocktail – a chilli margarita that hits every note just right.
Then it was downstairs to the restaurant – and wow. Think colour-burst hydrangeas blooming overhead, a glowing central bar, and cosy leather booths begging you to sink in. Service was super friendly, genuinely attentive, and perfectly paced.
We shared a round of starters, and every plate came at us with serious flavour. The Oyster tosazu with kombu jelly and lime was fresh, bright and beautifully delicate. The Gilda gordal olive with Guindilla chilli and smoked bonita tatami was a punchy little flavour bomb. Nori milk bread with miso and shiso butter – so fluffy, so perfectly savoury, so addictive we ordered it twice. No regrets.
Our server knew their stuff, suggesting a bottle of Colomba Bianca Kore, Grillo DOC to pair with the oysters – spot on.
Next up, the Crystal shrimp tempura with Japanese poached egg and Sansho glaze was light, crunchy, dreamy. The Cornish mussels in Japanese XO with tomato and lemon – meaty, rich, zingy. We used the milk bread to mop up every last drop. And as croquette fiends, there was no skipping the barbecue eel and Gorgonzola croquette – smoky, creamy, absolute magic.
With dessert in our sights, we played it smart and shared the Rubia Gallega ribeye steak between three. Pink, tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The smoked butter pink fir potatoes with kombu aioli, and roasted flourish greens (black sesame, EVOO, soy – yes please) are absolute must-orders. A Chianti Classico Riserva sealed the deal beautifully.
Dessert was an easy “one of each”: the burnt miso and yuzu cheesecake with warm pistachio cream, and the divine Matcha churros with hojicha dulce de leche. Both outstanding, both inhaled.
A fab long lunch full of new flavours, good company, great energy and that classic Shoreditch buzz that somehow makes time stretch into late afternoon. Already planning our next visit.