Last Saturday, Ellie & I were invited by the owners of Kibako, a Japanese restaurant in London’s bustling Fitzrovia neighbourhood, to check out their new 3-course ‘Personalise your sushi’ menu. The venue currently offers a huge 65% off discount, reducing the price to a mere £30. We ended up with several additional courses and snacks, including the famous 9-piece omakase-style box. WHAT IS A KIBAKO? These serving boxes are called ‘kibako’ in Japanese and usually have between 6 and 12 compartments, each containing some sushi, sashimi, carpaccio, other snacks, sides or condiments.     ‘NAMASTE’ Upon entering the premises from Great Portland Street, the super-friendly and attentive staff greeted us with warm ‘namastes’. Chef Padam Raj Rai hails from Nepal, where he used to head the kitchen of the back-then premier Japanese restaurant in Kathmandu. He has also trained in Osaka, Japan, and worked at many well-known, upmarket Japanese restaurants […]

Ellie & I were recently invited by Hot Stone, a Japanese restaurant in Angel, London, to check out their culinary offerings. They are currently celebrating their sixth anniversary with a £30 three-course dinner deal (check out our social media for the link). The regular price is £85. For the avoidance of doubt, we had additional a la carte food orders and drinks adding up to around £130 for the two of us, on top of the two three-course meals. We were held free of cost for those too. A COOL BUT NOT A FANCY PART OF TOWN I regularly pass by Hot Stone on my morning runs, when I run along Regent’s Canal (which flows underground on this section), and I like the neighbourhood. Chapel Market, where the eatery is located, is very working class, and a far shot from the fancy boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants in Camden Passage, […]