Review: Sosharu London, Farringdon

Jason Atherton opened up this Japanese joint recently, Sosharu London. I couldn't wait to try it out after constantly drooling over its Instagram pics. It was pretty pricey but I have to say it was totally worth it - the quality and the portions were brilliant. When they tell you the menu goes from little to large plates, they're not joking. Large is actually a normal size which sometimes you don't get in a higher end restaurant.

I would also recommend visiting the whisky bar downstairs. Japanese whisky to end the night of fantastic food - perfect.

A refreshing cocktail to start the proceedings

Salmon and tuna temaki. The little mayonnaise squeeze tube was a cute little touch. 

The special was tempura asparagus with slow cooked egg and tomatoes. Surprisingly well done. 

Grilled octopus was divine and really flavoursome.

I had to order the pork belly because it's my thing. And I'm so glad. It came with a udon noodle broth. And the crisp seaweed was lovely. Usually seaweed is pretty bland but this one was the perfect accompaniment. 

The wagyu beef which is DIY self cook. 

It was great to be able to mix it yourself and cook the meat to how you prefer it. 

At work

The seafood rice pot arrived last and to be honest by this time we were both pretty full. The rice pot was really good though, lots of fresh seafood flavour and not just all full of rice with minimal seafoods. Just a shame we couldn't finish it. 

My after dinner drink was slightly odd I have to say - neither sweet or alcoholic. 

The other dessert. I think the cake was slightly too sweet but the ice cream was banana-flavoured which added to the dessert pieces. 

The service we received was excellent, everyone was very friendly and vigilant. They did well to explain the menu and every dish that was served without being patronising. The food was outstanding - full of flavour and cooked perfectly and all very interesting dishes. The decor was all wooden but slick and in a fairly small room which felt quite cosy (in a good way, not in a sort of cramped way) but airy enough. The Japanese white wine we had was also very good.

Overall, it came to £174 inc service, which for the amount we had including drinks wasn't that bad. The food was excellent quality. I probably couldn't afford to go here again on a regular basis but for a special occasion this is well worth your money and experience.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5

7 Tales - the bar downstairs
Again, friendly staff who will help you make your choice of whisky and cocktails. One of the cocktails even comes with picking your own sugar cube from a vending machine. That's how fun it is downstairs.

Also, just one final note - please visit the bathroom. They have the Japanese toilets installed - heated toilet seats and everything. Amazing.

Review: Bleeding Heart, French bistro, Farringdon

I command you to make a visit here.

The French Bistro is open at the weekends, with the restaurant open on weekdays - they have different menus and I've had different opinions with the restaurant prices slightly more, but I went to the Bistro and have to say I would definitely come here again.

Tables get fully booked pretty quickly which tells you all you need to know really. Just off Farringdon Road in its own quirky courtyard, it is located in an unassuming place, which for me, makes me like it already. Greeted by authentic French employees, all friendly and attentive, this place just gets better.

Bleeding Heart has just started running set menus - 2 courses for £18 or 3 courses for £21. We shared starters of muscles, snails and salmon blinis. It was the first time I tried snails, and really, the texture is like a mushroom...but I don't like mushrooms, but I didn't mind the snails.

For the main, I had the Confit duck which was delicious, strangely, it wasn't the duck that stuck out - I really enjoyed the savoy cabbage mixed in with the sauce. They also serve rabbit that comes in a cute pastry shape, the steak burger is a pretty decent size with a healthy portion of 'frites', and the pumpkin risotto looked also very appealing - even to a non-vegetarian.

Pastry is made fresh on-site, with the tarts sold out by 8pm on Saturday. We decided to share the dessert amongst five, so came the last lemon tarte, the last raspberry tarte ('tarte du jour'), crème brûlée and profiteroles. All divine, but I would have to say the tarts are the ones you should pick.

Prices are justified for the food we received. It's not the most pocket-friendly for those who want to enjoy a quick dinner, it is definitely something to be enjoyed slowly for the whole evening to soak in every bit of its decor, food, wine and relaxed atmosphere - and for that, I would make a visit to the bistro again, so that I can try out the dishes I didn't have.

4 out 5 eggs.

http://www.bleedingheart.co.uk/