IsshoniLondon.co.uk is expanding!

I started researching everything Japanese in London in 2007. Since then, I have come to realise what a exciting, diverse community bursting with international exchange there is here in London!

In my blog IsshoniLondon.co.uk I have been gathering up all the snippets of interesting information about what's happening in Japanese London. There's so much: Japanese food, theatre, conversation, art, festivals, gardens, fashion - this thriving community demands more attention than my tiny blog can give it! It's about to pop...

So, move over IsshoniLondon.co.uk - JapaneseLondon.com is coming!

Are you a budding writer or journalist with an interest in Japan? Do you have a business, group or organisation you'd like to share information about and promote?

JapaneseLondon.com will be launching shortly. I am looking for writers and contributors. If you are interested in writing informative articles about Japanese events, people, places and food in London, please get in touch at:
contributors at isshonilondon dot co dot uk

Did you have a great time teaching in Japan? Would you like to privately tutor Japanese people one-to-one in your area of London? I am looking for tutors for daytime/evening/weekend lessons. Lessons are usually held at the student's houses or workplaces.

JapaneseLondon.com Tutors is a brand spanking new company offering you the chance to:

Get a Fair Wage - JapaneseLondon.com Tutors offers a competitive wage
Stay Local - We look to place you with students in your area of London whenever possible
Make Friends - If you are punctual, prepared, professional - and you enjoy building cross-cultural relationships, we are looking for you!

Experience teaching in Japan is essential, a CELTA or other teaching qualification (PGCE, etc) is desirable. Please send your CV to Vanessa at:
tutors at isshonilondon dot co dot uk

I'd love for you to join in! Let me know what you want to see on JapaneseLondon.com!

JETAA London Restaurant Night

Join us for an evening of tasty yakitori skewers and great conversation with former JETs at trendy BINCHO restaurant in Soho. We'll order a wide selection of BINCHO's famous yakitori skewers, from asparabacon to zucchini! Check out the menu here!

Date: Thursday, 3rd June 2010
Time: 7.30pm
Place: BINCHO Yakitori, 16 Old Compton Street, London W10 4TL -
Cost: £15, payable on the night, drinks not included

Please register to attend by emailing Vanessa at londoncomms@jetaa.org.uk. Do indicate dietary preferences. Numbers strictly limited.

Bento Workshop at Atsuko's Kitchen

Bento boxes are served everywhere in Japan - work places, schools, department stores, and even on the trains. These tasty Japanese lunch boxes have been enjoyed for over 800 years!

A hands-on practical workshop, making your own bento filled with onigiri ( rice ball ) and 5 quick dishes with easy miso soup. These are suitable for cooking in a busy morning as many Japanese people make their own bento evey day. Also you will learn the hints of making some dishes suitable for your bento. You will be provided a reusable bento box from Japan!

We start with introducing a typical style of bento, then a cooking session. Next we will fill your bento box before finally eating!

Date: Sunday 20th June
Time: 6:00-8:30pm
Place: The Grocery
54 -56 Kingsland Road
London, E2 8DP
Price: £45 *includes all the ingredients and Japanese re-useable lovely bento box!

To make a booking: http://www.atsukoskitchen.com/

Sake Tasting Dinner

Here's an opportunity to try 6 different sake ranging from futsu-shu to ginjo alongside a 3 course meal at Moshi Moshi which includes a selection of zensai tapas, a choice of salmon teriyaki, Fitzroy sushi set or a chilli omelette with pak choi and mocha rice cake and green tea.

Date: Tuesday 25 May
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Venue: Moshi Moshi Liverpool Street Station, Unit 24, Liverpool Street Station, (above platform 1, behind M&S), London EC2M 7QH

The cost is £28 per person. Places are limited so please reserve your place on liverpoolstreet@moshimoshi.co.uk or by telephone, 020 7247 3227.

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JETAA Pub Night at Crane and Tortoise - Thursday 6th May!
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We've got a great new venue - plus a new day of the week (Thursday) that doesn't clash with Champions League midweek international matches!

If you haven't been to the Japanese pub/restaurant the Crane and Tortoise, this is the perfect chance for you to try their authentic, tasty Japanese food and drinks. Do come along to chat with fellow former JETs... and you can even practice your Japanese - all the staff there are actually Japanese!

Date: Thursday 6th May
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: Crane and Tortoise, 39 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8PR. The closest tube is Chancery Lane and you can find a map here: http://www.jetaa.org.uk/events/pub-night/

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Japanese Embassy Events this Spring
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There are plenty of events at the Embassy to keep you busy this spring. In particular, the first Wednesday of the next three months will feature free film screening nights at the Embassy of Japan in London, the first being on Wednesday, May 5th.

See the Embassy of Japan in London webpage for details of how to register. http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/ (Now the JETAA Pub Night has been moved to the first Thursday of the month, there's no reason not to go to both events...)

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Japanese Garden Party - Sunday 23rd May
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Don't miss this family-friendly day out at the annual Japanese Garden Party. The Mini Matsuri is held to celebrate the long history of Anglo-Japanese relations and is supported by the Hammersmith & Fulham council, the Japan-British Exhibition 100 Committee, the Japan Society, and the Japanese Resident Association.

There will be: Wadaiko/Bon-Odori/Okinawa Eisa/Enka singing/a Marshall Art Demo on stage; Tea Ceremony/Kamishibai/Garden Tour/Origami and Shodo Workshops; plus Japanese food/Japanese gifts/Information stalls!

The Japan's first major exhibition to the West took place in White City, London in 1910. The Japanese garden was created as a part of the exhibtion and today the garden still stands exactly in the same place as 100 years ago. This festival celebrates the centenary of the creation of the garden and the Japan-British Exhibition 1910.

Date: Sunday 23rd May
Time: 12 noon-4pm
Venue: Hammersmith Park Japanese Garden, South Africa Road, White City, London W12

Hurray! February is halfway over! But it's still freezing. With this in mind, here are my top toasty picks to get you through February in Londontown...

1. Melt into a Nabe Pot

The times I've googled 'oden - London' and 'nabe - London' and 'I want to eat oden in London!' and various combination thereof, I've never been able to find a restaurant that specialises in the warming Japanese hot-pot here in London. But now, thanks to the comprehensive EAT-JAPAN website, I've found out about Cocoro Restaurant near Bond Street, located at 31 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2NH. Read the article on EAT-JAPAN.

2. Defrost Your Buttocks with Uniqlo Heattech Long Johns

I don't know how I would have survived winter without these. I gave some to my mum at Christmas. Later, she complained she had cold legs. I said: 'Why don't you put your long johns on?' She said: 'Because I don't want to get used to wearing them all the time.' I said: 'Why?'. She didn't know...

Look, if you haven't got your obligatory Uniqlo Heattech undergarments on, you need to go and get some. Now!

Seriously, that is some cold rock you've been living under.

3. View Gorgeous Shiny Things

If you still haven't made it to see Hiroshi Suzuki's gorgeous 'Silver Waves' exhibit at The Goldsmith's Hall, you've got two more weekends. The free exhibition closes on March 6th.

4. Rediscover Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro is British. I know this.

But I've just got to get a mention of his 2009 book 'Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall' in here somehow, ok? What could be more comforting than this cheerful cover on a dark afternoon in February, I ask you? Pop on your Heatech long johns and snuggle down for a nice, long read.

Catch Bo Ningen, a London-based Japanese-descent 'progressive punk' band at The Rest is Noise, a Brixton pub. Free entry from 9pm-1am.

The Rest is Noise says: 'Bo Ningen are one of the most exciting acts to arise from London last year. The Japanese psych-screamo outfit are signed to Stolen Records and have celebrity fans including the Horrors.'

If you can't make it to see the band live, check out their myspace page here.

The JETAA London website http://jetaa.org.uk/ is currently being updated. Here is the info included in the latest JETAA mailshot.

Thanks to all for the fantastic response - 2010's JETAA Winter Ball is shaping up to be the best ever. For a more informal night out, come along to the JETAA Pub Night or our Karaoke Shinnenkai to mix and mingle with ex-JETs!

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JETAA Pub Night at FLUID next Wednesday!
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Come along to Fluid to chat with fellow former JETs. There's Asahi, Japanese-inspired cocktails and we'll even treat you to some izakaya style table food.

Date: Wednesday, 13th January
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: FLUID Bar, Farringdon (38 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6JN)
Map: Click here

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Shinnenkai - Karaoke!!
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Celebrate the start of the decade by singing your heart out at the On Board Karaoke Box & Bar!
There's still room for you - sign up now for the JETAA London New Year Karaoke Extravaganza!

To register email Josy at events@jetaa.org.uk
Date: Saturday 30th January
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 pm
Price: £15 (plus extra for drinks)
Venue: Onboard Karaoke Box
Basement 8 Kenway road
Earls Court
SW5 0RR
0207-244-6850

This cosy karaoke bar is a real find - located in the basement of restaurant called Orjowan just a couple of minutes walk from Earl's Court station. They have the largest range of Japanese Karaoke in London as well as plenty of English-language songs.

We plan to hire the entire bar, including 3 karaoke rooms. This will give you a chance to move around and meet new people in between songs! The bar is quite small so please let us know if you would like to attend so we can ensure there is enough room!

If the evening is successful, the owners of the bar are thinking of setting up special karaoke nights for JETAA members and Japanese expats in London.

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JETAA London AGM Results
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JETAA London enjoyed a good turnout and a successful evening at the Annual General Meeting last Wednesday. Thanks to all for coming! A few changes were made to the committee, which is now as follows:

Co-Chairperson: Josy Audigier
Co-Chairperson: Sharon Bignell
Vice Chair: Edward Horner
Treasurer: Hugh Thomas
Communications Officer: Vanessa Villalobos
Events Co-Ordinator: Andrew Urquhart
Events Co-Ordinator: Serena Yeung

A very warm welcome goes out to Andrew and Serena, new committee members for 2010.

If you wish to contact JETAA London, please email:
General enquiries - london@jetaa.org.uk
Events info - londonevents@jetaa.org.uk

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Tokyo Day 2010
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Tokyo Day(s!) are taking place on the last weekend in January. Courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, visitors to the event can learn about and enjoy many aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture, including screening of popular anime films.

Date: Saturday 30th January and Sunday 31st January 2010
Time: 10-6pm Sat, 10-4pm Sun
Venue: London
Website Link: http://www.tcp2010.com/

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Warm Sake Tasting at So Restaurant ***********************************************************
The British Sake Association is holding a warm sake tasting at So Restaurant (3-4 Warwick Street, London W1B 5LS) on Tuesday 16 February from 6-8pm.

This will be an informal sake tasting where you will have the opportunity to sample 6 different sake and enjoy canapés provided by So Restaurant. There will also be the opportunity to buy the sake tasted on the evening.

All JETAA members enjoy a 10% discount on the £30 ticket price, making it £27 per person.
To reserve your place contact Sarah Wedgbury at slwedgbury@gmail.com.

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Japanese Cooking Class at Atsuko's Kitchen ***********************************************************

Benefits of the class
- Learn to cook delicious Japanese cuisine
- Eat the meal you've cooked at the class!
- All the ingredients will be included in the course price
- 5 week course, but flexibility if you miss a class

A beginners course will be starting on Tuesday 26th January.
The classes start at 6:30p.m. for 2 hours session.
Dates: January 26th, February 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

The same beginners course will be starting on Wednesday 24th February.
Time: 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Dates: February 24th, March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

Place : The Grocery
54 -56 Kingsland Road
London, E2 8DP
- the class will be held at the cafe area.
Price: £165 for 5 week course includes all the ingredients.
Price for the individual class will be £38 per class.

For the booking information:
http://www.atsukoskitchen.com/node/3

These dark, bitterly cold winter evenings are seriously perfect for catching up with your movie viewing. Why not see one of the many excellent Japanese films playing in London throughout January and February?

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'Still Walking' Hirokazu Kore-eda: Opens 15th January at BFI
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This beautiful film follows the random details of a Japanese family - a 'home drama' - through a 24-hour reunion at the parental home. Still Walking (Aruitemo Aruitemo) captures the tensions and dynamics of family life with a wonderfully perceptive eye.

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank

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Yasujiro Ozu Season at the BFI : 1st January - 28th February
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A prolific film-maker, best known for his 1953 film Tokyo Story (Tokyo Monogatari), Yasujiro Ozu first entered the film business in 1923. BFI celebrates his career with screenings of many films, including Tokyo Story and Late Autumn on extended run.

Also at BFI now, you can catch one of the dozen films influenced by Ozu's artistry (including Still Walking and many other international films).

http://www.bfi.org.uk/ozu

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'Ponyo' New Miyazaki Film: Opens 12th February at Curzon Cinemas
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Miyazaki fans will be thrilled to hear Ponyo (Gake no ue no Ponyo) will be showing from 12th February at Curzon cinemas at locations around London. A film about a goldfish inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, Ponyo is Studio Ghibli's latest masterpiece!

Can't wait? If you've got little ones, try BFI's 'Film Funday' on 31st of January. There's a Ponyo workshop from 12pm in the Foyer, followed by a preview of the film at 2pm.

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank

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'Takeshis'': From 12th February at Curzon Cinemas
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Beat Takeshi's examines identity and celebrity in his fascinating 2005 film entitled Takeshis'.

See the Curzon website for more information about the film.

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/

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2010 Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme Girls on Film
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(above, scene from Non-Ko)

9 February 2010 - 17 February 2010
This year's Japan Foundation annual touring film programme looks at contemporary Japanese cinema made for, about, and by women. This film season is produced and organised by the Japan Foundation with advice from Jasper Sharp (editor of Midnight Eye - a Japanese Cinema website).

See the Japan Foundation's website for information on how to enter their competition for a pair of free tickets to each film. They are also seeking evaluators, who will receive a complimentary ticket in exchange for their feedback on a questionnaire.

http://www.jpf.org.uk/

If Sapporo Snow Festival is just too far to go, you can get the same frosty feeling by visiting the London Ice Sculpting Festival, January 15th and 16th. This 2nd Annual event features International Ice Sculptors competing to carve their interpretation of the Festival's specially chosen theme, 'Cool Trading', from 2m blocks of ice! Free to attend, the festival is held in the centre of Canary Wharf, next to the ice rink in Canada Square Park.

The team from the Netherlands won the 2009 London Ice Sculpting Festival...
The winning team was made up of Marjon Katerberg (left) and Lars Borst (right) seen below with their finished sculpture

The JETAA London website http://jetaa.org.uk/ is currently being updated. Here is the info included in the latest JETAA mailshot.

Happy New Year from JETAA! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! We are looking forward to another great year packed with activities. JETAA Pub Night, JETAA 2010 Winter Ball, JETAA London Annual General Meeting and a JETAA Karaoke Shinnenkai are all on the horizon...

Sign up now for the Winter Ball - as anyone who attended the glitzy 2009 event at the Grange Holborn will tell you - it's not to be missed!

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JETAA Pub Night at FLUID next Wednesday!
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Come along to Fluid to chat with fellow former JETs. There's Asahi, Japanese-inspired cocktails and we'll even treat you to some izakaya style table food.

Date: Wednesday, 13th January
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: FLUID Bar, Farringdon (38 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6JN)
Map: Click here

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JETAA 2010 Winter Ball
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Following the massive success of last year's JETAA Winter Ball we have just confirmed this year's date with the swanky Grange Holborn Hotel.

There is a champagne reception on arrival, a tasty three-course buffet dinner and wine included in the cost, with a cash bar for additional drinks.

Not only that, but after the meal there'll a disco - with a live DJ and dance floor for you to show off your moves. And to keep the party going, there will of course be a 2-ji-kai!

Date: Saturday 27th February 2010
Time: 7pm - late
Cost: Highly subsidised by JETAA, the ball is just £25 per person, or 4 for £80!
Place: Grange Holborn Hotel
50-60 Southampton Row, London, WC1B
Link to the hotel website: Click here
Directions from Holborn tube station:
If you come out of the main entrance, turn right and walk up Southampton row, the hotel is about 5 mins walk on the right hand side of the road.
Dress Code: Dress to impress!

To register your interest, please e-mail us jetaaball@gmail.com . Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or queries.

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JETAA London Annual General Meeting
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What do you want JETAA London to do for you? Now's your chance to tell
us! Or, if you're up to the challenge, get involved yourself! All
committee positions will be open for election, and we're always
looking for more volunteers! Afterwards, we'll all go out for dinner
and drinks.

Date: Wednesday 20 January
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Place: Berne Union (27-29 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT). Nearest
tube is Chancery Lane. Click here for a map:
http://www.berneunion.org.uk/contact-us.html

The JETAA London chapter is one of the largest JETAA chapters in the
world with 2000+ members. The committee consists of a Chair,
Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Communications Officer, Events Officer and
Careers Information Day Coordinator (for returning JETs in September),
however extra volunteers are always needed to help organise various
events and activities throughout the year.

All positions at the AGM will be elected by ballot and anyone who
wishes to stand for a post or wants to find out more about what being
on the committee involves should email Sharon, the current chair, on
london@jetaa.org.uk.

We hope to see you there!

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Shinnenkai - Karaoke!!
***********************************************************

Celebrate the start of the decade by singing your heart out at the On Board Karaoke Box & Bar!

Date: Saturday 30th January
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 pm
Price: £15 (plus extra for drinks)
Venue: Onboard Karaoke Box
Basement 8 Kenway road
Earls Court
SW5 0RR
0207-244-6850

This cosy karaoke bar is a real find - located in the basement of restaurant called Orjowan just a couple of minutes walk from Earl's Court station. They have the largest range of Japanese Karaoke in London as well as plenty of English-language songs.

We plan to hire the entire bar, including 3 karaoke rooms. This will give you a chance to move around and meet new people in between songs! The bar is quite small so please let us know if you would like to attend so we can ensure there is enough room!

If the evening is successful, the owners of the bar are thinking of setting up special karaoke nights for JETAA members and Japanese expats in London.

To register email Josy at events@jetaa.org.uk

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Registration is open! Secure your place in the Sumo Run 2010
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8:30am, 19 June 2010 at Battersea Park, London
www.sumorun.com

After television coverage in over 15 countries of last year's
first-ever Sumo Run, JETAA London will be once again entering a team
in the Sumo Run. It is a lot of fun, and raises money for a very
worthwhile education charity.

If you'd like to be a part of our team, please contact Josy on
londonevents@jetaa.org.uk.

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JET Connect
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Business networking evening coming in March - more details forthcoming!

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Tokyo Day 2010
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Tokyo Day(s!) are taking place on the last weekend in January. Courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, visitors to the event can learn about and enjoy many aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture, including screening of popular anime films.

Date: Saturday 30th January and Sunday 31st January 2010
Time: 10-6pm Sat, 10-4pm Sun
Venue: London
Website Link: http://www.tcp2010.com/

BINCHO Yakitori
16 Old Compton Street
London W1D 4TL
Tel: 020 7287 9111
www.bincho.co.uk

Why? This toasty hideaway is perfect for cold winter nights in Soho! As you enter the restaurant, you pass chefs labouring away to prepare dishes on traditional open charcoal grills. Bincho's website explains the chef's methods: 'In Japan, the Ganko Ojisan are the keepers of the flame...' and hey, in this weather, I want to be wherever the flame is!

When? A Tuesday evening at 8ish - the restaurant was very busy but seats were still available without reservation.

Impression: The buzzing, izakaya-like atmosphere was ideal for meeting up for a girly gossip with my friend from Japan, Sian, another ex-JET teacher.

Prices: Skewers of chicken grilled over charcoal (yakitori) start from £1.40 for two - so this is an easy place to eat as little or as much as you like. There are more substantial dishes with rice, salad etc. for £4.00-£6.00.
Like with tapas or dim sum, it is actually rather easy to get carried away and eat loads - be warned!
300ml of hot sake is £8.30, and a pint of draft Asahi is £4.00. Desserts are around £5.00, and are surprisingly good.

Service: The friendly waitresses were extremely busy, but if you look hungry enough they'll get round to you...

Description of food and drink: Starting with a little hot sake seemed to be in order.
We then had a selection of old faves - tasty skewers including Asparabacon, Buta (pork belly) and Negima (chicken and spring onion) along with the very interesting Aigamo (duck, spring onion and wasabi).

All were piping hot and suitably tasty. The unagi (eel), of which I am not particularly fond, was melt-in-your-mouth sweet and tender.

Had to include a photo of the 'Baked Chocolate' dessert - gooey goodness.

Toilets: Fine, located down the stairs.

Come again? Absolutely - I'm going call to find out about special offers. The restaurant attracts a young crowd and plenty of students, so they often have deals on Mondays such as skewers for £1.00.