Watatsumi

Situated just off the corner of Trafalgar Square, Watatsumi is a hidden gem amongst an area heavily populated with fast food chains and pubs serving below average food.

The recently opened Japanese restaurant features a raw bar, an elegant cocktail bar and a range of menus to choose from including affordable bento boxes through to the more pricey a la carte menu so whatever you’re in the mood for, and whatever your wallet can stretch to, there should be something that’ll tickle your fancy.

All food is created by husband and wife team, Peter and Hili Makohus, who met while working in the kitchen at the Park Lane Nobu, who created the food in full view of the diners who sit amongst the restaurants high ceilings, marble pillars and chic decore.

There’s a number of signature dishes available at Watatsumi including the Watatsumi crispy baby calamari and pan fried sea bass with homemade shisho butter and on our visit we enjoyed a selection of mixed vegetable tampura, the seared beef salad, a selection of sashimi as well as a variety of the maki. The experience was relaxed with dishes arriving as and when they were ready rather than all in one go giving us the chance to enjoy each dish and eat at a leisurely pace while the waiting staff were on hand to recommend wine choices and accompanying sides.

It made a nice change to see the raw bar situated in the middle of the restaurant, for a more up market sushi restaurant it was good to see an area where people could pop in and prop up the bar while sampling some of the freshly made produce.

Prices at Watatsumi are as you’d expect for it’s location and decadent surroundings however nothing on the menu would break the bank and there’s plenty to choose from if you didn’t want to spend a lot of money.

Highly recommended for Japanese food lovers all over London and if you’re a fan of making Japanese food keep an eye on their website as they will soon be launching masterclasses for beginners and more experienced cooks.