There are just 10 seats up at the counter
So what do we need to know about Sushi Kyu?
This newish (it opened six months ago) sushi spot in heart of Soho is the second restaurant from the well-respected Cubé in Mayfair. The chefs here all trained under the OG restaurant's chef Takamasa Mogi, who himself is ex-Nobu.
How is it different to the original?
Being a much smaller restaurant - there are just 10 seats around the sushi counter here - so Sushi Kyu's menu is a much tighter edit than at Cube. And while you can order a la carte or from a range of sets, the best way to enjoy the full experience here is to opt for the omakase offering.
Where is it?
You'll find it on Brewer Street in the heart of Soho. The nearest tube is Piccadilly Circus.
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Omakase? Isn't that very expensive?
Putting aside the fact that good quality seafood is always going to cost a premium, there are some incredibly expensive omakase restaurants in London. But Sushi Kyu itself is surprisingly good value in the scheme of things. It's £51.80 at lunchtime for salad, seven pieces of omakase nigiri and dessert. In the evening that omakase offering extends to a starter, eight pieces of nigiri, a temaki roll and dessert for (£71.80).
Here's a selection of what we had for our meal there to give you an idea of what to expect.
Starter of hamachi (yellowtail) with a yuzu ponzu sauce
Jumbo shrimp with a roasted jalapeno sauce and edible flowers
Scallops in a taco-style temaki
Snowcrab 'gunkan' style
Lightly seared otoro with soft fried onions
Spanish tuna with caviar
Room for dessert?
As it happens, we did. The restaurant has teamed up with London-based artisan gelataria Cremoloso to work on their desserts. It's an ongoing affair - this matcha ice cream was the fifth iteration of the partnership. There were also mango and lychee sorbets.
The matcha ice cream for dessert at Sushi Kyu
What's on the drinks list?
As you might expect, there's a lot of good sake to be had here, with plenty on offer by the glass and carafe. They do sake flights and the range of wine is a lot more interesting than you might expect from such a small sushi counter restaurant. We particularly liked our glass of English fizz from Hampshire's Black Chalk winery to start, and can recommend the carafe of Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo sake we had for the main part of the meal (£26).
Overall thoughts:
Sushi Kyu is such a handy spot. It's a useful place to go for pre or post-theatre as well as being handy for a solo diner popping in for an elevated lunchtime treat. We thought the sushi offering was particularly good for the price point and the service was particularly friendly - an easy one to recommend.
More about Sushi Kyu
Where is it? 30 Brewer St, London W1F 0SS
How to book: book online
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @sushikyu.soho
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Sushi Kyu. Prices correct at time of publication.
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