coolography

soseki

Posted on: 3 July 2009

soseki

Soseki has always been the ‘one that gets away’. Given our love for japanese food we always found weak excuses for why the kaiseki-kappo (literally, Japanese haute cuisine in the kitchen) establishment was left unticked on our rapidly growing foodie checklist. So with summer heatwave in full swing, coolography sought respite in Soseki, nestling surprisingly in the shadow of 30 St. Mary’s Axe, both lovably and derisively recognised as the Gherkin of london’s skyline. A proponent of Omakase style dining, Soseki is a leap of faith for those both versed and unversed in the finer points of Japanese cuisine – your dining experience is entirely dependent on the seasonality of ingredients and the freshness of produce on the day. Trusting our tastebuds (and wallet) to the whims of the chef, we passed through the cloth folds demarcating the bustle of the city and an inspiring slice of Japan…

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tsunami

Posted on: 6 January 2009

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Tsunami, located on the distant end of the culinary stretch that is Charlotte street, is the last destination on the unintended trifecta of pan-Asian cuisine that coolography has been documenting as of late. The chain’s second venture (it’s unfortunate moniker was decided well before the 2004 tragedy), Tsunami intrigued us; any establishment brave enough to open by neighbouring robatayaki Roka and even nearby Hakuba must be worth even a cursory glance. There was also the small detail that Tsunami’s elder incarnation in Clapham was once quite favourably described as ‘better than Nobu’ by an earnest reviewer. continue reading »

bento by anna the red

Posted on: 9 December 2008

The humble bento has a special place in coolography’s heart. Japanese for “lunchbox,” it has existed for hundreds of years as a traditional home packed meal. Typically consisting of a portion of meat, rice, and a side of vegetables (pickled or cooked), they can be neatly compartmentalised in immaculately lacquered wooden boxes, or served hurriedly at a lunch hour takeaway in disposable plastic trays. continue reading »

XO

Posted on: 27 October 2008

Tucked away in a side road off Haverstock Hill, XO restaurant in Belsize Park is perhaps not the best location to be navigating to on a dark and rainy autumn night. However the venue itself is warm and inviting and a perfect sanctuary from the elements. Softly lit and with a homely, modern decor, XO attracts a quietly sophisticated and well heeled crowd. Coats and umbrellas were taken, seats acquired, then menu perusal began.

Offering a relatively small selection of modern pan-asian cuisine, we still felt quite spoilt for choice. Tuna and salmon sashimi were no-brainers for sushi aficionados such as ourselves, and, as requested, was the first starter to arrive. Immaculately presented on a bowl of ice, we were initially swayed by style over substance. Sadly the presentation ensured that the fish was chilled to the point where it numbed the tongue and all flavour was lost. Desirable perhaps for a cheap lager, but not necessarily for sashimi at just over a pound per slice.

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