Cannon Court is easily missed in Nottingham city centre, but we’d advise that you keep an eye out for this little alleyway, because at the end of it lies Kushi-ya - a Japanese restaurant and bar serving small plates, snacks and skewers, all washed down with Japanese spirits, whisky and cocktails.
Inside Kushi-ya is sleek and minimal, with dark leather banquettes, wooden chairs, tables and smooth pine walls. A flash of marine blue tiling marks out a counter and bar area, where diners can pull up a stool and enjoy small plates and Japanese beer on draught. At the far end, a window provides a glimpse into an open kitchen, where chefs Simon Carlin and Tom Clay whip up all manner of glorious Japanese dishes.
The menu kicks off with snacks - a plate of pickles, furikake prawn toast, grilled edamame and rice and sesame crackers with kombu salt, before diving into more elaborate small plates. The prawn katsu sando with gochujang marie rose has become a fan favourite, and there are other crackers too, including raw salmon with smoked tosazu and wasabi, and crispy Jerusalem artichokes with shiitake ketchup.
Kushi-ya also serves well-priced skewers too, including barbecued shallots with kampot pepper sauce, beef and black garlic mustard and Tiger prawns with the mysterious strange flavour sauce.
The restaurant also does a set lunch, and serves a variety of Japanese drinks too, including spirits like Roku gin and Haku vodka, as well as a range of whiskies and house cocktails such as a yuzu margarita, lemongrass and ginger sour, and miso dark and stormy. A compact wine list is also available, including wines and sakes available by the glass or the bottle.