Cafe Japan

‘Like visiting Japan without the jetlag’, quips one reader after a meal at this reliable Finchley Road eatery. Diners come from all over to sample Café Japan’s food & admire the talented chefs, whose knife skills & eye for a good catch are beyond reproach. The narrow restaurant is functional rather than flashy, although sweet-natured staff manage to inject plenty of warmth into proceedings. Tables are normally in short supply, occupied by enthusiasts feasting on sparklingly fresh sashimi & what another fan dubs ‘the best prawn tempura rolls in the land’. A refreshing salad of lightly seared salmon gets top marks, along with succulent dishes of teriyaki salmon & grilled yellowtail. Delicacies including flying fish roe, octopus & sea urchin are plentiful, while assorted nigiri & California rolls satisfy less demanding palates. Accompany a meal with warming saké, reasonably priced wine or beer.