Miyama

Clarges Street may not be Mayfair’s smartest address & Miyama definitely isn’t its smartest restaurant, but after 25 years it’s still doing a roaring trade. ‘I came here five days running’, confesses a convert who ignored the strange mix of Japanese decorative clichés & bizarre nautically themed prints in favour of mixed sashimi with Miyama ‘brown’ dressing, & crispy soft-shell crab with lemon/soy sauce. Others drop by to enjoy steamed prawn dumplings, buttered scallop & asparagus, grilled teriyaki sea bass & the requisite selection of proper sushi ranging from cuttlefish to freshwater eel. The downstairs sushi bar provides a little more action, & kimono-clad service is all charm & smiles – if not so hot on information. Thankfully, the menu’s detailed notes on ordering & saké selection should come to your rescue.