Sushi and Robata

Taking a spot in the restaurant quarter of Kensington High Street’s Whole Foods, this informal diner knows how to charge for supreme yakitori, sashimi, sushi, dim sum and noodles. Originating in Philadelphia in the late 1990s, the quality demonstrates those years of experience, while the focus on craft beers and the breezy atmosphere keep proceedings casual. Surprisingly, the best thing we ate here was the miso-glazed aubergine (nasu dengaku), while the robata menu includes skewered scallops, prawns and chunks of wagyu, and the disarmingly pretty mango with prawn and the spicy Genji tuna crunch maki rolls deliver the goods. Floppy ‘sandwich’ options demonstrate why maki is much better as a roll, and high prices across the board are at odds with the surrounds. Desserts are pleasant but forgettable, service polished and friendly. Our advice is to grab a green tea, saké, locally brewed or Japanese beer and treat this as a quick, high-quality snack stop.