Danish Japanese restaurant group Sticks’n’Sushi, is now open on Islington’s Upper Street, with a brand-new menu.
Sticks, sushi and sashimi can be ordered a la carte, or as beautifully curated set menus.
Starters include okazu; a selection of kimchi, poteto sarada potato salad, and kappa chilli cucumber topped with almonds, onion and roasted sesame oil; or the Rice Paper Shake; soy cured salmon with pickled red onion, avocado, cucumber and coriander, served with goma for dipping. The Come For A Swim is a fish-filled sharer, with a hot and cold selection of starters, including Kaki Fry, deep-fried oysters in a wasabi tartare sauce and a classic Tuna Tartare accompanied by crispy flatbread. While Sashimi deluxe features salmon, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail kingfish, snow crab daikon roll, hiramasa ceviche and tamago ikura.
For mains, guests can enjoy do-it-yourself sushi, making handrolls from the fresh ingredients provided or choosing from an array of sushi, sashimi, temaki and maki, as well as vibrant salads.
From the grill, the new Ramu Niku – a lamb stick glazed with garlic butter and soy sesame – and Momo Nanban – fried chicken thigh, perfectly soaked in sweet and sour dashi – join favourite sticks including Gindara No Miso – miso-glazed black cod; and Wagyu Yaki – Japanese Wagyu from Kyushu.
Dessert choices such as Yuzu shortcrust pastry filled with zesty yuzu curd and topped with light meringue, and the Goma, vanilla crème brûlée, decorated with black sesame crumble round off the meals.
Behind the bar, the restaurant offers a drink selection with a curated list of wines, spirits, Japanese teas, and an extensive sake menu.
Signature cocktails include Hibiscus Margarita, mixed with mezcal and tequila, Alma Finca, and lemon and hibiscus syrup, or Yuzu Zoo, containing gin, plum wine, and yuzu juice shaken with honey sugar syrup.
Made up of two single-storey buildings, contrasting colour tones divide the restaurant in two sections; earthy tones of peach and muted greys embody the Japanese concept of ‘Omotenashi’ – to wholeheartedly look after every guest.
Diners can catch the chefs in action in front of the open plan kitchen, relax in the lounge and bar with cocktails and traditional Japanese sake, or enjoy a spot of alfresco dining.