Me Love Sushi, near
Swiss Cottage tube and The Hampstead
Theatre
Me Love Sushi
100 Avenue Road
London NW3
Tel: 08448 55 22 55
I love Japanese food. It must
be one of the only dining experiences
one can have that genuinely feels
like it is doing you good. It is
also low in fat and calories and
can therefore be every girl’s
favourite. Indeed, if you study
the people they look years younger
than us westerners and (as we were
informed by the manager), it is
not uncommon for the people to
live well over 100.
Me Love Sushi is conveniently
situated near Swiss Cottage tube
station and perfectly located for
The Hampstead Theatre which just
is a stone’s throw away.
It is definitely somewhere you
don’t have to dress up for.
The décor is minimalist
with some long benches and some
round tables with red plastic chairs.
The environment is very clean and
the service attentive.
The menu is extensive and very
clearly set out with good descriptions
of what’s on offer. If it
all sounds rather confusing the
staff are very happy to help and
offer suggestions on what to eat.
Apparently the fish is delivered
daily and they explained they have
a fantastic supplier, sourcing
only the freshest produce. It was
clear from the enthusiasm of the
manager that there is a passion
which is evident when it comes
to the food served here.
Sake is the thing to drink and
there is plenty of choice. We tried
a traditional hot sake but they
also serve it chilled which would
be very refreshing in the summer
months. To begin, we had a plate
of mixed sashimi (salmon, yellow
tail, sea bass, and tuna). It was
a plate of succulent flavours,
with the added benefit of slivers
of ginger, radish, wasabi, (a very
hot green paste-beware!) and soya
sauce. We also tried some melt
in the mouth calamari which were
light and crispy with tangy overtones
on the palate.
Moving on, we had some of my favourite,
sushi, (salmon and tuna) this time
with moist rice underneath adding
a little bite to the proceedings,
before savouring some well flavoured
tender chicken teriyaki and rice
served with a very fresh salad
complimented by a delicious piquant
dressing. To finish we had a plate
of black cod with miso which was
melt in the mouth and must be sampled.
After dinner we popped upstairs
to the funky cocktail bar which
is modern and minimalist with large
glass windows. We tried a totally
refreshing mojito made with sake
and champagne which was terrific.
All the cocktails are sake based
and they have a happy hour every
day between 5&8pm which sounds
very good to me.
Me Love Sushi also offer a take-out
service so next time you can’t
be bothered to cook you now have
a healthy alternative to fast food
available and with summer around
the corner there are no more excuses.
Louise Elgin. March 2009.
A meal for two with sake is around £70.00
