Koi

When you think progressive Japanese food, you think New York, London and Tokyo. Woolwich, however, does not spring to mind immediately. The candlelit room is subdued and moody while the open kitchen sees chefs deftly slicing fish and attentive wait-staff make quick with the Asahi. The food has a certain amount of foams and ‘caviar' appearing on a few of the plates but keep the integral delicacy of Japanese cooking.

Pickled cucumber salad is a sassy counterpoint to incredibly marbled Blackmore's wagyu that comes rolled and lightly licked with flame. Mixed mushrooms with seared asparagus is a gouge at $29, but the pigeon heals all wounds with its sweet, gamey flesh served with a single hen's egg yolk.  They also have the ‘Oz' - an inside out roll with fried fish, tiny ribbons of ‘chip' and full stops of ‘tomato sauce'. Cute and tasty. Try the mixed nigiri plate - a mix of salmon, tuna, whiting, mackerel, prawn and kingfish.