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Located
just off Chancery Lane in the heart of London's legal district, Shimo
Restaurant & Bar is a welcome addition to the City's diverse
choice of restaurants. The name Shimo is the Japanese abbreviation
for November, the month most eagerly awaited by sushi lovers, as it
is when fish, with its oily flesh, becomes its most delicious and it
also marks the beginning of the crab season. The brainchild of Chen
Dong and John Iglesias, Shimo aims to deliver the best in Japanese
food in surroundings that are cool and comfortable.
On entering
Shimo a small lounge bar area offers an amenable space to enjoy an
aperitif before moving on to your table. The main dining area with
lacquered screens and dark wooden flooring offset by white walls
displaying the artwork of international talent helps create a relaxed
atmosphere. The focal point of the room, however, is the impressive
and imposing full replica armour worn by Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of
the Tokugawa shogun, the last Shogunate in Japan and founder of Tokyo
as the capital city.
Head chef and
owner Chen Dong spent over seven years training in Japan and the UK
to become a Master Sushi chef and at Shimo he showcases his undoubted
ability. Specialist Japanese suppliers ensure that Chen only works
with the highest grade ingredients and the quality and freshness of
his sushi is second to none. The menu encompasses an array of
traditional dishes including sushi, sashimi (black sea bream, grey
mullet, eel and salmon amongst others), tempura, grilled black cod
marinated in miso and rib-eye teriyaki with foie gras. Interestingly,
the desserts are European but with the services of Claudio Salerno,
previously patisserie chef at the Michelin starred La Terrazza
restaurant in Rome, it would be a shame to waste such a talent.
Diners will be pleasantly surprised to finish their meal with an
indulgent warm Swedish chocolate torte or delicious raspberry
semifreddo with white chocolate sauce.
Front of house
is overseen by John Iglesias, a Restaurant Manager of the Year
Finalist in 2006, who not only has a wealth of experience in the
London restaurant industry having managed both Quirinale and Fiore
but is also a Master Sommelier who worked at La Terrazza. For this
reason, the wine list at Shimo matches some interesting wines with
the cuisine. Highlights include Fiano di Avellino, a southern Italian
white wine that is fruity with herbaceous undertones, and Barbera del
Montferrato Pozzolgroppo, a red wine that can be served chilled and
that has high levels of acidity making it an ideal partner for
Japanese food.
Shimo is
open for lunch and dinner Monday - Friday
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