I first bought into sushi when dwelling down in London, the place the competitors to have ‘the most effective sushi on the town’ is fierce. Due to this, you might keep my requirements began fairly excessive. Ever since transferring again up north, I’ve been on a quest to seek out the most effective sushi in Leeds, and I’m fairly positive I’ve discovered it. I used to be extremely excited concerning the opening of Issho final yr, partly because the restaurant group behind it’s D&D London. Final weekend I returned to Issho on behalf of Bookatable.com to pattern their a la carte menu for the primary time. Right here’s my a la carte restaurant overview of Issho in Leeds’ fashionable Victoria Gate.
Our reservation had been made for 7pm on Friday night time and all day I had been fantasising concerning the (hopefully) scrumptious sushi that was ready for me that night. As I’m at the moment pregnant, it meant that the uncooked nigiri and sashimi can be off limits for me, however Issho has some scrumptious choices with cooked seafood too. Because of this should you’re pregnant, new to sushi or just dislike uncooked seafood, you’ll nonetheless be properly catered for at Issho.
After a really clean welcome by the front-of-house employees, we had been proven to our desk in the primary restaurant space. I liked the trendy decor, assertion lighting and open kitchen (which was already bustling with cooks at work). There’s one thing about seeing an open kitchen in a restaurant that immediately makes me belief it extra. We had an amazing desk proper by a window (excellent for photographing all of the meals).
We kicked off our night with a few drinks from the cocktail menu. I opted for an Elderflower Blossom mocktail and Scott selected an Outdated Usual. Our server was actually useful and provided to counsel cocktails for us based mostly on our favorite spirit. The drinks did take a short time to come back, however had been nice once they arrived.
We had been additionally fairly hungry, so determined to order some pre-dinner snacks immediately. We all the time go for steamed and salted edemame beans, and likewise determined to attempt the intriguing pea guacamole with asian crackers. Each arrived at our desk in good time. The crackers had been like inventive, super-thin prawn crackers with black seeds to offer an added texture. Dipping them into the pea guac was a delight, and a pleasant steadiness of salty, recent and citrus flavours. There should have been some lime within the guac.
Regardless of already finding out Issho’s a la carte menu on-line earlier that day, I gave it one other perusal as we nibbled on our ‘starters’. Our server came to visit and provided a bit of recommendation concerning the menu, explaining that the dishes had been made to be shared in a tapas model, and got here out as and once they had been prepared. I like this model of eating because it means the expertise lasts for for much longer in comparison with simply having one or two programs.
I used to be most wanting ahead to making an attempt the sushi, for which we ordered the Dragon Roll (tiger prawn tempura, avocado and spicy mayo) and the Spider Roll (comfortable shell crab, wasabi mayo and cucumber). Each rolls had been fantastically offered on an extended plate which appeared like a murals. Garnished with wasabi and ginger, it was a sushi platter of goals and will have rivalled any of my favorite London sushi joints. Now for the style take a look at.
Each sushi rolls tasted phenomenal. The rice was the right steadiness between sticky and agency and the fillings had been so recent. It was clear the rolls are made to order. Together with an excellent dunking of soy sauce, the flavours had been precisely what my fussy pregnant style buds had been craving. It’s positively the most effective sushi in Leeds I’ve ever had.
We additionally ordered the hen yakitori, which got here on two skewers. The meat had been splendidly glazed and grilled to perfection alongside some spring onion, however the dish was on the small facet.
Our ultimate dish of alternative was the duck leg confit which got here with 4 bao buns, pickled cucumber and spicy sauce (though it was extra just like hoisin sauce). The duck leg is an actual visible showstopper and was offered at our desk complete, earlier than being expertly shredded by the waitress. The duck pulled aside with ease and the crispy pores and skin appeared so appetising. This can be a nice different for anybody who loved peking duck. It’s additionally more likely to be a few of the greatest duck you’ve ever tasted.
We stuffed the fluffy, candy bao buns full with the shredded duck and spicy sauce, which rounded off the meal extremely properly. Though the duck was incredible, the stand-out hero of the meal was positively the sushi and I solely wished I had ordered extra of it. The meal was rounded off with some recent mint tea which was served in a ravishing Japanese teapot and ceramic cups. As with the cocktails, the tea took a bit too lengthy to reach at our desk, however general I’d nonetheless say the service is excellent right here.
I’m so joyful to have a restaurant like Issho proper on my doorstep, and now I’ve sampled some highlights from the a la carte menu, I’ll positively be again for extra of the most effective sushi in Leeds.
Fancy making an attempt Issho for your self? Browse availability and ebook a desk for Issho by way of bookatable.com
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Are you a sushi lover or are you at the moment trying to find the most effective sushi in Leeds? For those who loved this foodie put up then please depart a remark under. Jess x
This weblog put up has been sponsored in collaboration with bookatable.com. As all the time, all phrases, opinions and pictures are my very own.