Sexy Fish is one hell of a venue. Seemingly a soundproofed cocoon that shelters diners and drinkers from the hustle and bustle of Berkeley Square on its doorstep, this fairly new London venue still manages to live up to the hype that surround it’s launch just four years ago. In the capable hands of Caprice Holdings, the neon and sea-themed walls are a sight to behold. We were invited, as guests of the restaurant, to try the new Kuikku Express Lunch Menu.
The smorgasbord of aquatic life is matched almost by the variety of the clientele in the restaurant; from business lunches and corporate suits, to the first daters trying to impress over half a lobster. The atmosphere is certainly buzzing, and the beautiful bar as you enter the venue is definitely the place to kick off proceedings. After flicking through the beautifully curated and photographed cocktail menu, I settled on the Monolith; a rum-based cocktail infused with balsamic, rosemary and other herbs. The Ron Zacapa 23 was balanced perfectly with the other infusions, and served with gold dust for that added wow factor. Not sure an Old Fashioned would cut it after that… Katie went for one of her favourite spirits, St Germain, served in the Siren’s Call. It had a fruity finish and looked beautiful in the glass (a great choice, gents, if you are buying for her on a first date).
Now, to the food. Being allergic to both fish and seafood, you would think that Sexy Fish is the last place you would find me for a spot of lunch. However, the staff here really were on the ball and were very stringent in their assessment of each dish. Unsurprisingly options for me were limited, but I could still admire the sights and smells of Katie’s choices from afar. You can choose four dishes each from the Kuikki menu for the price of £36 per person, so it’s a very accessible introduction to the Sexy Fish offering.
I went for the Tofu Salad which did not disappoint; tofu is always an acquired taste and I liked the fact they go for more of an egg-type finish here. Next up was the Parsnip and Red Chilli Tempura, which has equal measures of sweetness and spice and was a lovely Japanese twist on a classic. Finally, a double portion of the Caramelised Beef, which was to die for. The sauce was incredible, and each little chunk of beef was cooked to absolute perfection. Across the table, Katie also had the beef, along with the Burrata and Pear (which annoyingly contained a fish sauce but looked divine), the Salmon Teriyaki and the Prawn Gyoza. For dessert, we both tucked into the divine Chocolate Dessert that was the perfect finishing touch to a very indulgent express lunch.
The Kuikku (which translates as ‘quick’ in Japanese) Express Lunch menu is priced at £36 per person, and offers a choice of seasonal dishes that can be enjoyed in an hour, all created by Sexy Fish Executive Chef, Bjoern Weissgerber. You can find the menu here.
