Everyday, Restaurants, ££

A New Favourite Local: Sticks’n’Sushi Victoria

December 12, 2017

Of all the restaurants in the new Nova building in Victoria, the one I was most looking forward to was Sticks’n’Sushi and after much anticipation it has finally opened. Already a fan of the brand after trying the Covent Garden and Cambridge branches, I knew it would be great addition to the restaurants in Victoria and that Mr S and I were likely to be regular visitors.

Days after the restaurant opened, my sister Jen and I headed there for some festive cocktails and lunch. The NIPON contained 75 Shiso infused shochu and is mixed with organic elderflower, fresh lemon and prosecco while the Stix Spritz contains Kamm & Sons, plum wine, yuzu and agave and prosecco. The former would be perfect for those who prefer a more acidic tang to their cocktails whilst the latter who suit a sweet tooth.
The restaurant space itself is just gorgeous, with seating downstairs and upstairs as well as counter dining. With Sticks’n’Sushi actually being a Danish brand, you can see both Scandi and Japanese influences in the design – bare concrete and walnut wood give a minimalist feel that is still warm and cosy in feel. The waitress told me that the unique design is actually based on a Japanese monastry.

In terms on menu items Sticks’n’Sushi Victoria does what it says on the tin. Brothers Jens and Kim Rahbek and Thor Andersen took inspiration from their half-Japanese, half-Danish ancestry and created a brand cuisine that fuses the two traditions. Starting in Copenhagen, they rolled out the concept across London and the UK and now have a restaurant in Berlin too.

A menu made up of sushi (sashimi, salads and other bites) alongside yakitori sticks straight from the grill comes as a photo album in order to give you more idea of what you’re ordering plus you can order individual pieces and sharing boards in different sizes. The concept really is, do as you please and enjoy some really good food.
Sticks’n’Sushi is very much a sharing concept which works well for us as we have the same taste in food and we kicked off with the maguro tataki which was melt in the mouth seared tuna with a gorgeous black sesame truffle dressing. Our waiter suggested that if we liked this dish, we might also like one of his favourites, fried cauliflower.
Sounds pretty simple, but it was so so good. It also shows there’s really something for everyone here as kids would happily munch on these florets and there’s plenty for people who aren’t fish fans.

If you’re unsure on what to order, a platter is a great bet to try lots of different things. If you’re a salmon lover, this one is just perfect. You get a sample of sushi with hosomaki inside-out rolls salmon plus a salmon daikon roll. I love the salmon tataki with kizami wasabi and ponzu which is the kind of thing I’d always order. Plus there are four different types of nigri: soy cured salmon, smoked salmon, seared salmon and salmon with garlic. Basically just say salmon 50 times and you have this platter.
Quality and sustainability are of the utmost importance here so you can guarantee fish that is both fresh and ethical.
We couldn’t leave without trying the sticks which can also be ordered individually or as platters.
We loved the chicken thighs and the chicken meatballs but the black cod was our absolute favourite (hence ordered one each!).
Wagyu beef is quite an acquired taste as it’s very rich – this one was from Kyushu Island in Japan and so was utterly excellent quality and totally melt in the mouth. If you do find the high fat content of Japanese Wagyu beef too rich, I would suggest opting for Australian or USA Wagyu beef which have lower fat contents. These aren’t available at Sticks’N’Sushi but there is rib-eye beef as an alternative.

Desserts can be ordered as individual pots or as a trio and we opted for vanilla ice cream (home made and fresh), yuzu sorbet and delicious white chocolate truffles with sweet miso and puffed rice.

I absolutely loved Sticks’n’Sushi for the fun atmosphere and great food along with fantastic service. The sushi itself is not on the level with the finer Japanese restaurants in London but that isn’t the goal here, it’s a fun, affordable, everyday place that my family and I will return to again and again.

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