rom beginning to end, Kingyo Izakaya is a feast for the senses. The interior design, menu, service and atmosphere are all geared to enhance the dining experience and lure guests back for more. The same folk that brought us Guu with Garlic have created an original and endearing restaurant that delivers mouth-watering tapas from the land of the rising sun, Spain (no, sorry, I'm just messing with you, Japan).

Fortunately, my date and I were seated immediately at the long wooden table split down the middle by tall stems of green bamboo (not only did the bamboo ensure that the communal dining retained a sense of privacy, but the way the leaves caught the light almost resembled shafts of sunlight). We were promptly handed two oshibori (hot towels) and had our drink orders taken.

Clearly, a lot of time and energy has gone into this engaging space. From the traditional clay-tiled roof of the bar to the intricate woodcarvings adorning the walls, the whole restaurant has been lovingly decked out in the style of old Japan. Every detail is delivered with a light, almost Zen-like touch that helps Kingyo transcend its rivals.

The cocktail list is littered with Japanese-fusion beverages, featuring healthy doses of citrus and Shochu (Japanese vodka) and the bar has a range of Russell beers on tap. For starters, try the Sockeye Salmon Carpaccio for a delicious collision of tastes and textures (think velvety salmon versus crunchy garlic chips) and the octopus and pickle Tako Wasabi. Mains worth a mention are the Chicken Kara Age (crunchy, deep-fried chicken served with garlic mayo and three varieties of salt) and the Sashimi Salad (with a rotating choice of fresh daily sashimi). The steamed mussels were not as satisfying but only because they lacked the flavour-explosion-factor of the other dishes. If you are feeling adventurous, try the Kingyo (goldfish) sashimi, or the tongue-licking beef tongue (which comes complete with a sizzling hot rock to cook your raw meat on).

The service from the cute little waitresses is flawless, and the dynamic between wait and kitchen staff (as they comically yell orders back and forth in Japanese) has to be seen (or heard) to be believed. If you liked the Hattori Hanzo sushi-bar scene in Kill Bill then you will love this place.