Liz M
Latest Reviews
Etsu
We went to celebrate a birthday. Choose it partially because their social media page has been saying business was slow which made us sad. It was always a nice place, and we had remembered it as packed and thriving. This meal was absolutely amazing and we will continue to go both to "vote with our feet" and to enjoy it whilst the atmosphere is low key and lovely for a quiet meal.
Arrived earlier than our reservation on a rainy Sunday evening which was no problem. Chose the chef's choice mixed sushi plate first and we were delighted! Unlike the chain sushi place nearby, it wasn't only tuna and salmon but also seabream, surf clam, octopus, mackerel, yellowfin tuna and more. All very fresh - perfect. The sushi was presented as an art form, as I remember it from the favourite sushi places I've been - much more like a California Japantown. Edible flowers, lovely fine seaweed. The chef treats it as the delicacy it is which adds to the experience, I think. And, by the way the lovely server who brought it sang a few lines of the birthday song very quietly to us, which was really cute. She could tell my companion would be embarrassed by a fuss. The platter arrived with a single lit birthday candle. Celebratory but not over the top.
After the variety sampler, it was time for each of us to finish with one of our favourites. My companion chose a softshell crab dragon roll which was coated in flying fish roe. Beautifully presented and delicious. I had a simple five pieces of mackerel sashimi presented on a bed of seaweed. The mackerel had some extra prep. I think it was very mildly pickled which was lovely. We shared these as well, but only a little.
The bill was reasonable and there was no "service charge" or suggested tip added to it. We tipped well as we enjoyed it and want it to succeed.
This restaurant is only slightly off the beaten path, and travel from James Street is easy! I highly recommend it. There must be a collosal waste of resources here for them not to compromise on quality when they aren't very busy. I would urge you to go. We will certainly make this a higher priority and go in January. And we'll take advantage of the quiet there until business is booming again.
A final note is that while steak restaurants seem to be the latest trend in Liverpool, a visit to this place reminded me of how lovely it is to dine on a lighter cuisine that's always valued vegetables and fresh fish. No calorie regrets afterwards, no feeling stuffed for hours.
Arrived earlier than our reservation on a rainy Sunday evening which was no problem. Chose the chef's choice mixed sushi plate first and we were delighted! Unlike the chain sushi place nearby, it wasn't only tuna and salmon but also seabream, surf clam, octopus, mackerel, yellowfin tuna and more. All very fresh - perfect. The sushi was presented as an art form, as I remember it from the favourite sushi places I've been - much more like a California Japantown. Edible flowers, lovely fine seaweed. The chef treats it as the delicacy it is which adds to the experience, I think. And, by the way the lovely server who brought it sang a few lines of the birthday song very quietly to us, which was really cute. She could tell my companion would be embarrassed by a fuss. The platter arrived with a single lit birthday candle. Celebratory but not over the top.
After the variety sampler, it was time for each of us to finish with one of our favourites. My companion chose a softshell crab dragon roll which was coated in flying fish roe. Beautifully presented and delicious. I had a simple five pieces of mackerel sashimi presented on a bed of seaweed. The mackerel had some extra prep. I think it was very mildly pickled which was lovely. We shared these as well, but only a little.
The bill was reasonable and there was no "service charge" or suggested tip added to it. We tipped well as we enjoyed it and want it to succeed.
This restaurant is only slightly off the beaten path, and travel from James Street is easy! I highly recommend it. There must be a collosal waste of resources here for them not to compromise on quality when they aren't very busy. I would urge you to go. We will certainly make this a higher priority and go in January. And we'll take advantage of the quiet there until business is booming again.
A final note is that while steak restaurants seem to be the latest trend in Liverpool, a visit to this place reminded me of how lovely it is to dine on a lighter cuisine that's always valued vegetables and fresh fish. No calorie regrets afterwards, no feeling stuffed for hours.