Sushi Mitsuya

While the neighbouring bars and restaurants on trendy Tras Street are buzzing, Sushi Mitsuya is zen within. Though small in seating capacity (18 at the counter, six to eight in the private room), the spaciousness adds to the tranquil atmosphere.

At lunch time, the bara chirashi set ($50) is the cheapest of the lunch offerings, but it impresses with its sheer number and quality of ingredients. There is a luxurious assortment of chunky raw and cooked seafood and vegetables on vinegared rice. The ingredients depend on what is seasonal; during our visit, we were presented with prawn, crab meat, tuna, swordfish, Japanese cucumber, Japanese parsley and an extremely well-done and airy tamago (Japanese omelette).

At dinner, going omakase would be the best choice, but for those who do not like the surprises, the umi, shugyoku or shoju ($130-$300) sets offer excellent courses of raw and cooked food that showcase top quality ingredients and the chef’s deft skills.