Hot Stone

Islington’s Chapel Market may not be the first location that springs to mind when thinking of where to go looking for tastebud-tingling Japanese food but alas, if you’re not a local Hot Stone is most certainly worth making the pilgrimage.

The steak and sushi bar has to be one of the best meals I’ve had in London this year. Granted, there’s not been all that many given the c-word, but enough to form a pretty solid list for which Hot Stone really sets the benchmark. Executive chef Padam Raj Rai previously worked at Tsukiji within Mayfair’s Westbury Hotel, Nobu and Zuma, and with 19 years of experience under his belt it’s evident he knows his way around a Japanese kitchen.

Start with some of the exceptional sushi, quite among the best I’ve had the pleasure of trying. We tried the Crunchy Hot Stone Roll, with juicy king prawn tempura, crab sticks and crunchy tempura flakes was dangerously moreish. Scallop carpaccio arrived with truffle ponzu and plum sauce, delicate slivers that just melted in the mouth with the sweet and tangy sauce offering the perfect accompaniment. A fresh oyster, with seaweed and Tosazu sauce - another new discovery for me - was a fabulously flavour-filled mouthful I didn’t want to end.

Hot Stone is one of only seven restaurants in London to serve certified Kobe beef and its Hot Stone serving technique is the stuff of real restaurant theatrics. We went for the Japanese Wagyu however (a mere £69 per 100g compared to the Kobe’s £120) and slab of elegantly marbled beef arrived at the table, with sides of pickles, veg and sauces. Shortly after was delivered another slab, of sizzling hot rock on which to cook our beef. Just a few seconds of searing each side - and plenty of Instagram videos in that time, it certainly does bring the theatrics - and it was ready, with just a couple of slices of veg and a little spoonful of condiment to enhance the flavour. I know Wagyu beef is much celebrated, but it really was spectacular, every tiny bite. 

We negated pudding, that feast was enough and we both wanted to leave with the lingering taste of the Wagyu not displaced by a sweet. If that spread however somehow doesn’t seem enough for you, each Monday they offer three sittings of a 14 course Omakase tasting menu at £150 per head. I’m sure it will blow your mind.

Don’t get me wrong, Hot Stone is not cheap; for most this certainly won’t be a spur-of-the-moment casual supper one evening. It is however as astoundingly delicious spread of Japanese food by a chef who must be among the best in the land; if you’re a dedicated foodie on the hunt for your next special occasion spread, this might be for you.