[Radar]: Sushi Oyama

 

Area: On Donghu Lu just north of Huaihai Lu -- five minutes from Xinle Lu, Changle Lu shopping streets, and around the corner from other new restaurants Cantina Agave and Dolce Vita.

It's on the top floor of the diage creative house, the building that also houses el Willy, Torres Wine Bar, and Coloriste Hair Salon.

What is it: Sushi Oyama is a new fourteen-seat Japanese sushi restaurant that offers a multi-course custom menu that changes nightly for reservation-only guests. All their seafood is imported directly from Tokyo and Nagasaki, and the menu changes with what's in season.

Light jazz is on the stereo, front row seating for groups to watch Master Sushi Chef Oyama San from Hiroshima work, and they've also got a separate room which is set up in traditional Japanese dining arrangement for more privacy.

It's basically the polar opposite of the all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant, and offers a custom-made, high class Japanese dining experience, with an emphasis on authentic ingredients, carefully prepared and thought-out courses, and high quality food.

Impressed with: In addition to the food they've got twelve varieties of Sake starting from modest prices (90rmb), a good selection of Shochu and plum wine, cheaper beer (including Yebis), and they've also got access to the Mediterranean and international wines from Torres and el Willy downstairs.

Atmosphere: Intimate. Great for dates (really great for dates), smaller parties of close friends, and visiting out-of-town guests.

Damage: Prices reflect what's on offer, changing every night, but hover around the 800rmb per person range. It's not cheap.

However, for their opening phase until February 15, they're offering 50% off the prices, and are seating guests for 400rmb per person.

Who's going: Well-dressed moneyed people and friends of well-dressed moneyed people -- anyone fanatical about high quality sushi, anyone fanatical about Kobe beef, and anyone looking to be super impressive on a date.