Sexy Fish London

With ice buckets sporting fish-tail motifs, walls running with water, a giant gold-plated crocodile on display and a brigade of ever-charming, really professional staff in jewel-coloured velvet jackets, this glitzy dining room could be Neptune’s banqueting hall.

The Asian-inspired menu is, unsurprisingly, sea-based, but not exclusively so – there are enough meat and vegetarian offerings to keep fish-avoiders from going hungry, but that misses the point. Small plates are the order of the day and they’re brought to the table when they’re ready (ie. in no particular order). Even so, the cumulative effect is mightily impressive.

There’s caviar (served Asian style with steamed buns and smoked tofu), as well as copious amounts of lobster for those who want it, although the menu also includes plenty of less ostentatious pickings – salt-and-pepper squid coated in the lightest batter, prawn gyozas set off with a light soy and ginger dressing, ceviches, tiraditos and platters of sushi and sashimi all feature. 

The house version of Chilean sea bass with spicy miso is a dish worth crossing town for, while die-hard carnivores are sure to make return visits for the meltingly good Japanese Wagyu sirloin and the crispy duck, watermelon and pomegranate salad. There are also some very cheeky desserts – peanut butter parfait, banana bubblegum ice cream, ‘petit four pebbles’ etc.   

Staff don’t take themselves too seriously and ensure that a good time is had by all, while the wine list fits all price brackets. Famous DJs get the crowd going come brunchtime, and the outrageous cocktail list comes into its own at the weekend when SF morphs into a proper party venue. “This place is most definitely sexy”, confirms one fan, “and so much fun too”.

If somebody was to compile a list of London restaurants which are known for attracting the rich and famous, Sexy Fish is sure to be placed somewhere near the top.

Found on Berkeley Square, glamorous Sexy Fish is part of the Caprice Holdings Group, which also looks after the likes of Scott’s, J Sheekey and The Ivy Collection. The restaurant has gained a reputation as a bit of a celeb-magnet, while it also courts the Instagram crowd with its famously lavish interiors – think a giant gold-plated crocodile hanging from the wall, an ocean blue mermaid statue draped over the bar and more gold accents than Midas himself could rustle up.

Billed as a pan-Asian brasserie, although it is safe to say that the menu is replete with contemporary and luxury updates on classic Asian fare, while authentic renditions are perhaps harder to spot. Nonetheless, there’s no denying the appeal of the menu; kick things off with a helping of caviar, before moving on to the likes of tuna tataki, glazed pork belly skewers spiced with pear and ginger, or a crispy duck and watermelon salad. Naturally, the à la carte also offers a roll call of luxury ingredients, with lobster, Wagyu beef and sprinklings of black truffle shavings all present and correct.

To go alongside the food, it boasts what claims to be the world’s largest collection of Japanese whisky, while its cocktail menu (designed to look like a high-fashion magazine) features a seasonally changing selection of sips that includes innovative creations and twists on the classics, like an Old Fashioned made with passionfruit juice.

Apart from the regular menu, the restaurant also offers a tasting menu and a range of sophisticated bar snacks. Watch out for special seasonal and festive menus too, celebrating the likes of Veganuary or Valentine’s Day.