Last weekend, after indulging in a mini binge of MKR (My Kitchen Rules) we eventually decided it was time to venture out and get some lunch. The plan that Saturday was to go and check out the latest opening by the team behind #StreetFeast - Dinerama. So in order to be able to properly indulge we had to find a lighter option for lunch - so we agreed on Sushi.

Sushi seems to be one of those things that few places in north London have been able to get right. We've previously been down to Tenshi on Upper Street a couple of times, but although the food is nice enough, the service here really lets it down. A little further up on Essex Road you have a reliable Akari, which is usually pretty full so make sure to book a table. Akari is a great, safe option. It has all the staple and is very tasty... but there isn't much here that gives you that wow feeling. But sometimes, that's all you want.

So with that in mind, we decided to try something new. Which is how we ended up at Yida Sushi, on St Paul's road. There seems to be a foodie revolution happening here with the addition of secret little spots like Prawn on the Lawn, Nanna's and Sawyer & Gray. As we walked in and noticed that they have an outside seating area in the back I realized that this had taken the place of an average Thai restaurant.

Service was attentive and the food was ready quite quickly. Had we not been trying to eat light, I would have definitely tried some of the main courses like the Roaster Pork Belly or the Tempura Selection - which we did see another table order and it looked delicious. Instead we opted for some Chicken Gyoza and Salt and Chilli Squid to start.  The latter was cooked beautifully - a really light batter, perfectly cooked squid and fresh citrusy dipping sauce. This was followed by some of the freshest sushi we've had for a while (except for Sticks'n'Sushi).

Salt & Chilli Squid

From L to R: Truffle MayoTuna, Spiced Tuna, Tempura Shrimp and Chicken Gyoza

Volvano Roll (Snowcrab, cucumber, avocado & Yida special sauce)
The Shrimp Tempura was fantastic, juicy little prawns in a light tempura batter hugged by the lightest sushi rice. You could also smell the truffle in that truffle mayo that complimented the tuna roll and the spiced tuna had a little kick to it. We were then surprised by the Volcano - although here I do have to say, it was more visually attractive than flavorsome. However, we still scoffed this down.

All in all this was a great find and after finding out that they deliver, we will certainly be indulging in a little more Yida Sushi in the near future. Having said that, we were absolutely stuffed after this and in the end didn't make it down to #Dinerama... thankfully its open 4 days a week for another 16 weeks so we're bound to make it there soon.

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