Necco, Clerkenwell

Necco
52-54 Exmouth Market
EC1R 4QE

Date of Last Visit: Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Damage: £15ish

The Background: Yes, it's sushi week on Londonelicious, isn't it? Sorry…can't help myself…I'm sort of addicted.

Here's what happened…at some point in early may, before I left for Amman, I took a quick shortcut home through Exmouth Market and stopped dead in my tracks. My prayers had been answered! A Japanese place in walking distance from my flat…and one that's open on weeekends! (Ok, Pham is open on Saturday nights but on Sunday not at all.) Back from the middle east and in dire need of some seafood, I made a pilgrimage to my new local.

At Necco, it's like they've made all the menus by hand themselves. I like that. And apparently, someone really likes pink.

And someone else (or maybe it's the same person) must know how to crochet.

 
It's all a little Hello Kitty. In a good way.

 
Look…even my iPhone case is pink! I belong here. The agedashi tofu was a very nice example of such. It was also very, very hot.

 
Soft-shell crab. Nice. Maybe not as crispy as I would have liked it. But still pretty enjoyable.

 
And then some mackeral roll. With chilli. I liked this. Miles better than my sushi at Harrods earlier in May. Now that was truly dreadful.

The Service: Throughout it all, service was sweet and attentive. I couldn't help but fall in love with them. And Necco. Even though I hate cats and (IMHO) there's something odd about an Asian restaurant calling itself "Cat." Even if it's cat in Japanese.

The Verdict: Go for its simplicity and sweetness and nice food. Is it the best sushi I've ever had? No, not so much. But there's just something so genuine and lovely about Necco that's entirely endearing.