Restaurants

An unlikely find in the middle of busy, grimy Whitecross Street, Pham Sushi is something of a Japanese oasis: calm, smart and quiet, at odds with the market bustle outside. Staff wear crisp uniforms; conversation levels never exceed a low hum; and, while there is a small communal counter at the back, most diners sit at sleek square tables. More a restaurant than a quick-stop canteen, then, but our sushi arrived swiftly. Two mixed platters of sushi and sashimi included the classics (thickly sliced, vibrantly coloured salmon sashimi, meaty sea bass nigiri) as well as some interesting ‘chef specials': we particularly liked maki with soft-shelled crab. Elsewhere on the menu, bento boxes featuring tempura and stir-fried beef tempted. Prices reflect the above-average quality of the sushi (our platters were around £15 each); care should be taken not to swell the bill beyond budget.

Time Out Cheap Eats in London Guide 2007