Restaurants

The sushi here is of such high quality, the restaurant might just as well be called ‘Sushi Hero’. The decor has a kind of municipal feel – wipe-clean tiled walls and bright strip lighting – with the half-dozen or so utilitarian tables packed tightly together. Most customers seem to be from Ealing’s Japanese community, stopping in for a quick bite or a takeaway. Service can be amateurish, but that’s our only gripe. Nigiri sets go beyond the usual salmon and tuna standards; the chef puts together a selection of what’s best on the day: sea bass, scallop and organic salmon on our visit. A la carte sushi is pricier, but the selection, including many off-the-beaten-track offerings, is excellent. Maki (squid and shiso, eel and cucumber) are imaginative. To drink, there’s green tea, Japanese beer or saké, the latter served in hefty measures in glass tumblers (a bargain at £5). Sushi-Hiro is excellent value, but credit cards aren’t accepted. And it’s wise to book ahead, as it gets busy and shuts early.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008