Cocoro is a Japanese hidden in Marylebone. In front of Tomoe, it offers a simple and lighty atmosphere. Clients probably appreciate the hidden location. Many Japanese go there as well too. Good efficient service.
Tea refill comes in time, don't be afraid to ask for more green tea when you finished your glass.
Concerning the sushis, the rice has been cooked with too much vinegar in my opinion. Some people might like it that way... I personally believe it masks the taste of the fish. For this reason, I'd recommend to go for the fattiest pieces (such as salmon or eel or anything with avocado). Also, as a general rule, I find the rolls not too generous in fish, with too much rice compared to fish (in particular the tuna avocado roll or the cucumber and eel roll). That's why I would not consider Cocoro, the best place for sushi in London. Now, it's a good hidden place to have them. It's an interesting place to go, for a date for example ?
Now, there are a few surprising specialties at Cocoro, which are worth talking about... and maybe try them.
A very interesting roll, called the "Cocoro special" or "7 fish roll" has been created by the cook. It includes salmon, tuna, mackerel, shrimps, scallop, yellowtail and sea bass! All those in a single roll with radish around. This roll is generous in fish, as opposed to the other rolls. The result is unique. I personally don't think it works very well, but it is certainly worth tasting, for its creativity.
Cocoro special roll - generous in fish
Also the dragon roll is a beautiful piece. I would recommend it because fish and avocado tastes match well the strong vinegar rice flavour. Yellowtail, salmon and avocado do go on well together. But style and substance come at a price: £15.00 for this roll.
Dragon roll - beautiful for the eyes and the stomach
Two starters I enjoyed were the ikanato (ika is squid and nato is the fermented soybeans) and the tako wasa (tako is octopus, so tako wasa is octopus in wasabi sauce). Ika nato was of good quality. If you never tried nato give it a try. The taste of it goes certainly well with the squid. Better even was the tako wasa, a simple starter for a small price. Tako is chewy as expected. Make sure you like wasabi before ordering because it is strong.
Ika nato - small portion
the tastes of the squid and the nato beans go well together
Tako wasa - it tastes better than it looks
Nato roll - well done, a nice vegetarian sushi
Cucumber eel roll - not enough eel to my taste
Tuna avocado roll - same comment
too much rice, not enough tuna in comparison...
A less better experience is the soft sheel karaabe in ponzu sauce. Now, let me get this right. First impression is good. Soft shell taste is strong. It was nice BUT soft shell crab has been reheated (and not just cooked before ordering). That is always the case in every place in London I ordered this dish so far... so let's not conclude too quickly Cocoro is not an appropriate sushi place. I liked it but it seems it's difficult to find a place for fresh soft shell crab. Ponzu sauce was a good realisation.
Soft shell crab
We finished the dinner with hokkigai nigri. I found it a bit chewy and they had the idea to put a vinegar sauce on it... I don't know if Japanese people have it that way. I found it way too strong in vinegar.
Hokkigai.... too much vinegar for me....
Cocoro, is a place of interest for sushi if you tried the "must go" sushi bars in London before and are looking for a new place to change. Also, if you like vinegar rice, chose this place. I would certainly recommend the Cocoro special, the dragon roll, ikanato and tako wasa. Now, if I am honest, I think other sushis places are better that cocoro and so must be tried before.
No comments:
Post a Comment