A Japanese-style fresco, mosaic tile floors, an open kitchen… Inside Benjamin Perrier’s tiny izakaya, there’s plenty to drink and plenty of… manga! Plus talented chef Yoshi Mantani who knows how to delight lovers of Japanese tapas. For us, the night we went: still-warm edamame to kick things off; umami-rich marinated raw sardines; some very good salmon sashimi; incredible vegetable gyoza; a generous portion of buta don, aka well-seasoned pork on a bed of jasmine rice; and to round out the meal, a decadent and extremely copious chocolate ganache with olive oil, fleur de sel and matcha powder. Otherwise, at lunchtime, there’s donburi for everyone who comes through the front door – rice topped with tender pork, tofu/seaweed or smoked herring. // Jean Pascal
FEELING THIRSTY? There’s a mini selection of sakes (€6.50 to €10 a glass, €33 to €68 a bottle), cocktails (including a Tokyo Spring that combines sake, rose lemonade and hibiscus – €10) and even a few clean wines, like a Côtes-du-Rhône white from Les Vignerons d’Estézargues (€6 a glass), or a morgon from Foillard (€32 a bottle).
PRICE: Donburi €12 (€16-20 for the lunchtime set menu), tapas €5-16 (dinner).
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