Kozu

I am a fussy (and extremely greedy)eater. From quality to Quantity (I loathe mean portions), ambiance, decor (impersonal corporate/samey type interiors with zero personality) and ergonomics(there's nothing worse than back breaking seating)I'm not shy in coming forward in the moment. I've passed Koji so many times over the years, but never been in. So spontaneously screeching to a halt last Saturday night, I decided, much to my partners surprise, to venture in. Every single box above got a platinum star and some. Everything we ordered (and there was lots of it) was quite simply divine, a complete taste explosion. Every aspect of each dish, the recipes,(unpretentious yet unique) the presentation and amount was top notch. This is a place of special touches, no faceless interior muppetry in sight. Lovely generous space with light and moodful spots to choose where you want to sit. Totally attentive yet uncloying staff. We couldn't believe our luck. We had a fantastic evening. There's nothing like the high you get from the combination of a delicious meal, great music (not too loud) and wholly stealable art. As we were leaving a waiter noticed a food stain on my jacket, rushed of and brought me a soda water to remove the offending red splodge. Impressive and unexpected. That sums up our very special night out.

I took my wife to Koji to celebrate our wedding anniversary. In booking it, I confess that I was seduced by gorgeous pictures on the website, I was reassured by the excellent customer reviews, and, above all, I was impressed by the relative resilience of the restaurant in the face of Hammersmith & Fulham’s vile, xenophobic traffic scheme, which does its best to alienate customers and staff, by fining drivers from outside the borough when they cut through the back streets. With those credentials, I thought, it must be good. And it was. Once our food started to arrive and my wife began to taste it, her mood progressively brightened. The salmon taco was delicious; the ceviche was superb; and the rock ‘n’ roll shrimp was everything a signature dish should be. When it came to the main course, she played safe, ordering sea bass and I was adventurous… ordering octopus. We both tried each other’s dishes and after doing so, she commandeered the octopus. Both dishes were exceptionally fresh and beautifully coked. I only wish I could have made a bet with her beforehand that she would eat octopus and like it, because my winnings would have been astronomic! When we got to the desert course, we were both full. However, having pre-arranged for the chef to write Happy Anniversary on the desert plate, I couldn’t not order. So, we went for the one with banana and passion fruit. I’m so pleased we did because it was another spectacular explosion of flavour. On the wine front, we went modest but were still charmed, as the house sauvignon blanc had a beautiful bouquet and a very easy-drinking style. After we left, my wife’s verdict was: “a gastronomic flavour explosion”. Mine… “If you’re going on a date and want to score, this is the place.”

Went here for a dinner on a Friday night. Food was so delicious, the duck salad was the best. The service was a little slow but that because they were SO busy. It did feel a little cramped in there and my chair kept getting knocked when the waiter walked past. It was also very loud, we had to shout to each other to be heard. I wouldn’t suggest come here for a quiet dinner out because you will not get that. Overall I did enjoy this restaurant and I would be back.