Castle Street has, for some time now, been enjoying something of a resurgence as the city’s newest gastronomic hotspot – and long may it continue.

In only the past year or so, Castle Street has welcomed leading names including pizza rodizio Santa Maluco run by Graffiti Spirits Group, who operate five other bars and restaurants in the city; all-day-brunch restaurant Castle Street Townhouse; New York-style bar and eatery Neighbourhood and most recently, Gino’s – the latest in celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo’s portfolio.

But a favourite addition with the team here at YB is Izakaya, which opened its doors in January last year at number 8 Castle Street, the former home of Fishlocks florist. YB’s Jennie Lewis tells us more…

This specialist sushi bar brings a real taste of Japan to Liverpool and with its cool, casual interior would look at home in New York’s East Village. What’s more, the food there is to die for.

Offering authentic sushi, bento boxes and Japanese small bites, it’s impossible for anybody to find fault with the menu here. Frankly, we could have ordered everything!

I’m a nigiri fan usually, I particularly like the torched salmon. Tony, on the other hand, is a Sushi novice and like many, not altogether sold on the idea of raw fish. So we thought this a perfect opportunity to try something new.

It’s hard not to be bowled over by the incredibly extensive sushi menu at Izakaya. But with the help of their incredibly knowledgeable and attentive team, it didn’t take us long to order.

I plumped for my favourite sake aburi (torched salmon nigiri), and added maguru zuke (tuna) and teriyaki shitake hosomaki and aubergine dragon uramaki whilst Tony ordered the classic starter of chicken teriyaki and ever popular chicken katsu curry. We shared a portion of pork gyoza, because y’know, it’d just be rude not to.

I was delighted with my choices. The salmon nigiri never fails to impress me – deliciously tender salmon, lightly torched and placed delicately on top of sticky sushi rice and served with keta caviar and wasabi to warm it up just as much as you like.

The maguru zake – or soy tuna hosomaki – were divine. Slithers of the freshest, leanest tuna that had been marinated in soy and ginger, again served on sushi rice and decorated with drops of ginger paste, that looked like little canary diamonds against the deep pink tuna.

The shitake hosomaki were little bite-sized rolls of deliciousness. Earthy mushrooms flavoured with garlic and chives with a subtle ginger heat, wrapped in sushi rice and nori (seaweed). Savoury and moreish, I easily polished off all six!

But the star of the show for me was the aubergine uramaki. Uramaki are larger sushi rolls and the aubergine dragon came filled with aubergine (no kidding), green beans, kanpyo (a sort of dried Japanese squash), carrot and chives rolled up inside rice and nori, drizzled with miso & agave sauce and hot sauce and served with takuan, a pickled daikon radish. It was seriously good – fresh, crisp, sweet, savoury, spicy and sour all in one hit! I urge you to try this one on your next visit, you won’t regret it.

Tony seemed just as pleased with his order – he even spared me a gyoza. Salty, flavoursome parcels served with a spicy chilli sauce – the steamed dumplings are a favourite in Japan and it’s easy to see why. They’re incredibly satisfying little morsels.

Afterwards, dessert simply wasn’t in question – when the food is this good, you carry on eating! I ordered the pannacotta with macerated mango and passionfruit salsa and it was creamy and dreamy and delightful.

Tony ordered the citrus sponge with vanilla ice cream – a diversion from the pistachio ice cream they suggest. The sponge smelt incredible, as if it were freshly baked, and I was tempted to karate kick Tony in the knee to distract him so I could swipe his too!

Aaand after dessert (despite the fact I’d spent my morning at yoga), came the cocktails, well for me at least. And we simply couldn’t not tell you about the cocktail menu at Izakaya, it is unlike any other we’ve seen.

Izakaya have a carefully crafted menu that draws on traditional Japanese ingredients, like sake, suze, orange blossom, lime and ginger to create a small but perfectly formed cocktail carte du jour. They also offer an extensive wine and spirits list and classic cocktails too – perfect for an after work tipple.

I opted for a Hedgerow Fix – a blend of escuabac (my new favourite), lime, orange blossom tea, apple juice and elderflower wine.

Escubac is a modern liqueur and is a favourite amongst the trendster’s at the moment. Distilled not unlike gin, the botanicals are more heady and spicy – a mix of cardamom, caraway, nutmeg and citrus and sweetened with raisins and vanilla. With the floral notes of the orange blossom tea, hit of citrus from the lime and sweetness from the apple and elderflower, the Hedgerow Fix was heavenly and I could easily have guzzled down four more!

All in all, as a big fan of Japanese food, Izakaya has quickly stolen my heart and made it onto my personal list of fav places to eat and drink. It’s comfortable and unpretentious, the staff are friendly and they know sushi. It’s ideal for speedy lunches, dinner with friends or after work drinks. You could while away hours in here – just be careful of the Japanese Old Fahioned, you have been warned!

Izakaya serves lunch and dinner, cater for vegan and other dietary requirements and even offer a takeaway service. For more information or to book (and we suggest you do, immediately) visit http://www.izakaya-sushi.co.uk/