CAPE TOWN DIVA: Japanese cuisine at its finest, in Cape Town...

There are gazillions of restaurants in Cape Town but not too many where the food is blow-your-hair back amazing and Kyoto Garden Sushi in Tamboerskloof is one such place. The food is in another league.

Sushi master Koshi Koyama from Tokyo delivered dish after dish of exceptional food made from the freshest of ingredients. He has been with Kyoto since it opened 7 years ago and is on top of his game. Owner Scott Wood recommended four starters for us, amongst which was the thinly sliced beef (wagyu), a more recent addition to the menu. Also outstanding was the Ocean Delight salad and Miso soup with tempura scallops.

Kyoto is very well known for their cocktails - my date Lateral Paul was waxing lyrical about his Ginger Mizuwari - & pretty much all the fare that passed his lips on Saturday night. Kyoto also boasts a broad selection of Japanese Whisky and Sake.

The only downside for me is that we over- indulged on the starters, meaning there was no room for the sushi platter. On the upside, this gives us an excuse to return and I can't wait.

The interior, designed by Scott, who hails from the USA, is elegant and uncluttered. There's an atmosphere of quiet refinement to the place. Scott, who travels frequently to Japan, clearly has very good taste, right down to his choice of tableware, the food presentation and the design of the chopsticks.

I must mention that our waiter was so on it- he was clearly passionate about the menu and his attention to detail was impressive - always a huge plus for me. Let the images that follow do the rest of the talking...

Step inside and experience an ode to fine Japanese cuisine...

The Kyoto Cosmo, 'a variation on the contemporary classic' cocktail, with fresh lime, triple distilled vodka mixed with a strawberry Sake and a dash of Bombay Sapphire Gin (R62)

The Green Tea Destiny slayed me - Japanese green tea, a squeeze of fresh lime, Sake, Premium London Dry Gin & lemonade... (R58)

Beautiful decor features, soft lighting...

The menu awaits..

A few delicacies offered as we arrived... crab, octopus, mushrooms and more...

Even the chopsticks make their own statement...

Tempura tofu...the batter is light and the sauce, a sweetish soya, was divine - I was tempted to drink it from the bowl. I held myself back of course... (R75)