At Donzoko, you could almost feel you were in Japan.

From the large number of Japanese diners, to the many dishes from the menu listed on bunting-like strips of paper on the walls, it has nearly all the ingredients of a typical local izakaya (Japanese style tavern). The only thing missing on the night we went were the crowds of people pumping up the noise level (de rigueur in downtown Tokyo). Instead, we were met with a rather sober and thoughtful assortment of fellow eaters, leaving us fearful of offending with even the slightest outburst.

A wide selection of small tapas-like dishes is the focus of the menu, and all are of a high quality. Particularly to be recommended is the aubergine and white miso (one of the few things that might appeal to vegetarians). All the standards like grilled fish, tempura, yakitori (well worth trying), sushi, and so on, appear on the menu, plus stranger concoctions such as taro and duck nimono. Prices can rise alarmingly, so, if you can, supplement the smaller dishes with the more substantial teishokus.

Service is unobtrusive, with the exception of the rather brusque 'head-waitress cum mama-san' who has been here for years. Situated just behind Regent Street, this is a useful restaurant for the exhausted shopper.

(Time Out Eating & Drinking)