Superb sushi and funky fusion - D'FLY Cheltenham

Here at SeafoodShack we cover great seafood all over the world. This week, however, I am delighted to report on a new find very close to home - D'FLY in Cheltenham. This imaginative venue has developed during 2009 to offer a marvellous array of food including Thai, Asian and Fusion styles as well as modern British. However, as a seafood junkie it was the sushi menu that caught my eye. The team of chefs seems to be getting more impressive by the minute, with a sushi specialist from Monte Carlo now joined by Dale Lepperts, lately the Executive Chef at Cowley Manor.

We visited on a Saturday night, and the joint was indeed jumping. The bar area was buzzing with both happy folk on a night out and beats mixed for the occasion. At the other end of the space, the restaurant was pretty full too and I think we were lucky to get a table. Equipped with a pint of Budvar and a glass of unoaked Chardonnay, we tackled the mixed nigiri/sashimi/maki platter as a starter. It was first class, with choice salmon, tuna and a white fish nigiri (4) and sashimi (3 x 3 slices - thickly cut and excellent). 6 tuna maki rolls completed the platter, which was beautifully served with wasabi, ginger and a small carafe of soy sauce.

We went for Asian main courses - my beef rendang was really good, the best I've had outside Asia for some time with plenty of spice and star anise flavour. Coconut rice proved a splendid accompaniment. Jenny went for the Singapore Laksa soup as a main course was pretty authentic too, great colour and taste. (She said she could use more chilli heat, but regular readers will know this may say more about her than the food!)

D'Fly are now having music on several evenings a week (latin guitar on Wednesdays, jazz sax on Thursdays, folk and soul on Fridays) along with weekend beats, a jazz jam on the first Sunday of the month and more gigs to come. Well worth a visit or two. Also try the Sushi Club - their top ten sushi dishes for £3 each Tuesday - Thursday 6pm - 10pm.

D'FLY, 1a Crescent Place, Cheltenham GL50 3NX, Tel 01242 246060, www.dflycheltenham.co.uk