Once the new kid on the culinary block, Japanese cuisine has quickly established itself as a firm favourite on the London restaurant scene with new Japanese restaurants springing up on almost every high street.

H20 in Hendon is a fairly recent addition to the area, having opened last February, but it is already building a loyal customer base with its fresh, healthy flavours and excellent value for money.

For sushi afficionados, H2O's a la carte selection, with individual pieces of sushi, makes a great way to enjoy a range of flavours. Familiar slivers of raw salmon, tuna and prawn rolled with sticky Japanese rice and nori seaweed sit alongside things you may not have tried before, such as horse-neck clam and flying fish roe, all freshly made by hand and presented like little works of art.

You can also try the clean, cool flavours of sashimi, slices of the freshest raw fish, sometimes lightly seared with sesame seeds and drizzled with a Japanese basil dressing, or just served plain, accompanied by some jewel-like salmon roe for a delicate flavour.

But if you're new to sushi and are under the impression that its just raw fish, the H2O is a great place to challenge your preconceptions. Alongside the sushi and sashimi dishes, the menu also offers the rich flavours of beef or chicken teriyaki; some light and crispy prawn or vegetable tempura, and chicken or pork deep-fried in Japanese breadcrumbs. There is also a wonderful selection of dishes known as kushiage' consisting of vegetables, meat or seafood dipped in light Japanese breadcrumbs and deep fried until golden. Presented on a skewer they make perfect finger-food and are delicious when dipped into the sticky, sweet sauce that is served on the side. If you are overwhelmed by the choice, the menu offers some set choices and the beauty of Japanese food means it is great to share. So with that in mind we chose the H2O chef's selection, assorted pieces of sushi served with a pickled ginger and fiery wasabi paste. Great care is taken with presentation and in this selection each piece was arranged on top of an unusual replica of a wooden boat - naturally.

We also tried a plate of delicate salmon sashimi, some skewers of assorted kushiage and intensely-flavoured roasted aubergine slices topped with rich, sweet miso paste.

To drink, there is an array of Japanese beverages, from beers, plum wine and hot and cold sake to traditional green tea, as well as a wine list with plenty of European reds and whites from which to choose.

H2O effortlessly combines a wonderful menu with great service, and whether or not you are a seasoned connoisseur of sushi, H2O is the ideal place to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at its best.

It is open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Take-away is available.

H2O Japanese Sushi Restaurant 33 Watford Way Hendon Central NW4 3JH 020 8203 2088