In The Mood for Love is a very sexy and chi-chi sushi bar that simulates a funky lounge, complete with an open counter where the chefs prepare the sushi right before you. Staff are dressed in plain black and they keep a distance from the tables, but just as well because it gives plenty of room for the décor to speak with you. The plush sofa booths with accompanying vintage floral seats feel like granny’s home in Victoria, but the brass table-side lamps illuminate with a mysterious sexiness that somehow sets your mind to singing along with the sensual lounge music.

The faint whispers from the chefs and the intermittent laughs from neighbouring tables seemed so distant, as our souls were sunk too deep in the very atmospheric bar – not once did we feel intruded in our booth seat, and as the dishes were quietly placed on our tables, we were growing accustomed to this intimate dinner setting that we forgot for a moment that we were actually in the bustling Bangkok.

Dinner was a pleasurable fare of one starter and two kinds of maki. Our appetites were whet with the Horenzo no Goma Ae – quite simply blanched fresh spinach drizzled with sesame dressing.

Amongst its many pages of creative rolls is a galore of sushi configurations to choose from, and after we took what seemed like forever to decide, we settled for the Very Salmon (THB380) and Happy-to-get-her (THB380).

The former is the classic salmon aburi roll, torched to a degree of sweetness, while still retaining the freshness in its raw form. It may not be the best rendition we have had, but it was one that made dinner at a bar like this very memorable.

Happy-to-get-her was indeed happy together. The combination of Hokkaido scallops, tobikko and spicy crabmeat is a brilliant move, for the sweet and chewy scallop posed as a contrast to the tangy and creamy spicy crabmeat. Of course, everyone loves their sushi with ounces of tobikko to chew on; oh, the glorious sweet and salty Japanese goodness.

Prices may be on the steeper side by Bangkok’s standard, but it is a place that is worth visiting. For one, with an evening experience like this, anyone would be In The Mood For Love – in abundance, perhaps.

In The Mood For Love
9/9 Sukhumvit Soi 36, Sukhumvit Road
Phra Kanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 661 5076
Mon to Fri: 5.30pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 12pm
Nearest Station: Thonglor BTS

Words by Melody Yap