Rika Moon Notting Hill - a new, sophisticated but oh-so-cool spot

I don’t think I’ve ever started a piece of writing detailing a trip to the toilet, but I guess there always has to be a first time for everything.

So, here goes nothing…

I went to Rika Moon, Notting Hill’s newest Japanese fusion restaurant, and naturally, as one does while having dinner and drinks, I needed to use the bathroom.

I was seated with my dining partner in the upstairs section of the restaurant, which features a large bar, a few tables for eating, and one bathroom cubicle.

Upstairs at Rika Moon (Image: Rika Moon)

As I headed to the cubicle, the waiter advised I go downstairs instead.

“Press the red button, and don’t spend too long in there, people usually can’t help but do so,” he told me with a smirk.

I looked at him partly trustingly and partly wondering as to why a restaurant waiter was telling me firstly which toilet to use, secondly how long to spend in there, and thirdly whether I was going to be abducted by aliens when pressing said red button.

Granted, I listened to the waiter, who had been nothing but attentive to our table previously, and I headed to the stunning downstairs of the restaurant where there were more tables for seating – notably a gorgeous pink in colour – and another bar.

Downstairs at Rika Moon (Image: Rika Moon)

I followed the toilet signs, went in to the mirrored cubicle, and reluctantly, nervously, and excitedly clicked a large red button which stuck out of the wall next to the toilet.

“Please don’t stop the music, music,” blared Rihanna as multi-coloured lights dominated the room.

@immyshare The most fun wee I’ve ever had #London #londonrestaurants #londonrestaurant ♬ original sound - Immy Share

I felt like I’d been transported into a club, it put a great big smile on my face, and I was left feeling quite mesmerised having never witnessed such a fun trip to the toilet before.

Each time the button was pressed, different songs played, and each time, I sung along and smiled more and more.

I eventually dragged myself away and went back to my table, offering the waiter a wink across the room as I now knew exactly why the toilet was so hard to resist.

But, not hard enough to stay there all evening, as the food and drinks were pretty hard to resist too.

We ordered an array of starters, sushi dishes, salads and fish – and not one thing disappointed.

Chirashi salmon, tuna and kingfish with pickled radish and spicy mayo (Image: Rika Moon)

We chose to select our own dishes, but there is also the option of the Omakese menu, where the waiters are more than happy to recommend different dishes and help out with which ones go with which.

The food was of a high quality, the drinks matched perfectly and I had an evening in a cool, sophisticated, aesthetic restaurant which didn’t lose its hint of fun.

Despite the sophistication of food, drink and design, Rika Moon is a warm and effusive spot with a dog friendly policy which stems from their namesake ‘Rika’ – the family dog.

SO, if you fancy the perfect backdrop for long lunches, intimate dinner with drinks and a bit of a boogie while you nip to the loo – Rika Moon is your place.

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