The idea of combining the precision and restraint of Japanese cooking with the citrus, chilli and bold flavours of Peru sounded like it would either be brilliant or become unnecessarily complicated.

Thankfully, at Nikkei, it works.

It is the sort of restaurant that works well for a date night as well as a dinner with friends.

With my parents in Cape Town for the festive season, we have the benefit of two great babysitters on-hand and we took full advantage last Friday night.

We had been wanting to go to Emazulwini for a while, and with guests and fellow foodies down from Johannesburg for a long weekend, it was the perfect timing.