‘Freddie Starr ate my hamster’. ‘The cheque is in the post’. ‘Really, it’s not you; it’s me’.

Sound a bit fishy?

Here’s something aquatic you can trust: Ozu, a new Japanese restaurant which opens today in the spectacular Grade II-listed County Hall.  Meaning ‘little harbour’, Ozu overlooks the Thames, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

On the menu: innovative dishes such as sake-steamed clams, duck breast with brioche and grilled river eel in a caramelized sauce, accompanied by plenty of warm sake or chilled Japanese beer. If you’re charmed by the view, stay and linger over a fresh lime-shiso sorbet or vacherin glacé.

An adjoining teppanyaki grill and sushi bar are set to open in November.

Sound good?

You’d better believe it.

Ozu, County Hall, Riverside Building, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (020 7928 7766).