ONE thing a visit to Funki Sushi definitely promised to be was interesting. Sushi was a new experience for me and I have to admit I did actually phone ahead to make sure you could order the cooked version.

Call me a chicken, but the idea of eating raw fish has never appealed, so I was reassured to learn that you can have your food as you like at Funki Sushi.

I was also really pleased to discover tempura on the menu, so my friend and I ordered a portion as a starter, as well as a plate of deep-fried calamari.

But at Funki Sushi they cook the calamari in very thin rings in an extremely unusual but effective way, dusted with parmesan and Thai basil, and served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce.

They were absolutely delicious, as was the shrimp and vegetable tempura, despite being in a slightly over-thick batter.

As a first-timer, when it came down to the main event I found the menu a little confusing because it lists an endless selection of "rolls" with different fillings.

It didn't seem to make it clear which rolls were raw and which were cooked, so we asked our helpful waiter for a bit of assistance.

Being a seasoned sushi-eater, my friend wanted to try the real thing, so our waiter suggested a plate with a selection of raw sushi on one side for her and a variety of cooked sushi on the other side for me.

It turned out to be the ideal option and we both thoroughly enjoyed our individual selections.

I had the salmon lovers set - a mixture of rice, smoked salmon, avocado, white fish, seaweed and sesame seeds - while my friend had the fusion deluxe - with rice, seaweed, cheese, avocado and raw eel, tuna, and salmon.

Because the sushi rolls are so small I thought we might go away hungry, but there was more than enough to fill us up.

Funki Sushi, which opened in the summer, is Hampshire's first sushi bar.

With its trendy and modern dcor, unusual menu, friendly staff and strict no-smoking policy, it should be a hit with anyone looking for an alternative meal out.

Our bill, including two soft drinks, came to £34.30.

Reservations: 01590 679919.