But the pepper crust on sushi-style tuna, paired with what might have been world's smallest lobster tail, didn't work.
And rare, pan-seared yellowfin tuna in a pepper crust could not have been better.
Roast loin of pork was another pleaser, but its assertive pepper crust was a surprise and should have been noted on the menu.
The shell steak with Indonesian pepper crust was juicy and perfectly cooked, but it had no spark.
The pepper crust on the tuna au poivre, done medium rare, accompanied by potato mash and reedy asparagus spears, added an assertive spice to an appropriately substantial fish.
A 600g side of pink salmon - another Pacific species - with lemon and pepper crust can be bought for £5.
Slices of buttery tuna with a pleasing black pepper crust were a winning starter, as was the ubiquitous California roll.
Instead of a pepper crust, a pepper-flecked pallid sauce covered the beef.
The tuna steak with its crunchy pepper crust, topper of white bean puree and bed of warm greens is one of them.
Seared tuna in a pepper crust gets a briny salad of mixed seaweeds and a deftly produced wasabi mayonnaise.