Hi Sushi

Restaurant Name: Hi Sushi

Type of Food: Japanese

Average price per person: £13- £20

Website: n/a

Branch Visited:
40 Frith Street, London, W1D 5LN
16 Hampstead High Street, London, NW3 1PX


Review:
Hi Sushi is a weird one... it's a Japanese place run my Chinese people... but if your a novice with Japanese food you will never notice.

Hi Sushi at Frith street can get quite busy. Tables downstairs are very unique with low level tables. Most people who eat here don't order the menu dishes and 98% go for the all you can eat sushi buffet.

The food is not very high quality... but for the price you pay its good value. I would recommend this place for a casual night out...


Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 7/10
The atmosphere is quite nice..... considering the place is small sound levels are not to loud... it plays cheesy jpop tunes which you will either love or hate.


Service: 8/10
Because the Restaurant is small service is never a problem.

Food: 7/10
food is not bad for the type of restaurant...

Quality to Price: 8/10
Quality to price it is very good... Sushi is freshly made but selection is small..

Final Rating: 7/10

All you can eat places are normally rubbish and cheap... i must admit this place is quite decent for an all you can eat place... go here if you want cheap sushi

Wagamama

Restaurant Name: Wagamama

Type of Food: Japanese
Average price per person: £8- £20

Website: http://www.wagamama.com/

Branch Visited:
26 high st, kensington, london, W8 4PF
180 - 182 earls court road, london, SW5 9QG
50-54 high street, putney, london, SW15 1SQ
Brent Cross shopping centre, london, NW4 3FP


Review:
One of the reasons japanese food has gone main stream is due to the sucess of Wagamama. Problem is that it isn't really japanese food... its kinda like japanese inspired food.

Anyway the place is shared seating and no background music... I find the atmosphere is very good for lunch and even dinner with your friends... I still find that even though you are sharing seats with other people you tend to forget about them very quickly because of the face to face seating.

Service is good but i have had some bad expirences with some of the branches where service is really bad due to the fact that it's busy (surprisingly it's at the smaller branches).

Foodwise due to Wagamama being a chain they should be following the same instructions on preparing a dish... but this is not true here... I've tasted a Yaki udon in one place which was really good but was very disappointed in another branch... Same with other dishes.

On the whole i do find Wagamama really good when they do make good food and even though i find some of the branches poor with the food.


Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 7/10
As with the trend these days... its the canteen style shared seating with no music atmosphere which really works here. Seeing the chefs cook your food adds to the expirence. Lighting is really bright and doesn't set a nice mood...

Service: 8/10
Fast.... They use electronic pda to take your order so it's faster to get to the kitchen.

Food: 7/10
Food is normally nice but can be inconsistent at times.

Quality to Price: 7/10
Price you pay for the food i think its fair but i wouldn't say it's cheap

Final Rating: 7/10

Wagamama was voted Zagat's most popular london restaurant 2006 above Nobu and Hakakasan, i don't know how... I guess it's one of the those place where it is main stream and everyone thinks it's cool to go to.

If you live in london i'm sure you can name so many other japanese style places to go to which would do way better food.

Saying that it is a good place to go to... i just think it's a little bit overated.

Okawari

Restaurant Name: Okawari

Type of Food: Japanese

Average Price Per Person: £15 - £20 excluding alcohol

Website: http://www.okawari.co.uk

Branch Visited:13 Bond Street, Ealing, London, W5 5AP.

Review: Fairly priced Japanese food with a very slight Chinese twist ( the owners are Chinese). Nice informal atmosphere and friendly staff. May not be you're thing if you do not like sharing tables. Advice for girls, do not wear any short skirts as the tables are set into ground in a big 'whole' for your legs, can be awkward stepping out of the table.

Must try items: Chicken Katsu Curry, Chasiu Ramen and Tofu Teriyaki. All sushi is good too. Portions are generous and most dishes come with a healthy miso soup.

The service is quick but make sure to book a table as it is always busy. Great place for couples but even better in groups as you can try out more of the dishes on offer.

They are also open for lunch and do some great 'meal deals' for £4 - £5. Sets typically include a main dish such as Teriyaki Chicken which comes with rice, a miso soup and a green tea for just a fiver!

Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 8/10 Friendly and informal

Service: 8/10 Nothing to complain about above average

Food: 8/10 Food is always good and I've never been disappointed... but they may have had a change of chef recently as some of the dishes taste a little different to before.

Quality to Price: 8/10 Decently priced considering portion size.

Final Rating: 8/10 Great for an informal evening out where the food will not disappoint at a good price.

Expert Comments:

Thach said...

Good value for money.. although I don't think it's as good as before. Sashimi is still very good and pretty cheap too...

Champ Sakulsaeng said...

I recommend the Softshell Crab roll very tasty... also the sashimi is value for money... prob best value in the whole of london.

Taro

Restaurant Name: Taro

Type of Food: Japanese
Average price per person: £13

Website: n/a

Branch Visited:
59-61 Brewer Street
Soho
London
W1F 9UW

Review:
Never really rated this place highly at all. This place is good if you want a quick bite to eat but i wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Don't bother with the sushi cos across the road from this place is Ten Ten Tei which does way better sushi. Chicken Teriyaki with rice is quite nice... Always busy in the evenings so be prepared to wait for a table.


Rating (Out of 10)

Atmosphere: 4/10
its rush rush rush

Service: 8/10
Can't complain.... they are fast

Food: 6/10
quality of food is good wouldn't say it was rubbish... seeing the kitchen makes you confident that you food is being prepared in a clean environment.

Quality to Price: 8/10
food is good for the price you pat

Final Rating: 6/10
Does the job... fills you up

Expert Comments:

Mon says

Would definitely agree with Champ on this one. But if you are ever in the area, the Chicken Teriyaki is a must try. Not very expensive either

Thach says

I disagree, i think this is a good restaurant to go to with your mates for a dinner before a night out, or a nice lunch. Prices are very reasonable and the service is fast! Ten Ten Tei is better for sashimi and sushi but their platter costs about £25!