Tsunami (Clapham)

We have eaten at Tsunami over a number of years and on the whole have always been happy with the service and the food. However, having returned there last night we were extremely disappointed. The standard of food was lower - and the portion sizes were less than generous taking into account the high prices. The most remarkable difference however was the service. The food was rushed and we were given our first starter before our wine had even arrived. One of our main courses was brought to the table at the same time as an appetiser - without the accompanying rice and noodles that we had ordered to go with it. On asking the whereabouts of the side dishes, we were met with a terse 'they are coming'. We were not prepared to pay the service charge which was automatically added to the bill and asked for it to be removed. To conclude, we will not be returning and I hope that other diners follow suit . Tsunami needs a wake up call and will only change its attitude if its sees a drop in business.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Thursday, October 22, 2009

We chose this place as it was recommended in Time Out. Prices are too high for what you get. We ordered miso soup (too salty), mixed tempura (pretty good) and 3 types of maki rolls. The salmon rolls did not taste the way they should.....not grade A sushi. We came with a young baby, and they may have thought we wanted our food quickly, but they rushed our meal, which didn't add to the experience. We will not return to Tsunami.
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Joel
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Sunday, September 06, 2009

Agreed with the last comment about service, although I actually did eat here. I've eaten at all the Mayfair restaurants and I must say that for the most part the food at Tsunami was really good on a relative basis, especially the miso cod and the sushi. But the service was absolutely shocking. Emotionless servers, extremely slow through the meal, and it took them about half an hour to bring us the bill after asking twice and telling them we were in a rush, then another 5-10 mins later they still hadn't collected it. In the end I walked up to the counter with the bill. Not the most enjoyable experience when dining out and you have to be somewhere after.

Sent them an email to let them know (I'd want to know if it was my restaurant!), didn't hear back. Not sure if I'd go back, despite how good the food was.
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Andrew
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Monday, July 06, 2009

Turned up at the restaurant tonight having heard great things about the venue. Unfortunately we were kept waiting at the door whilst the waitress finished putting paper napkins in a draw and then had the cheek to ask us "what can I do for you?" without even looking at us. "Perhaps a table or even a little common courtsey might be nice" crossed my mind.

Having been seated my partner and I were so upset with the first impression and having stayed for a few minutes found the atmosphere quite oppressive, we got up and left so I'm unable to comment on the food, however, I was not prepared to spend that kind of money and resent every mouthful.
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RL
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Sunday, March 29, 2009

My partner took me to Tsunami last year for Valentine's Day and we both really loved the sushi. Therefore, when my partner told me he was going to take me out to Tsunami again I was really looking forward to it.

We ordered x2 Jalapeno Yellowtail Sashimi because we loved it so much from last year, BUT we were so disappointed because the sashimi pieces have been cut too thick and there wasn't enough of the Jalapeno sauce so it was very plain and it wasn't tasty like it should melt in your mouth.

Again, we ordered Soft shell crab roll which from my previous experience was very tasty but this time it was normal. We ordered Tobiko Nigris, Salmon & Tuna Sashimi which were nice but normal like other places.

This time, we ordered Char-Grilled Lamb with wasabi peppercorn sauce which was really tasty. I wasn't looking forward to this dish because I don't like the taste of lamb because it's strong. However, I was shocked that I really enjoyed this dish because the lamb was soft and with the wasabi creamy sauce you couldn't taste the wasabi until right at the end. There were a few slices of mushroom which I used to soak up all the wasabi sauce because it was that tasty!

I ordered my favorite japanese drink - Calpico (sweet milky yogurt-ish) and I didn't enjoy it because I think they used sparkling water to make it with so it was like flat Calpico Soda.

The service and the atmosphere were reasonable.

I don't think my partner will be taking me to Tsunami again because it is expensive, otherwise we would only go there for that one dish - char-grilled lamb with wasabi sauce!
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Eve
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, March 12, 2009

Went there last week and it was a big disappointment. The service and atmosphere were well below what we were expecting, very loud place overall. Wanna be posh restaurant for cheap pretentious Londoners! Felt completely ripped off. Nigiris are small and expensive for the taste…food is very much westernised, décor is not Japanese…not a place to go if you want authentic Japanese food. It is not at all inspiring food and not well presented. Food also came very quick, which made me wonder on whether not everything was ready made in the kitchen! The quality of food, taste and service does NOT justify the premium on the menu. Overall disappointed, there are definitely better places for Japanese food in London!
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Lili
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Thursday, February 12, 2009

Tsunami is a simple restaurant offering proficient but hardly inspiring food to a local crowd.

On my visit the Maître de was exceptionally accomodating and waiting staff attentive and helpful.
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Cornell
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, November 10, 2008

People complain about dish pacing too much. you are in Japanese restaurant, what do you expect? It's fun eating like that, I think. There should certainly be gap for hot and cold dishes, but bringing different dishes, especially sushi, is something they do in Japan anyhow.

I think it's a good restaurant. Unfortunately, it's the sad truth that in any restaurant there are a couple of servers who aren't as good as the others, like mentioned below about the waiter not able to pronounce the dishes- may be he's new? So long as he was not rude or luck of commitment to the job, we should all be understandable on how hard their job is.

I certainly enjoyed my dinner here. The flambeed scallop was delicious and my waitress was lovely and hard working.
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Lili Jones
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, August 24, 2008

After hearing some good things from friends about this place, I was really looking forward to lunch here. I really shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.

With regards to the food, it's uninspiring to say the least. One of our party ordered oyako-don, which came out as a pile of teriyaki chicken on top of dry rice - not at all what it's meant to be (or even close). The waiter couldn't pronounce half of the dishes, which along with his surly demeanor didn't exactly give us a lot of confidence for the rest of the meal. The service, overall, was some of the worst that I've ever experienced in a restaurant that's meant to be of a good standard. The pacing of dishes coming out was just awful - I don't care what they say about dishes coming out "when they're ready". Having a main of sushi coming out after everyone else has finished their hot mains in inexcusable.

This is really not someplace that I'd consider going to again, especially when much better Japanese (both traditional and modern) can be had at any number of places around the city with better service and prices. Avoid at all costs.
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CS
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Monday, August 18, 2008

The food was certainly better than expected but why the kitchen sends out one plate every 10 minutes is beyond me. Some of the tempura was not only tasteless but unidentifiable. Might go back if kitchen was more efficient and waiting staff, although pleasant enough, knew what they were doing. One of our plates was taken away as there were not enough vegetables in it so had to wait another 10 minutes for it to come back. Not the place to go if you are hungry.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Saturday, August 02, 2008