Sakura

As a japanese man I was so embarrassed taking a pair of my great English friends to this establishment. As I knew them for years and hoped to reciprocate their kindness in taking me to some first class English restaurants, including the Ivy and Gordon Ramseys where the service and food was outstanding, I decided it was only fair to show off my countrymen and cusine.

My great mistake. The manager was so unbelievably coarse and rude and talked so badly to all of us that we walked out. Muttering under his breath I caught him saying some disgraceful backstreet expletives which he quickly said I was mistaken over.

Sadly I cannot say what the food was like. We went to a small and humble establishment in Gerrard street, where the service, though quiet, was much more respectful. I felt a great shame for Japan. He should apologise.
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Hirako Matsukeo
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I have been going (on and off) to this japanese for over 12 years now and I agree with most reviewers that staff is very rude to non-japanese patrons - but I happen to have thick skin.

If you want simple authentic japanese food in a simple authentic japanese setting and you don't care to be snubbed, then this is the place for you.
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Mimi
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7
Saturday, May 10, 2008

awful manager! It was the worst manager attitude I have never ever seen so far! this is a SHAME( x10000000infinity) for japanese restaurant!

The manage might be the one who wrote the restaurant name in the 'DEATH NOTE' list!!! he might already estimate when is the restaurant going to 'CLOSE DOWN' FOREVER EVER!
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Chris
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

It is definitely the worst service I have encountered so far. The manager was rude and that is just not the end of it. My friends arrived at 5.30pm when the restaurant is practically empty but they wont allow them to seat down and order food whilst waiting for me to arrive just 15 mins later

When I arrive, the manager would not let me get in the restaurant because he claims that my friends were liars that told him there were only TWO of them dining in the first place. We decided to walk away from the restaurant and that let the manager made some very rude gestures

I have been to many Japanese Restaurants as well as been to Japan many many times. This manager is a disgrace to Japanese people and I dont see why Sakura should be filled with people when they do not deserve it.
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Qizhen
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Monday, April 28, 2008

Suggested by friend as a really authentic japanese restaurant. I would NEVER go back again. The main fault of the place I think was the service or lack off. I almost find it hard to believe how hostile we were treated that evening and the way we were ordered about and having food shoved at us. Be warned. Surely there are better restaurants to try in LONDON!!
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M Hardy.
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 18, 2008

Although this place is good value for money, the service is awful and I would never ever go back again. I booked a table initially for 5 people for dinner, but as one of my friends was running late (in between seeing various people on a short trip from the US) and had a late lunch, I changed my booking for 4. We arrived about 10 minutes before our booking (didn't dare to get there late!), and we were seated. About halfway through the meal, my friend arrived, and we basically sat three people on 2 chairs on one side of the table for 4. The manager came when I was in the middle of eating my dinner, pointed his finger at me and shouted "you, you booked table for 4 and now you are 5. Don't do that again". What the?! It wasn't like we were taking up a table of 5 - three of us shared 2 chairs! If it wasn't for the other three people being there, I would have just walked out. When I told another friend my story, she said that she once went at 12pm, and despite an almost empty restaurant she wasn't allowed to have a drink at a table because her friend hadn't arrived yet. This may have been a fantastic restaurant in the past but that manager has definitely ruined it.
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Helen Lay
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 5
Friday, April 04, 2008

I and my husband have been going to Sakura since before we were married, 26 years. Although it is more crowded and less relaxed than it used to be when there were dividers between tables and you were given warm flannels to refresh yourself, it still has an authentic, if different kind, of Japanese atmosphere. I do agree that the service can be a little abrupt but feel that it would be typical of this sort of place in Japan.

We always book ahead of time and rarely have to wait long for our table. When we went in February we booked for 7.30. Granted we were told that we had to be there on time but this is a relection of how popular it is. It is nearly always full of Japanese people which has to be a good sign ,with the Gaijin (westerners) usually coming later, followed by a later wave of Japanese/other Oriental.

We always find the food delicious, and particularly enjoy the sushi and sashimi, although the variety of pickles is not as good now as it used to be.
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Linda, Cambridge
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 28, 2008

I had visited Sakura a number of years ago and enjoyed the simple atmosphere, good food and the burble of Japanese from surrounding tables. Having read some of the reviews on this site we almost decided not to bother visiting again as we assumed things must have deteriorated. However, with the rain beating down we found ourselves nearby and thought we'd give it a try.

The sashimi and sushi were delicious - and obviously fresh. The service was pleasant. While it may not be a place that you linger for hours it reminded me of many of the simpler restaurants you come across in Japan. It is also a welcome break from some of the low quality/ poor value restaurants that you find in that part of town. We will be returning...
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chanster
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, March 15, 2008

Last weekend I (I'm Dutch) was visiting my sister who lives and works in London. She took me with some friends to Sakura and already warned us for the service.

I totally agree on the comments regarding the two guys who manage the guests. They remind me of the Japanese PoW camp commander of the mivie The Bridge on the River Kwai. The waitresses were by the way very polite.

First of all, we had a reservation for 5 and arrived with 4 (guest number 5 arrived in 10 minutes). When our reservation was called, our table was given to another party, because we still were with 4. Unbelievable, but we compensated by sitting there as long as possible!

However, the food was actually quite good. Authentic and tasty. Especially the mackrel was good. You could taste it was very fresh. I think this also could be the reason why it's always so busy and why the 2 PoW commanders treat the guests like cattle.
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T. Yang
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Saturday, March 15, 2008

This is not a place to go if u want to relax with people you actually want to spend time with, it's a fast food cafe masquerading as a restaurant... so if u want to grab a quick meal on your way somewhere else, and don't mind being treated like cattle i would recommend it, the food is really nice but the 2 guys who manage the guests are extremely rude... i guess they are always full and don't therefore feel the need to be polite so that people will come back... don't think i'll be bothering to return...
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Katherine ellis
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Thursday, March 13, 2008