Sakura

I was really disappointedly with this restaurant (!). After reading so many negative reviews, I was expecting to see absolute pandemonium.

I'd booked a table for four at 8pm; a sign on the till warned patrons that they'd only be seated if they arrived together! We were seated within 5 minutes and promptly given some extraordinarily large menus. There's a lot of choice for food here and the prices are no worse than what you would expect for the West End.

The food arrived really quickly and although it was hard to get the attention of the waitress for our table, the service was surprisingly average for London with enough waiters/waitresses to cope with the floor.

I think too many people's expectations are too high. Mr Hiro certainly runs the floor like a dictator, clapping his hands at the waitresses whenever a table needs to be cleared. But the best thing about this restaurant is the food, it's quite authentic and tasty. Just remember if you want Shabu-Shabu or Suki-Yaki, then you need to tell the front-desk in advance so that they can give you a bigger table.

So, if you want to visit, just book in advance, turn up on time, and laugh off any bad service you might receive. I'd rather go to a restaurant like this with zero expectations and be pleasantly surprised than turn up expecting 5* service; frankly, this restaurant is unique.
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shivers - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Friday, June 27, 2008

The first thing to say is that the image presented by most of the reviews here are too critical. It is indeed true that the service has much that can be improved, however I think it is worth saying that the food here is simply great.

In terms of pure quality and authenticity there are few alternatives anyway in central london. The price is also reasonable but slightly steep, although you can probably get a reasonable meal for two for £20-30. Would recommend any of the large sushi sets (tsuru I believe it was) or the individual ones if you can afford it, and the udon. The tempura and ramen are also pretty good quality.

About the much reffered to service, it is true that there is a rather strange rule of seating only the agreed upon numbers and only if they are all there. However if you can get past that, everything else is generally fine. The staff are generally polite and attentive enough, and as long as it isn't too busy there isn't anything to complain about.

All in all I think this restaurant is a bit underestimated because the service grates some people into overlooking the actual eating. Definitely worth a try.
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D.O
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I too, like a previous reviewer, have been back here many times dispite poor service (only from the manager mind you - the waiters and waitresses have always been fine) because I like the food and found the infliexibility amusing/part of the experience.

However, last night tipped me over the edge and I won't be going back.

When our party of four arrived, we were told we would have to wait and were given a ticket and took a seat in the front area. At the time another couple were looking at a menu so I went up and asked the manager (I assume all reviews refer to the same character!) if I could have one. I was told no and that I could go outside (in the rain) and look at the one on the wall if needs be. Fair enough I thought, maybe they really dont have enough spare menus to go round. When the couple who had the spare copy were seated I again enquired if I could borrow said menu which had now been handed back. "No we need it to check the prices." At that point a waitress dropped of another menu right beside me. "How about this one?" "No we don't have any spares!" After a resigned shrug of the shoulders I sat back down menuless.

We were sat eventually after my friend the manager had taken much glee in going from ticket 151 to 153 (we were 152) "Table for two only!" During the meal I got a call from my girlfriend who was on her way home when she realised she didn't have her keys. "No problem come and join us", I said. There was space to accomodate an extra person on the next table and the couple sat there didn't mind sharing. I mentioned that an extra person would be joining us to a waitress who stammered: "I'll just go and check thats ok." I didn't hear anything else until about 20mins later I got a call from my girlfriend who was waving from the desk at the front of the restaurant. My friend the manager had shouted at her to "stand back!" as she had tried to walk towards our table. I asked the manager if she could join us to which I was informed that it wouldn't be possible as it would contravene health and safety guidelines, hmmm. In a scene reminiscent of Midnight Express or Bangkok Hilton I had to pass my keys to my girlfriend across the desk and wave a sad goodbye as she was not allowed in to the dining area. I think at this point I did suggest that this situation must be embarrassing for someone who works in the service industry. No apologies were forthcoming.

Needless to say this hasn't been my only run in with the infamous manager and on a previous occassion a group of us who had been asked if we wanted any extra drinks at 10.20pm on a friday night had him hoovering under our feet at 10.45pm in a subtle attempt to persuade us to pay up and leave. We of course did our best to ignore him. At one point I went to the loo and walked past the rest of the staff hungrily gazing at a table laden with bowls of steaming ramen; their staff meal. On returning I suggested to the manager that he let his staff eat as we would soon finish our drinks and be out of their way.

"No, no, no.....none of the staff are allowed to eat until ALL the customers have gone."

I would love to know what the staff think of their boss.....I bet there are a few good stories out there!
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Nick
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Sakura is a really good japanese restaurant, I am half Japanese and have lived here 7 years and apart from the expensive alternatives such as Umu or Zuma, this is one of the best and is reasonably priced. It is always full of Japanese or Asian people and although the staff are simply do not have the time to be overly polite, the atmosphere is good.
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Natasha
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 30, 2008

Me and some fellow Australian friends went here without reading the reviews first (should have!). The manager thought he was reliving Bridge over the river Kwai. One of my mates speaks 5 languages, Japanese one of them. He said that the manager was whispering the most outrageous comments to people about us. I dont pay good money to have the rise taken out of me and so we walked out. To make a point we formed a line and whistled Colonel Bogey loudly! Some of the staff cringed, some of the customers laughed. Hope he got the message.
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Dave Willis
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Friday, May 30, 2008

I have been to Sakura for a couple times. Every single time I received attitude instead of hospitable service. I agree with most of the comments. I did feel I was treated like cattle. I remember once it was my birthday. My husband booked a table especially for Shabu Shabu (hotpot). We tried our best to get there on time (we are seldome late for appointment) but because of unexpected traffic, we were late for 10 minutes. When we were there we got told off and finally they didn't give us the Shabu Shabu table we reserved. There was another time I got friends in town and we went there for dinner. I booked the table for 6pm and at the time we arrived the restaurant was empty. We were so thirsty and wanted to order a drink first and then we look at the menu for food. When we order drinks, the waitress said we had to order food at the same time. I asked them for a minute for us to get a drink and study the menu. Reluntantly the waitress "let" us. There was another occassion I booked a table for 3 of us at 6pm. I arrived at 5:30pm and wanted to have a drink before my friends arrived. I went into the restaurant (it was open and it was empty). I told them my booking and they refused to let me have a drink before my friend came. I was told to come back at 6pm for my reservation. So while the restaurant was open but empty, I had to go next door to wait for a drink. I just couldn't understand the logic of how this restaurant is run. I understand it's a Japanese restaurant run by a different people with different culture but they have got to bare in mind their business is in London. Although I truely love Japanese food, I don't think I would go there again.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Friday, May 30, 2008

This is the worse Japanese restaurant in London in terms of "lack of service". Everyone is extremely rude as though it was actually some kind of theme. I do admit that the food is very delicious but is it worth being treated like a street dog? It's not the food that doesn't match the value for money, it's the service! I catch myself going there because my friends love the food and don't mind the rudeness but every time something happens and I swear to myself never to go there again. My sister and boyfriend refuse to step in to that restaurant.
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M
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, May 22, 2008

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