Benihana (Swiss Cottage)

Calling this place 2nd rate would be generous. A dated, tired interior gives an indication of the dining experience ahead. Clearly their pricing policy is to make as much money as quickly, using the cheapest ingredients - £28 for a bog standard sirloin steak is outrageous. No wonder we were the only ones dining there.
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2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Thursday, April 08, 2010

I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants real Japanese meal and atmosphere. It hasnt got anything Japanese there apart from tasteless "sushi" or "sashimi" (pieces of raw fish). Everything there very fake, cold, dark, dirty and expensive. I agree with most of the reviews here. Not going there again!
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, December 14, 2009

I booked a table at Benihama (Swiss Cottage) for a colleague's 50th birthday lunch and was surprised to find that we were the only people in the restaurant. Another party of three people and two ladies dining together did appear later but that was it for the lunchtime session. We were shown straight to a table with no offer of pre-lunch drinks in the bar area and although I mentioned that we were not in hurry, the service was rather too efficient...until it came to coffee when I had to make a specific request.

Food was cooked at the table and was adequate rather than exceptional. The price, however, was top dollar and this despite the dingy surroundings. The restaurant looks rundown, rather grubby and is completely lacking in atmosphere. Perhaps it comes alive in the evening. However, I cannot recommend this dining experience to anyone.
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4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Monday, October 12, 2009

Don't listen to all the negative reviews. They have been written by the pompous, wealthy london idiots that think they know more about food than the chefs themselves. The service was good and the food was quite a treat. Having somebody cook before your eyes was something new to me and the chef made the meal enjoyable throughout. MY only criticisms lie in the price (as some of us don't have quite as much money as the majority of people in this area) and the lack of people. Nevertheless the latter is probably down to all the arrogant fools that have reviewed on this page...
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Edward
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 15, 2009