Soba (Soho Street)

Gosh, where do I begin?

Hmm, Ok, first of all, there was another Soba restaurant somewhere on Poland Street if memory serves, with much kinder people. Well, all but one, but she tried really hard to treat the customers as humans.

Anyway, that place got shut down and replaced by some cheapo, worthless sandwich bar (because we don't have enough of those in London).

Then the only SOBA left was the one on Soho Street. Well, I did manage to stuble in there once while the other Soba was open just to see the difference. I quickly concluded that there was too big a difference in atmosphere, service and the quality of food they were serving. But now, that this is the ONLY SOBA left downtown, I was forced to go there till I realized it simply wasn't worth my time, money and nerves.

First of all, their chef is by far not as good as the one they've had in the other SOBA Restaurant. This chef when ordering Japanese Curry, serves it with a ton of rice (which by the way, they only ask which kind you'd like if they feel like it). The curry sauce is scarce at best and sometimes it doesn't even taste like anything. They used to have a mushroom mix, but they don't have that anymore. They used to have cheap days, but they don't have that anymore. They used to give Prawn crackers for free when you order your dinner after 5pm, they don't do that anymore.

Where I started to get upset is the fact that they served less and less curry sauce in the Japanese curry order. I had to start asking for extra. Ok, it was ok for a little while... BUT, then they all of the sudden started to charge me £2 for extra sauce!!!!!!!!! Didn't even care to ask me if it was ok... since I always asked for it, they just assumed they could get away with it...

Now, the service is appalling... See here we have a bunch of incompetent waitresses, cooked up in a corner chatting and ignoring the customers. Then they have music playing too loud and the choice of their music drives you insane! The music changed, the service is horrible and the entire atmosphere there is just a joke. You might as well go eat a egg sandwich from Tesco.

Thanks Soba for ruining the other Soba I otherwise enjoyed. I strongly advice people to look elsewhere to have a decent dinner. After all we have China Town... Try there... anywhere but there.. it's not worth your money.
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The Disappointed Customer
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Saturday, May 10, 2008

Went to Soho Street branch to try out the new menu (before i use to go to Poland Street branch) meal was ok, but i still liked poland street place, especially the £4.50 deal, which they don't do anymore.

The manager at the old place always made me feel at home, until one day my girl friend suggested lets go to soba , so we went to try out their sushi menu and surprise! surprise! the manager was working there, he had the time to explain all the sushi meals that was available and explained and made us a combo sushi.

I can only say to all the fellow sushi novice!

If in doubt, ask the manager.

Try the Soba Tukimi, Yum! Yum.
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mikey
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 7
Saturday, December 22, 2007

I have to concur with 'Dave' on this place. The food was okay/ average but the most striking thing about the whole experience was the appalling attitude from the waitress - a.k.a Genghis Khan the warlord. It's one thing just being rude and arsey but this girl took it to a whole new aggressive level! Dont worry, love, I wont ask for extra chilis again - lest your head blows off in a crazy fit of hate. In fact I wont even bother walking though your front door again. I refuse to spend good money for the dubious priviledge of being insulted by Miss Attitude. Tip? Here's a tip - the customer should be treated like a human being!
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Paula
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, November 21, 2007

It's worth going to a place this bad to remind yourself how good most places are now, Appallingly rude staff, left the waitress a 5p tip and thats only because I didn't have a 1p. And the food!!, well it was food and thats the best I can say about it, it sustained me and the Chef had skillfully managed not to add any of that pesky flavour.

SOBA!!!, I'd have to be p****d to go there again!!.
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Dave
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, November 13, 2007

I ordered just chicken yakisoba and that cost me £6, I think, and there was no service charge. The portion was really large, and it tasted good, but for me it was too low in fat, and not satisfying, even though filling. Just needed more fat, the rest was ok, the vegetables and the chicken. Place was ok and waitress was ok also. I also wish I could choose a fork intead of chopsticks.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, July 06, 2007

Dear oh dear, what a dreadful experience. I used to like Soba but not any more. Awful, awful food, really dreadful. I can't actually believe I, a) ate as much of it as I did and b) that I agreed to even pay for it. Starter of squid was excellent but the 2 mains were appalling. Had no flavour other than salt. I was amazed at how bad it tasted.

The service was also very poor and without any smile whatsoever. I don't like giving bad reviews but this place deserves a slap in the face. Just not acceptable.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, June 21, 2007

After reading the reviews on this page we decided to go for a work lunch. We found it to be an extremely average restaurant, possibly even below average. I had seafood yaki soba which came accompanied by 2 crab sticks. The ingredients were extremely dry and I found their freshness questionable. The service was ok but I have to say for around the same price you can get a lot fresher tasting food and a lot more for your money at Satsuma, which is less than 5 minutes away on Wardour Street. We won't be going to Soba again.
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E. Burch
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Soba is an inviting and warm restaurant boasting of delicious food and quiet atmosphere. The menu is succint, allowing you to make up your mind in a short space of time. Their prices are reasonable and valuable for what it offers. I enjoyed my lunch with a friend so much that I am taking a group of friends there to celebrate my birthday with me.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 14, 2006

I loved it in Soba. Delicious food and pleasant atmosphere created a wonderful lunch break for me and my friend! Thankee for that! :)
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Anastasia
Sunday, August 14, 2005