Atami

The first time I wen to the Atami, I was amazed by the prices (2£ for one piece of sushi).

I was after joking saying that if you're not hungry you can have a starter at the Atami before a good pizza.

But actually, I went back there many times and found some better quality-value meals (8.5£ for rock shrimp tempura, 18£ for the delicious sean pear foie gras..).

On average I enjoyed very much my meals (some variability in the quality though) and think there is a little something more than in other -cheaper- Japanese. Why not try for a special occasion?
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phil
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I have to disagree stongly with the last reviewer as we had a fantastic meal there.

The food was mouthwatering. Our waiter was so helpful in fact he told us that we were over ordering. The decor was slick and modern without being too stark.

We were a bit worried when we arrived as the place looked empty but it soon filled up but wasn't packed. Shhh, don't tell too many people about it.
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Simone Cameron
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I had dinner in Atami a few weeks ago, I did not know what to expect due to the variety of reviews. I love Japanese food, and Atami's food was quite nice although quite expensive. Most waiters were kind but did not know the dishes, so everytime I asked something about the menu they had to get the manager who was rude. He did get the order wrong. It is a restaurant that I would not recommend as there are many nice Japanese restaurants in london and definitely much cheaper.
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Aida
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Thursday, March 13, 2008

Atami is more of modern/fusion style Japanese restaurant, in fact, if it was up to me, I would create a new category for restaurants like Atami. This is definitely Chinese owned and managed. You can tell by the staff and the additional ingredients that accompany some of the dishes. I do like the decor, cool and contemporary. The service was above average, but I would expect that for the price of the dishes. The food is tasty, but the quality of ingredients lets in down. Personally, I wouldn't go back to Atami, I like my Japanese food too much to reconsider or recommend. If you're as passionate as I am about Japanese food, then there are far better authentic Japanese restaurants in London that are significantly tastier and reasonably priced, Chisou in Mayfair comes to my mind.
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Andrew
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

I took my girlfriend to Atami last night on our anniversary, knowing her love for sushi. But as for myself I am a new to Japanese cuisine and sushi, trying m&s sushi as my first I never really gave it a chance.

She found it amazing and I was amazed at how nice the food was, thouroghly filling and the taste was sublime, starting with a (sorry if any dishes are spelt wrong im not the expert) Red Miso soup and Miso Soup for her was quite an interesting start.

Then we had sweet potato and scallop tempura(??) the scallop was amazing, although pricey but definitely worth it the batter was so well done and the scallop was so soft and flavourful.

And as it was our first time there we went safely with the chef's choice of 6 different sushi, which we both enjoyed thoroughly, the yellow tail was one of my favourites and will definitely try more of. Shrimp and Salmon also easy favourites and Tuna was surprisingly nice. Didn’t like the Sea Bass which tasted of nothing and was too slimy for my liking and the clam thing I can’t remember the name of was chewy which I enjoyed.

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable meal, even if a tad expensive but its worth it, service is good and it became quite busy later on. No doubt we will come again and tread a bit more adventurously as some other people dishes looked amazing.
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James
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Very fresh food lovingly crafted and presented. I had some reservations after reading some of the other reviews but my anxiety was firmly displaced after trying the 10 course taster menu last night. This is by far the best Japanese food I have had in the UK. The service was a little rough around the edges but charmingly so.

I thoroughly enjoyed it but I did visit with two strapping men who seemed less enamoured of the meal than I. The 10 courses did take some time to wind their way to us and although exquisite, some of the earlier courses are no more than a mouthful each. The later dishes are slightly more substantial but by that time my companions were only half joking about sending out for chips.

Clearly each course takes time to prepare and culinary artistry rather than quantity is the name of the game. My advice is not to go ravenous to Atami or to expect a huge carbohydrate comfort feed otherwise this may end up taking the edge off your evening. Quite pricey but worth it.
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Cat - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Fantastic! I'm a big sushi fan and have tried many places around London. Went on a week night so it wasn't too busy (which I prefer) and the food was brilliant. A little bit more pricey than an average sushi bar but very much worth the treat. Would definatly go back, sashimi salad is highly recommended.
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Anon.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 29, 2007

I quit often visit atami because enjoy the food and good services but this time I was so disappointed about services was awful waiter just standing and talking and talking. also food was coming late and getting cold.

I wan never go again!!
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Steve
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, July 22, 2007

Turning 36 is nothing to write home about so in selecting a restaurant devoid of the great and the good and in a very non-descript street I didn't think I could go more low key.

Quite simply this was probably the best Japanese food I've ever eaten. Try the yellow tail, the beef and the softshell crab. Long may it continue as a secret gem!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 17, 2007

I love Atami, I've been there twice and each time was a deliciously different experience.

Last time I went for a special 10 dish tasting menu and a glass of champagne for £30, which is great value as this restaurant can be quite pricey

Each dish was better than the other, but particularly the beef was melt-in-the mouth amazing and the tempura better than in Japan.

The service is attentive but never overzealous, our waiter was very knowledgeable and his recommendations for the sake were valuable.

Atami is in a funny part of town, but it's in a nice off-the-beaten-track part of town, so it's well worth the travel. It also means that it's easy to get a table.

I also like the design of the interior, it's very airy and classy.

I haven't had any cocktails but they looked great, so I can't wait to get back there to try them.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, July 14, 2007