Dinings

I've never been to Nobu, but despite being my second review...

The first paragraph is totally appropriate for this place, as the chef/owner of Dinings, being ex-Nobu, allowing us the chance to sample what the A-list celebs nibble on at reasonable prices and none of that 2 months waiting time for a table. You don't come here to gawp at the celebrities nor for that matter to be gawped at. Fine food is simply what it's all about, you come here for the freshness of the ingredients, the glorious technique and cooking of the dishes, the well informed and friendly staff and finally the aftermath of the whole experience that can only suggest; ''I'm saving up for my next visit''.

My fifth visit with my daughter since they opened confirmed that consistency is still upheld. When visiting for the first time, always go for something on the blackboard for the daily specials. We're talking Japanese here, so they'll want to serve the freshest from Billingsgate. Most of the daily specials are somewhat fusioned, but they work; imagine Prawn Tempura Rolls with Taramasalata sauce or seared fatty tuna on wakame sauce; synergy! Other dishes ordered included King Crab that can be dangerously addictive and expensive, as well as the glorious Razor Clams. The noveau twist on the traditional dishes like sushi and sashimi is pretty much world class. One of the most memorable dishes was the Nasu Miso(Aubergine baked with sweet miso) recommended by our Spanish speaking waitress. Well the best tip to order this dish is towards the end, it was so unctously delicious and sweet, we declared it a pudding.

For solo diners or pairs, ask for table 1. Tis the the best.

The only qualm I had with this place was its location, tumbleweed alley seeking Paradise Lost.
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bellaphon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Seriously great food, the previous reviews helped persuade me to chose this over going to zuma or nobu again last night. very discreet and basic interior restaurant in the middle of nowwhere but well worth the trip.

Atmosphere has been mentioned to be a bit lacking, but its a little restaurant with basic decor, the company your with makes for atmosphere and the food gives your group plenty to talk about.

Service was excellent and the food - sushi and hot dishes were superb and in my opinion better than zuma and nobu, the chef is ex nobu and there are similarities but dinings is much better. i could say how great each dish was - quality of fish, crispness of tempura, excellence of chicken teriyaki etc etc, but would take too long. dont want to write a review because its small and if gets popular will be a nightmare to get a booking here but they really deserve a great review.

If you want better food than nobu and zuma at half the cost then visit dinings, you wont be disappointed
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Del
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Thursday, June 26, 2008

PLUM VALLEY Gerrard Street Chinatown London

This is a 6 week old newcomer to Gerrard Street, and a welcome addition. The exterior looks like a smarter private club, with very dark frontage, which continues into the interior. The window coverings and screened off bar area have a similar pattern to the Olympic 'Birds Nest' Stadium in China.

The dim sum menu is a good introduction, with most dishes coming in at around the £3 mark. Particularly favoured the prawn and wasabi dumplings, and the baby octopus with sweet chilli sauce. The presentation and menu seems to land on the middle ground between trad. dim sum fare, and Ping Pong, though far tastier than the latter chain.

In a group of four we paid around £60, drinking tall glasses of flowering Jasmine Lotus tea, though other booths around us seemed to prefer wine.

Next time I'll try the evening menu.
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Derek Clark
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Sunday, April 20, 2008

I had such high hopes of Dinings, and I left kind of feeling rather flat.

The space is so small that if you are next to annoying people, it can really colour your evening. Staff are sweet and try, but are not good at easy communication and things can feel rather awkward - as when I found myself paying for £28 worth of sake rather than £10. I had to ask for a bowl of white rice four times, and when it came the rice was spillling over the bowl on one side. Sloppy.

The saving grace, and a big one at that, is the food. The quail with ponzu sauce was succulent. The natto and squid roll was just this side of right, and the tempura soba very good. having said that, there is nothing on this menu that I have not tasted tons of times before either in London or Japan.

Dinings is one to tick off - "I've been there" - and move on to the many more casual and easy Japanese places in this metropolis.
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Derek Clark
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Sunday, March 09, 2008

I've never been to Nobu, so this is gotta be the bestest Modern Japanese joint I've been to. I'd love to eat in everday but it'll bankrupt me. For those who fear they might still feel hungry after the experience, order the authentically delicious soba noodle soup towards the end as this should do the trick! Service is attentive and not over bearing.

PS. A great gem of a restaurant in an otherwise strange street in the middle of no where!
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bellaphon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Friday, February 29, 2008

Visited Friday 30th November.

Dinings is a small, modern but inviting modern-Japanese restaurant in a rather improbable location opposite the Swedish Church near Edgware Road.

Food and service both excellent. Food imaginative and very well executed, and service had the right balance of friendly and discreet.

Recommended, especially the sushi and sashimi, and the meat dishes. Desserts mot quite up to scratch - chocolate fondant floury - but otherwise great find.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, December 03, 2007

As good as it gets! Wonderful, original and creative dishes, fresh and delicious produce, and friendly service. The restaurant is intimate, with modern decor reminiscent of Tadeo Ando.

I've eaten both downstairs and at the sushi bar and left each meal feeling that this is as good as my experiences in Japan, only with more inventiveness.
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Robert N
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, November 10, 2007

This restaurant is such a find! small, cosy, full of atmosphere, the place really helps you feel special whilst also giving an air of intimacy. The food is amazing - and such variety offered - especially for those sushi novices! The staff sometimes have trouble understanding you but they are so very willing to help that you can enjoy the authenticity. Really recommend it for a good and enjoyable night out.
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Michelle
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 16, 2007

This restaurant is excellent: fresh ingredients, talented chefs and friendly staff. Highly recommended.
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David Hill
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 21, 2007

I've been here twice and sat downstairs both times. The restaurant resembles a basic Japanese canteen with not much atmosphere - perfect for a casual bite out. I think the chef here worked at Nobu so many of the dishes were very familiar. But all in all, very good food and good service. Don't expect it to be too light on the wallet though - not overly expensive but not that much cheaper to what you would pay at Nobu.
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Meheen
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, July 25, 2007