Life

Found this gem of a place by accident as we were looking for somewhere to eat, having just had a beer in the equally great 'Look mum no hands' bicycle cafe.

The food- sublime, wine excellent and reasonably priced. The decor and layout was excellent. The highlight for me was the Sweet Jasmine Tea- trust me- try it!!

I just need an excuse to go back to London...
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Simon Stacey - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 27, 2011

This restaurant is my favorite one. Great food and service. Highly recommend. I love their homemade ice cream.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 28, 2011

Great service from beginning to end of our first time visit. It was suggested by friends who live nearby the restaurant. We walked in expecting a casual sushi den but its a spacious dining room. Not much with decor added to it but the room is comfortable. Small things such as pouring your tea for you rather than just dumping the teapot on your table is a lovely touch and a North American service that I do not see very much in London. Food was excellent. We ordered off the specials menu as well as the regular. Butterfish special was excellent, plain tofu salad was excellent. Presentation of each dish was great. Would definitely go again as we live nearby. Its a secret find this one!

*Only thing was the dye from the print on the placemats come off with liquid and ended up on my chopsticks. hope its non toxic!
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 01, 2010

LIFE is probably the only Japanese restaurant in London that shows what Japan is really up to. The food is not as stereotypical as other Japanese restaurants which can be quite overly exotic. I would strongly recommend eating here if you wish to be sophisticated with Japanese food,a real Japanese run Japanese.

The basement bar offers a range of proper cocktails and good music and is often booked for private functions /club events on weekends.Sound system looks quite descent and they have large speakers(can't remember what make).

There is also a shop downstairs that sells bits and pieces of Japanese subculture goods and some cool vinyl records although I don't seem to pay much attention usually(straight to the bar).

All in all this place has a lot of potential to become an iconic London Japanese restaurant.
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Bucky G
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, July 24, 2010

It's a little bit pricey given the decor isn't much to look at. But the food is excellent and the service is very attentive. I go there all the time for both dining or take out. Every friend I've taken there is really surprised they didn't know about it before. Highly recommended.
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FT
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 7
Saturday, July 24, 2010

The food was delicious. (Especially,Fried chicken and Green tea pudding!)The staff were very attentive. All in all, good value for money for real Japanese food & well presented. We left the restaurant feeling pleasantly full. We will return.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Based on the rave reviews on this website, we tried out this restaurant. We had sushi sets, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura vegetables and a selection of other bits and pieces. Some of the sushi fell apart when you picked it up, they were not as well prepared as the ones in Donzoko. The quality of sashimi was okay but not as fresh and creamy as Ginnan. The most fabulous part of the meal was the superb and excellent service we received from start to finish. This Japanese restaurant is the first to ask whether we wanted the wasabi to be part of the nigiris or set aside. Something most Japanese restaurants do not deign to ask their customers. We were suitably impressed by their attention to customer preferences. The atmosphere was very pleasant and the service beyond spectacular. Very attentive, very welcoming, yet not intrusive. Presentation of the food was also beautifully done. If you want a quiet dinner out with healthy food on the menu and not after the best tasting Japanese food in town, this restaurant is for you. They have traditional Japanese set menus and so no teppanyakis. The only weakness is the cooks do not live up to the superb service, menu, atmosphere and idea of this restaurant.
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E Chan
7 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, September 06, 2009

My boyfriend wanted to take me out for a birthday dinner and he suggested this place. What a find - an absolute jewel. The staff were incredibly attentive and the service was exceptional. The food was beautifully presented and every dish was a joy to behold. Forget Zuma and Nobu - this place is just as good and without all of the pretentiousness you would normally encounter at a West End restaurant. Can't wait to go back!
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Judy P
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 24, 2009

went there last weekend with girlfriends and menu was great!! I loved the pudding!!
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paula
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Life gets it's ingredients from the same supplier as Nobu and Zuma but manages to prepare delicious dishes for a fraction of the cost. This hidden gem is a must-visit for lovers of Japanese food. The staff are always helpful and courteous, the ambience is good and it would be full most of the time but for the slightly disappointing location. Well worth a visit!
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9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, March 03, 2009