Life

Wanted to try this restaurant out due to good reviews but was utterly disappointed. Went there on a Friday night with a couple of friends and there were only two other customers there - restaurant was literally empty. The atmosphere was cold and the place felt like a bright cafeteria.

We ordered several dishes: 1) Tempura was cold and not as light and crispy 2) the tofu salad was decent 3) Fried chicken was very greasy (oil dripping from it as you take a bite) and not crispy enough - seasoning was ok 4) Sashimi platter was fresh and simple but portion was tiny 5) Life roll with eel and crab was lovely, the only dish that was good 6) Teriyaki was ok, nothing special and again small portion 7) special beef grilled on a hot plate with vegetables was the most awful dish. The waitress recommended it but the beef was really dry and chewy and the vegetables were only fried in butter. Portions horribly small I.e. per person: 1 sugar snap pea, 1 slice of bell pepper, 1 slice of zucchini, 1 slice of pumpkin. 8) Desserts (creme brulee and fried banana) were good.

We ordered a couple of beers. The bill came up to a hefty £143 for three people. Too expensive for a lousy experience.
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MrJonesy3103 - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, January 11, 2013

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

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