Sushi-Hiro

Oh well; I supposed all good things must come to an end. I have been enjoying Sushi-Hiro for a long time and despite of some rather negative reviews, I still find this establishment manages to provide good value for money and always enjoy the food. Alas, not anymore! They have put the price up recently and introduced a few new items on the menu. Hence, it was a nasty surprise when I visited last week. This is my conclusion after my visit ( definitely for the last time! ) : Portions have even become smaller; the increased in price does not justify the quality and service provided ( the sushi chefs in particular!! ), the standard has dropped and it is time to move on. The owner has got greedy ( CASH ONLY ?! The Taxman would like to find out more...). Time to look for pasture snew........
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Sushi-Kaze
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Saturday, April 26, 2008

Can you live without sushi? I think I can (at least for a while) after visiting Sushi-Hiro. The food is fairely good. The only dish I ate twice there is Chirashi. It's stuffed with fresh cooked rice and topped with fresh fish.

The first time we took our young kids in, the only waitress examined us first turned to the only chef. After they talked each other in Japanese, they announced to us they are totally booked the rest of night (it's only 6:30 at the time). That night we went to another Japanese restaurant (Kiraku) just down the street and they were happy to take us in right away.

My husband and I thought we gave it another try during the lunch time. First time was good. Like a lot people here said about it, the service was poor (no smile at all from the two people in the restaurant), but the food was decent. But the second and third time and the fourth time when we visited, they insisted we will have to sit at the sushi bar. I am not a sushi bar person, so we had to leave. By the way, there's no one in the restaurant yet. After several attempts, I decided to give it a rest, and not going there for a while. I can live without Sushi-Hiro.

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Linda
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Friday, March 14, 2008

There's a good selection on the menu, I'd recommend this place for a sushi virgin, there is something for even the most shy sushi eater. However if you're a sushi connoisseur I wouldn't recommend it (too much crab stick and mayonnaise for a start).

Made to order food was quite good, eating from the conveyor belt wasn't great as much of the food was uncovered and it wasn't clear what somethings were.

Sushi hand rolls were nice, I'd definitely choose these over the cut rolls for value and freshness (although they are a little tricky to eat!).

Decor was nice, and it was full of people so a good atmosphere. Value was ok £100 for 3 of us.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Monday, January 07, 2008

I have been following the comments regarding this place over the past years with interested. I did indeed visited the establishment on more than one ocassions. Yes, it is a pain that you have to pay cash; yes, they are rather limited on what's on the menus and yes, ordering can be a challenge as the staff have a very limited understanding of English. Nevertheless, what they do serve up is GOOD! I have resolved the abovementioned as I have recently moved to within 10 minutes walk from this little enigma - I order take out instead and it is GREAT!!

Also, after placing the order, one can walk down the road( towards Acton, about 2-3 minutes ) and visit a good ( but rather over priced ) Japanese foodstore, a Japanese bookshop and even a Japanese saloon :) - kind of neat.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 30, 2007

If anyone wants genuinely good quality sushi then this is the best place to get it in London (and it's incredibly good value for money). My mother comes from a seaside town in Japan that is renowned for its quality of sashimi and sushi, so I've been brought up eating the best sashimi and I can assure you that this is as good as it gets (aside from if you come to Japan!)

I agree that the ambience may be a bit plain... but if you go to a traditional sushi restaurant in Japan it's the same- clean and simple.

and... please, please don't even put the word Yo!sushi in the reviews for comparison- Yo!sushi is NOT authentic Japanese food at all!
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Clara
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 16, 2007

Go for the food and nothing else.

Good Sushi - you will notice the fishmonger very close by

Zero atmosphere - the dental surgery appearance from the outside is apt.

Cash only - minor irritation as there are no cashpoints immediately near (except the rip-you-off-for-your-own-money ones)

Poor service.

I think the poor service was the hardest thing to accept, as many japanese restaurants (fiercely) pride themselves on their service.

A stroll along the parade has a small japanese market where the service in buying a small packet of noodles was superior!

Go for lunch if you can (if you are in Ealing) or for an early evening bite. Not a place in which to linger ; they couldn't get us out of there quickly enough.

I'ld go for the food again, but would expect nothing more.
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williamtfox
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 6
Monday, July 09, 2007

This is the best sushi I have eaten in London (and I have been to many). It's very reasonably priced and service polite. The rice is perfect and the fish beautifully fresh. It gets booked up but the Take Aways are just as good. It's quiet which makes eating a relaxing experience. Paying cash is a minor inconvenience which I'm happy to do because I think the food and the service is well worth it.
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Nikki
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 05, 2007

This place is a curate's egg. The sushi is truly amazing - the best I've ever had, though I haven't been to Japan (yet). Just thinking about the tuna makes my mouthwater! But, as people have said below, there is zero atmosphere, stark plain white walls, paying cash only is a chore and makes things feel pricier, and service is not overly sophisticated.

I'd say this is a great place to go earlier in the evening, before going for drinks elsewhere. You can't linger here, but the food is good enough to make it worth a visit.
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Pete
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 6
Friday, June 29, 2007

We visited this restaurant last night as a party of 4. The dull frosted-glass frontage makes the place look more like a high street dentist than a restaurant, but once inside it is pleasant and bright, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. We ordered "deluxe chirashi" - a large bowl of perfect sushi rice topped with seaweed, egg and various delicious raw fish, "superior nigiri" and mixed sashimi. Everything was ultra-fresh and delicious and beautifully presented. We ordered miso soup but for some reason that never materialised. We also had two rounds of Asahi beer and two small flasks of warm sake.

The portions are not huge so after we had virtually licked our plates clean we ordered the same again. Nevertheless the bill for 4 including drinks came to only £115 so I would say this is great value for the best sushi I have had. I would like to eat here every week.
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slowloris - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 28, 2007

I am amazed by the negative reviews I have read! I have been many times and never hesitate in recommending it to my friends who like or express an interest in sushi.

The range of sushi is very large and the quality superb, and the right size. Along with nigiri I usually have ika roll which is fantastic with the shiso (I believe) leaf.

This is the best sushi I have had in London and on par with that in Japan. The atmosphere of the place is a bit quiet which I initially found unusual but the staff are polite and helpful; always on hand with green tea but never intrusive. I would rather have genuine Japanese staff than those fluent in or wishing to practise their English!

As for the price, this is very good value - just look at the sets, and the individual pieces can't be had for this price in much lesser restaurants.

If you enjoy sushi then 'Sushi Hiro' really should be top of your list of places to visit.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 28, 2007