Bincho Yakitori

First time to this restaurant yesterday. Food was good but portion was on the small side. It was busy so we got seated wherever was available - on the bar in front of the grill/kitchen - not a good idea, but we didn't want to wait. We came out really smelly, our clothes and hair. Service was OK. Food was quick. Will I recommend this restaurant? yes I would, but better to pre-book a table away from the grill. To comment on a previous review, why is people making a fuss on service charge? Optional or not, it is understood to be added to the bill. It was on the menu to be seen before you even get in the restaurant. You'd only argue about paying it if the service was poor, or it's a self service place. I suggest people should ask before they order rather than arguing about it afterwards.
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:Denise
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, February 07, 2011

Moved to London from Tokyo 3 weeks ago and was really missing food from Home. This place was recommended to me by some local Japanese people and is exactly what I was looking for. The place was full of Japanese and had a really authentic 'Izakaya' ambience. Service was quick and friendly but best of all was the food -The skewers are grilled over charcoal and taste exactly as they do back home. The Japanese chef was also very friendly and is happy to prepare nearly any part of a chicken if you request. Salads were super fresh and the rice with kimchi was amazing. Desserts were also good. Prices are not cheap but offer good value considering the quality. One word of warning: as in Japan this place is extremely noisy, something to bear in mind if you are on business or with family.
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Keito - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 05, 2010

Had high expecations and took some Japanese visitors for dinner here...

Big disappointment sadly. Dishes arrived tepid and were soon cold. The service and surroundings where also underwhelming and we were all less than impressed and won't be returning.

Very mediocre experience. Best to leave Japanese cuisine to the Japanese I think rather than some substandard UK pastiche.
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Sally Underwood
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Saturday, August 14, 2010

this was my first time to a japanese restaurant, great food and service and will return again to try further dishes thanks.
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mr j king
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 15, 2010

a dissatisfied experience. couldnt sit at table that we wanted as staff said it was reserved. 5 people was quashed onto a 4 table. food was good, however portions were small. had to ask 3 times for a bottle of wine. we split the bill but needed change, however the staff said they had no change. we had to pay the whole bill on credit card. to top it all on leaving we discovered that the table we had originally requested was still empty!
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Friday, June 18, 2010

It was a mixed experience - food was alright but quantity leaves you dissatisfied. Service was alright but waiters were not honest (for e.g., trying to make us sit in the remote corner before giving us the table that was earlier told as being reserved!). But the worst part was the manager. We had 3-4 starters, few drinks and couple of main dishes. Bill was for 32.75 but there was "optional" service charge of 12.5%. On paying in cash, waiter returned the money after deducting the "optional" service charge. On asking the manager why is it called "optional", he started giving a lecture on how is this a "standard" practice in "central London" :) In any case, this resulted in manager returning all of the "optional" service charge, waiters not getting anything and restaurant getting very poor rating from a guy who wouldn't have otherwise bothered to write anything!

This restaurant is not worth the money.
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Mupam Guppa
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Monday, May 31, 2010

Chicken hearts, lamb belly, duck gizzard - best!
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Me
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, May 01, 2010

Booked a surprise theatre break for my partner and I this weekend. Not knowing London well decided to eat near the theatre and chose to have Japanese. The menu contained a good variety of choices and was cooked to perfection. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at this restaurant and would recommend it to family and friends should they visit London.
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9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 29, 2010

This place doesn't fail to perform! Ask the Manager for what special Sake they may have "hidden on the shelf"... if you are open minded, you will be pleasantly surprised, your taste buds will thank you even if your wallet has second thoughts... well done guys.
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MC
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 11, 2010

Great food, great fun in twos or groups. I had a bit of a problem with the waiter who kept telling us what/ how much to order. I've lived in Japan for nearly three years and been to Bincho half a dozen times and didn't really enjoy this. Bincho, if you are reading - find this waiter and set him straight.

Oh, and good value and the beer is quick to arrive.
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8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 05, 2010