Umu

Umu is exceptional. They must make painstaking efforts to source ingredients like the citrus (yuzu and suribachi lime), the wagyu beef and some of the more obscure leaves and herbs used in traditional Japanese cooking which really shine in the preparations here. The wagyu beef seared in miso on a hoba leaf and some of the modern sushi creations are absolutely heavenly and melt in your mouth.

The only let down is the service. The first time I went here we were looked after by the French wait staff who were courteous and intelligent and very well informed about the menu.

On a more recent visit we were disappointed to have a waiter who can only be described as that unfortunate and irritating combination of dumb and arrogant . It made our evening increasingly unpleasant as he stumbled his way through messing up our order, bringing 3 courses of food at once and then having a near 45 minute gap to the next course, and ignoring multiple requests for the bill. And all with a thoroughly aloof and snobby attitude. Who needs that?

The South African manager was not much better - he was far more interested in sucking up to the VIP group in the corner and giving them free wine tastings than in looking after the floor as a whole.

While I still think the food at Umu is exceptional, the kitchen is let down by an frustrating and inconsistent floor staff. Try and get one of the French servers to guarantee an enjoyable and carefree evening.
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Jennifer
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

great food and knowledgable staff. Just a bit expensive
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Nikolas
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Thursday, March 08, 2007

My husband and I had a wonderful time. The food and service was fanastic. It is very pricey but a good restaurant to go to for a special occasion. I would eat here again.
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DM
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

I took my wife to dinner at UMU last night, the experience started at the magic door, and continued to exceed our expectations for the rest of the evening.

The food was sublime, the service was attentive and well informed, the somelier knew his wine (just ask!!), a little pricey, but worth it for a special treat. We would definitely go again - you must try the blue crab modern sushi rolls. The lighting whilst very romantic means anyone with waning eyesight struggles a little - so take your reading glasses.
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John Watkins
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 24, 2007

Was looking for somewhere special for a different dinner. UMU was awesome!

I think the place is quite beautiful, the service was spotless (our table was not ready when we arrived so they offered us a complimentary glass of champagne, billecart salmon, not cheap bubbly). The Food was out of this world. I could not finish my special Kaiketsi menu. My husband went a la carte and it was also great. I never tasted in london sushi that still tastes of sea. Their toro with cashewnuts, the madagascar shrimp, the iberico pork, the butter fish, the new years miso soup... all was delicious of the melting in out mouth variety.

Pricey, yes, but so worth it!
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miss_saigon - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Food was very delicious, stuff is very friendly but yes i should agree that doesn't speak english very well so it's very difficult sometimes to understand them. Would definitely go back again!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 04, 2007

I've eaten at some of the best restaurants in Kyoto and Umu compared very favourably. The keys to top quality Japanese cooking are seasonality, freshness and presentation. Not a huge amount of seasonality was in evidence but the freshness of the fish and presenation could not be faulted. Truly superb and worth every penny.
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Arun
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 07, 2007

I and business partner went for a lunch. It was excellent and that was a master craftsman's work. we had a Kaiseki course and the starter to desert, it was really fullfill our expectation. We are both Japanese and have lived in London for more then 20 years. The meal at Umu was something out of world and fantastic!! I am wondering how many Europeans who would appreciate the taste, presantation and materials of freshness and quality.

I would certainly come back again!!
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Mitsue Finch-Uchida
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, December 16, 2006

The best Japanese cuisine I've ever had in London.

My boyfriend took me there for lunch and we had Special Sushi Kaiseki. It's always better to go for the best option to make a judgement on the restaurant, so we went for it.

The food is more amazing than I expected. Fish is very fresh and tender, and the menu is authentic as well as modern, also very pleasing to the eyes, which is very important for Japanese cuisine.

They also have Wagyu, which is Japanese beef, which is outstanding. Lightly grilled beef on top of sushi rice, this is one of the favourite sushi among the serious sushi lovers in Tokyo.

As for their service, staff are very friendly and attentive. Only a bit of downside is that they are trying too hard to be that way, and it is a bit too obvious. If they could do it in a very nice&natural way, the atmosphere would become much nicer.

As I am Japanese and my dad is a chef, I cannot help having a high expectations on Japanese food, but this restaurant has satisfied me a great deal.

A bit pricy, but it's worth it.
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RI
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 14, 2006

The food is no better than any "basic" Japanese restaurant. Most including myself would be happy with the food, but the attitude of the entire staff is a disgrace.
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Paul Allen
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Monday, December 11, 2006