Umu

I REALLY enjoy Japanese food and consider myself a bit of a foodie. Umu came really highly recommended by friends of ours whose opinion I really respect. But I cannot for the life of me understand why.

I found the flavors of the dishes on the tasting menu to be incredibly upleasant with only one or two exceptions. The resturant stunk of fish which I didn't understand... fresh fish does not have a fishy odor. And the tables were packed in so tightly that you are practically sharing the dining experience with your neighbors.

The price was what I would expect to pay for at a fine dining resturant. But the food was not up to par for the price.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Thursday, December 10, 2009

I should've known it would be a difficult night when we had to dibs enough tasting menus for our table. Had I known what we were in for, I think we all would've gone a la carte or, if we were really smart, out the door.

The artistry of the dishes was appropriately well-done, but honestly the flavours were unpleasant. No dish off the tasting menu was delicious - the soup was scalding, there were maybe 5 pieces of sushi total, and the staff could barely remember the description. I don't know if it was genuinely Japanese, but for me to enjoy dropping that much for dinner, the chef would do well to remember the local diner's tastebuds. As the staff scrambled around us, they kept leaning on me to clean the table (please, just move the table away from the corner, there's no legroom anyway).

I struggle to see any reason for the accolades. The pattern on the large mirrored wall mimics a West Elm furniture catalogue, and catching glimpses of myself in the mirrors opposite made me feel like I was in a saloon/casino playing poker. Suspicious and creepy.

Oh, and we all left hungry.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 06, 2009

Going to this restaurant is just a joke... How can you charge such high price for such low quality food... No, you must be kidding.

We ordered what was supposed to be a big plate of sashimi for 5 people... I could not believe it when I saw it coming, it is just so tiny. The fish was fresh, but that's pretty much it.

Then, for the hot dishes, I couldn't really sense what was supposed to be a unique experience... or should I say uniquely... bad!

Anyway, highly unrecommended, shame on them, they should really rethink to way of being a posh restaurant, rather than a restaurant overpricing its customers.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The tasting menus are expensive - but a great experience. The variety, creativity and quality are exceptional. Special occasions, well worth it.
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Anthony - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, August 28, 2009

Food is ok but not that great compared to other Japanese restaurants in London.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Saturday, March 21, 2009

I was shocked!!! Some of my english freinds recomended me UMU is excellent Japanese restaurant in London. I missed good quality Japanese so went there with my family. The price was not so bad but the food disappointed me....I dont understand why lots of english people think UMU is great.

People think like this is they dont know high quality REAL Japanese food in KYOTO!!!
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KANDAGAWA K
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 2
Saturday, February 14, 2009

This must be one of the most exquisite meals i have ever eaten. Faves were the grilled skill fish and the grilled venison. Sashimi is to die for. The restaurant is beautiful and so sleek and the waiting staff attentive and knowledgable. If only i could afford to eat here every week ...
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Mingus
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, February 07, 2009

One of the best Japanese restaurants i have eaten in. As a regular of Nobu and Zuma, I have just changed my opinion. Umu is the best!!! Nice and quiet at lunch times also. Expensive.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, June 23, 2008

Umu is a great venue, feels very exclusive and hidden away. The staff are very attentive and the food was interesting as well as very tasty. We tried some great Sake too. Its a great place to bring someone for a special and interesting evening out.

There were a few negatives from our visit though. We ordered the signature tasting menu but when the table next to us came to order the same, they were told it had sold out. Not great since that is probably the reason why most people book in the first place and it was only 9pm. Also as we progressed through the tasting menu ourselves we got a definate impression that they were short of some dishes as some of the promised dishes didn't turn up and others came at the wrong time. Maybe they were just having an off night, either way a Michelin starred restuaurant should be better prepared.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Went to Umu with my mum and we both loved it. Of course we went straight for the Kaiseki dinner and were left overwhelmed by the delicate, fresh and pure flavours. The best raw fish I have ever eaten outside of Japan is definately at Umu.

Service was impeccable. Our waiter was helpfull and knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to savour fresh wasabi - a rarity in London as it mostly comes out of tubes or in powder form. Expensive but so worth it.
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Mimi
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, May 11, 2008