Wagamama (Tavistock St)

You know what you're getting at Wagamama. They are pretty consistent and the only thing that really changes between them is the atmosphere of each restaurant.

As with all Wagamama branches, the food is standard pseudo-Japanese fare and the service is by way of wireless handsets that communicate your orders directly to the kitchen.

This particular branch is set in a basement in the bowels of Covent Garden. Most of the time, I'd find this interesting. On this occasion, I found myself wanting for more natural light. The decor of Wagamama can be harshly artificial at the best of times. So I like the connection to the outside world, when I'm in one.

As for price? As I've always said with Wagamama, it's a bit steep for what it is. I could go to Wong Kei and be just as satisfied. Wagamama is okay. But it's not posh!
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Monday, November 07, 2011

Wagamama ain't cheap and though it claims to be Japanese, far from it. You can get better Japanese food in a Japanese convenience store. Okay then, you'd at least hope that the prices were cheap but that isn't the case either. Portions are measly. The staff act like they know it all but they know very little or nothing, it is loud and overcrowded and you never see a Japanese person dine there, except when I took my wife who happens to be Japanese and it was disgusting. The shame is that it is always busy with well heeled looking people but they clearly must know nothing about Japanese food and are following the clever marketing.You get a paper for a mat - may as well give us a leaf for a plate. Okay it is clean and a canteen atmosphere but just a tad bit too loud. Service is appalling. Mcdonalds seems to have the best service! What's going on???
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Ash
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, November 14, 2010

It is simply a great place to have a quick and delicious lunch with a good friend.
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James - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, August 06, 2010

Two of us went in together but we were not abe to eat together. My partner asked for 'no spring onions' so her food arrived after I had finished three courses and was waiting for my coffee ... which didn;t come ... ever.

It reminds me of a factory canteen. Except for the price. Far too expensive. Staff seemed personable when they had a few seconds to take your order but you could almost see the whip marks on their backs. Not what we were wanting.
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Simon C
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Friday, September 25, 2009