Koto

I decided to try this place only because sushi hiroba does not open for lunch on saturdays.

I have to say that i did consult this site before I went and have to agree with the numerous negative comments already posted.

The service is terrible-both the waitress and the sushi "chef" were very hostile as when I opened the door into the restaurant a gust of wind blew some napkins off a nearby table-not very welcoming! also the position of the front door on this windy day made the whole room very cold and univiting.

i was willing to give a non-japanese sushi chef a chance but to be be honest the sushi I was given was not even on par with what i would expect with yo! yet i was being charged two/three times the price for the "pleasure".
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jv
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Saturday, December 08, 2007

If Mr Georgiou was expecting a 5* Japanese restaurant I can understand his disappointment but his review in no way matches with my experience of Koto, whjich I have used several times as I work nearby. Yes, the sushi chef is not Japanese - I think he's Indian - but the quality is excellent and the food is freshly and authentically prepared. The dumpling starters are tasty, the main courses more than competent and represent excellent value, and the service, while sometimes a little sparse, is generally prompt, friendly and efficient. I have taken several business guests and none have been disappointed: quite the reverse, in fact.

More important, my kids love the laquered boxes in which the set meals arrive, moreover.

I can't comment on the beer because I don't drink but the green and jasmine tea is good. In short, koto is really good value and represents a real alternative to the fast food nonsense that proliferates in this part of town. I thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend Koto.

John Kelly

Publisher and CEO, Prospect Magazine.
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John Kelly
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 18, 2007

What looked from the outside to be a beautiful restaurant with a decent number of people lunching in it, proved to be shambolic in every sense, or am I just a perfectionist? Make up your own mind...

The waiter and waitress were asleep and when you see a non Japanese sushi chef you know you're getting a college graduate rather than the Japanese Master.

This review though is not about nationalities. It is about how Koto got our whole dining experience with them completely wrong. There are no saving graces.

1.Long wait to be attended to.

2.I asked if the Kirin beer was extra cold or just cold. Told VERY cold - the beer was room temperature in 5 minutes.

3.The green tea my wife ordered was from a teabag - very unauthentic.

4.We asked for Japanese pickles with our meal - none were served even though our waitress said they serve them gratis!

5.The edamame (soya beans) were old and browning (they should be mange tout green), and of inferior quality - they were the hairy variety which is wholly inappropriate for a high quality restaurant.

6.The steamed dumplings were over cooked, to the extent that they broke up when being picked up by chop sticks.

7.CRIME! The fresh cold mackerel sushi was served on WARM rice. Sacrilige.

8.The prawn tempura roll was bland, the tempura prawn having been cooked well before the roll was actually made up.This should be served warm, having just 'fished' the prawn out of the fryer -it was cold.

9.The only thing I have no complaint about was the avocado roll.

This felt like a hotel restaurant trying really hard to put on a Japanese show but truly failing.

The icing on the cake was the waitress who aimlessly asked if we had enjoyed our meal, whereupon I reeled off the above. She could only apologise for her perceived only error, (missing out the pickles), but actually that missed the point. I should have been referred to the manager and not have paid, but that's not my style. I tried to speak to the chef but he looked too busy and stressed even though he was on public display.

Positives were a good location, attractive surroundings and a busy yet discreet restaurant with high ceilings and pleasant decor.
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Petros Georgiou FCCA
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Sunday, July 30, 2006

went to koto when there were few other options for japanese food open it being a public holiday. its easy to get to and was medium busy without being full. the sushi was good but not amazing but the service was very prompt and the whole meal was really convenient. i would recommend koto if you want a cheap and quick good quality sushi meal but its not outstanding - for outstanding go to matsuri on high holborn...
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oli
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, May 01, 2006

We picked this as it looked clean and there were already some Japanese people eating there, always a promising sign. The Dim Sum and steamed dumplings were very tasty. I had the Bento box with the eel. Having never had raw fish i.e. proper sushi before I was a little apprehensive, but I was pleasantly surprised. The rice was also easy to ea with the chopsticks. My wife's Udon noodles looked (and tasted) rather good as well. Our waitress, a trainee, was very attentive and helpful and we both enjoyed the meal. Surprisingly filling as well as god value for a London restaurant.
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Jonathan Davies
Sunday, July 24, 2005