Itsuka

The food was adequate, and that's the best thing I can say about this restaurant. We were drawn in by a promise of cheap sushi on a sign on Upper Street. Once we entered and had a look over the menu, we realised the cheap deals were only for large numbers of people. In fact it was a little more expensive than we were hoping for. But we wanted to give it a fair chance.

You would have thought considering we were the only people there we would have good service, however the waiter was too busy talking to his friend, and getting our order in and getting our bill took painfully long.

The gyoza were slightly heavy and dry and the avocado in the california rolls was under-ripe. My mother said her meal was nice, but terribly small and expensive, she had to order rice and miso soup because she was still so hungry.

Our big mistake, however, was to order soda water. It came in tiny tumblers and because no bottles were brought to the table we assumed that it must have been on tap from behind the bar, which is usually free in most pubs. We had two small tumblers each, which was barely enough to quench our thirst throughout the meal. When the bill arrived, I noticed that we had been charged £8 for water. Eight pounds for water! I assumed it must have been an error. We tried to inquire a few times but the waiter was either busy with the single other customer or talking with his friend. We put down the amount we owed for the food and made as though to leave. Then he finally noticed us! He started yelling that there was CCTV in the restaurant and he would call the police if we didn't pay for the water. When we asked how on earth that much water could cost £8, he produced The Smallest Can I Have Ever Seen from behind the bar and told us that they were £2 each. We said that there was absolutely no way we were paying that. He stated again that he would call the police if we didn't. Frankly, the police would have laughed at him. However, we felt too intimidated to just leave, like I now believe we should have, and we agreed on just paying £4, which is still an obscene amount of money to pay for water.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, June 20, 2008

brilliant restaurante went there two weeks ago i have tasted many japanese restaurants before so far this is the best one.
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Anne
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 14, 2008

A bit of a surprise package for me this one. Had planned to go to Ah-So next door (good, but un-exceptional Teppan-Yaki restaurant), but they were booked out and I really fancied a Japanese, so tried this place instead.

Almost walked out as soon as we arrived, simply for the fact that it was entirely deserted - but a waiter managed to collar us as we were about to turn around, and boy, am I glad she did! Whilst I certainly was not impressed with the atmosphere - certainly not helped by the fact that the decor looked about 10 years old, as well as the fact that we were the only people in the whole restaurant - the food was almost all surprisinginly good. We had some very nice starters, including temaki rolls, chicken yakitori, and some tuna sushi - only the latter was disappointing, perhaps not the freshest (still better than some of the fare at other, sushi-only restaurants I've been to in London though), but the other two were outsanding, nicely flavoured and well prepared.

Our main courses were both superb - and were much more authentic than in some of the other 'Japanese' restaurants I've tried. One was an excellent Teriyaki dish, the other a cold beef dish whose name escapes me - both prepared beautifully, and with excellent flavour.
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Asa
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7
Friday, October 12, 2007

I am Japanese and lived in Japan so know what authentic Japanese food should taste like and this didn't come close. My sister and I ordered a tempura set and a sushi set. The batter on the tempura was thick and rubbery and really not very good at all. Sashimi was poor quality. Miso soup was brought out as a starter when it should be a side dish.

On the plus side, service was fine and the place has a good ambience. Will return for a drink but wouldn't touch the food again.
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Mariko
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Friday, August 31, 2007

Thought we'd give this a go - and what a nightmare it was!

Really I do not complain in restaurants, but after the wrong food came out on at least 3 occassions, it became tiresome.

Food wasn't that bad, but when we came to pay the bill (£100 for 4 people), the owner tried to charge us for all the food that we didn't even order, and then proceeded to stand in the middle of the restaurant and argue the point with us, in the most aggressive and unprofessional manner!

All-in all I can honestly say this was the worst customer service I have EVER experienced!
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Charlie
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Had a terrible experience here. Having ordered at 9pm, we were still waiting for our starters at 10.20pm, when we chased the food the response was complete indifference, we were given a complimentary drink - white wine, when we were drinking red and when the starter arrived it was not what we ordered, needless to say we didn't bother to wait for the main course!! At no point did anyone apologise for the appalling service.
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Terri
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Saturday, April 07, 2007

i went there last week because my friend had told me about this wonderful restaurant so i dexided to go have a try i have tasted lots of diffrent japanese restaurants but this one is the best. its sushi was delicious and the cocktails were amazing i would definitely go there again and tell other people about it.
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nathan pang
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, January 12, 2007

I love japanese food and this was a very poor example. I had booked the restaurant and was excited that we finally had a local Japanese. I had decided on it for my birthday for a group of 10 based on the reviews on this site. The restaurant was not that busy when we got there, so there was no excuse for the bad service. The atmosphere was non existent. However the most upseting thing about this restaurant was the food, it was just not up to standard. The portions were quite small and not that great value in comparison to other Japanese restaurants we have frequented. We had been assured that the quantity we had ordered would be enough. We all left feeling a bit hungry as and very disappointed which is in contrast to many of the reviews that have been posted. I certainly would go there again.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Monday, August 07, 2006

I thoroughly enjoyed eating at Itsuka last night. The atmosphere was wonderful, and instantly relaxing. The design of the restaurant was very fitting, simple tasteful and clean.

The staff were very attentive and friendly, with a good knowledge of all the dishes. They made us feel very relaxed, and we received the kind of service that allows you to sit back and enjoy your meal and drinks undisturbed but with the sure knowledge your wine glass will be refilled and plates quietly taken away.

I enjoyed the food so much that I'm actually tempted to pop in for some after work nibbles today! It was very well presented, tasty, abundant portions and clearly fresh. Delicious.

Itsuka have not skimped on anything, there is a fullness and a personal touch to all that they do. As it has just opened I'm enjoying the fact it is a little known gem at the moment, because i'm quite sure this place will take off very soon. A perfect place to take either a large group of friends, or enjoy a tete a tete.

I'm certainly smitten!
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Jen - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 27, 2006

On the friday nite, we were tryin to find something new to eat on Upper street, then we found ITSUKA, I had the most freshest and finest Tuna in my life, 1st the tuna looks very FRESH and RED, once i put it in my mouth, i cant stop eating, at the end, i totally order 8 potions of Tuna Sachimi and my girl friend had a tempura dinner which is wounderful and colourful

I have been living in Isslington for more than 6 yrs, i never know Isslington had such a nice Japanese Resturant, i think they seriously need some promotion, anyway keep up the good work ¬!
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 10, 2006