Sakana-tei

Really nice food, but expensive.
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사카나떼이
7 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I’m sitting at the small Japanese sushi counter at Sakana –Tei in Maddox Street, London just a lap top throw away from the big Apple store filled with all its techs and whiz kids. I’m smiling and I have not even had a drink or anything to eat. Why you may enquire? Well she who must be obeyed and her trainee have slipped off for some “Girly shopping” . This will no doubt involve trying on ridiculously high heeled shoes and cooing like over fed pigeons at handbags with price tags equal to the cost of our next family holiday. Personally, I remember the day when ladies handbags contained nothing more than a handkerchief and some pot poiree. Now they are all shiny with big buckles, filled with small dogs, computer equipment and the size of Fiat pandas.

Never mind, this gives me the perfect opportunity to try without doubt one of my favourite cuisines and, how can I put it, go to town a bit myself! If a girl needs to shop, a man needs to eat Japanese food and regularly.

Whilst the master of our house does love Japanese food, she is not quite the fan that I am, so I settle comfortably at the small wooden counter and watch the very experienced sushi chef work his magic on some amazing looking fresh fish. This is not my first time here as I often pop in for the set sushi lunch. From the outside, you could be mistaken for thinking this is an old hardware store selling bits and pieces, but i like it that way because it keeps the wafer thin models away and is usually filled with real Japanese food fans and some “in the Know” Japanese. It hardly smacks luxury and you will probably be best not arranging the office party here, but as soon as you enter, the noise and bustle outside disappears and you are suddenly transported to a calm and peaceful haven. However, your first encounter will be to come face to face with the rather solemn looking owner. Just nod and offer “Konnichiwa” with a bow and you should be okay. This is a family run operation and the friendless soon spreads and it soon feels like a big family gathering. There are various set lunch options to choose from as well as an extensive a la carte menu, but I opt for the set Sushi lunch. You can seat at the small counter type bar upstairs or there is a separate dining area downstairs which is ideal for informal client lunches and small groups.

I’m offered green tea, followed by a nice pickled salad to start. I then receive a wonderful aromatic Miso soup. My main of a sushi platter as ever is presented beautifully and smells sea breeze fresh. This must be heaven surely, but wait the street door creaks open and two leather Pandas nudge their way through followed followed by giggles of some rather tipsy sounding high heeled girls. As the owner lets out a gasp, I can do no more than raise my chopsticks in some kind of apologetic gesture, but he is already reaching for the Sake, but I’m not sure if it’s for him or me!
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The Secret Food and Travel Reviwer - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Thursday, November 03, 2011

This is one my Japanese wife and my favourite Japanese restaurants in London. It's also a favourite spot for expats, I hear. The food is authentic Japanese izakaya, though might be on the salty side if you're not used to it. The extensive specials menu is in Japanese only so might be best to go with a Japanese friend if possible. Agree with some of the negative reviews about the atmosphere - it is somewhat lacking compared with some of the izakaya in Japan.
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Zai - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 24, 2011

Those reviews must have been written by somebody who does not know tvery much about the proper Japanese food. Those people only goes Japnese Restaruants (so called, but not really....) which does not run by Japanese people. There are different types of restarurant - one goes for one meal/one dish which portion tend to be quite big. One which we enjoy bits and pieces which portion tend to be small. In those types we are served very small dish called "Tukidashi".

When you take a table it is served - so in a way it is similar to table charge, but with small dish - in some country, table charge with nothing.....

I use those sites (London-eating, top table, and so on) as it does help and give me a bit of idea of the places, but never take as it is. The first thing I do for those sites is - just check what reviews for Japanese Restaruants are - which gives me a bit of idea what kind of people use these sites and then I can decide how to use for myself.

I am Japanese and Sakana-tei is one of my top 5 of Japanese Restaruants.
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8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 13, 2011

I think some of the reviews are rather unfair. Admittedly the owner is a little dour, but his delightful wife more than makes up for his somewhat grey demeanour. What cannot be questioned is the quality of the food. I eat lunch here usually twice per week, and highly recommend the Special Chirashi which is truly top notch (shame they no longer include Ikura with this but hey ho). For me one of only two Japanese restaurants in London that I will go to regularly.
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Alexander
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, September 02, 2011

This is not a place to go and enjoy the food.very small portion and over cooked, very very expencive.Service is very poor and the owner never ever smile with customers,I will not recomend any one
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thars
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Having had a pleasant though v. slow Nigiri Sushi for lunch I returned one evening. After ordering the same set, I was told of the minimum evening charge.

I must learn to read rather small print as the bill included an extra £2+ for the extra first piece of fish. I gently questioned this and was referred to the small print at the bottom of one of many pages. The generally unwelcoming and mono-syllabic boss proceeded to tell me that most people spent £60/70.
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John
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 4
Sunday, June 26, 2011

Very good authentic Japanese food. The atmosphere isn't great as it isn't very nicely decorated, but the delicious food and friendly (well... friendly enough) staff make up for it. I go to Japan on business several times a year and my Japanese business partners introduced me to this little gem, saying the food tastes as good as in Japan and is very authentic. I wouldn't necessarily have dinner here, because of the lack of atmosphere, but it's an excellent choice for lunch. I'd recommend trying one of the daily specials, they have never disappointed me.
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7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, May 28, 2010

This place has a great selection of traditional and authentic Japanese specials, some familiar to a broader global audience and others perhaps less so, and not all of which are available elsewhere in London.

The authenticity and quality is superb. To be honest, I question the credentials to judge of anyone who doubts this. If you like a show with your food or innovative cooking, this isn't the place; it can lack atmosphere at dinner, but the owners' priorities are clear.

The service can run a little slow, and the husband can be rather dour in his dotage, but it is a tiny family-run restaurant delivering a variety of dishes, so I am patient with them when required and always get a friendly smile and service from the wife. It is also a little expensive, but then you have lots of staff pumping out a variety of dishes to a small number of covers in a Mayfair address, so it all makes sense.

For me, one of the best in London. Always order a special or two at dinner, although the regular menu is fantastic you might find something exciting there. If you like modern, trendy takes on Japanese food, there are many other options in London and I recommend you find them.
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O.
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, May 25, 2010