So Restaurant

I want to tell you- don't go here. I seriously do. But only so I can continue to (selfishly) enjoy London's best Japanese.

In my view, as a regular diner, So serves quite simply the best sashimi and sushi in London. There's never any doubt as to the freshness and quality of their food. For one, the sushi and sashimi platter is superb, as well as the black cod amongst many favourites.

But you need not know that, just leave them to me.

The staff are very friendly, attentive and the restaurant clean.

But please- leave this place to me and me alone.
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Z
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 14, 2012

Absolutely superb from start to finish - Sashimi and Sushi are pricey but, fresh and authentic, you get what you pay for - quality.
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Dave
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, December 22, 2011

Read some good reviews of this restaurant, and it claims to be voted by Japanese residents in London as one of the best Japanese in London. It's certainly by far the BEST Japanese I've been to in London.

Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately reassured by the fact that all staff and sushi chefs are Japanese (judging from they all converse in Japanese). The decor is modern, elegant, with a bit Japanese touch but still makes one feel relaxed. The service was incredibly fast and good. They always interact with us with a smile!

We ordered the fried tofu appetizer, some sushi roll, shrimp tempura and chicken teriyaki. Tofu was delicious, SUSHI IS EXCELLENT!!! Ingredients fresh, presentation nice, good size portion, not very expensive, VERY GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY. Shrimp tempura is cooked just right, though a bit pricy; chicken teriyaki is good as well, but pricy too.

Also ordered plum wine, and it actually comes with a plum in it! (compared to other japanese restaurants in london) It's from this small detail that makes me feel they do put in efforts.

Finally, I was amazed by how nice the restroom is. Very clean, well-decorated, touch-activated water faucet that even lets you control the water temperature, nicely-rolled up hand towels to dry your hands like in a five-star hotel.

Compared to other Japanese restaurants in London I frequent (Asakusa, Tomoe, Sakura, Misato, Tokyo diner), SO is easily my favorite. If you want to be economical, book a table online, and order their Sushi rather than main course.

Already can't wait to visit it again!
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spicyfoodie - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 16, 2010

Went to So restaurant on Thursday, even though we were 40 min. late, it did not seem to be a problem as our table was waiting for us. The food was amazing!!! The sashimi is so fresh that melts in your mouth. I cannot fault anything really as I am usually fussy with food. The portions were quite big as well, compare to some other japanese restaurant. When the bill came, I was shocked that it was so cheap.

On my opinion this restaurant is the best japanese restaurant I have been to in London.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, November 26, 2010

Went Saturday evening for a family birthday, four of us. Food was very good, beautifully presented, perfectly cooked (or not cooked). However, it is quite expensive. This wouldn't be a problem if the service matched the food. However, three of our mains were served and the fourth, inexplicably, was given to another table. When we pointed out the error there was some consternation but no real apology, except that the fourth main took more than ten minutes to arrive. So three of us ate and the fourth watched. Then she ate and we watched.

All in all, a great meal but rather spoiled by some rather amateur service. Improve the service and this is a real goer.
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7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, July 19, 2010

Great food, service with a smile and can't complain about the price with offers. Authentic japanese food and atmosphere. Leave space for dessert!
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nickthat - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 05, 2010

This is one of the best places around. The cooking is excellent, the staff helpful and amiable and the atmosphere cozy and relaxing. The sushi is the freshest ever and the chef's selection comes with unusual surprises such as razor clams or oysters, although there are also less 'hardcore' selections and you can order individual items. Tempura was crispy and full of flavour and the deserts are worth saving some room for.

Maybe the mains are not as remarkable as the sushi, tempura and desserts: I have been twice and on the occasion we ordered mains, the black cod was great, but the eel slightly bland and not too special for the price. The sake is also great, and both for that and sushi the staff is very attentive and helpful, so if you are new to Japanese food they can help you decide.

As well as the food, the location and the staff, one of the good things of SO is that they have plenty of offers (food discount on internet booking, pre-theatre, lunch, chef's section...) so although eating a la carte can be pricey if you book wisely you can eat very well indeed for a fraction of the price. Highly recommended.
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Daniel
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 28, 2009

Being new to Japanese food, the staff very patiently guided us through the menu. The sashimi wasbeautifully presented on the sharing platter, this was followed by salmon teryaki, chicken teryaki, black cod and a tempura selection. All exquisitely cooked. Sake menu was explained, started with the tasting selection then individually chose sake to go with our main dishes.

Fanstastic staff, fabulous food, 25% off for booking online. A wonderful evening. Will definitely return.
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L Williams - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, May 04, 2009

FANTASTIC - The squid was fantastic, a great selection of sake (and a nice explanation on the menu to help guide your choice) as well as very very nice people who work there. We went for an early seating with our four year old (who did actually behave). A little pricey, but worth it.
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blueskymind
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, April 24, 2009