Centre Point Sushi Cafe

PalAtTable

Sushi Centre 1st March 2009

1 found this helpful

That subheading probably comes across like I'm referring to a large place where much activity occurs involving a mass of Sushi with (pro)portions to settle a hundred growling bellies, but as much as I'd like such a place to exist, I'm going to lead you down a path to a humbler restaurant at Centre Point.

Yes, odd as it may sound, the Centre Point Sushi Cafe is a must for anyone who loves Sushi. I'm not talking about pre-packaged or conveyor belt basics here, I'm on about the expertly rolled, cut, cooked and presented Sushi in an authentic league of it's own. I've visited this restaurant quite a few times after first being taken on a recommendation - that person deserves a whopping kiss on the head for suggesting this little gem - and on each occasion it's consisently impressed. It's another place tucked away, (you may find this a running theme with my posts as I find that generally, well, the best ones are), tucked away within Centre Point, on St Giles Street, above a Korean grocery store. The unlikely location is probably the reason for the minimal amount of customers, but this needn't bother you, you've got a vast menu to consider.

Prices are good value for the quality of food served, the only problem you might have is curbing your orders, the Sushi here is far too moreish for its own good! However, if you are sensible and only want to select a few dishes may I recommend the salmon Teriyaki, chicken katsu and Tamago Nigirizushi (omlette topped).

But if you really want to treat yourself, they do plates of 6 piece Makizushi rolls with various fish options including an impressive softshell crab - just be cunning about the way you eat these little displays of art.

lenalouise

Decent sushi hideaway 24th October 2007

3 found this helpful

Initially, we were just gonna pop in and order some takeaway but the restaurant looked so inviting we decided to sit down after all. The staff are attentive and it was interesting watching the sushi chef expertly cut perfect slices of sashimi :D

We had some miso soup, gyoza and a selection of nigiri with some green tea. I especially enjoyed the scallop, eel and the sea bream. The scallop was just melt-in-your-mouth delicious...smooth and creamy with a natural sweetness. Unfortunately, they didn't have any toro that day but most places I've been to don't seem to have it that often.

The bill wasn't that cheap. I think it was about £60 for 2 but we could have eaten more. I'd definately come back again though.

mif

Best-value tasty sushi 22nd October 2007

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It wasn't easy to find this place the first time as it is upstairs in a Japanese grocery store. It's a gem of a place. Only a few steps from Tottenham Crt Rd station, the restaurant is small, cosy and authentic with consistently delicious sushi that tastes fresh (you can see the sushi chef slicing and rolling quietly on one side of the room). The times I've been here for dinner, patrons have conversed in quiet tones so it is easy to enjoy the ambience too. By luck I've been seated in a booth each time I've dined here - they are probably the best seating you can get if you enjoy people-watching the street below but it doesn't detract from the place and delicious sushi if you don't get a booth seating.

osaru

Diamond in the rough 24th September 2007

2 found this helpful

A real hidden gem in Tottenham court road.

Quality of the sushi (especially the toro) is the best I have tried in London, even later in the day. A real head and shoulders above some places that serve mayonaise in next to everything.

Love the relaxed atmosphere, just feels right, like a small slice of Tokyo transported to London, not pretentious or too shabby.

Also great value for money considering the prices that get banded about for sushi in London.

Highly recommended.

LisaRodwell

22nd August 2007

2 found this helpful

I agree with some of the other reviewers. Good sushi. One correction is that the grocery store not surprisingly is Japanese not Korean.

I go here often for sushi at lunch and you can get a sushi special with soup. Yum Yum. Try to sit in the booths, they cozier and quieter.

Nice decor and only the people (a lot of Japanese) who know where to find it actually find it.

CeliaBrookBrown

Secret Sushi 26th July 2007

5 found this helpful

It's so easy to miss, but the cache of this little gem, located above a small Korean grocery behind Centrepoint, is romantic, and a usually full house of Japanese diners reflects its authenticity. Beg the eager young waiting staff for a booth by the window and you'll enjoy a smashing urban view while you feast. Daily specials such as steamed seabass (£12) are on the board next to the open-plan kitchen, where highly skilled chefs work their magic with immaculately fresh sushi and home-style dishes alike. Anyone who hasn't discovered the merits of tofu should try the Agedashi tofu (£6)--a cloud of creamy curd in the lightest batter, blanketed in a faintly sweet miso sauce. Even customary edamame and miso soup are elevated to a new level, demonstrating superlative freshness of ingredients. Tea, beer and perfect blood-temperature sake complete a genuine, unpretentious picture. A well-kept secret, worth keeping. And pick up a few goodies from the downstairs grocery on your way out!

nyamnyam

A fine fine place 27th May 2007

13 found this helpful

Finding sushi in London is easy. Finding good sushi is harder. Finding good sushi in a central location at a resonable price is seriously hard -- but you *could* try Center Point Sushi Cafe.

Actually, it's real name is the Hana Japanese Restaurant but nobody seems to call it that.

Now, the CPSC is Korean-owned like everything else in the area, but unlike the average London sushi pit it has an ACTUAL SUSHI CHEF from Japan -- not a guy who just *said* he was a sushi chef, not a Benihana-type sushi chef, a *real* sushi chef.

The quality of the raw material is, well, it's good *for London*. It varies. They have a reasonable variety -- it's worth asking for things you don't see but there's going to be a slight element of luck involved. Non-sushi food is pretty darn decent.

But what really makes this place a treasure is the atmosphere. It's so quiet, so tranquil, and it's right exactly where you need a spot of tranquility in the middle of the West End. And it's a teeny bit quirky -- not quirky enough that it's all up in your face with its quirkiness, but a *little* quirky. For example the entrance is via the inside of the Korean grocery store downstairs. And the signs are almost invisible from the street, and nobody knows it's really called 'hana', and for some reason there's a life size replica of the Golden Crown of Baekje or something near the door, just in case you forget whether it's owned by Koreans or not.

There was a time when the CPSC was so deathly quiet I feared daily for its survival. No longer -- in the last few years, it's gradually been discovered by a fairly large crowd of babbling English student types, so it's not really all that peaceful from 7 or so onward.

But for an afternoon or lunch break, you can't beat it. What are you going to do? Sit in Starbuck's? Go to Yo! or something?? Don't be absurd! I give you the CPSC -- it's got an unwieldy name, you can't see it from the street, and it's great!

Peterson at 27/05/07

They have fanstastic dinner set menus in "lunch boxes".

Frankie at 28/05/07

Hi, really enjoyed your review and I'm really looking forward to trying this not all up in your face quirky place : )

Hugo at 28/05/07

Good one. I hear good things about this from friends too. I must go.

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