Sakura

Reviews for Sakura

• 1

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  densied

  8th February 2008

  A disappointing experience

  Current

  A very disappointing experience. I had lived in Japan for two years, so I expected professional and polite service, and well maintained facilities at Japanese restaurants. Unfortunately, this was not the case here. Actually, the food was not bad (tempura especially), but the rude waiters, long wait to be seated and unclean washrooms spoiled what should have been a pleasant evening.

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• 2

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  gizmogirl

  20th November 2007

  Nothing special

  Current

  Good Price,Food is alright but the service was TERRIBLE!!!! Bad service can seriously ruin your night.Deff Not a place for a girly night out!
  

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• 3

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  chuichi

  5th November 2007

  Not too helpful

  Current

  Yes I must admit the food here is great - love the sukiyaki especially.
  
  However, they are the most un-helpful people you can ever come across with. We wanted to book a table for 10-12 (I know I know...the place is small-ish so it's kinda hard to book a big table), but they refused point blank to hear my explanation that 3 of my party are little kids, and we don't mind sitting on separate tables. All the man said on the phone was, sorry we cannot reserve a table for you, please go to another restaurant.
  
  They could've split us up, we don't mind! Ever since that conversation, I've not been to Sakura yet...and unlikely to...

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• 5

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  YOZZIYOSHI

  2nd November 2007

  This is the best Japanese in London

  Current

  I love Sakura! Its been a family favourite for years my fathyer is Japanese,and we have been frequenting this restaurant for as long as its been there. Although the decor leaves much to be desired, the menu is exceptionally good. It has the largest menu of any Japanese restaurant I know and the prices are very reasonable. The staff can be a bit offish sometimes but that is because the place is always so dammed busy, but I have never had a long wait for my food.
  
  The only trouble is getting a table can be a bit of a nightmare because it is so popular with the Japanese population in London. But this is the only place that we can order certain Japanese dishes as most reataurants don't have half as much on the menu as this.
  
  If you want to try something different then come here!

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• 4

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  dloizou

  27th October 2007

  Sakura is a great little 'not so secret' secret

  Current

  From the outside this resturant is not much to look at and from the inside the decor is perhaps even worse with a dark tatty and dated interior but like all great finds its the food that keeps me going back over and over again.
  
  I frequent this resturant at least once a month, quite often to take advantage of their special's which are on display in the waiting area when you walk into the resturant (for example the £9.50 chicken box set). But everything I have tried on the menu to date has been fantastic - always fresh, always delicious. This is one of my favourite eats in London.
  
  If you don't know what you're in for you may be quite suprised, yes as others have mentioned the manager has an authoritarian complex and likes to get things done efficiently but his main goal seems to be to get people to their tables as quickly as he can.
  
  If there are people already in the waiting area upon arrival, you have to ask at the desk for a ticket and then wait until your party is called. Just make sure you're not outside having a smoke when your number is called and also ensure that everyone in your party has arrived or they may not seat you until they have.
  
  Service is I guess on the slow side and you have to work to get a waiters attention, but this to me just adds to the whole expeience.
  
  The thing with Sakura is that although it is located in an area with competition right across the road and an itsu take-out a few doors down, Sakura is always filled with Japanese which has to mean something right.
  
  I wish I had taken a photo for you all as I had dinner there just last night (sushi tempura set) I left as I always do - relaxed, stuffed and completely satisfied.
  
  
  
  
  

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• 5

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  DannyB2007

  26th October 2007

  Yakuza or not this place is awesome

  Current

  I wouldnt go here to see a Yakuza underboss...what I would go here for is probably the best Japanese restaurant in the area.
  
  The food is undeniably the best I have eaten. The fact that the place has a queue outside most nights and is filled with Japanese customers, really says it all....so what the boss is a bit rude....they have tv's hanging up on the walls showing family Japanese shows and you have to sit on wicker chairs in the lobby waiting for your seat!!
  
  The food is what its all about and you can't complain too much about that.
  
  My girlfriend and I always go here and have never had a bad meal OR bad service.
  
  

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• 3

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  Jimbo

  19th August 2007

  Beef Teriyaki vs Mr Manager Man!!!

  Current

  Sakura's Beef Teriyaki is one of the best in Central London. And so is their Salmon Teriyaki. They also have a great reputation for having downright the rudest restaurant manager in town. The guy is simply put, a total A-hole! From the second you walk in to the second you rush out of the restaurant after your meal, not a single friendly gesture comes out of him. Not even a damn dry smile. He literally SHOUTS at costumers if they dare to argue. In more than two occasions, I saw costumers walk out in protest. I have come to believe that he must be some sort of a Yakuza underboss! Otherwise, I see no reason why he hasn't been sacked yet!
  
  Unless you feel like having a fist fight with London Yakuza, avoid Sakura!
  
  _______________________________________________
  
  
  ***** UPDATE *****
  
  I'm told that our Yakuza Friend has been sacked and the staff are now polite to costumers. Food quality is the same as before. But still, Sakura does not accept table reservations. I'm going to change the one star to three.
  

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• 1

  Sakura

  9 Hanover Street London W1S 1YF uk
  
  lenalouise

  23rd July 2007

  Very disappointing

  Current

  This is a pretty dingy looking restaurant from the outside and inside isn't much better. We didn't feel welcome as we entered the place, getting moody looks from the staff (including the manager!).
  
  The menu appears pretty standard with a good variety of sushi, noodle and rice dishes and several set menus at moderate prices. However, when the food arrived, everything was very substandard. Nothing stood out and some dishes weren't finished. The fish on the sushi was cut too thin and presentation wasn't the best. We also didn't get refills for our green teas.
  
  All in all, I'd say I don't know why anyone would want to go back again and wish I spent my money and time somewhere else. I could have made the sushi and tonkatsu curry better myself at home! Avoid this place!!! ]
  
  I would only go back if someone paid me to.....a lot!!
  
  
  
  

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