First, I need to make a mayor disclaimer ;-) Readers of my blog can be confused because sometimes, it seems that the way I’m describing the restaurants and the actual rating I'm giving, are not “in sync”. Please, have on mind that a while ago, I've spent rambling ten days just eating in the restaurants of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe.
Which means, I do have one of the world best Japanese restaurants in mind as benchmarks, and I can’t help myself making comparisons.
Back to Alan Yau…
I've visited a few Alan Yau restaurants; from topnotch, like for example Yauatcha, to a superb and budget, like Wagamama, and I’ve always departed fully satisfied.
Enter Sake No Hana; and no doubt, the impeccable track record continues.
Noboru Ishii - the head sushi chef of Sake No Hana
Sushi chefs at work
From outside almost impossible to spot, just a cylindrical glossy black automatic door… actually two. Inside, the restaurant looks like classical Tokyo izakaya - sake bar with tatami – footsteps seating and the sushi bar with a cedar/metal sushi counter. Of course, there are western-style tables too.
The restaurant offers kaiseki menu (see other post) and it has… well overwhelmingly complex and difficult to follow a lá carte menu. Actually I’m wondering how they manage to maintain all this ingredients in fresh and perfect conditions.
I haven't had time to do a kaiseki during the lunchtime. I had miso soup, sashimi selection, and futomaki. Everything was tasteful, fresh and elegantly presented. The otoro sashimi was first I ever tasted in UK, and one of the better I had in my live. It had very delicate flavors and incredibly melting texture.
Tako sashimi
Futomaki
The pricing seems reasonable, although if you try to be playful, it might end up shockingly expensive. Of course drinks list highlight sake and there is a huge selection, so if you there during the dinnertime, better ask for help as this restaurant also have a sake sommelier.
Lunch about 50€ per person, including drinks.
This place has a charm. Highly recommended.
Rating: 8.5 (out of 10.0)
Sake No Hana
23 St James's Street
SW1A 1HA London
Which means, I do have one of the world best Japanese restaurants in mind as benchmarks, and I can’t help myself making comparisons.
Back to Alan Yau…
I've visited a few Alan Yau restaurants; from topnotch, like for example Yauatcha, to a superb and budget, like Wagamama, and I’ve always departed fully satisfied.
Enter Sake No Hana; and no doubt, the impeccable track record continues.
Noboru Ishii - the head sushi chef of Sake No Hana
Sushi chefs at work
From outside almost impossible to spot, just a cylindrical glossy black automatic door… actually two. Inside, the restaurant looks like classical Tokyo izakaya - sake bar with tatami – footsteps seating and the sushi bar with a cedar/metal sushi counter. Of course, there are western-style tables too.
The restaurant offers kaiseki menu (see other post) and it has… well overwhelmingly complex and difficult to follow a lá carte menu. Actually I’m wondering how they manage to maintain all this ingredients in fresh and perfect conditions.
I haven't had time to do a kaiseki during the lunchtime. I had miso soup, sashimi selection, and futomaki. Everything was tasteful, fresh and elegantly presented. The otoro sashimi was first I ever tasted in UK, and one of the better I had in my live. It had very delicate flavors and incredibly melting texture.
Tako sashimi
Futomaki
The pricing seems reasonable, although if you try to be playful, it might end up shockingly expensive. Of course drinks list highlight sake and there is a huge selection, so if you there during the dinnertime, better ask for help as this restaurant also have a sake sommelier.
Lunch about 50€ per person, including drinks.
This place has a charm. Highly recommended.
Rating: 8.5 (out of 10.0)
Sake No Hana
23 St James's Street
SW1A 1HA London
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