16 Lisle Street
WC2H 7BE
Tel: 020 7287 6262
Date of Last Visit: Friday, July 6, 2006
The Victims: Feathers, Julie, Kellie, Anna
The Damage: 25 quid per person
The Background: We all wanted sushi, and Feathers was in need of a summit. Kellie suggested Roka–but they were booked. I suggested Pham, but I’m the only one on this side of town. I tried the Japan Centre, but no one would answer the phone. We compromised on somewhere central and I checked London-Eating for the scoop on sushi in Soho/Covent Garden.
The Arrival: I was early, as usual. Kellie arrived soon after, and she just accepted a new job offer, which is quite exciting. Funnily enough however, Kellie had just eaten at Okawari a few weeks ago with her dad and sister; with no particular place in mind, they had just wandered by and dropped in. We ended up sitting at the same table Kellie and her fam sat at. Out of all the places in London, I always find stuff like this a bit weird. Anyhow, we are all the way in the back at one of those tables that looks like you have to sit on the floor, but in reality, there’s a secret hole in the floor that let’s you sit down just like normal. Getting up is awkward, however.
The Starters: Edamame. But not enough salt! Veggie gyoza, which were quite nice.
The Mains: Julie went for her Chicken Katsu Curry. I went for the teryaki tofu–which was a bit too fried for my liking, but still delicious. I also ordered a Futomaki roll, which was v. nice. Anna had it right with the spicy tuna roll. That was very very good. Feathers ordered veggie skewers which were more fried tofu, with a lot of mushrooms.
The Service: Good, but distracted sometimes. Feathers ordered a bottle of white and it sat on the counter for ages before she got someone to deliver it. I thought it was sweet how they kept filling up our beers, but they’re probably no fools when it comes to margins. I tried to get them to tell me about off-menu options (still thinking about that crunchy roll at Pham!), but they claimed not to have any.
The Toilets: UGGGH. Moth ball smell is one of my least favorite smells in the world.
The Verdict: Nothing to complain about. A good central option. Liked the table in the back. Liked the broad assortment of food. Hated the toilets.
