Sakura

Food is generally good, but I have rarely experienced such a poor service. The manager should review his motivations for running a restaurant. There are many more Japanese restaurants in the area that are much more welcoming.

I went to Sakura last week.

The food was ok. Not amazing but very good. There was a definate atmosphere upon entering the restaurant and being seated that me and my bf felt like we were not welcome.

There were many Japanese at a table opposite and my bf felt that they were the ones looking at us however, I did not notice them at all and I feel that it was the staff and atmosphere in general that was uncomfortable.

We stayed as we were really hungry, and as I say, the food was good and was brought out quite quickly and the price was what you expect for the location.

I'd like to say I'd never go back there again as what others have mentioned, you can get better or as good as quality food elsewhere and much much better service and atmosphere.

I have never encountered any problems like that feeling in any other Japanese restaurants ever before. Even in small restaurants in Japan.

Very dirty, shabby restaurant. The staff are incredibly rude. Mostly Chinese and some Japanese. I went with my partner and had such an awful time. First we found hair in our sashimi and when we complained, they took the plate away and brought it back in about 30 seconds with the hair brushed away. The plates were also dirty but by that point we decided just to leave and go to another restaurant. Soho Japan around the corner is much better.

1 star is too high.
I was meeting 2 friends for a business lunch at Sakura and was 10 minutes late.
My 2 friends were sat at a table for 4.
After I sat down and joined them the duty manager Tanaka told us I could not order and that this table was for 2 so I must leave despite my friend asking for a table for 3 when he arrived and he tried to order my food in advance of me arriving shortly so it would be ready when I arrived.
I said it's fine, if that's your policy I just won't eat and I will sit with my business colleagues and finish our discussion.
He insisted that table was for 2 only and one of us must leave. (there were 4 chairs at this table).
As we left we said we wouldn't be returning. Tanaka told us he didn't need our business.
I hope his boss reads this in the credit crunch.
We all left and won't be returning to this fuzzy logic rude restaurant.
Good luck if you are late for lunch. AVOID.

OK, so the service wasn't great but with a sense of humour and the right attitude I had a great night out. I went with my son and one of his friends, they're regulars and had warned me what to expect. I thought the food was great. The service was variable with junior staff doing what they thought they were supposed to do and a senior member of staff trying to stop doing things that would upset the customers. This included attempting to give the bill three times before I snatched it out of his hand to stop the confusion. You want tea - ask for it - you get it. No problem. You want more food - ask for it - you get it. So, don't go expecting five star service, it's not what this place is about. Go with friends, intend to have a great night out, watch the antics or the staff AND JUST ENJOY YOURSELVES!

Very disappointing. After living in Japan for two years I came to expect professional, polite staff and clean toilets. This restaurant did not have either. The food was not bad, but not worth the negative aspects.

Take your sense of humour along and you will have the very best time. good value food and authentic too.

Service poor and rude and when I questioned the quality of the Toro I was told 'You Gaijan no good. Don't come back to restaurant.' I won't and neither should you.

TRULY S(A)KARY!

I have only been once and the service was terrible! The food wasn't as great as others had said either. But the *scariest* thing must be my friend's comment (below) who ate there last night:

I went to Sakura last night.. guess what... there was a dead mouse underneath the table next to our table, we told the manager and he shouted back at us... what kind of place is that?!! Never go back there...

Good food but the service is unbelievable. It is like you're begging them for food or something. The manager and some staff are very rude.. very strange.. so different from typical japanese services. They are extremely stingy about their wasabi, lemons and tea! They give you a tiny weeny wasabi for each dish and if you ask for more they will look over and under your plates to make sure you really have none left and then give you a teenie bit more. A slice of lemon (not whole) will cost you £1. You will get very thirsty while eating coz it is difficult to get your tea cup a re-fill. Go if you're desparate for a jap food or go somewhere else.

We booked a table for 6 people, only to be told on arrival that we would not be seated together! changed the time to a later one so that we could MAYBE get a table for 6 - only to be told on arrival at later time that it was still not possible. When enquired about the point of therefore booking a table, the sourfaced manager gave me a dismissive gesture and told me that he had alot of customers which was why he couldnt give me a table. in summary - I left. no matter how good the food may be, the lack of respect and basic manners shown was disgusting. DONT GO!!! you wld be better off with other places like TARO in Brewer St where food and service are great.

Quite possibly the worst restaurant I have ever been to - with the rudest service (Wong Kei included). Food OK but you can get just as good elsewhere (try Ikkyu on Tottenham Court Road). Manager is physically abusive; you get shouted at if you are one person short for a reservation; long waits when there are tables. Avoid!

I have to disagree with Elle. I've only been once, and i thought that it was fantastic. i think that the service Elle received was because she went quite late and near closing time, but if you go early, its a really great place to go. their set meals are really delicious and are really filling, so if you eat everything that was on your set menu, its almost certain that you would not be hungry at the end of it. the prices for the set meals, i think are great value, because you get great Japanese food at a good price (usually under £20). Can't wait to go again.

Quite possibly...the worst service I have ever received. We were seated just before 10pm on Friday night, given the bill and made to pay whilst still eating our main course. Our drinks were quickly cleared dispite not being empty and asked to leave as they were closing up! £80.00 spent for half hour use of seats,terrible service and a pedestrian meal at best.I implore all not to spend your well earned money in this establishment!!