Nobu, Hakkasan, Yautchama or... ?
Discussion
My partners birthday coming up, she loves Chinese and Japanese food so I thought I'd take her to one of the above restaurants as they all seem to be highly acclaimed and Hakkasan also has a Michelin star.
Which would you recommend and also any alternatives? Zuma is also tempting but I'm a veggie and they have almost nothing for me.
There's some mixed reviews about Hakkasan service being stuffy and arrogant and wanting to move you on as quick as possible etc. But overall the trip advisor reviews are good.
Which would you recommend and also any alternatives? Zuma is also tempting but I'm a veggie and they have almost nothing for me.
There's some mixed reviews about Hakkasan service being stuffy and arrogant and wanting to move you on as quick as possible etc. But overall the trip advisor reviews are good.
Loyly said:
I love the irony that you would be concerned that one restaurant might be stuffy and arrogant, whilst also dismissing another because they don't suit you as a vegetarian...
Because I'm choosing not to go to a restaurant that doesn't have anything that suits my diet... that makes me stuffy and arrogant? Right Edited by TopGear7 on Sunday 12th March 17:19
Not been to either for some time (kids!)...but liked both Nobu and Hakassan (I liked Zuma very much too).
Hakassan felt like it was trying harder than the others - dark surroundings, younger/"trendier" set. But the food was very, very good nonetheless.
I'd be happy to go back to either - make your choice based on which food you think she'd prefer...Japanese or Chinese.
Hakassan felt like it was trying harder than the others - dark surroundings, younger/"trendier" set. But the food was very, very good nonetheless.
I'd be happy to go back to either - make your choice based on which food you think she'd prefer...Japanese or Chinese.
Murph7355 said:
Not been to either for some time (kids!)...but liked both Nobu and Hakassan (I liked Zuma very much too).
Hakassan felt like it was trying harder than the others - dark surroundings, younger/"trendier" set. But the food was very, very good nonetheless.
I'd be happy to go back to either - make your choice based on which food you think she'd prefer...Japanese or Chinese.
Thanks and I think I'm going to take your sensible of advice of basing it purely on the food as ultimately that's the most important thing. I think it's a toss up between Hakkasan and Roka now.Hakassan felt like it was trying harder than the others - dark surroundings, younger/"trendier" set. But the food was very, very good nonetheless.
I'd be happy to go back to either - make your choice based on which food you think she'd prefer...Japanese or Chinese.
Has anyone experienced The Araki?
You will need deep pockets though.
The Araki
Mitsuhiro Araki garnered three Michelin stars (and worldwide culinary fame) for his sushi bar in Tokyo before packing up and relocating to a nine-cover venue in Mayfair. The approach to food here is meticulously traditional, with all diners served a fixed menu of Edomae sushi by Mr Araki himself in the style of a historic tea ceremony, or sado.
Unit 4, 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BF,
www.the-araki.com
You will need deep pockets though.
The Araki
Mitsuhiro Araki garnered three Michelin stars (and worldwide culinary fame) for his sushi bar in Tokyo before packing up and relocating to a nine-cover venue in Mayfair. The approach to food here is meticulously traditional, with all diners served a fixed menu of Edomae sushi by Mr Araki himself in the style of a historic tea ceremony, or sado.
Unit 4, 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BF,
www.the-araki.com
I have been here a few times and enjoyed it: http://sakenohana.com/ They made a mistake on the bill once and I did not until the next day, they gave us a gift voucher for about double the amount, great service.
I prefer the original Roka on Charlotte St. Less of a "rich dudes with escorts" and "bankers & hedgies" crowd.
Yauatcha is also my go to, 1 michelin star and fairly reasonably priced.
Book a late table 9.30/10pm and you won't be rushed as the kitchens close at 10.30/11pm so you will be the last service.
Yauatcha is also my go to, 1 michelin star and fairly reasonably priced.
Book a late table 9.30/10pm and you won't be rushed as the kitchens close at 10.30/11pm so you will be the last service.
6th Gear said:
Has anyone experienced The Araki?
You will need deep pockets though.
The Araki
Mitsuhiro Araki garnered three Michelin stars (and worldwide culinary fame) for his sushi bar in Tokyo before packing up and relocating to a nine-cover venue in Mayfair. The approach to food here is meticulously traditional, with all diners served a fixed menu of Edomae sushi by Mr Araki himself in the style of a historic tea ceremony, or sado.
Unit 4, 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BF,
www.the-araki.com
That does look very interesting and three michellein stars is super impressive. However personally as someone who loves food but also loves travel I don't think I could ever justify over £600 on a single meal for two when the alternative is a long weekend away in Venice or Barcelona etc You will need deep pockets though.
The Araki
Mitsuhiro Araki garnered three Michelin stars (and worldwide culinary fame) for his sushi bar in Tokyo before packing up and relocating to a nine-cover venue in Mayfair. The approach to food here is meticulously traditional, with all diners served a fixed menu of Edomae sushi by Mr Araki himself in the style of a historic tea ceremony, or sado.
Unit 4, 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BF,
www.the-araki.com
I think the only one I'm tempted by The Fat Duck as people people comment on it being more than a meal but an experience in itself
Edited by TopGear7 on Monday 13th March 11:15
tuffer said:
I have been here a few times and enjoyed it: http://sakenohana.com/ They made a mistake on the bill once and I did not until the next day, they gave us a gift voucher for about double the amount, great service.
Thanks - this is also looks really good, has an extensive menu. I assume it's a sister restaurant of Hakkasan as it says ',by Hakkasan' at the bottom of the website.matrignano said:
I prefer the original Roka on Charlotte St. Less of a "rich dudes with escorts" and "bankers & hedgies" crowd.
Yauatcha is also my go to, 1 michelin star and fairly reasonably priced.
Book a late table 9.30/10pm and you won't be rushed as the kitchens close at 10.30/11pm so you will be the last service.
Haha thanks for that information. It's the primary reason I ruled Novikov out, from the photos I've seen on Instagram it seems to very much have a vibe of young people acting cool posing for photos with their watches (that makes me sound really old but I'm 25 but just not a fan of that kind of obnoxiousness). Yauatcha is also my go to, 1 michelin star and fairly reasonably priced.
Book a late table 9.30/10pm and you won't be rushed as the kitchens close at 10.30/11pm so you will be the last service.
TopGear7 said:
Haha thanks for that information. It's the primary reason I ruled Novikov out, from the photos I've seen on Instagram it seems to very much have a vibe of young people acting cool posing for photos with their watches (that makes me sound really old but I'm 25 but just not a fan of that kind of obnoxiousness).
I was at Novikov on Saturday and fully understand what you mean - every other table had at least an escort in, or some (young) rich arab dudes, or a combination of both.I was in the latter camp sadly
Most high end restaurants in Mayfair will be like that to be honest...Sexy Fish, Park Chinois, Nobu etc.
Roka Audley St less so, but I still think Roka Charlotte St has a nicer crowd
I've been to most of the above.
As said, many of the places down towards Mayfair/Knightbridge have a certain crowd. But eqaully you don't want to be sat next to some tosser on expenses working in digital media in the ones around Fitzrovia (I am that tosser).
I really liked the Roka on Aldwych actually, I went on my own dime a couple of times, it was great food, a nice situation. I prefer the food of Roka, but its quite different to Hakkasan.
As said, many of the places down towards Mayfair/Knightbridge have a certain crowd. But eqaully you don't want to be sat next to some tosser on expenses working in digital media in the ones around Fitzrovia (I am that tosser).
I really liked the Roka on Aldwych actually, I went on my own dime a couple of times, it was great food, a nice situation. I prefer the food of Roka, but its quite different to Hakkasan.
TopGear7 said:
tuffer said:
I have been here a few times and enjoyed it: http://sakenohana.com/ They made a mistake on the bill once and I did not until the next day, they gave us a gift voucher for about double the amount, great service.
Thanks - this is also looks really good, has an extensive menu. I assume it's a sister restaurant of Hakkasan as it says ',by Hakkasan' at the bottom of the website.
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