Saké No Hana

Saké No Hana 15 February 2010 at 11:19  

General review :

Bill: 130 GBP (2 guests).

Caitriona H. (1035 Reputation Points)

This is a great trendy restaurant in St James. I have been before, and was looking forward to returning to this Alan Yau operated Japanese restaurant, however this time I came with inside knowledge that definitely helps: to get to the bathroom, you have to take an elevator/ lift. This could be cool- but last time I ended up waiting 5 minutes each time for the lift, going up and going down, which is pretty embarrassing when someone is waiting for you upstairs. This time I went straight there to avoid disappearing during my meal ;) The layout is indeed pretty weird, you enter downstairs, and the only way to get up to the restaurant is via an escalator (which was not working last night) which reminds me of department store. Otherwise décor is minimalist elegant style that’s a fitting match for Japanese food. With the zen music in the background, you kind of get a Manhattan vibe. There is a cool sushi bar downstairs. Both were busy late on Saturday night. I must admit, I was somewhat disappointed on this return visit. Everything was good, but no dish really stood out. Recommended dishes include (and remember to take note of what you order and how many dishes!): Chilean sea bass was delicious, vegetable tempura, the black cod rice is great, but very filling (you will normally receive at the end anyway as it is the dish that takes the longest prepare). Dishes that I was disappointed with: mixed sashimi dish was extremely fresh, but lacked flavour, beef dish was slightly cold when it arrived, and there is also not very much! Drinks list- do try some of their signature cocktails. Well worth it. Service was friendly, helpful and efficient. Oh, and try to look cool- it is a bit pretentious!!

Saké No Hana 24 January 2010 at 13:14  

General review :

Maxence D. (778 Reputation Points)

With a glittering track record (Wagamama, Busaba, Eathai, Hakkasan, Yauatcha), Alan Yau,had much to live up to when opening his first Japanese fine-dining restaurant in '07. Situated on a street where you can buy cigars, guns, and yachts - all far more prominently signed - Saké No Hana is cooly designed inside but may be too discreet for its own good. On the first floor, Japanese-cedar tables with foot-wells sit amid some acreage of tatami (there's western-style seating too), while narrow tilted screens provide shade from, and add elegance to, ceiling-high, wraparound windows. Slick-mannered staff deliver attentive table service. Some of the food is modern and playful, much of it orthodox and simple. If you dine on Chilean sea bass or wagyu beef accompanied by top-dollar Krug, Saké No Hana can be hedeously expensive. But luch bentos (£25 and £30) or wise à la carte selections for dinner (including moderately priced sashimi and tempura) yield a much better-value meal than the restauran's reputaiton might suggest. The tempura is superb : slightly elastic, incredibly well-drained; when in season, courgette flowers are a must. The drinks list emphaisses saké: a lengthy selection subdivided by flavour rather than grade. (dixit TO)