The Hi Sushi in Chinatown is pretty groovy. The upstairs is sushi bar-style and the downstairs is a sit-down. The seats and table are set into the ground so it appears that you are sitting on the floor when you really have your feet sunk into the foothold area (sorry, hard to explain). White walls are accented with bright coloured tables- orange, lime green, and the like.
You get a laminated menu of delights- lots of sushi, sashimi, noodle soups, tempura and some meat dishes to choose from. Prices range from about £6 for a ramen noodle soup to upwards of £16 for a sushi selection platter. Individual sushi pieces start at about £2.50. The food is very fresh and of high quality - although it has happened that I have emerged from the restaurant still hungry.
The waitstaff are very genial and attentive (there are only about 6 tables downstairs so it is hard to go unnoticed). There is a nice selection of Japanese beers and wines to choose from.
Keep in mind this restaurant feels a far cry from being 'traditional' in style- but the food is very traditional and prepared by Japanese folks. It is one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in London.
As an aside, it is important to mention that not all Hi Sushi's are the same. In particular, avoid the Hi Sushi in Hampstead- filled with haughty waitstaff that had forgotten to bring my starter and then tried to charge me after I had finished my main meal. When I asked them to remove the charge from my bill, they said that they might have already prepared my starter, in which case it was their right to charge me. They didn't get away with it but I haven't been back.
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May 21st, 2001
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