Big portions and value for money. That is my basic verdict. So the finer details I mention next won't be important to many of you but I write on Yelp like recommending to a friend - so likes and dislikes - after all don't you want to hear from a local?
Good location for Nordstrasse U-bahn and tram access.
The outside looks like a book clearance sale ... marketing booklets that looks and feels a bit too much.
We were early, opens 11.30am. seems a good time to get the seat of your choice before the midday business rush.
There was however non of the familiar "irasshai-masé" chorus greeting that is common at Japanese restaurants around the more central 'Japan Town' district (because the serving staff we had were not Japanese). But the waitresss all kitted out in kimono style uniforms.
Also no bar style area for single diners.
plus if you are just two, and want privacy ... this won't be the place for that intimate conversation as the table gap minimum.
A family of three were accommodated on a table for two as space was limited.
Menu, if you hadn't read it outside. maybe a nice touch the two chefs had their photos on the first page. The menu is extensive on the sushi, bento box, sides, a la carte and just feels too extensive and a bit confusing, or is it that it's just too illustrated with photo and written sections seperate.
Also it was full of adverts for other branches in this chain (or franchise?) in London and Tokyo and soon to be on Immermanstrasse. For me all this info on full page adds just adds to the clutter and is unnecessary - I'm eating here so please stop advertising your other restaurants on double page spreads lol
it therefore took a while to choose, maybe because we were also ordering for our colleague who was running late (expecting it to get busier ... it did). The waitress came to take the order three times , we weren't ready, isn't it protocol in most restaurants that if you aare still reading the menu ... you aren't ready. When we finally beckoned her she kinda huffed like what now? She also pointed out that the photo on one of the Bento boxes is actually incorrect ... dipicting the wrong food. oh hmm less is more perhaps?
Anyhow green tea served in more traditional cute looking kettle pots and earthenware cups.
The portions arrived... initially thinking we had double orders... biggest bento box I've ever seen. And as a lunch time working meal too much. lacking maybe the colorful japanese pickles replaced with just plenty of lettuce probably keeps the price down.
Quality was ok and be prepared to expect large portions.
and finally
toilets - small but clean read more