Harden's survey result
Summary
“This showcase of Japanese culture” – an upmarket restaurant within the Japanese government’s Japan House cultural centre in Kensington’s former Derry & Toms department store building – “delivers an on-the-whole good dining experience”, which includes “beautiful food, beautifully presented and it’s all delicious”. The main caveat is that it is “a little pricey” Top Tip: “the sake menu is worthy of the cultural centre”.
Summary
“Would have expected a lot more from a Japanese restaurant within Japan House” is too often the verdict on this venue within the Japanese Government’s year-old showcase for all things Nipponese, which occupies Kensington’s former Derry & Toms department store. The place is not without advocates of its “attractive” design and “beautiful presentation” but even fans acknowledge it’s “on the expensive side” and some critics report really bad trips with “overly complex and heavy”, or even “shockingly bad” dishes.
Summary
“Would have expected a lot more from a Japanese restaurant within Japan House” is too often the verdict on this venue within the Japanese Government’s year-old showcase for all things Nipponese, which occupies Kensington’s former Derry & Toms department store. The place is not without advocates of its “attractive” design and “beautiful presentation” but even fans acknowledge it’s “on the expensive side” and some critics report really bad trips with “overly complex and heavy”, or even “shockingly bad” dishes.
Summary
The Japanese Government’s meticulously designed new cultural centre and store – Japan House in Kensington’s old Derry & Toms department store – opened in June 2018 and is one of three globally aiming to showcase Nipponese heritage and craft. Its robatayaki and sushi restaurant is brought to us by Akira Shimizu, former chef of Engawa. It’s far from being a showcase for budget Japanese dining however!
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Akira at Japan House?
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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