Namaiki in City of London, Westminster

Had a craving for sushi somewhere in-between the high high end and Yo Sushi and chanced upon this place. Intending to do a lunch walk in for a la carte or one of their set menus, I was instead offered their Omakase menu only which is usually available via prior reservation only, more courses and of course, more expensive. The sitting was only half full so not sure why a la carte etc wasn't available. The edamame, dessert and miso were forgettable and barely deserving to make up three of the 11 courses (dessert was a scoop of ice cream) and the fish itself was good, prepared in front of you as you'd expect. It wasn't clear that the fish was "dry aged" so the flavours of classics were unique if familiar. The atmosphere was casual at lunch - this isn't pretentious although they still seem to be ironing out some kinks with the service - e.g some things were explained to one end of the counter and not the other. In addition to the lack of an a la option as suggested on their website (or set menus as featured in other reviews), the lunch Omakase is cheaper than on their website, which I only noticed after the fact as the so called encore sushi of your choice promised on the website was not offered so I double checked to ensure I had not misread. Overall a decent experience but some consistency in marketing/expectations management needed.

Sometimes accidents are the best. Walking through SoHo on the way from one meeting to another, and I was craving sushi. And I happened to walk past Namaiki. Omakase? For lunch? Yes, please. Over the course of an hour, I did the full menu, and it was stellar. The perfect, simple, sushi perfection. Chosen and delivered by the chef. Putting yourself in his hands. A superb sake served alongside. Their website suggests that Namaiki aspires to be like the perfect sushi place you found on a back street in Tokyo or Kyoto. That description works for me. Food and service were brilliant. Fish was fresh and sushi well prepared. I will go back. I will make reservations. And I will take friends. Namaiki is a gem.