Review of 'Sagano (NOW CLOSED)'

We have just moved around the corner from Askew Road, a rather leafy area of Shepherd's Bush in London and noted this small Japanese place so we decided to give it a try.

A few small tables on the pavement (not recommended with the amount of traffic going by on Askew Road) outside give this restaurant an air of welcome about it. With the traditional hanging cloths above the door this feeling is reinforced when you enter the small interior. They do takeaway here and from what we saw during our visit this was the largest amount of business though all of the 8 tables (or so) inside were full by the time we left at about 7:30.

The menu is what you might expect of a typical Japanese restaurant here with the unexpected surprise of seeing some “special dishes” that are refreshingly different. Sushi, sashimi, tempura, don, noodles and grilled dishes can all be found here at prices not too far off what you might pay at bigger (and more famous) Japanese restaurants throughout the city.

The pork gyoza (£4.50) was a bit greasy and fell apart quite easily but was as was the sushi (spicy tuna roll, £4.50, soft shell crab hand roll, £6.00, and California roll, £4.50) - though the portions were quite small. The exception to this was the Tori Kara Age (fried chicken; £5.50) and the “vegetable deluxe tempura” (£5.00) which were both large in portion size with a slight disappointment that the chicken did not come with Mayonnaise (as is normal).

The cost of the meal for the two of us, including soft drinks and tea, came to just under £50 which is quite a lot considering this is a local high-street restaurant but we can say that the quality was very good and the service was very friendly. We will definitely be back…though perhaps take-away (or even delivery) might be an option for that quick fix of sushi…

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2011-07-17

Cuisine: Japanese (Sushi)

Address: 129 Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 9AU

Public Transport: Ravenscourt Park

Location: London (England) - Shepherd's Bush

Map:

Telephone: +44 (0) 208 811 1176

URL: