Kuriya Keiko in Islington

This is going to be an unusual review in that I can't think of another restaurant where I've enjoyed the food very much whilst taking an active dislike to the restaurant interior. The quality of food is all that really matters, right? If so, please read the next paragraph and ignore what follows it! My wife had already visited Tanakatsu several times with her friends. We both had a lunchtime bento box, which was expertly prepared with wonderfully crisp pork katsu, tasty salmon teriyaki on good quality rice, an excellent pumpkin croquette, a small selection of high-class sushi and a fine side salad on which you could drizzle the owner's "mighty dressing", served with miso soup. I really couldn't fault it. Another big tick from me for the modest 7.5% service charge. So what about the internal layout? It's actually quite spacious with plenty of natural light but the internal concrete walls were for me unappealing and the overall decor off-putting. Along two walls are some tightly spaced and rather small tables. The one we were shown to was unpleasantly sticky and our conversation drowned by an exceptionally loud man next to us conducting a job interview in a domineering manner. On the other sides were two long 'shelves' which I suppose was the inspiration for the unusual restaurant name ('tana' = 'shelf'). I can understand the logic - it makes it easier to accommodate solo diners - but surely the point of sitting diners side by side is that there should be something more interesting to look at than a very uninspiring street or concrete wall. Also it leaves so much wasted floorspace in the middle! Anyway if you think these observations petty and unnecessary - just go there and you'll have a really good meal.

The food is very delicious. There are many menus. good vibes, The interior of the restaurant is clean. The service is good and the food prices are very good!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Very good sushi with a great value for money. The takoyaki were not as crispy as in other Japanese restaurants, but were still decent. Nice place to eat at if you are in the area. The staff was very friendly too. Will definitely come back.

The nigiri sushi is fresh and delicious, the wasabi is ground by hand, and the chef's workmanship is top-notch. Watching the chef make it is an artistic enjoyment.