Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 9 and Version 8 of Akari, N1 8LZ

Version 9 Version 8
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Japanese restaurant in [[Locale Islington|Islington]], just near [[Essex Road Station]].
Izakaya in [[Locale Islington|Islington]], just near [[Essex Road Station]].
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The building is a former pub, with large windows offering a view onto the traffic of Essex Road. It's therefore appropriate enough that Akari is an izakaya, which is the Japanese version of a pub. Indeed, according to the Pubs Galore comments linked below, it seems to be possible, if unusual, to come in just for a drink.
Lots of small dishes cooked in an open kitchen. The absence of "big bang" service means your food is brought to your table as soon as it's ready, not left to cool while all your other dishes are being prepared.
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The menu features lots of small dishes cooked in an open kitchen, and your food is brought to your table as soon as it's ready, rather than everything arriving at once. They also have a good selection of drinks, including Asahi and Kirin Ichiban on draught, Asahi Black and a couple of other Japanese bottled beers, cocktails, plum wine, and various sakes and shochus.
[[StigBrautaset]] is a big fan. I <i>love</i> their Udon and Soba noodles. They're the best I've had anywhere. The duck slices are also fantastic &mdash; unbelievably tender and supremely tasty. Try the calpico soft drink.
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[[Kake]] and several friends visited on a Sunday evening in September 2011. We'd booked in advance, which was probably a good idea given the size of our party as the place filled up quite quickly.
The place isn't cheap, exactly, but it's reasonably priced. I usually end up paying somewhere between &pound;15 and &pound;20 a head before drinks.
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Tofu tosa-age (&pound;5) <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/6117284721/ photo]</small> was quite a generous portion; four large cubes of tofu coated in starch and bonito flakes, deep-fried and then served in a beautifully savoury thin broth. The coating was perhaps a little too thick; it wasn't too easy to bite through. The broth was really good though.

Small assorted sashimi (&pound;11.60) <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/6117855586/ photo]</small> was fine, with good fresh fish and a reasonable selection (two tuna, two salmon, yellowtail, seabass, sweet prawn, and scallop). Umeshiso maki (&pound;2.90) and avocado maki (&pound;2.90) were just as they should have been too, with the avocado neither hard nor mushy.

Given the quality of the rest of the food, it's a shame that the chocolate tofu mousse (&pound;4.60) <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/6117906678/ photo]</small> was disappointing. Described on the menu as having "a hint of amaretto, pistachio and mint", it was just quite bland, with none of the promised flavours really detectable, and even the chocolate quite subdued.

[[Kake]]'s verdict: I liked it here and would come back, though I'd skip dessert next time.

[[StigBrautaset]] used to visit frequently a few years before this, and adds: I'm a big fan. I <i>love</i> their udon and soba noodles. They're the best I've had anywhere. The duck slices are also fantastic &mdash; unbelievably tender and supremely tasty. Try the calpico soft drink. The place isn't cheap, exactly, but it's reasonably priced. I usually end up paying somewhere between &pound;15 and &pound;20 a head before drinks.

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* [http://web.archive.org/web/20100115142646/http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/reviews/10391.html Time Out review] (by Kei Kikuchi)
* [http://www.london-eating.co.uk/29745.htm London Eating comments]
* [
http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/reviews/10391.html Time Out review]
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* [http://www.londonchow.com/2011/03/akari-essex-road-japanese-restaurant.html London Chow review]
* [http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubreviews/23598/ Pubs Galore comments]
* [http://www.london-eating.co.uk/29745.htm London Eating comments]
* [http://www.
qype.co.uk/place/130190#PlaceReviews Qype comments]
* [http://www.qype.co.uk/place/130190-Akari-London Qype Comments]
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<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Kake]] et al., September 2011.</div>
<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[StigBrautaset]], November 2007. Opening hours taken from Time Out website, April 2008.</div>
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formatted_website_text='http://www.akarilond...'
host='81.187.166.218'
hours_text='closed Mon; 5pm-11pm Tue-Fri; noon-11pm Sat; noon-10:30pm Sun'
formatted_website_text=''
host='58.109.121.33'
hours_text='closed Mon; noon-11pm Tue-Sun'
== Line 43 == == Line 31 ==
opening_hours_text='closed Mon; 5pm-11pm Tue-Fri; noon-11pm Sat; noon-10:30pm Sun'
opening_hours_text='closed Mon; noon-11pm Tue-Sun'
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summary='Good quality Japanese food for a reasonable price in Islington.' summary='Japanese izakaya in Islington.'
website='http://www.akarilondon.co.uk/'
summary='Good quality Japanese food for a reasonable price in Islington.' website='http://www.akarilondon.co.uk/'

Izakaya in Islington, just near Essex Road Station.

Lots of small dishes cooked in an open kitchen. The absence of "big bang" service means your food is brought to your table as soon as it's ready, not left to cool while all your other dishes are being prepared.

StigBrautaset is a big fan. I love their Udon and Soba noodles. They're the best I've had anywhere. The duck slices are also fantastic — unbelievably tender and supremely tasty. Try the calpico soft drink.

The place isn't cheap, exactly, but it's reasonably priced. I usually end up paying somewhere between £15 and £20 a head before drinks.

See also:

Last visited by StigBrautaset, November 2007. Opening hours taken from Time Out website, April 2008.

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