Sushi Tetsu - Review + Reservation Tips

When Sushi Tetsu first opened about 2 years ago, there was a lot of buzz about how hard it was to make a reservation etc. So I called up at the specific timing (listed on their website) and managed to get a booking for dinner. The lines are engaged very early on, so do call multiple times. Fastest finger wins!

Upon arriving in Clerkenwell, we found a small sushi-ya behind Modern Pantry. It was a small counter and manned by a husband and wife team. The sushi chef used to be an ex-chef at Nobu. 

They told us multiple rules before we started eating like they can't accommodate to certain seafood allergies / guests will have to have a fixed course etc. 

Started off with a sashimi plate 

Followed by more appetizers

Then we started on the sushis

For traditional Japanese restaurants, it is normal to use your fingers to pick up the sushi deftly instead of using the chopsticks. 

The sushi was good, but my guests felt frustrated as since it was only manned by one chef, there was a long waiting time between the sushi. Having been to Jiro, where the 90 odd year old man whips up sushi faster than I can swallow, we were getting quite impatient after waiting >15 minutes in between the tiny morsels of sushi. 

Amaebi

Lean tuna (akami) which was nicely marinated

Salmon

Given a roll

Tamago (custardy and airy feel but felt that it was okay)

Overall, I felt that the sushi was good but that it was quite hyped up (reservations super hard, multiple rules trying to emulate a michelin star japanese restaurant etc). The service was friendly and there was an intimate atmosphere. 

The price point was reasonable but the wait time could be improved if possible? Understand that the chef has to serve multiple individuals but they made a rule that guests arrive at a certain time as the chef has already prepared the food...

My friends also recently went and they said that you only could order extra sushi at the end of the meal. They had issues with making several extra orders at the end because there was limited prep I think? 

You can also follow their Twitter for last-minute cancellations

Sushi Tetsu

                                     Address: 12 Jerusalem Passage, London EC1V 4JP                                                       Phone:020 3217 0090