Maguro

Japanese·
££££
·
Bronze Award
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SquareMeal Review of Maguro

Bronze Award

Since launching, this bento box of a restaurant has had Maida Vale’s sushi-lovers in a spin: fans now need to book well in advance for Saturday night – or settle for a takeaway. It’s a miracle the kitchen can churn out so many dishes in such a small space. A stonking line-up of nigiri, maki rolls, gunkan wraps and sashimi is the main attraction, although there’s much more to tempt – especially in the evening. Appetisers of Wagyu tataki with jalapeño salsa or sliced sea bass with ponzu jelly, chilli and daikon set the scene for skilful tempura, grilled eel teriyaki, breaded pork tonkatsu or ‘dynamite’ beef fired up with spicy Japanese mustard sauce. Lunch is a simpler affair revolving around bento boxes, donburi rice bowls and various noodle riffs. The quality of the cooking more than justifies the high prices, and we’ve always found the staff perfectly pleasant.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Japanese
Food Hygiene Rating

Maguro is featured in

Location

5 Lanark Place, London, W9 1BT

020 7289 4353 020 7289 4353

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 12N-3pm 6-11pm (Sun -10pm)

Reviews

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4 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Margaret R

04 May 2017  
Food & Drink 5
Service 4
Atmosphere 3
Value 3
Amazing food
The sushi and much of the hot food is excellent: great spider roll, gyoza and beef especially. It's expensive but Japanese food always is. Tiny restaurant, a bit dark, but nice friendly staff. Highly recommended.

Alex G

05 November 2014  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 4
Value 3.5
Small, but beautifully formed
Tucked away on a small side street in Little Venice, Maguro (Japanese for tuna) is well worth seeking out both for its food and its authenticity. With room for just 30 covers, locals in the know frequent this place and booking is well advised. We had not on this occasion, and were lucky enough to secure the one of the very few remaining tables. The décor is minimalist yet stylish, wood-panelled walls decorated with Japanese figurines and sake bottles, and low lighting. For such a small place, it is impressive that Maguro is able to offer an extensive menu, ranging across the standard sushi and sashimi options to a broader range of mains, sides and salads. Moreover, the service is quick and efficient and the presentation is first class, the chefs creating almost artistic displays in harmonious and synchronised colours. It would be hard to fault any of the dishes, but among the more notable and innovative were the crab tartare starter and the eel teriyaki steak main. The former was a delicate pale green in colour, almost melted in the mouth and had a wonderfully subtle undertone of chilli. The latter is one of my favourite options in any Japanese restaurant, yet Maguro’s was executed to perfection, tender and flavoursome and accompanied with a well-matched salad. It would be hard to find fault although worth mentioning that this is not necessarily the place to go for a long or romantic meal. Service, as mentioned, errs on the side of fast (if efficient), the place can feel crowded with people moving in the narrow aisle between the tables, and through-traffic is increased by a stream of arrivals for take-away meals. Go early in the evening and eat well.

Anon

30 October 2010  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 2
Atmosphere 2.5
Value 2.5
While the food is excellent the Manager is awful. He is rude and surly and makes you feel very unwelcome. Earlier the staff were charming! I.e, the waitress' but they seem to have picked up his bad habits and quite clearly don't wish to go out of their way. I still enjoy the food so am prepared to suffer the manager, however a neat way around this is to order takeaway. The food is quite pricey. I would request the management to get rid of the Manager. Or if the manager is the owner then, do your establishment a favour and retire your self and employ a more charming professional which would change this restaurant rating from just good to excellent

Latika M

27 August 2010  
Food & Drink 3
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 2.5
The manager is very rude and abrupt. To be treated and talked to the way he did is not worth anything!
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