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Inamo
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Lunch Set Menu £12.50 (Offer valid until Wed Nov 11)
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Set Menu £10 (Offer valid until Wed Nov 11)
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By Charmaine Mok
For the most unsociable of diners, Inamo is the ultimate experience whipped straight out of cyberspace. Interaction between diner and waiting staff is virtually eliminated by way of individualised computer screens set into the tables and projected by giant, silkworm-like monstrosities looming above diners’ heads; staff cruise about, stopping only to plonk down the desired dishes, quickly retreating into the shadows. Not a word was uttered at our table as my usually babble-mouthed companions became engrossed in a computer game of ‘Battleships’, while others vicariously spied upon the kitchen staff via the ‘chef cam’.
We hoped the hi-tech hijinks wouldn’t detract from the food – and chef Anthony Sousa Tam’s interesting menu of pan-Asian dishes manages to keep things inspiring while not being too ‘out there’. Marbled beef in a truffle oil vinaigrette consisted of meltingly tender slices, but were drowning in a pool of grease (we had to lift the meat and let the excess drain away, slowly). Better was chicken wrapped in shiso leaves, a delightful interpretation of Vietnamese bo la lot (grilled beef in ‘betel leaves’), served with plenty of mint, coriander and lettuce and a side of chilli sauce.
Mains, however, suffered from inflated prices and miniature portions. The hot stone rib eye was laughable – a munchkin-sized sponge of beef atop a soap-sized ‘hot’ plate that didn’t actually manage to ‘cook the beef to [our] liking’ – fortunately, we do like our steak still mooing, and the kitchen has since admitted to the stone not working as well as they’d hoped. Marinated quail (singular) was finger-licking good, though poorly matched with plum wine-poached nashi pear that managed to emulate the sickly taste of cotton candy. An evening that had started on a high note with amusement and accomplished starters ended up leaving us unsated and unsatisfied, pining for some more substantial grub in a nearby Soho greasy spoon.Time Out Issue 1990: October 9-16
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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 134-136 Wardour St, Soho, W1F 8ZP
- Area: Soho
- Tel: 020 7851 7051
- www.inamo-restaurant.com
- Book online
- Category: Asian
- Travel: Tottenham Court Road tube
- Times: Lunch: Midday-3.30pm Dinner: 6pm-midnight Mon-Sat
- Price: Meal for two with wine and service: around £70
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Hi i am an intelligent ,funny, loyal care free guy and who is looking for a similar female. I am also a typical gemini who is comfortable sampling...
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I found dining at Inamo a great experience; I’m a little surprised at the bad reviews about the food as all the dishes we ordered -12 in all - were all great. I also enjoyed the lack of waiting staff hovering, the minimal interaction we had with the staff showed them to be pleasant.
Over all I’d this was a good meal, interesting experience and have already recommended it a people and have every intention of returning for more.
I have dined in Tokyo and rarely have I found Japanese food in the UK as good as this. We dined in the bar and found the service absolutely excellent. The food was extremely interesting and very tasty. I will definitely be returning.
I would not recommend this place. Really nothing great, horrible service, and the staff are so full of themselves its disgraceful. If you want real asian food, go to china town. This place is hopeless and you are wasting your time and money.
Inamo is very cool!! the interactive ordering system is worth coming for in itself! It impressed my techy 13 old son and I enjoyed changing the colour of the table! Watching the kitchen on the webcam is great and the ordering of food is easy. The service was attentive and the food fantastic, we enjoyed everything we ordered LOVED the ribs in pea sauce and scallops.... I would recommend this restaurant as a bit of a treat for both couples and families. Or prehaps the lone lunchtime diner!
This is a novelty concept that's not going to last. The menu is small, the entertainment (games) are rubbish and there is only one which has two player mode (battleships). The food wasn't that great and £3 for a coke was ridiculous. Overpriced, gimmicky, poor service and totally unsociable. The food was oily and cold, and the only thing stopping me giving a 1-star rating was the Black Cod main which was quite good.