Category: Bistro
I stumbled over Sa Sa Sushi close to Angel tube station in search for a quick pre-theatre bite.
Successful pre-theatre dinners are dictated by a different set of rules:I might compromise on atmosphere for fastness but am obviously not prepared to compromise on quality.
As I am an enthusiastic theater goer and my main interest lies with small,grubby OffWestend theaters I have had loads of more or less satisfactory pre-theater dinners all over London in the past years. Sa Sa Sushi is actually very good for a quick bite before the show:The service is very friendly,it is quick,cheap and the food is decent. And most importantly, it is located very close to one of my favourite theatres,the Old Red Lion Theatre, and about 10 minutes walk from the King’s Head Theatre in Upper Street.
Even though enjoyable,the food did not blow me away:California Role (4.50) with ripe avocado,nicely cooked prawns and salty fish roe was actually very good.
The Yaki Sobo with chicken (8.50) however was less convincing. I found it too greasy and the saltiness of the soy sauce was masking every other flavour that might have been in the dish and even though I didn’t finish the plate I felt uncomfortably stuffed afterward.
Sa Sa Sushi is very much hidden away from the buzzing restaurant scene of Upper Street and is certainly not the most atmospheric of all places,but it perfectly fulfills my requirement for a pre-theater dinner. Having said this,I would not necessarily put any effort in to get there and for delicious and good value for money Japanese I certainly prefer Bento Box in Camden or Tsuru Sushi in Southwark.
- Food: 6/10
- Atmosphere: 5/10
- Service:8/10
- Value for money:6.5/10
- Chances of returning: next time I’m going to the Old Red Lion…
- Verdict:not a restaurant you would travel to but ok for a quick bite when you are in that area.
Am always wondering about Old Red Lion Theatre,which for some reason,I’ve never been before despite living 10min walk away. I’ve tried SaSa Sushi a couple of times though. I agree that it’s rather cosy and away from the hustle and bustle of Angel High Street but I’m afraid it didn’t really leave a deep impression on me.
Oh,I’m for Tsuru as well. Have you been to the new branch at Bishopgate?
You should try it out,the plays there are not always great but I have seen some very interesting ones with brilliant acting. And additionally it’s just so cute and small and cheap…
Next time I’m up in Angel I’ll try the sticky black rice though,looks so good!!
Any other recommendations around Angel? I am always a bit stuck when I’m there,Tenore is alright and I have –to my dismay –never managed it to Ottolenghi…
Glad you agree with me on Tsuru,they are so lovely and so is the food. have not yet tried the one at Bishopsgate but I certainly should!
Oh,if you are in the area and looking for some Japanese chow,try Tenshi along Upper Street. That’s my favorite Japanese haunt. Chilango’s burrito isn’t too bad either. Mmm,if you have got some time,you could head further down Upper Street to La Porchetta. Believe it or not,I’ve been in the area for a couple of years and have not had the chance to try out everything!
C K´s last [type] ..Towpath Cafe –Hackneys pitstop along Regents Canal
Perfect thanks! Will try next time
I love that you wrote about Sa Sa Sushi. I live in the neighborhood and eat at SSS at least once a week. I stick with the maki,which I think are great. Always made-to-order and the rice is fresh and has a vinegar-to-rice ratio that’s just right.
I’ve never blogged about the place,but maybe it’s time I did.
As for other places in the nbhd –I can’t say there’s anything that amazing on Upper Street,but Isarn (Thai) and Gem (Turkish/Kurdish) are two of the better places to eat if you don’t want to queue/make a reservation at Ottolenghi. Byron Burgers is my new favorite (the burgers,onion rings and milk shakes tick all the boxes and it’s cheap). Trullo at the top of Upper Street is the newest addition to “places I like in the nbhd”list,but it’s a 20-minute walk from Angel,so not exactly handy if you’re at Sadler’s Wells. Still,three or four buses run along Upper Street every 2-3 minutes.
Hey,thanks that’s a great list,I definitely have to try out Byron Burgers,I have heard so much about it and never went. I like Turkish and Thai too,so looking forward to being in your area again
I’ve read some posts about Trullo,seems to be good,have you been yet?
Yes,I’ve been to Trullo. A reader tipped me off about it pretty soon after it opened (that’s why I recommended it to you).