from jwjlewis (75%) on July 17th, 2007 (1 year ago)

Bonsai, 46 West Richmond Street, EH8 9DZ, Edinburgh

I don't really know if the food is good compared to other Japanese restaurants as I haven't been to too many, but it definitely tasty food in general. The best thing about this restaurant though is the toilet! Or rather, the sink - it is a wok and the water comes out of the tap when you lift up the handle of the wok (which is cunningly hinged)

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from Ishkhara (26%) on June 19th, 2008 (1 month ago)

Bonsai, 46 West Richmond Street, EH8 9DZ, Edinburgh

Bonsai is one of my favourite restaurants in the city and I eat there on average once a month. The layout itself is compact but pleasant and the food is traditionally Japanese with a twist. The staff are very friendly and are more than willing to explain exactly what's in a particular dish on the menu or recommend another dish which you might enjoy. The menu itself is extensive and has a mix-and-match tapas feel to it with lots of small, tasty offerings. The ika geso (melt in your mouth battered squid with lemon and sea salt) and agenazu (fanned aubergine with a hot chilli miso dressing) in particular are worthy of a mention. The sashimi is fresh, the sushi is firm and the rice is cooked to perfection. I don't think I've ever had a bad meal here in the three years I've been going and the place is always spotless.

The only reason I have marked it down slightly is that I have noticed a difference in the speed of the service lately. The last time I was there with a larger party it took almost three hours for the meal to be served and dishes were forgotten. But that's one bad experience in over 40 outings!

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from sl992l (16%) on February 12th, 2008 (5 months ago)

Bonsai, 46 West Richmond Street, EH8 9DZ, Edinburgh

Bonsai use to be my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh. It's a tiny little place but it can have a great atmosphere and the food has always been really good too. My only problem is that the service seems to have gone down hill. I've been 3 times in the last year and each time I really noticed a change for the worse. Last time we were there my girlfriend and I sat at a table for more than 10 minutes without even being asked if we wanted anything to drink. I'd have understood if they were busy but 1 waiter seemed to be rushing doing everything while 2 others sat nattering. We just got up and left and I don't plan on going back. It was the first time I'd ever done that but it felt good to vote with my feet!

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