Sushi Battousai , café & Bar — Restaurant in Porto

Maybe because it was end of the week, maybe we weren't lucky, but the fact is that I can't understand how is it possible for this establishment to have such high score.

The positive side: The staff is very nice and polite

The not so positive remarks: Sushi prices, but expensive for what was served.

Small place, inappropriate for even having a reasonably quiet conversation. I've read one review that told this place could fit 15 people... really? Can't see how.

The negative: Where was the fruits shown on the pictures!? There were no pieces served with any sort of fruit... Asked the chef, and we were told there wasn't any.

The Sangria had way too much sugar, couldn't drink the first glass. Wine was also not appropriate for the Sangria.

The really negative: Quite ineffective air ventilation and fumes exhaust from the kitchen. Staying more than 20 minutes will make sure you leave the establishment with a new perfume in the hair skin and clothes (Intense fry smell) Of the 4 orders, could only eat the first, the second left half, the third was pretty much un-edible, salmon sushi drowned in cheese, canceled the 4 order and asked for the bill. The sushi was of low quality.

For the owner: please, take into account this review as a constructive critic. I give 2 stars, instead of one because you were very nice people, but that's not enough. Please improve, check other great examples in Oporto with the same or even ...

This is not just a sushi place. It is a first rate dining experience for Porto, or frankly, anywhere. Went to a "top 5" resto in Porto the night before, 10 course tasting menu, wine pairings, etc. spent four times as much and did not have the meal we had tonight in this humble, but quietly elegant, spot on Rua Santo Ildefonso.

We shared the Fukuoka "freestyle fusion sushi" which in the hands of a less serious chef could just be a gimmicky atrocity. Instead it was a 50 piece tour de force. Each component was brilliantly conceived, beautifully condimented and gorgeously presented. Many, many different components on this fantastic platter. The fusion element is that different pieces include nuts, seeds, spices, fruit which are not customary for sushi. In the hands of a less talented chef, ugh. Sushi does not need gimmicks. But here you just kept saying to yourself, my god, this is brilliant. I had a piece of barely seared salmon on a spoon with what I swear was a dab of pomegranate molasses in the bottom, the tiniest most elegant sliver of strawberry on top. Quite possibly the best single bite of my life.

The sashimi components were impeccable, and even those were a notch up and special. The whitefish, served with lime sliced barely microns thin, was sublime. This platter was the best 46 euros I have ever spent in a restaurant.

Bring cash as they only take Portugese...

One of the hosts / wait staff saw us standing and waiting to be seated for over 5 minutes. He either pretended to be on the phone and as if he didn't see us because not once did he acknowledge us or ask us to wait. He just straight up ignored us. I would hate to think this was down to racism but sadly it felt quite personal. I love Porto but this experience left a bitter taste. P.O.C be advised!

• edit- replying to Sushi Battousai's response- I understand if the restaurant is busy and you have to wait. I have waited many times in restaurants without problem- the difference is the staff acknowledge you. This person did not even acknowledge us. It takes 5 second to smile ask someone to hold on. Again, me and my friend were the only people of colour in this venue. It was uncomfortable and it felt like he did not want us in there and was just waiting for us to...