Sushi No Mai, Watford Market — Restaurant in Watford

I have been buying takeaway platters from this restaurant for a couple of years now and always enjoyed the high quality of those products but recently I have begun going to enjoy a Saturday lunch in the restaurant.

ACCESS - I use a wheelchair and access is achievable but not great, luckily I'm still on my feet to a degree and with a little help I can get to a table and sit in a normal chair. If I really needed to I could get my chair into the restaurant but seeing as I have the choice I choose not to. I have never had to use the toilet facilities and I don't actually know if they have a customer toilets.

DECOR - The overall feel of the restaurant is cafe-style, a low-level dining experience and you would never visit for the decor, it's the food I go for, but more about that in a moment. The tables and chairs are a bit flimsy, almost like lawn chairs and they could do with upgrading them to something a but sturdier.

STAFF - A very friendly group that will offer advice when asked, in the main they leave you alone, they are seriously busy on a Saturday lunchtime but will be with you in a few moments when needed.

FOOD - Their menu is presented on 5 laminated A4 sheets held together with a clip, there is sushi, sashimi, tempura dishes and katsu curry. There are more items but they are the ones I always remember. I've only ever had the sushi but I always watch the most amazing looking food being carried to other tables. On my next visit I intend to share a plate of sushi and another of sashimi with whoever I'm having lunch with.

PRICE - There are 3 set plates of sushi and one of sashimi, the sushi varies from £6.50 to £10 and the sashimi is £12. There are also 'a la carte' options.

OVERALL - An absolutely fantastic dining experience, great staff, amazing food and great prices. I have no hesitation in recommending this gem of...

I've lived in Watford for many years and the cheap fast and delicious Japanese restaurant in the market WAS my favourite place, today I arrived with my family, and I was surprised I didn't find the usual long cue outside... there were 4 of us, but two of my girls were just at the loo. I asked for a table for four, the waitress told me "but there are only 2 of you!", I told her the other two were arriving shortly... she replied " you can sit when you're all here!". I saw ONE single table x 4 free, and I asked "well.. there's any particular reason we cannot seat now and occupy the table? As I said my wife and daughter are coming in 2 min, or you're worried they'll not come, and you'll have a table with 2 empty seats??" , "yeah it's exactly that, sorry, management rule!!". So I was basically told that I was a liar, and until there were not all the people there, they were not sure we were REALLY IN 4!!! Then we finally met the strict management criteria, and we sat. It was 1.05. Our dishes arrived in 15 min, but the one for my wife, despite my calls, arrived only after 43.5 minutes!!! We all finished eating, and we watched her tucking her food, the general quality was below the average I remembered. The price wasn't that cheap also, to justify the wait x my wife. Was disappointed. There is another japanese restaurant just near the fountain, where the food is always fast, tasty and, although little pricier never disappointing. From when the white hair of cook left, the place is going lower and lower. Don't think I'll come here anymore.. sorry..ARIGATO...

Great Sushi restaurant in the centre of Watford amongst other small restaurants within Watford Market. The market looks purpose built using repurposed shipping containers. The decoration is simple but it is clean and brightly lit.

We visited on a Saturday just after the festive period. As this is a small restaurant with about 10 tables we arrived at the stated opening time only to be told after 10 minute wait that they will be open at 11:30. We wondered around town and came back at 11:30. There were plenty of staff doing preparations, they noticed us but avoided direct eye contact. It was a cold day and we were just standing outside. More customers started arriving as we all waited patiently. It finally opened at 12:08. The owner did apologise for the long long wait. It would have helped if they told us at the outset they will not be ready until noon or allow us to come and wait inside rather than outside in the cold.

Anyway, the food was really nice, the staff were friendly and the price reasonable. Everything was freshly prepared and was good quality.

We would visit again but may call before hand to confirm...