Located on a prime stretch of the Thames, YO! Sushi’s Royal Festival Hall location boasts the company's first ever al fresco conveyor belt. The restaurant's promise of contemporary Japanese cuisine, accented by its picturesque setting, is hard to resist.

The Venue
YO! Sushi’s red awnings and brightly coloured plates riding cheerfully on the winding outdoor conveyor belt are hard to miss. Step inside and you'll find the whimsy continues with a dazzling assortment of modern lighting, wooden accents, bright shiny surfaces and colourful seating options. The tables are a clever mix of form and function complete with two water dispensers (still and sparkling), napkins, condiments and chopsticks. One look and you just know that a tremendous amount of thought went into making this restaurant user-friendly.

The Atmosphere
From the moment you sit down you’ll be tempted to reach over and grab a plate but if you take some time to study the menu you’re more apt to choose dishes you truly want to try. The friendly servers are never far away, so any questions can always be answered by someone in the know. The “aim to please” service makes for cheerful diners, whose laughter and animation add to the fun of the dining experience.

Still, there are some things the staff just can't help you with, like avoiding the rain in the outdoor seating area. Anything stronger than a light rain renders it virtually unusable; add in the wind off the Thames and even a light rain might drive you indoors.

The Food
Good value for money is a fair description of YO! Sushi. With the plates ranging from £1.70 to £5, you might be tempted to try several of the seventy plus dishes on the menu. Sashimi, maki, hand rolls and nigiri are all available in the traditional assortments, although true connoisseurs may feel they lack nuance. Some of the hot dishes, however, are creative and tasty. The duck udon, loaded with sliced duck breast, packs a pleasant spicy heat and has bold accents of coriander. The pumpkin karroke with its hints of cinnamon and crispy panko coating makes for a pleasant treat, and the Hairy Prawns make clever use of kataifi pastry.

Desserts are better than they look and come in under £4 each. The chocolate cake has a lightly textured mousse with an authentic chocolate taste and the chocolate mochi has a delicious chocolate ganache in the middle which helps to offset the odd texture of the glutinous rice coating. The fresh fruit provides a healthier choice and presents a nicely rounded assortment of ripe, sweet melons and berries.

Unfortunately, the restaurant seems to struggle to serve the hot food hot, even when ordered directly from the kitchen. Likewise, some dishes (especially those with chicken) can be overcooked and hard to enjoy. Seasoned YO! Sushi customers would do well to note that the food in this location is prepared differently from that of its siblings and there may be a noticeable difference to the discriminating palate. Still, the restaurant staff will do their best to solve any issue you may have with the food, and these may well be teething problems that will work themselves out in time.

The Drink
There's a nice assortment of wine available, all by the bottle or the glass (actually a 250ml bottle) and reasonably priced. For those wishing to stay more traditionally Japanese, there are a couple of beer choices and a pleasant sake offering which is delicious both cold and warmed. There's also a decent selection of juices, teas and soft drinks.

The Last Word
This location faces some significant challenges but the management are aware of the issues and determined to succeed. Overall, dining at YO! Sushi’s Royal Festival Hall location is an enjoyable experience, made better by the setting and the service.

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