John F.
Yelp
7/15/24
Years ago, I remember this restaurant coming to The Mosaic District. A several years later they moved to a bigger space where
Cyclone Anaya's use to reside.
The Restaurant:
Today I wanted to experience what this restaurant is like for my birthday.
Yes, I am officially 47 now.
My wife ordered the Spicy Ramen Noodles and I went with The Tempura Broccoli and Tempura Shrimp...non spicy. Yes, it's true, it's true, I dislike spicy food.
Our server who's name escapes me at the moment will be known as Mr. J. Mr. J knows his job very well and was able to take our order from memory. A skill not everyone uses or has.
The restaurant it self is very dark. My wife and I felt the place could use some lightening up. We get the idea of mellow and dark vibe, but the place is very dark. Also, on this particular day, the restaurant's air conditioning was running scared...okay, poor choice of words.
The air conditioning wasn't strong and we could feel the humidity on or skin. I thought about the staff members who were going to be sweating up a store once business picks up and our stay wouldn't be as long.
Aside from the humidity in the restaurant, I realized, the owner of this restaurant also owns the restaurant called...Shi Miao Dao Yunnan Rice Noodle. The photo on Jinya's Restaurant is the same photo I saw at Shi Miao Dao Yunnan Rice Noodle.
The Food:
The Tempura Broccoli and Tempura Shrimp...non spicy, was delicious. I did feel a pinch of salt was needed for The Tempura Broccoli and Tempura Shrimp. Yes, it occurs to me that I should be saying Shrimp Tempura and Broccoli Tempura, but I am leaving what I wrote the way it is. Why? Because "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams" (Thank you Arthur O'Shaughnessy and Wonka).
I asked for salt and it took several minutes for the crewmembers to find a salt shaker. The reason for this goes much deeper than just a misplaced salt and pepper shaker. However, we won't get into that.
Our server Mr. J. ended up bring me a salt shaker for my food. I also ordered Chrispy Onions aka Fried Onions with Green Onions on the side. Sprinkling a pinch of salt on these items added the missing element of taste.
The idea of dipping the Shrimp Tempura and Broccoli Tempura in Blue Cheese dipping sauce comes to mind, this wasn't an option I did or asked for. Besides, I don't expect Jinya Ramen Noodle to carrying Blue Cheese let alone Blue Cheese Sauce. The chances of this being the case is like The Washington Commander's winning the 2025 Superbowl. Okay, low blow, but if I am wrong, I'll get a Redskins Feather tattooed to my gluteus maximus.
The Bathroom:
The Men's bathroom was fairly clean. The bathroom gave off a dark look much like the restaurant itself.
The bathroom had that gases from asses smell. There was nothing in that bathroom I saw that could fight that stink. The bathroom door did not have the foot opener, so one had to use your hand(s)...covered with paper towels or not.
I think it would be very good investment to install a foot door opener for the bathrooms. Not everyone washes their hands and the door handle gets a lot of use.
I can't speak for the ladies bathroom, but I am sure the women would appreciate a foot door opener.
Overall, I/We will definitely come back to this restaurant. I hope when we do, it won't be like a lightly heated rain forest. I look forward to trying the Chicken Ramen Noodles without the spiciness. Did I mention I do not like spicy food?
4 Stars overall:)