Ananda G.
Yelp
My boyfriend took me here as a surprise date night with a 7:30 reservation as it was my first and last time as the experience was interestingly awful to say the least.
Our server didn't provide a memorable experience for what we were expecting from a supposedly high-end establishment. He also said a few things that were insensitive, as if he assumed from the gate that we were a table that weren't going to tip him accordingly. He made sure to introduce himself by making a comment saying the 39 per person deal should be more within our budget as if he knew our income. After requesting our opinion on the experience and food, he implied our either bland or heavily peppered food could've been avoided if we went to the hibachi side of the restaurant instead. Basically implying that their line cooks aren't as capable as their hibachi chefs. We were also there for over an hour and were only checked on by our server once, not including the time he rushed over to give us the check.
For the "luxury" experience we were supposed to be given, they didn't pre-buss our tables for the multiple courses we were given, so our dishes were piled up sky high on the tiny two-top table. We were fortunate enough for another server to come check on us and clear most of our dishes, along with providing me with a to-go container.
As a server myself, I was trained to give everyone the best experience that could be given so every customer would feel inclined to return. Customers deserve the bare minimum kindness and respect from all staff regardless of appearance and status. We should've been greeted with smiles instead of passive-aggressive behavior. We couldn't help but feel as though it was due to them prejudging us based on how we looked although we were dressed nicely for the occasion.
We only encountered two decent staff members, which were the female hostess and the server who assisted us in the end. Everyone else was either passive-aggressive or just downright rude as hell.
We didn't feel valued as paying customers who did indeed tip the staff money they did not deserve. If you're looking for a place to get good food from in this area, you'd have a better time going to Food Truck World, KPot, Kobe's, or any IHop or Waffle House in the city, (basically anywhere else that isn't here), and the food tastes a whole lot better.
Hopefully, they'll train their visibly prejudiced staff not to view regular people of color as non-tipping customers. Prayers for anyone who takes the chance of going to this location.