Gustavo R. M.
Yelp
This review is based completely on my experience today while factoring in my past culinary experience, which has always been great. Ramen has always been on point here, no complaints there.
Walking in today, it was the first and last time that I got completely disappointed.
So I ask for a table for two around 5 PM. My fiancee was across the street and I was gonna order ahead for her. There were two tables open: a table for four and a table for two. The gentleman ahead of me was gathering his party of four, and there was no one else behind me, so it looked like I was next for that two-top.
The hostess asked me where my second person was and I said right across the street. She said to give her two minutes. she talks to her boss and looks over at me, giving me the "wait one moment" finger (). It might as well have been the middle one because two seconds later (literally) a couple walks in, then she walks right past me and she seats them immediately after confirming both of them were there.
After she seats them, she comes out to me and said that her boss said I had to wait until my party was here. I then told her, "I don't understand why you just skipped me when we were going to sit at that table and order ahead like I always do when I come here." Realizing her mistake, she went to her boss, they deliberated back-and-forth, kept glancing at me every couple of seconds and ultimately, she said "I have a table in the back but it's going to take me a few minutes."
Now, I could understand if they had tables only for one (which I doubt even exists in restaurants lol) or bar seating (which I have not seen to this day) where they could've placed me. But she literally could've put just me at that table, especially since there were multiple single diners there at two-tops like the one that was available.
I felt slighted after that happened. Not even a half-hearted "sorry". I walked right out and went up the block to the new Kyuramen that they opened and their ramen was SLAMMIN'.
I guess everything happens for a reason, but I hope that they see this and realize why they lost a customer today to avoid something like this happening in the future because their food is great. But at the end of the day, it's a service-based industry and that goes a long way. If I'm ever in the mood for takeout/delivery Ramen and I'm in the area, I'll order from here. Otherwise, Kyuramen is now my dine-in Ramen spot in Forest Hills.
(In response to ownership replying today 1-15-24)
Hey Jong, thanks for your reply. I could completely understand that if it were a large party of four or more. Being from the industry, that's pretty standard. That being said, if I'm ordering ahead for two or if I'm by myself and you'd have to seat me at a two-top regardless, what is the difference?