| Author |
Message |
    
Andrew Ha
Citizen
Username: Sidrn
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 2:00 pm: |     |
My wife and I are frequent patrons of Samurai since it first opened a few years back. The food was nothing spectacular but solid. However, the quality of the fish has declined as of late.
Last Wed., we ordered take-out after a hard day. When we got back home, we realized that the restaurant did not include a favorite roll that we ordered.
By wife called to inquire but was forced by the woman who answered the phone to explain each and every piece in our order. I was quite disturbed and asked to speak with the manager. She then claimed that she was the owner. She said that she packed the order herself and that there was no mistake. She also claimed that her restaurant has never made a mistake with any order.
Instead of addressing the situation, she then accused me of wanting free food from Samurai. I asked her why she thought that I would want to con her out of an $8.00 roll when I have been a long-time patron, she had no response. She then accused me again of wanting free food.
This woman's behavior was appalling! I will NEVER patronize Samurai Sushi again.
I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience? |
Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 212
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 2:58 pm: | |
If you're from Millburn, stick with Sono -- charming owners and good sushi. If you're from SO/MW, stick with Sakana Sushi and Haru; they're both great owners who appreciate their customers. And, Sakana Sushi has a vip loyalty card that returns 3%/7% on every meal, depending upon how you pay (credit/cash). The owner of Haru brought out my forgotten wine carrier six months after I lost/left it there, and always remembers my wife's food allergy -- no matter how much time passes. And, Sakana's owner celebrates customers' birthdays with a wonderful complimentary special roll.
Unlike Samarai, these places are not about volume and rushing, simply about pleasant dining. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1090
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 3:32 pm: | |
Where are Sakana and Haru, and do they deliver? |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 269
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 3:35 pm: | |
Love haru.
Me - it's on Academy Street in SO in a little strip mall.
They do take out - but don't know if they deliver. |
Frodo Lives
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1702
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 3:44 pm: | |
Haru is great with kids, as is Sono. Haru is next to Heart and Soul (okay, and Dominos is there also). Sono is on the back side of Millburn Ave in Millburn (faces on Essex next to where the river cuts through). |
Andrew Ha
Citizen
Username: Sidrn
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 3:57 pm: | |
Thanks, Two Sense. I will go to Sono and even try Haru and Sakana. Anything but Samurai again. |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 21
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 4:07 pm: | |
My wife and I ate dinner there (in Millburn) several weeks ago on a Friday night and there were so many high school kids in the place (most multi-tasking with either cellphones or blackberrys) that I thought we had stumbled into the Millburn incarnation of Arnold's.
As I recall, the food was fine, but now that I think about it. I ordered a fatty tuna roll and they didn't bother to tell me they didn't have any more until they served our dinner...
Haru, huh? |
Barbara
Citizen
Username: Blh
Post Number: 491
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 5:37 pm: | |
I have to tell you that I was turned off by Samaurai in Millburn - went once and never returned due to the coldness I experienced there. However, the Maplewood restaurant is totally different. After two visits (I paid with credit cards) I was greeted by name. The hostess has learned my children's names and greets them as well -- asks after anyone in the family not with us. On a cold day when I stopped in for take out, I was offered tea while I was waiting. Others have commented on the food -- its good, not wonderful. However, their warmth brings us back time after time. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 517
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 5:45 pm: | |
Sakana is in South Orange on SO Ave., right across the street from Rite Aide. Can't tell you how much a I enjoy eating there. The fish is always fresh, the portions are generous, the price is good, and the service is excellent. Best of all, it's consistent - I've never had an "off" experience with them. |
SaigonGuy
Citizen
Username: Sidrn
Post Number: 4
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 5:51 pm: | |
Barbara,
I think Millburn Samurai is developing an attitude because it is busy. However, if they alienate enough people, they will eventually suffer. I also went to Maplewood Samurai and the staff was every pleasant. I believe that they have separate owners. However, I didn't care for Maplewood because the fish was not fresh. If you're a sushi restaurant, fresh fish is not too much to ask. |
Strings
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 524
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 8:25 am: | |
I'm a loyal Haru customer - probably in there once a week on average. You know you're a regular when they give you fancy plates instead of the generic wood blocks!  I've never had a negative experience with them; the service is always great and all the food is always delicious.
I tried Sakana (the "other" sushi place) once and was not pleased at all. I will give them the benefit of the doubt because it was near their closing time, but I'll stick to Haru. As far as Samurai, I went to the one in Maplewood once and wasn't terribly impressed. I felt it was more expensive than Haru and the quality was either the same or slightly lower. |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 339
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 9:24 am: | |
Barbara-
We had the exact experience as you! I felt that the Millburn Samuri was like "mall sushi," and never returned. I like Haru and Sono a lot but have used Map-Samuri because of the delivery. We have been pleased. |
SaigonGuy
Citizen
Username: Sidrn
Post Number: 6
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 2:44 pm: | |
Went to Haru the other night and the sushi was decent. However, it took them almost 45 minutes to do a simple takeout and prior to that, they virtually ignored me for 10 minutes when I stood at the counter waiting to order. There was only four diners in the restaurant. |
lefty
Citizen
Username: Lefty
Post Number: 58
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 2:57 pm: | |
i never really liked the one in millburn, and feel the same about the one in maplewood. to top it off, i was double charged on my amex bill from them (the charges were one week apart!). i still go to monster sushi in summit. it's a hassle, but i like the sushi. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2684
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 5:48 pm: | |
We went to Sakana last Friday (on SO AVe across from Rite Aid) and really did enjoy the sushi. The place is small, but tables are far enough apart so it was very comfortable. We got the sushi for 2. Only mistake was my husband's fault, kind of. He mentioned how much he liked eel, and ordered an avocado eel roll (a special roll is included with the meal.) So, 4 pieces of eel were included with our sushi Boat (yes, that is kind of goofy, but it tasted good!) I would have preferred less eel. Otherwise all the fish was tender and fresh. I'm glad we tried it again. |
Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 277
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 11:14 am: | |
Had another delicious dinner at Sakana Sushi last night. The owner is so nice, and considerate; and, the sushi chef knows his craft. Enjoyed chirashi box, which included a unqiue combination of shrimp wrapped in tender squid -- among many other treats.
Plus, with my Sakana VIP card, I'm earning credits every time I go there. |
marinab
Citizen
Username: Marinab
Post Number: 184
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 12:37 pm: | |
Another vote for Sono. I think theyr'e lovely and everything is superb. |
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