| Author |
Message |
    
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 151
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 1, 2004 - 8:40 pm: |     |
Last night we met some friends for dinner at the Japanese Steak House in West Orange. We’d always wondered if the place was any good, and the friends that suggested it said the sushi was some of the best in their area. And as long as you’re not interested in sitting at the Benihana-style tables (which make up 2/3 of the restaurant), the wait typically isn’t bad.
So our group of 5 was seated immediately in a *freezing* little cove of tables heated by a lonely space heater. Three ordered sushi, and two of us ordered “complete dinners” – which is basically soup, salad, chicken teriyaki, and green tea.
Half an hour later, our waitress came over to tell us in broken English that two of our orders had been cancelled, and we had to order sushi instead. Perplexed and unable to understand, we asked to speak to a manager. Moments later, a very unapologetic man came out to explain (also in broken English) that they couldn’t serve us hot food, because they had no stove to cook it. We must order sushi. We explained that (1) we don’t like sushi, and (2) I’m pregnant and not supposed to eat raw fish. He suggested perhaps the gyoza appetizer. Trying to find a compromise without settling for 5 dumplings as my dinner, we asked if there was anything at all that was hot that he could do for us. He suggested a piece of eel from the sushi bar, which was precooked.
Frustrated and offered no other real solutions, we asked him to please cancel our entire order and give us a check for our drinks. He walked away and instructed the waitress to do as we asked.
So while I truly enjoyed the fajitas I ultimately had for dinner, I still don’t understand… how can a restaurant with complete menu, a kitchen, and at least a dozen chefs cooking food to order in front of willing patrons not have a stove?? |
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 107
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 1, 2004 - 11:18 pm: | |
Is that Mount Fuji?
That restaurant is pathetic. We had a similar experience there a couple of years ago. Don't know how it keeps on being in business |
susan1014
Citizen
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 80
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 1, 2004 - 11:36 pm: | |
We went there a few times and did fine at the hibachi table, but gave it up after I had a nasty episode of food poisoning or something. I just never wanted to go back afterwards.
For hibachi, I now recommend Arirang(?) down on Rte. 22 in Mountainside, but not on weekend nights unless you like very long waits. Or, for a real treat, Gasho(?), a gorgeous spot somewhere on Rt. 9 up in Rockland County. We've also been to one on Columbia Tpk. in Florham Park a couple of times, with good results.
I will say, though, that I wouldn't go to any of these places unless I wanted to sit at the hibachi table and get the whole show. My preschooler loves it, and if I'm not in the mood for hibachi, I order sushi at the hibachi table, while my husband and daughter get the hibachi food. |
Morrisa da Silva
Citizen
Username: Mod
Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 9:27 am: | |
There is a nice hibachi style restaurant in Summit, but sorry I can't remember the name. They have tables and sushi bar downstairs and hibachi tables upstairs. It's not too big a restaurant so I would imagine it might get kind of crowded. We went early on a Saturday and didn't have to wait at all. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 153
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 12:10 pm: | |
Jason & John - i think it's Mount Fuji. I just remember the sign saying Japanease Teak House. (The "S" was missing.) It's the one at the light at the top of the hill when you make the right to go to the Essex Green shopping center. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1957
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 12:28 pm: | |
I hope you didn't tip. That was extremely shoddy, both to be inequipped to handle stuff on the menu and not to apologize. Thanks for the warning.
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
|
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 155
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 3:18 pm: | |
Actually, we did leave a small tip for the drinks, simply because it wasn't the waitress's fault, and she tried her best. Most of the time when she didn't understand, she just smiled, and it was hard to punish her for that. |
Dave
Citizen
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6282
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 3:33 pm: | |
There's no good reason to go to Mt Fuji. Down Prospect toward Verona is Pal's Cabin, which has beast steaks in the region.
For Asian "steaks/bbq" I prefer Korean, but none in the area. An easy one to get to is by taking Midtown Direct train to Penn station, then 5 minute walk to Kum Kang San (49 W. 32nd St.). |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 156
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 4:29 pm: | |
Thanks Dave - the reason we went to Mount Fuji was because our friends that live nearby were able to sieze on a last-minute babysitter opportunity that night, and they were in the mood for sushi. We actually suggested Pal's as an alternative to the mexican for part two of our "round the world in a night" food extravaganza, but since it was already getting late, they didn't want to deal with the inevitable wait. |
lefty
Citizen
Username: Lefty
Post Number: 29
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 4:35 pm: | |
I grew up going to Mt. Fuji, and since i am a fan of tradition i go back there every now and then. Unfortunately, it has gone tremendously downhill. I remember going there a couple of summers ago, and they had no AC! I still love the atmosphere of japanese hibachi grill places, but prefer to go to benihana's in short hills now if i want good food. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 148
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 7:02 pm: | |
My daughter in law also got food poisoning at Mt. Fuji. Next time you're in that area and want exotic food, try the China Gourmet in West Orange on Eagle Rock Avenue. |
bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 490
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 10:21 am: | |
Were those who got food poisoning eating sushi or just the standard hibachi? |
mommydee
Citizen
Username: Mommydee
Post Number: 78
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 12:37 pm: | |
Next time try Samurai Sushi in Millburn. Excellent suishi and cooked food but it is a BYOB. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 149
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 12:43 pm: | |
My daughter in law thinks that she got it from the salad. |
susan1014
Citizen
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 81
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 7:05 pm: | |
Mine was from standard hibachi, or one of the various salad bar items (including various hors d'ouevres). No sushi that night. Just a miserable hurried ride back to the house... |
bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 491
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 8:18 pm: | |
Wow. That's really sad to hear. I've always liked the place, but have noticed some "spillover" on the salad/appetizer bar. I also could never figure out how vegetarians (and I've been there with) could eat hibachi cooked on the same grill as meat. I know that would bother my vegetarian sisters.
I'm pretty sure the WO location is an offshoot of Mt. Fuji in Hillburn, NY (near Tuxedo, on 287). Though I've never been, friends describe beautiful views and top-rate food.
Guess I'll stick with the chain Benihana when I get a hibachi fix from now on. |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 135
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 8:52 pm: | |
Fuji-ama Mama in Westfield does sushi and Hibachi - we tried the place last month - it was great. |
clueless
Citizen
Username: Clueless
Post Number: 12
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 8, 2004 - 1:54 am: | |
I hate that place. I was there for lunch for a work function that I was hosting. We had a party of 20+ and the restaurant was DEAD. We were the only people there. Amyway, I convinced a coworker who never had sushi to try an piece of eel. I ordered from the waitress who ended up brining us an eel roll. I told her we had ordered eel sushi and asked her to bring the roll back and replace it with the sushi. She refused and so did the manager! They both said we ordered it so we had to pay for it. They could not accept the fact that they could have possibly made a mistake. With a bill of over $600, they couldn't lose out on $5. |
just me fromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 76
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 8, 2004 - 8:53 pm: | |
clueless-
i would have taken the $5 out of the tip. |
clueless
Citizen
Username: Clueless
Post Number: 13
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 8, 2004 - 11:26 pm: | |
I can't remember if I left a tip or not it was so long ago. However, they may have added the manadtory 18% for large parties. No worries though, I took my business elsewhere and they lost out on several 20+ people lunches. |
Ed May
Citizen
Username: Edmay
Post Number: 1946
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 9, 2004 - 12:13 am: | |
I remember going to Mt. Fuji 25 years ago with my girlfriend Marilyn. After that we had a big fight and got married. We held our night before the wedding party at Pals Cabin, on Friday the 13th, and got married on Flag Day, and have been happily married for 15 years, which out of almost 23 ain't bad.
Ed May |
Marilyn May
Citizen
Username: Marilynmay
Post Number: 219
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 9, 2004 - 12:14 am: | |
Say WHAT?! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 168
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2004 - 2:37 pm: | |
My family really enjoys the place on Rt. 22 - starts with an A...much cleaner/newer than Benni Hana (sp?) or Mt. Fuji (which we thought was awful)
We go there with our kids because they are entertained by the cooking (they have regular tables too, I think),the food is good & the pace is brisk, so it works out well. They give nice coupons too. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page