Koto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi
| Address: | 9331 Destiny USA Dr, Syracuse, NY 13290, USA |
| Phone: | +1 315-479-5686 |
| Site: | kotosyracuse.com |
| Rating: | 3.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 12–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
TI
Tiffany Allington
A friend and I ate here last night, and I wasnt extremely impressed. We were given the option of ordering from the "snack hour" menu that actually lasts for 2 & 1/2 hours and is significantly less expensive than the main dinner menu that we were also offered. We chose items from both. Before we were even sat down, we asked about military discount and were told by the hostess, our waitress, and the manager that they do give a military discount of 10%. Our sushi was slightly above average - although since it was ordered off of the snack hour menu, there was no room for customization. We also ordered the fried duck entrée as well as the Cajun steak entrée, medium rare. Both came with a side of dipping sauce - which immediately made me skeptical. Personally, if seasoned and cooked correctly, I feel that the meat itself should speak to your tastebuds itself without the crutch of a slathering of dipping sauce to compensate. That being said, the duck tasted like Chinese sweet and sour chicken; the steak was, much to my disappointment, cooked to medium well, and was much too sweet for the heat that accompanied it. There was also several garnishes that were either inedible, or did not pair whatsoever with each other. I certainly tried - just shy of what I can only describe as a a leaf reminiscent of what you would pull off of an ear of corn whilst shucking it. As for the atmosphere, it was confusing and trying too hard. I actually only took one picture while we were there because I felt like the manager - whose constant dour presence and all-seeing, overbearing stance at the center of the restaurant - would be the type to passive-aggressively state me down for doing so, or worse, approach the table to chastise me for taking pictures. I suppose if I were in his position I would also be embarrassed by their seemingly garage sale-like décor, complete with a literal box of sake on top of the bar to be poured from, next to a promotional plastic liquor company ice basket, a corded telephone, a vertical file/plate organizer, another box of sake, and for a reason I cannot comprehend, an NHL game playing on every flat screen in the place. In a Japanese restaurant! Fast forward to the end of our meal. Out waitress was good, not exceptional, but I gathered that her hands were tied on many customer service elements. The food was mediocre and when cost was factored in, was even less than mediocre. The manager had the chef mopping the bar and hostess areas during service - yuck! When our bill came, there was no military discount applied. When we inquired, we were told that they dont discount snack hour items; and since we ordered from both the snack hour menu and the full priced menu, no discount was available. So not only did they insult our meat choice by over-cooking it and serving it with sauce to dip it in, they also deliberately mislead a 2x war veteran and current active duty military service member about a well-deserved and well-earned military discount in the wake of veterans day. I will not be returning. I have too much respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line for $23k/year to probably get shot to justify another visit.
MA
Matthew Palmeri
Its not often that service is so bad when Im out to eat that I actually start writing a review before I leave the resturant. This was the case this afternoon at Koto. There was a sign out front advertising "Half Price Sushi Happy Hour." My guests and I were seated with no mention of special happy hour seating or anything. When we got settled our waitress indicated that we cannot participate in the discounted rate because we must be seated at the bar which was full. The manager then goes so far as to argue with my guests. Suffice it to say I was mortified. The manager was entirely unapologetic. We got through dinner and started to leave when we heard the same indignant conversation take place between the manager and a nearby table. As for the food - portions are small (see photo) and unimpressive. The soups and salads are very good. The Japanese noodles off of the kitchen menu had an overwhelming peanut taste which ruined the whole dish. In summation - There are VERY few businesses that have such poor customer service that I will not return. This was one such business. If you want real Syracuse sushi dont waste your money on mediocraty, go elsewhere.
EM
Emily G
Happy hour turned horror hour. Have been here multiple times and enjoy the food... they were having what they called happy hour which included some half priced sushi. I was asked how many and was seated in the back of the resturant. Was then told by the waitress that happy hour was in the bar only and all the tables are full. The manager was brought out who was EXTREMELLY unprofessional and basically yelled at me saying that he asked me at the door (which he most certainly did not!) he said there was nothing he could do about it. Horrible customer service. Will not be back. As we were leaving from eating our full priced meal a couple had sat behind us and was going through the same thing. You should have a clearly spoken person at the front who can explain your specials before you lose customers like this.
BE
Beth Burton
I have never had a waitress as bad as Crystal. She has the worst attitude, told me shed get me half of a refill because I wasnt drinking the entire glass(which she did and it was embarrassing), tried convincing me that I have to eat all the veggies because they cant separate the zucchini(Im allergic!), etc. Ive come 2 other times, once with a friend and once with family. For some reason we keep getting stuck with her. My friends, family and I will not be coming back again until shes gone! I went to the manager, Kieth, thinking he would rectify the situation. He told me she was correct in giving me half a cup of coke because i didnt drink it all. Our business will be taken elsewhere. Too bad! We liked the food.
DU
Dutchess Williams
This is the second week in a row my order has been messed up. A friend and I recently started going to eat lunch here on Fridays, but that has now changed. Each week we have called ahead to place an order for pickup. 4 shrimp tempura ROLLS (5pieces). Each week they have made one damn roll! With the excuse of they thought we just wanted 4 PIECES of shrimp tempura. How?? One complete roll is 5 pieces, it doesnt add up. Time wasted waiting for them to correct the order and now late coming back from lunch.The food is ok, but the management is stupid.
MA
Matthew Coe
Terrible experience, I had a party of five that wanted sushi and I wanted hibachi and we were seated at the grill that had another family of 4 and they wouldnt let our party of 5 sit at the grill because they require 3 people in a party order hibachi and the other 4 I was with only wanted sushi, rice & noodles. Its not like they had to fire up the grill for one person as they had to anyway for the other party of 4 currently seated. Also, they wouldnt let me have the food cooked at the grill and carry it to the table. Never go back there again
