Shinto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar

Reviews 4

JA

Jaime Holmes

Every time we visit our family in Cleveland, we always make it a point to have dinner at Shintos. Today was no different. I called Shintos at 2PM to make reservations for 11 people at 6:30 PM. I was informed that due to the size of our party, they could accommodate us, however we would be at separate tables. Our complete party arrived at 6:30. At 6:38 PM we were sat at our tables. After waiting quite a while for our server to take our drink order it took quite a while for our drinks to arrive. When they arrived, the diet coke was iced tea so that had to be fixed. We were told the pop lines were crossed. The wine my mom ordered said it tasted like the bottle had been open for a week. We had to ask the server if we could order our food. Finally we received our soup followed by our salad which took a bit of time. At 7:30 PM our cooks still had not began our meal prep. I asked to speak with the manager. She introduced herself and I explained my issue, the fact that we had been sitting for almost an hour and our food prep had not been started. She said she would check with the kitchen to see what the hold up was. She came back to tell us that there were not 2 cooks available at the same time so another table that had been sat after us was being taken care of. She assured us that our cooks would be out in a moment. The manager also tried to tell us that we were sat at 7PM which was wrong. She also explained that because we were a large table that they wanted the better chefs to prepare our food. After a very poor conversation with the manager, we were given 3 free desserts for a table of 11 and then to add insult to injury, they added a 20% gratuity to each of our bills. For a table of 11 our bill total was approximately $430.00. She might as well gave us her middle finger. It will be very interesting to see how readers of the Strongsville Post react after the read this review of Shintos in Strongsville.

FR

Francis Esmonde-White

We had a 5:30 reservation, which they let us know would be cancelled if our party of 14 (and a baby) didnt arrive before 5:45 (apparently every member needs to be present before they seat any party). We had arrived slightly before 5:30, and they kept us wait standing by the entrance until 5:45. After seating us, it took another 15 minutes before they came to ask about drinks. The waitress insisted that the same I ordered could not be served warm-despite being listed on the menu as "served warm or chilled"- it finally arrived warm so I assume that it was some confusion on her part. 20 minutes later they came back to ask about our good choices. Our salads came out 10 minutes later. So we had been there for over an hour before they brought us the first food item. The table was never bussed (dirty dishes and empty cups were left on the very shallow counter in front of us). Water was only refilled after being empty for 15-20 minutes, and they never offered to bring me another sake- while bringing my father in law an unwanted second beer and charging for it. The food was good, but not great- though the chef did put on a good show at the table. The waitress asked if our table wanted dessert while we were still mid way through eating our main course, and apparently decided that she had finished waiting on our table at that point. The bill promptly showed up in front of us as I was almost finished eating (they brought take out boxes to us as we were eating- it was surprising). Then they cleaned the table after we paid, but before we had gotten up from the table- in preparation for the next customers. We left by about 7:30, so it wasnt that we were taking as long time. The default 20% tip seemed very excessive for the paltry service. I wont be back. Im surprised that this chain is still in business. I assume the reviews which list this place as excellent were paid for.

A

A Private User

I love Hibachi and when I went out to Shintos for my friends birthday some weeks ago, I was sorely disappointed by them. Like others said before me, the wait was horrible. We had reservations for 8 at 8:00 and werent seated until 8:30, which would have been alright if they had any seating to accommodate the sheer amount of people waiting. As it was the had to benches in their foyer which could seat about 10 people, but there were perhaps 20 to 25 people waiting. As for the food itself? My shrimp and chicken was overdone and dry, I might have gotten about a half a cup of vegetables that were cut to slivers. The fried rice was utterly flavorless, pre-portioned, and not prepared by our chef. (Ive seriously had better fried rice from a chinese take out) The icing to the cake, for me though, was that one of our party had never been to a hibachi restaurant, and was looking forward to the show the chef does while they prepare the food. Specifically the little onion volcano. While not a big deal to me, and after all the hibachi dinners Ive been to, a little boring, It was something he was looking forward too. Unfortunately the chef was rushed and did a half hearted attempt at flipping his spatulas about and that was about all he did. For all that the interior was beautiful, and the mixed drinks superb, I wouldnt go there for Hibachi again unless you paid me. You dont get what you pay for, which is a considerable amount. Ironically, their take out is just fine and far better priced. I got two Bento Lunches which were quite good. You want quality Hibachi? Go to Tomos down the street. Better service, better portions, tastier food. (And the sushi is to die for as well.)

MI

Michael Alick

We made reservations for 6 people at 7PM. Three of us arrived early and were told, "let me know when the others are here." I took that to mean wed be seated when the other members of our party arrived. When they did, about a minute after 7, I told the hostess. "Well seat you shortly, were waiting for the other people who made 7 O Clock reservations to arrive. Time passed and a host told me that wed have to wait five minutes and if the other party didnt show up, wed be seated. 15 minutes later, were still standing around the lobby waiting, both host and hostess oblivious. I informed the host that if we couldnt be seated in a minute, wed leave. He said nothing. Okay, I lose my patience at this point and ask them why they wanted people to make resevations if the restaurant wasnt planning to honor the time? And why should we be penalized because some other sorry ass didnt feel like showing up on time? No response again. We left and ended up having a very wonderful meal around the corner at Macaroni Grill where the entire staff was polite, courteous and seem to sincerely appreciate the fact that we chose their restaurant. Shame on Shinto. Hire people who care, its not that hard.