Miss Riverdale 1950 ([info]oh_really_now) wrote in [info]nola__eats,
@ 2006-01-07 22:12:00
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Current mood: pissed just thinking about it
Entry tags:bad dining experience, metairie, review, sushi

Sake Cafe (Veterans location)...Worst meal in a while
When I go to a restaurant and plop down my hard-earned money, there are just a few things I wish the restaurant employees/management to do/not to do. Sake Cafe (Vets.), please listen up:

*Please do not rush me when it comes to ordering. I know what time you close. Do not tell me that it's almost time for "last call" on the kitchen. If you would actually come to my table within 10 minutes of my being seated, I might have been able to ask you the questions I needed answered in order to place my order.

*Once you have rushed me to place my order, you know, since we were holding everybody up, proceed to take about 15 minutes too long to serve me my food.

*I do not need you to hover over me while I eat my dinner, but it would be nice if you checked our beverage glass levels or asked how our food was once it was served. Please make an appearance other than to pester me to hurry with my order, serve us, and to present us with the check.

*Once the clock hits Closing O'clock, it is not necessary to do the following while patrons are eating: spray nearby tables with cleaning solution, stack up all empty seats onto tables, sweep the floors.

*Also, when it's Closing O'clock, employees should remain in the waiter's section, not loudly chatting in the dining room about employee meals and personal matters (while they stack the chairs & spray the cleaning solution, of course).

*And lastly, please do not come to my table toward the end of my meal, ask, "howaseverythingguysihaveyourcheckhere", and expect me to answer you with a smile.

Freddy and I decided to take a night to ourselves, sans kids, and make it a date. We were in the mood for sushi, but couldn't make it out until 10:00 PM. After dropping off the baby at the M-I-L's in Metairie, we knew we had only one option; Sake Cafe on Veterans Blvd. Both Sake Cafe locations are open until 11:00 PM, but we didn't want to walk into the Magazine locale right at 11:00. We arrived at 10:30. I do not think half an hour 'til closing is too close to the closing time to have been treated as badly as we were. If it makes a difference, by the time we were served, there were still 5 other tables there other than us. (Oh, and don't forget the table of 8 next to us that played paper football!) I have worked in various aspects of the service industry for 12 years and know that no matter how close to closing time a guest comes in, you make them feel welcome. Don't want to be there? Get another job.

I have patronized the Veterans Blvd. Sake Cafe many times before (pre-Katrina) and have never been subjected to such poor service and an unpleasant atmosphere. No, it's not Galatoire's, but (A)sushi is not cheap, (B)Sake Cafe has tried to maintain itself as a nice establishment, and (C)one should not be treated like this anywhere.

This was the first time I agreed that it be appropriate to stiff a server. I did not even bother to speak to management since I know I will never return to that location. Yes, the food was good, but this young lady gave us the worst service in all my years of dining out. Where Freddy wrote in "0" in the gratuity spot, I added a little note, from me to them: "Worst Experience EVER. Thank you for stacking chairs while I attempted to enjoy my meal." I would have written more, but there isn't much space on a credit card receipt to do so.


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[info]sttatus_quo
2006-01-07 09:18 pm UTC (link)
The Magazine location is as professional as the Vets location is unprofessional. I didn't get the 'we are closing' treatment but the service was significantly worse than usual the last time I was there which could be a labor shortage thing (if it is then the Magazine location hired all the best people).

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[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-07 09:23 pm UTC (link)
A friend treated us to dinner at the Magazine location for Christmas. The service was pretty good, but there was definitely a language barrier. The employees seemed to know little to no English. Also, there was this much older man, just wandering around, with a water or tea pitcher. It seemed as if they just needed to occupy him.

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[info]nolagurl
2006-01-07 11:34 pm UTC (link)
I worked at the magazine st. location for two weeks. i have some DIRT on them. trust me.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-08 12:14 am UTC (link)
About what was in the pitcher, perhaps?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]nawlins_penguin
2006-01-07 09:25 pm UTC (link)
I'm disappointed to hear that. You'd think that they'd be up for the challenge in a post-K era. Perhaps it's the environment it's in. I've found restaurants in Metairie to be less than accomodating as of late.

As for the tip, I find it much more insulting to tip one dollar. But that's just me.

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[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-07 09:27 pm UTC (link)
Believe me, it was debated if a handful of change should be left or just a big fat "0".

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[info]fearscape
2006-01-07 09:36 pm UTC (link)
That's unfortunate. Especially since you went through trouble to go.

When it comes to Sushi, we stick with Hana.

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[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-07 09:44 pm UTC (link)
Yup. If I drop my kids off for the night, I want it to be worth not having them home with me. We didn't let dinner spoil the evening though, and made a nice night of it anyway.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Really?
[info]nawlins_penguin
2006-01-07 09:46 pm UTC (link)
I've lived in NOLA for fifteen years and have never been to Hana. Every person I know that's been there has said it's inconsistent. But some folks I hear from love the place. Is it being a regular that makes the difference?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Really?
[info]fearscape
2006-01-08 10:51 am UTC (link)
I don't know. We've just always gotten good, BIG rolls with fresh stuff. And, the servers are always really nice. We go regularly. :D

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]mb2u
2006-01-07 10:05 pm UTC (link)
Post-Katrina I've been to the Sake Cafe on West Esplanade, and the quality of both the food and the service has been lacking. Shogun has been far better on both, though when we went there this week we got a new waitperson who committed a major sin in forgetting to order an appetiser and after being asked twice about it tells us after we've had our entree's it's ready? No, don't bother bringing it out...

But that's been the exception. Shogun is still better than anyplace else in Jefferson. And it's one of the best places to get sushi in the area, period.

But I must admit that Ichiban in Baton Rouge can rock your sushi world...

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[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-07 10:21 pm UTC (link)
The last time I went to Shogun sealed its fate.

I was pregnant with my first child, craving sushi, wanting nothing else but sushi. We go to Shogun. I wasn't certain what something was, so I asked. There was a misunderstanding on both our parts, and I ordered something I did not like (I think it was bbq eel). It comes to the table, I stick a piece in my mouth. Chewed about twice before I had to spit it into my napkin. Now, any normal person may have been able to swallow it, but I was pregnant. A woman's stomach and senses are all messed up during this time in her life. I got the attention of the server, explaining to her what had happened. I asked if she could just take the item back, it's not what I wanted. After all, it was partly her mistake for telling me an item was one thing when it wasn't what I had explained to her. She refused to take it, saying that I had eaten one piece (out of 6), so I will be charged for the entire order. I tell her I did not eat it, that I spit it into my napkin and that she can have that piece back to complete the order, please take it off my bill. I tried being polite and they refused. Therefore, I have not gone back to such an unaccommodating establishment.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Ya know...
[info]dreamfire2
2006-01-07 11:46 pm UTC (link)
I knew Sake was going downhill the first time I came back post-Katrina. They didn't offer hand towels. It's just a small thing, but it's a huge tell.

My last experience was at the Magazine location for lunch. We got there at nearly three, and were informed that they stopped taking orders for Bento Box Lunches at 2:40 (the menu says 3pm!). To make matters worse, they've cancelled happy hour. The waiter was snarky in a most negative way, and charged us for two green salads that he didn't even bring. When he refused to reverse the charge on the ticket, we got fairly angry until his manager, or another server, set him straight.

The time before that, my girlfriend, my business partner, and myself got the "closing treatment" you described. We arrived at 9, and waited about 20 minutes for the waitress to come back to us (there were few tables taken). We ordered about $120 in sushi, rolls, appetizers, and Plum Wine (a "welcome back" celebration). Drinks and passthroughs were few and far between. You think for a $100 table, and their last table of the night, they'd be a little more appreciative in anticipation of a nice tip.

I suppose it's because of the staff shortage, at least I hope so. The service desperately needs to improve. Hana isn't having nearly as much trouble, and they have Ramune.

And I miss hand towels...the experience doesn't feel right without them.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
No hand towels here, either.
[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-08 12:02 am UTC (link)
Now that I think about it, that was the FIRST THING that didn't go right. I should have just left right then and there.

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[info]sevenlies
2006-01-08 06:50 am UTC (link)
That really sucks that you had such a bad experience. I used to go to the Vets location all the time before Katrina, and they were always professional. The only Sake location that I've been to post-Katrina is the one in Kenner, and I had no problems there.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the level of service in most Metairie restaurants has dropped since the storm. I used to get good service, now you're lucky if they're dumping your plate on the table and not on your lap. Now, I get better service at fast food and delivery places than I do in sit-down restaurants.

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[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-08 09:01 pm UTC (link)
Perhaps they are spreading themselves a little thin with all of these locations. They are opening one on South Clearview, too.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]ef_ex_ay
2006-01-08 07:18 am UTC (link)
I know this entry was really about the restaurant and the service but I think it's interesting to note that the motherfuckers playing paper football across two joined tables were a bunch of middle-aged yuppie suits and should fucking no better to, a)not do this and b)definitely not repeatedly yell in any sort of celebration. I know it's not fine dining but chili's is like right there. fuck. I guess loudly calling them idiots and blank stares isn't enough. fuck x2... I should have intercepted that shit, unfolded it, tore it into pieces, set it a ablaze on their table and did some satan shit while screaming, "hibachiiiiiiiiiiiii motherfuckers!" or something crazier. did I get carried away there? I've been awake too long.































I think I hate people.

the end.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Even though I know I'll get flamed...
[info]nawlins_penguin
2006-01-08 09:22 am UTC (link)
I think the populace in Metry tends to have...erm...less appreciation for table etiquette than diners in the city, particularly the folks in that commercial area.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Even though I know I'll get flamed...
[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-08 09:02 pm UTC (link)
It's even worse since the influx of contractors and the sort.

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[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-08 09:05 pm UTC (link)
That's a whole lotta F-bombs!

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[info]ef_ex_ay
2006-01-09 05:03 am UTC (link)
fuck.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
One word.
[info]nawlins_penguin
2006-01-08 09:22 am UTC (link)
Ninja.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: One word.
[info]ef_ex_ay
2006-01-08 04:07 pm UTC (link)
please!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: One word.
[info]nawlins_penguin
2006-01-08 05:16 pm UTC (link)
We should schedule a night, eh, mon?

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Re: One word.
[info]evningwithgrace
2006-01-09 07:32 am UTC (link)
Thanks. Now I have to go. You are a real pal.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: One word.
[info]nawlins_penguin
2006-01-09 08:15 am UTC (link)
Any time, sugah. :D

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]ashish75
2006-01-08 03:33 pm UTC (link)
I eat Sushi pretty regularly, and have dined at most of the Japanese restaurants in the city. Sake Cafe is pretty far down on my list after three experiences at the Magazine location. The first time I went was not too long after it opened and I was very pleased. The second time I went was on a double date this past spring, and 3 out of the 4 of us eat sushi regularly. Our waitress was the snarkiest, most condescending waitperson I have ever had the misfortune of ordering from. She not only treated us like we were stupid (yes, honey, we do know what edamame is, that's why we ordered it), she was inattentive and downright rude. She actually sneered at us. Throughout the meal were were nothing but as nice as we could be to her, but believe me, I really wanted to smack her around a bit. She was downright hostile.

The last time I went was in late October or November. Our waitress was great, but before we could get a table we had to wait at the bar and after 20 minutes standing there, my friend and I could not get anyone to serve us a drink. It was crowded, but come on - that's completely ridiculous. We were even seated at the bar.

When I want sushi, I echo the sentiments of several people here - HANA. It's conveniently located in my neighborhood, but it's also consistently good. Not GREAT, to be perfectly honest here, but always GOOD. Plus they give you the awesome complimentary noodle salad before the meal. :-)

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[info]oh_really_now
2006-01-08 09:04 pm UTC (link)
That's all ridiculous. If I had waited that long for a drink, I would have made a stink about it.

So, Hanna gives the noodle salad, too? I'll put it on the list!

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[info]ashish75
2006-01-11 05:32 am UTC (link)
Yep, the noodle salad is the shit. The folks that own Hana also own the buffet on Canal/Carrollton, and they always had a big bowl of it you could get as much as you wanted from. I'm blanking on the name of the buffet right now, but it doesn't really matter since I don't think they will be opening anytime soon. Maybe someday!

Dig the Spaceballs icon!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2009-02-10 07:10 pm UTC (link)
they give you guys bad service because they don't give a fuck about ya. frank the owner of sake makes money regardless. and i bet ya fatasses goes back & eat there anyways. so shut the fuck up.

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