09/29/08

Good tempura udon

by suburbanseattlite

I went to this place b/c I suddenly had a craving for a tempura udon, and I had a pretty good one last time I was there. I was surprised that we were the only ones dining at the restaurant from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on a Monday night. I don't know if it's the economy or the particular time and day of the week, but compared to the last time I was here for lunch a few months ago, it was surprising to see it so empty. I really didn't think it was as bad as the previous reviewers made it sound. The tempura udon was $11 and it tasted good. My other half got a whole roll (8 pieces) of unagi (eel) sushi for $6, which he said was fresh and tasted good. I think it's a decent place for a quick japanese food fix.

• Pros: Decent udon and decent sushi for fair price
• Cons: the interior could use freshening up, could play some japanese music for ambiance instead of random techno

08/27/08

The end of a great restaurant

by tb45

We've been going to Kikuya for decades. This week's visit was our last. The quality and service is gone. It's very sad that such a wonderful restaurant went downhill so quickly. We hadn't been there in some time, so were wondering what had happened to the normally crowded room - there were 2 other customers. When the food arrived, we understood why. The waitress got the order wrong, and the quality of the food was poor. I can get equivalent sushi just about anywhere. We didn't know it had been sold until I got home and read the prior review, but guessed as much when we saw the deterioration of the interior.

Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.

• Pros: No lines
• Cons: Poor food, poor service

08/26/08

Three ownership changes in last three years = inconsistent quality and signficantly higher prices

by Indigenous

I first started going about three years ago. Lunch-time met trying to beat the hordes of Microsoft employees, and you could expect the line to reach outside the door and onto the sidewalk. The food was fresh and well-prepared, the service was decidely precise, not a wasted motion by the staff, getting your order, clearing your table, bringing your bill. That 'precision' led to something of a rushed feeling particularly knowing there was a line outside. The restaurant was sold and immediately the quality of the fish in the sushi declined markedly, portions got smaller, and the overall emphasis on the diner experience seemed to slowly disappear. The familiar staff was let go. On the other hand, word of the decline spread quickly so there were no longer lines and you could be seated immediately. About early Summer 2008 the restaurant sold again to Korean owners. The head sushi chef is gone as are the remaining wait staff and the crowds. So when your meal count drops how do you maintain revenues? Raise the prices apparently. The dinner entree had usually have went from $13.50 to $18.50 so Kikuya is now near the bottom of my dining choices in that area.

• Pros: No longer have to wait in line for a table
• Cons: No longer have to wait in line for a table