Kashiwa Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Greater Brisbane

I really want to give this place a five star but we received awkward service at the beginning. We probably would have gone elsewhere if we weren't keen at eating at trying out this restaurant. Our initial mistake was thinking that the restaurant opened at 5pm. It opened at 5:30pm. One of my group wanted to book for 5:30pm but was completely brushed off and told to come back. The staff member seemed to be overwhelmed which was odd as there wasn't anyone there. I ended up ringing up from the nearby restaurant. The same staff member answered quite politely and I was able to make a booking. I was even told I could come earlier! Nothing like what we had encountered previously. We just had to ensure we left by 6:30pm which was fine by us. Anyway, when we got there, the same staff member was surprised that it was us as he saw us sitting at the nearby restaurant after he dismissed us from his restaurant. The service didn't improve until we were serviced our food and were leaving. Three positives: (i) The food is really good - we (a group of 4) ordered the yakiudon w tiger prawns; a seafood salad w a sesame dressing (I can't remember the name); chicken katsu and a bowl of rice. I really liked the salad. It was delicious. The food is served on very pretty ceramic plates. (ii) The location is excellent and we also sat outside. (iii) Service as we were leaving. He was a bit more friendly at the end.

I understand that the restaurant was booked but good service is...

Though the restaurant is quaint and the quality of food is quite good, the dish sizes and associated prices suit central Sydney more than Scarborough. Also, when asking the waiter what varieties of sake they had, he said he didn't know....But the most expensive was the best. When I enquired whether the Chef or another staff member could answer I was told "Sorry, they are too busy to help". Later after having the quite nice mixed tempura plate I asked if they had run out of calamari, or had it been missed? His reply was, well I think maybe you are it, and didn't know it. We ordered another dish, and then magically a tempura squid ring appeared with a smiled apology, oh so sorry.

If it wasn't for my dislike to being patronised I might've had better to say about this establishment. I also hold my doubts after all this when he assured me the 300ml sake pottery bottle was just that, 300ml... He told me , Oh I would never lie to you....

But was quite happy to accuse me of doing as much over a squid ring.

I travel and eat Japanese Cuisine all around Australia, and several international destinations.

I don't make angry reviews. I make accurate observations. I will not be...

This restaurant has been a regular for our large family but sadly no more. Tonight we dined with our son and daughter. The one waitress was left to herself, to busy, no training and no help from the manager who bizarrely hid in the kitchen and only at the end of the evening finally came out when confronted with the disaster blamed the customers and said I was unreasonable.

Our entree order was incorrect but rectified.

We then received two mains but my wife's main was quickly retrieved and taken to the table beside us who now had one of their two main meals. They left after over an hour without receiving their second meal.

Our son dined alone. Then two mains arrived and my wife, who had her meal taken, had to wait another hour and she dined alone.

To make matters worse when I went to pay the bill and questioned why I was billed twice for my wife's meal the manager finally emerged from the kitchen and proceeded to berate me.

Another customer waiting to pay his bill had a similar experience and supported my criticism. Until then I had been very calm but I told the manager I would write this review and he said go ahead he didn't care and that summed up...