Kagoshima Master Yakiniku Ultimo — Restaurant in Sydney

I will preface this by saying I do not usually write poor reviews, however, as someone who really enjoyed this restaurant in the past and have brought multiple friends here for multiple visits over the months, I believe this restaurant can do far better than it has shown me tonight.

We ordered the set menu for 8, and we thus started off with the sashimi platter. As a set menu, you'd assume that each person will have 1 slice of each type of sashimi, however, we were only given 6 slices of the kingfish, which I have included in an image. We brought this up to a waitress, who promptly brought out two extra slices, which were actually off-cuts and inedible. Never have we had sashimi where we need to spit out remains, not even in low-end seafood shops. This was the first red flag of the night.

The meat platter has also gone down in quality. The A5 chuck and ox tongue were very good as usual, the oyster blade was passable and slightly tough, however, the rump was far too tough, so much so that we have our doubts as to whether this was even a Wagyu cut.

While staff were full of smiles and we enjoyed the happy birthday they sung, that is where the positives end. Staff had trouble identifying when to take empty dishes when bringing new ones, only doing so when we ask them to after we became frustrated by the lack of space on our table stacked with empty dishes. The worst part was after finishing our food for well over half an hour, table completely scattered with empty plates, nobody had the agency to clear the table and prepare dessert that we had ordered from the beginning of the meal.

Then, came the dinner bill. The set menu states that each person's choice of dessert is included as part of the set menu, however, we were charged for each dessert for 8 of us. They corrected this after we'd asked, however, we noticed they also included a card surcharge in the total, which we had to ask them to take off since we were paying cash. Then, came the 5% discount off cash payments notice at the front counter, which I have also attached an image of. We were initially refused the 5% discount because in the waitress's own words "it's not in the system". However, they seemingly agreed to give us the 5% off after a few back and forths. However, after we had left the restaurant, we were promptly called back in to pay the 5% we still "owed", being told that the discount cannot apply for set menu promotions. If this were the case, you should include "set menu prices are exempt from this discount" on the notice. However, the manager would not budge and demanded the 5%, which we ended up paying reluctantly.

All the previous times we've been here, we've loved the experience, so it breaks my heart to say that after tonight's experience, we will not be back. I urge this restaurant's management to reconsider how it's run, because our experience tonight was...

Service at Kagoshima Master was a train-wreck. Staff would rather debate with diners than rectify a missing dish or solve the case of absent Tasmanian sea urchin when the well-documented, close-to-a-hundred-buck two-person foie gras, wagyu rice with sea urchin don ($99) turns up without it. Despite containing warm elements—a lobe of seared foie gras—this dish was also delivered without spoons and serving bowls, with the advice that they were in the dishwasher.

I found it strange I was expected to watch this incorrect dish get cold—“you can take a photo”—while we awaited the implements to eat it with. Once the dish had been replaced with the donburi we actually ordered—this time arriving with the necessary spoons and bowls to consume it—we again had to wait, this time for a staff member to have the time to serve it. Lucky it was flavourful and amazing, both on its own and spooned onto crisp seaweed sheets ($4.80) that I also had to expedite.

Beautifully presented Japanese A5 wagyu from the two-restaurant chain’s own farm in Kagoshima comes delicately fanned out over kale in hundred gram serves. We enjoyed rib fingers ($35.80) bare with the special house-blend of yakiniku sauce, also as the miso cabbage ($7.80) and kimchi combination ($18.80) sides we ordered hadn’t arrived.

The floor team here stretched my patience even as someone who usually lets restaurants be whatever they will be. This team saw me ask for my initial A5 martini ($23) cocktail glass to be cleared (as we were eating our final missing meat), the sake ice container to be replaced when it became sloshy water, and for the missing Japanese wagyu tri tip ($42.80) to be produced—“now”—after staff got stuck on debating whether it was ordered initially. It was lucky I loved everything I ate and drank, including the wonderful Tengumai Kimoto Jikomi junmai sake ($129/720ml) that I resorted to pouring from the bottle into the tokkuri myself. Service lagging so far behind the price point lets down the kitchen and makes this attractively-decorated Ultimo restaurant hard to recommend.

Edit: A staff member rang to apologise for the service and offered me a half-price...

I must say, it was an absolutely unforgettable experience! From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with a perfect blend of traditional Japanese decor and modern elegance.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ). The quality of the meat was exceptional—each cut was beautifully marbled and incredibly fresh. We ordered a variety of meats, including the premium Wagyu beef, which simply melted in my mouth. The flavors were rich and deep, enhanced by the restaurant's selection of house-made dipping sauces. The tangy ponzu and the savory sesame sauce were my personal favorites!

What really set this place apart was the attention to detail. The grill was perfectly designed to ensure even cooking, and the staff were incredibly attentive, offering tips on how to best cook each type of meat. They even provided a refreshing palate cleanser between courses, which was a thoughtful touch.

The side dishes were equally impressive. The kimchi was perfectly fermented, and the fresh salad with its light dressing complemented the rich flavors of the BBQ beautifully. We also tried the garlic fried rice, which was packed with flavor and made for a perfect ending to our meal.

To top it all off, the service was impeccable. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they were serving. They made us feel like valued guests throughout the entire evening.

If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine or just looking for an exceptional dining experience, I highly recommend [kagoshima master yakiniku ultimo]. It's a place where every detail is carefully considered, and every bite is a delight. I can't...