Ko-Doraku — Restaurant in Halifax

**another additional information for those who needs to know more about the context. It was our first time there and we wanted to make sure we have a table so we called in advanced, the staff took my wife’s name and we went in expecting to be seated (cause we reserved the table?) when we arrived of cause we went to the cashier to tell the staff we have arrived, the staff even said my wife’s name. Knowing they are busy, we just waited. No instructions or any greeting, not sure we needed to be seated or not at all. So after around 2 mins I asked and still, they said we will be given a number… then nothing happened? I guess we should be the one being confused… we just felt being ignored. While the staff (or the owner) helped a customer to find a place to charge his phone, he just walked by us and didn’t mention anything else to us as if we were just blocking the front desk?

My daughter was really looking forward to the dinner originally when we told her we will be going to Ko-Doraku (we’ve been to Doraku in Dartmouth and she loved it).

I have never left a message like this as I believe it is not helping people in general. But Ive never being treated like this in any restaurant before.

Some suggestions could be more constructive a I guess.

Make the instruction clear or have someone at the front desk telling customers what to do. Give them a menu and just explain to them it is a busy time If someone actually reserved a table, tell them the shop is self served so they can just come in to order When the customer left a message on Google map, try to understand their feelings instead of being defensive?

Best of luck and I can see all the hardworking people in the kitchen, but not the way we were being treated in the restaurant, and then again on this review section… maybe spending more time to improve the service can help with the review.

*just to add this as to give more information as I can’t reply to the owner’s message. -My wife made the booking, both her and I talked to the staff at the cashier mentioning we have made the reservation, and we just stood there to wait. Again, we are not trying to be harsh but we received no greeting at all after telling the staff we have a reservation. While we were waiting, there was a guest asking if he can charge his phone, and one of the staff actually left his position and show him how to do it… all while four of us just standing right in front of the cashier didn’t know what to be expected at all…

Can’t comment on the food but was totally shocked by the level of service. We booked a table, arrived on time. Totally understand they are busy but we just stood there for a full 5 mins, asked if they have our reservation and they just said yes. And kept working on the orders.

Totally confused and even asked again politely and we end up just walk away without any basic greeting. Probably not the...

The food and the servers here are consistently fantastic. A word about who I assume is the owner, and I hope he gains some humility from this:

The dining area and the front counter are not places to belittle an employee - ideally never, but especially when customers are right there. When I was ordering, you snidely asked a server who forgot to mark a table number on a receipt “well how will we know which table it’s going to?”

As our appetizers were brought over, you strolled past and condescendingly asked “where’s the soy sauce, [name]”? If a customer is there and you think the soy sauce is that important, it’s on you to take ownership…as the owner…and say “I’ll have your soy sauce in a second!” Wholly unnecessary.

As I was ordering, you made a weird comment about China stealing information about my face/fingerprints if I used Apple Pay in the wrong place. In an East Asian restaurant with East Asian staff? Really?

I hate to leave this review because, like I said, your food and staff are fantastic. Even when I wait a few more seconds for soy sauce. Get it together and set a...

My daughter and I are always up for a new sushi experience, so tonight we decided to check out Ko-Doraku. Wow! I have a sensitivity to gluten and the gentleman who took our order (over the phone) was very thoughtful in helping us with our sushi selections. 🍱 He was very warm and welcoming on the phone overall! When we arrived to pick up our yummies, we received just as warm a greeting in person from everyone at the counter! Great vibes! My daughter got the spring rolls and chicken udon as well and was super impressed with the flavour - particularly the spring rolls. The sushi was so fresh and tasty! I especially enjoyed the smoked salmon variety! That was different!! 👌🏾

The dine-in area of this hidden gem looks warm and intimate. My daughter spotted the shelves of manga 📚so we’ll be back to eat IN next time! 😄

⚠️ FYI - Best way to get in is via Brenton St. If you use the Spring Garden Rd. entrance, be sure to go INTO the mall and downstairs to the bottom...