TAKUMI Japanese BBQ — Restaurant in Mississauga

First visit was made during pre-vaccine COVID days for takeout. The bento format had been well received at that time. A recent decision was made to dine in at the restaurant, with reservations made two weeks in advance. It might have seemed early at the time, but, as we walked in, we realized it had been the right decision after all. Nearly all the tables were full on a weeknight, but we were seated quickly at a booth.

Observations: Menus were provided in physical format, but could also be accessed by a QR code taped next the table BBQ Sauce, Ponzu, Spicy Sauce, and Togarashi were available on the table for additional seasoning, though I found all items to be marinaded sufficiently. Extinguisher could be found next to the grill, similar to Gyu-Kaku. Options of AYCE format or a la carte Expansive menu selection comprising of both grill-able item and ready-to-eat dishes (such as poke bowls and maki) Grill items included beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, and also did not skimp on the variety of vegetables either. The experience could still be enjoyed by those adopting a vegetarian diet, though perhaps not a vegan diet due to beef fat being used to oil the grill.

The Good: Decor was sleek and modern for a BBQ spot, and well-illuminiated unlike K-BBQ houses (often dim for ambiance or with very warm, almost yellow lighting) No grill issues: grill maintained a consistent temperature throughout and we were offered grill changes (no need to ask!) after the first round of orders Warm water was served with lemon to ensure a swig of freshness between each bite Draft Sapporo was delivered quickly and paired excellently with charred meat Sake Yuzu Jelly Shot was delicious with an interesting consistency, akin to dessert and beverage in one and a good size for experimentation Curved tongs fit over edge of grill effortlessly without transferring heat to hands Garlic Shrimp was amazing: crisp edges and supple interior Salmon Fillet was grilled in a foil tray with covering, such that it could be half-steamed, half-cooked for tenderness Beef Tongue Appetizer was simple with scallions and garlic, but extremely delicious. Boneless Beef Short Rib was scrumptious with perfectly charred edges; Leaf Lettuce could be used to make a ssam wrap to highlight its succulent properties Banana Melona was a swell finish to the meal, neither too icy nor too heavy Cute mural in the hallway to the bathroom Clean bathrooms: two individual stalls per gender Attentive, comprehensive service: Our server, Karson, was exceptional! Great recommendations and excellent foresight in regards to which items to order and the appropriate quantity for enjoyment. He was also prompt in providing clarifications/responses to any questions we (I) had and took the initiative to set aside a Yuzu Creme Brulee before it sold out. The rest of the serving team also showed a friendly manner; many of the team assisted in clearing our table despite us staying until near closing time.

The Bad: Booth seating was roomy, though there was limited leg space due to the grill infrastructure beneath the table Limited table space made it difficult to arrange/reach items, though staff were very diligent about clearing plates to help us Marinated Lamb Shoulder was a tad tricky to grill due to its thin-ness; there was fear of tearing easily and burning on the grill Onion Soup was more of a puree than a soup; not French Onion Soup, which is what we had thought it to be Zucchini was a tad dry - perhaps a slight brushing of butter would improve it? Takoyaki was mushy and seemed to disintegrate underneath the bonito flakes Quite a pricey experience, especially if you have limited stomach capacity

Conclusion: Overall enjoyable AYCE experience (though a la carte remains another option) Pricey but delicious Widest assortment of BBQ and non-BBQ items witnessed thus far Amicable, attentive, and prompt service (this element wholly...

I have already eaten at Takumi twice, which is among the strongest praise I could give it, considering it has barely been open for 2 weeks.

SERVICE

The service varied greatly between two different kinds of good.

The first time, around dinnertime rush hour, was standard “good service” with friendly and helpful waitstaff, who are pleased to help you if you flagged them down. While the service interactions were good on an individual level, the system of ordering and requesting service demands improvement. I spoke with the manager about having iPads à la AYCE sushi, but she explained that it was an attempt to create a more human-connected experience. The service was still good, but nothing extraordinary.

The second time, the service was unlike any other I’ve experienced. We had 3 servers basically assigned to our table, watching over us as we ate. For some, the service would be too attentive, but I appreciated Jason and Yuki’s advice on how to cook each dish and ensuring that we had a great meal. The manager came to talk to us to make sure that everything was to our liking, and overall it felt like a very engaging experience. One thing that impressed me was that the manager actually took feedback to heart — the size of the sushi dishes was reduced from 8 pieces to 4, after some customers suggested it (8 were simply too many). Adapting to feedback is the hallmark of a rapidly improving establishment, and I have no doubt that it will only continue on this path.

FOOD

The entire culinary experience has been thought out; Jason (our server) told us about how they bought and tested 20 different types of chili flakes before deciding on the one they use now. Apocryphal or not, the chili flakes are the best I’ve ever had. This is emblematic of everything about the experience, and each item seems thoughtfully prepared both alone and in concert with other dishes. The portion size is also very considerate — at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, you want each individual dish’s portion to be small so you can taste many items and order more of what you liked best.

Between our two visits, we ordered almost every item on the menu. Every single item was delicious, with not even one that fell flat. This is a very difficult thing to do, especially with quite a large menu. In particular, I recommend the beef tongue, pork cheek, marinated beef short ribs, miso squid, sake marinated clams, and the cheesy mussels. For sides, I recommend the takowasa for a unique dish or the onigiri for a less adventurous dish. The sushi was also quite good, but very heavy.

CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

No restaurant is perfect, and there are some areas of improvement for Takumi. One is to have more consistent service, since our experience varied greatly between our two visits. Another thing that they could do is have a service button, so you could at least order whenever you want. Because of the lack of a systematic way to ask for service, we didn’t change our grill the first time around. Owing to the design of the grill, this isn’t quite as big of a deal as it would have been at other barbecue restaurants, but our meal would still have been improved with a grill change. I was going to comment on the sushi size being too large, but they had already reduced it by the second visit. Some people may be put off by the extremely attentive service but once I embraced it I actually liked it.

CONCLUSION

Takumi is a restaurant with amazing food, attentive service, and a fun ambience, all at a very reasonable price. I intend to visit it for the third time very soon with my loved ones. I’m looking forward...

A group of us planned to see off my newly wedded wife at the airport today. Unfortunately my dad had an infection in his mouth so couldn't eat and was instructed to stay on liquid diet for 2 days minimum. We went to the restaurant to eat but we told the server due to medical reason he will not be eating and just sitting with us. The waiter said it will be charged for if he is sitting at the table. I pleaded again with the waiter with the valid reasoning and it would be odd for my father to wait in the car for the same time instead of with the family, and she self guilt technique and said she would pay for him. Tho I technically could have said I accept your offer, I said I would pay for my dad and leave a bad review. My dad left to the car and waited there 1.5 hrs by himself instead. I paid for 5 people only and $0.00 tip! Left a nice note for the owner as well. If your customer service cannot accommodate exceptions then you are in the wrong business. The food wasn't that great anyways. Miso soup tasted weird and left a bad after taste. No chocolate or vanilla ice cream which are pretty basic provisions. My sister was not happy with options listed on your menu and not available.

In a world so cut throat these days and high expenses, your customer service is what will keep coming customers back. Unfortunately, none of us will be going back there.

[Response to the response below] My parents left right from the doctors to come to your restaurant. Having him go home would have meant mom go home as well. We are not using a threat to leave a bad review until the waiter tried to use the self guilt technique that she will pay for my dad's seat. Get your waiters in check first. Your policy is your policy and we can respect that but its not suitable for every situation. Nonetheless, as I mentioned, we won't be returning and we won't be suggesting others to visit. You are not the only bbq place in GTA. Congrats on losing 6 customers and a word of mouth to the extended family of our experience should certainly keep others from our family out of your establishment. Also others reading this honest review. If you filter by rating, seems like others have similar experiences as ours. Cheers and good luck...