Niku Japanese Grill (AYCE) — Restaurant in Ontario

Originally gave this place 5 stars since our first experience was wonderful, seems to have gone down hill. Updating because I had called and made a reso which they didn’t have on record, I had requested a booth and they said no, we then dined for over an hour and a half and all the booths sat empty the entire time even though I was told they were all booked with resos. I also told them it was my sisters birthday and they didnt acknowledge it. I went with my husband and friend for there birthday's prior to this bad experience and they had the robots sing, gave balloons ect. So I’m not sure if it’s just selective on who gets treated special for there birthdays but it seems that way.

There was also a bug in my sisters water so we had to get a new one, pretty gross.

Jeff was our server and he was pleasant and attentive which is why the only reason I’m giving it 2 stars.

Food is also mediocre and not a large selection for the price of all you can eat.

There are amazing sushi places all over orillia and Barrie, they are definitely using the robots as a selling feature to have you come in because everything else is basic.

UPDATED TO ADDRESS THERE RESPONSE:

I was one of the people who had requested a booth when I booked my reservation 2 weeks prior to coming, you not only lost my reservation completely but then didn’t honour putting us at a booth even when I did request it upon arrival, so asking the server after being told no by (owner/manager) who greeted us doesn’t really make sense, we did not feel like you cared then so don’t make it seem like you care now, you bluntly told us no and sat us at a cramped table beside the server station.

And as a good manager if you knew cancellations happened why didn’t you make it right by saying we could move to make it a more enjoyable experience? You are essentially saying “ you need to pushy to get what you want so just keep asking to be moved” instead of being hospitable .

And as for the birthday if you hadn’t lost my reservation in the first place then you would have known. You didn’t ask if we were celebrating anything either so maybe that’s something that should be done prior to seating so not missed on the future.

Overall I stand by what I said, better places to dine with tastier /larger selection elsewhere. I won’t be returning so no need to “ try and...

A Remarkable Birthday Celebration at Niku Japanese Grill

My wife's 50th birthday celebration at Niku Japanese Grill was an absolute delight from start to finish. The restaurant's warm and friendly atmosphere, combined with exceptional service and innovative touches like their helpful robot, made for an unforgettable experience.

From the moment we arrived, the staff at Niku Japanese Grill went out of their way to ensure that our celebration was special. They greeted us with genuine warmth and guided us through the AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) experience with attentiveness and care.

One of the highlights of our evening was undoubtedly the presence of the robot, which added an exciting and futuristic element to our dining experience. Not only was it a fun novelty, but it also demonstrated the restaurant's commitment to embracing technology while maintaining their traditional hospitality.

The AYCE menu at Niku Japanese Grill exceeded our expectations. From fresh and flavorful sushi to perfectly grilled teppanyaki dishes and crispy tempura, every bite was a culinary delight. The variety of options ensured that there was something for everyone to enjoy, making it an ideal choice for a birthday celebration with family and friends.

What truly stood out, however, was the exceptional level of service we received throughout the evening. The staff were not only friendly and accommodating but also incredibly helpful, ensuring that every aspect of our celebration ran smoothly. From assisting with menu selections to catering to any special requests, they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and valued.

Overall, our experience at Niku Japanese Grill was nothing short of fantastic. The combination of delicious food, friendly service, and innovative touches like the robot made for a birthday celebration that we'll cherish for years to come. Whether you're looking for a memorable dining experience or simply craving authentic Japanese cuisine, Niku Japanese Grill is a must-visit destination. We can't wait to return and create more wonderful memories at this...

Bought the 30-piece sushi-sashimi-roll party tray via SkipTheDishes for $49.99. The app offered a 6-piece crab meat maki roll for free since the order was $35+. The order arrived promptly as scheduled and the presentation was quite nice.

The 10 pieces of sashimi were 2 each of salmon, tuna, octopus, red snapper and surf clam. The salmon, and especially the tuna, sashimi were sliced on the small side. Given that tuna was only served as sashimi, slightly larger cuts would have made the tray better value.

The 8 pieces of nigiri were 2 each of salmon, red snapper, cooked shrimp, and surimi (imitation crab). The rice was perfectly seasoned and not dry, and the fish were sliced proportional in size to the rice.

Finally there were 2 sets of maki rolls, a Dynamite roll and a Holly Maki roll, plus the free 6-piece surimi maki. The spicy mayo was nicely flavoured and did not drown the rolls.

The selection of ingredients is a bit disappointing. As the photo shows, surimi is heavily used: 2 large pieces on the nigiri, and in all three maki rolls. Replacing the two surimi nigiri with tuna, saba (mackeral) or unagi (bbq eel) would have made the tray better. Don't call surimi crab meat; call it what it really is: imitation crab meat. The excessive use of surimi definitely detracts from the variety and taste, and makes the tray's value even worse.

Unfortunately, I don't feel the current 30-piece tray is worth $49.99 (more like $40). The additional free 6-piece maki made the tray only a little more reasonable. I highly recommend the restaurant make it a 36-piece tray for this price, and use much less...