Sakura Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Ontario

This is by far the worst restaurant/sushi experience I have ever had. I've been to a number of restaurants in the Ottawa area and while some weren't great they were all at least acceptable. I was hoping for at least a minimum level of quality when visiting Sakura with a friend for lunch today.

Staff: -Barely intelligible -No smiles -Very rude

We had servings of food literally dropped in front of us without any regard for what we were doing even though there was an entire half of the table not being used. The waitresses continually filled up our water whether we asked or not and didn't bother asking themselves. In the process of filling the water (something they did frequently and quickly) they were often spilling it on the tablet. At one point a waitress came up to our tablet and took a menu from us, telling us that we only needed one. I could understand this if the restaurant was packed but there was barely a quarter of the tables occupied.

Restaurant/Utensils:

The restaurant itself appeared to be very clean, I did not get a look at the washrooms so I can't comment on them. Their use of plastic chop sticks was very disappointing though, they were light, slippery and longer than standard chopsticks and were just outright annoying to use. Give me a pair of cheap wooden ones any day over plastic. The last thing I ordered was a bowl of breaded chicken donburi ( more on this later) and the utensil they gave me to eat it with was a soup spoon. Also, when ordering we were not given the typical selection menu that is commonplace with AYCE sushi places in the Ottawa region or even iPad tablets with menu apps on them that I have seen popping up here and there. We had small 3x5 cm squares of paper that we needed to write our orders out on, not only did it seem like more of a hassle but also very cheap and annoying compared to other methods.

Food:

Here is where I drew the line between this being a bad Sushi place and a terrible one. I've been to a few places where the service isn't the best but usually the food is decent enough to make up for it. The rice was overcooked in every dish, half the rolls fell apart and the temperature of the fish ranged from outright freezing to warm ( something that has me worried about food poisoning). The friend that I ate there with would not finish her first order because of how badly it turned her off, our second order was something considerably different in hopes of finding quality. She ordered steamed dumplings that appeared to have been grilled and burnt on one side and I ordered the breaded chicken donburi. My donburi arrived with bone white chicken caked in what appeared to be the batter they were supposed to have fried it in (the chicken was also luke warm, not hot) over a bowl of mushy wet rice.

I understand that many AYCE sushi places sacrifice something in the way of quality in order to make enough profit. Usually the staff is adequate, the decor a little tacky and the service passable. Along with these drawbacks though usually comes a great meal and that's why it is worth it.

I have almost nothing good to say about Sakura, I don't recommend that...

PAID $27 FOR A GLASS OF WATER!!!! My son and daughter went this evening with a group of friends for a "Farewell Supper" as many of their friends are leaving to pursue their studies. My son went to enjoy the times with his friends and had only a glass of water. When the initial order was place the waiter asked who was ordering and then wrongly assumed that everyone else was having the buffet. My son was not the only one who did not order. A friend of his had only a coke which ended up costing her extra too. When my son disputed the bill for the water he was told he had been charged for the buffet, of which he had nothing from, and the rest was for service. I guess it's $7 then just for a glass of Kingston's water. Needless to say when he left he was less then polite and was told he was no longer welcomed there. Outrageous that a waiter has no idea what's he's doing and that the restaurant can charge for something that my son never received. I'm glad I was not there as I would have given the manager a piece of my mind and I would have charged him at least $50 for it.

Well I wrote the above review 4 years ago. I will be going back for the first time this week. So we shall see if it has improved. First Katy Olohan's comment is more then laughable. She is maybe too young to understand and should stay in school but the simple truth is that bad food, bad service = bad reviews. Second Kelvin Young, there was the best restaurant called Fuji Sushi that was 100% better in every way to Sakura. Sadly it closed before enough people found that little gem. It was in the Clock Tower little mall near the Cat Centre.The best!! Well I will give Sakura's another try and see if they have improved at all and then update my review.

March,2016 Went and tried Sakura's again. I have to say that it has greatly improved since the last time I was there. The service is a LOT better. The food is a LOT better. I have no complaints and will go again. Now that The Mandarin is right there(which I have not tried yet) I wonder how business will...

If you're looking for an all-you-can-eat dining experience in Kingston with a twist, Sakura Japanese Restaurant should be at the top of your list. This restaurant offers a modern approach to the all-you-can-eat concept with the convenience of ordering from a tablet at your table. You can quickly browse the extensive menu, select your favorite items, and hit submit—before you know it, your dishes are delivered straight to your table.

One of the standout features at Sakura is the speed and efficiency of service. While the customer service might not be the warmest or friendliest, the team is quick to take action and ensure your orders arrive in a timely manner. It's a no-frills, no-fuss approach that gets straight to the point, which many customers will appreciate, especially if you're there for the food.

The tablet-based ordering system offers a unique advantage: you can control your total calorie intake through your table profile. This is especially helpful for those who are conscious of their daily consumption and want to enjoy their meal without overindulging. It's a thoughtful addition that adds a modern and health-conscious touch to the traditional all-you-can-eat format.

Sakura's menu is expansive, with plenty of options to suit all tastes. From sushi and sashimi to tempura and grilled items, there's something for everyone. The food is consistently fresh and well-prepared, making it a pleasure to explore the menu. However, with so many options, it's impossible to try everything in one visit, so multiple trips are almost a necessity to truly experience everything they have to offer.

Overall, Sakura Japanese Restaurant is a fantastic spot for anyone looking for a convenient, fast, and calorie-conscious all-you-can-eat experience. While customer service might not be the warmest, the efficient service, fresh food, and innovative ordering system more than make up for it. If you're in Kingston and in the mood for Japanese cuisine, this place is highly recommended. Enjoy your meal and be prepared to come...