Sushi Island — Restaurant in St. John's

8:00pm on Thursday October 15. Our table of two was 1 of 3 tables in the whole restaurant. We ordered from the menu instead of all you can eat style. I'm going to start by saying my food was good. I enjoyed it just like I enjoyed it my last two visits there. The service however, was not up to par. The worst service I have received in any restaurant hands down. I would also like to note that I have never written a review, nor have I left without tipping my server, in any restaurant prior to this. I worked in the industry so I understand the employees views and preferences as well as what the customer enjoys. After arriving we were promptly greeted by the 1st server. She was nice, she got our drinks promptly and gave us a few minutes to chat before coming back and asking if we needed more time with the menu. We did need more time so she smiled and walked away. Not one minute later, the 2nd server came by. She asked if we were ready to order to which we replied no. The 1st server came back when she seen our menus closed and took our order. The food was all quick coming out which we were happy about. Our starters were brought out by the 1st server. While eating the 2nd server came out and put a plate on our table that was not ours. When she passed by next I told her we didn't order that. Her response, or lack thereof, really rubbed me the wrong way. She notifies us it was the wrong table and gives it to the correct table. Then our main meals are brought out by the 2nd server. We did not see the 1st server after this, I am assuming she was off. During our time of eating and chatting we were visited multiple times by the 2nd and now a 3rd server. It seemed to me like they weren't communicating as they would each come back only minutes after the other and ask if we were still doing okay. We were clearly eating and clearly chatting and enjoying our night. The 3rd server refilled my water multiple times which was good. At one point my friend dropped a chopstick. The 2nd server seen it happen and sent the 3rd server over to ask if she "needed her to do anything". My friend requested new chopsticks and they were held very rudely right in front of her eyes so close by her face when the 3rd server returned with them. At this point we are getting uncomfortable, and the constant visits to the table from server 2 and 3 were making us feel rushed. Not long after, server 3 comes by and starts taking my friends plate. After its already in her hands off the table she says "are you finished?" in shock my friend said "yes" although there was still food she was eating. The server then reaches across us to the other side of the table and takes our rice and soup bowls which we weren't actually finished with either. This all added to our feeling of unwelcome and being rushed. She then came back and asked if I wanted my food packaged up. Even though I was still eating and still enjoying my chatting with my friend I paused to think for a second and said "no that's alright I probably won't eat it when I get home" to which she looked at me with a rude look and said "sorry" and rolled her eyes. I tried to explain myself by saying "no its just that I usually forget about my left overs after getting home" she didn't respond and walked away. Like I said, I enjoyed the food. Sushi is just not something that is good left over. She came back immediately and said "you can pay at the front." My friend and I are both in shock at this point. I pay first, and I couldnt bare to leave a tip after feeling like I did. My friend paid second and requested a reciept. I watched server 3 wait for the reciept to print while looking at it, obviously noticing there wasn't a tip. She sighed and rolled her eyes very obviously. We left and I can guarentee it will be our last visit, along with all of our...

Hello,

Sushi Island was one of the restaurants in St. John’s that I frequently visited. However, after the extremely regrettable experience that I had today at Sushi Island, it is very unlikely that I will ever be setting my foot inside the restaurant again.

My friends and I — a group of 5 — went to Sushi Island today for an “all you can eat” dinner. I am indignant at the service that I received today.

For one thing, the waitresses kept ignoring us — although probably unintentionally — when we called for another order slip or more water. This was inconvenient, but still understandable.

However, I feel that we were treated unfairly when we were told by the waitress when we tried to order another round of sashimi that this order is going to have to be our last order. There were over 2 hours left until the restaurant closes. The restaurant is advertised as an “all you can eat” buffet. I saw no conditional statement on the menu that said we had to leave after a certain amount of time, or that we were limited to a certain number of orders.

I am outraged that the restaurant would put a quota on the number of orders that we could make. I had the all you can eat meals at sushi island on several occasions, and I only have a couple of orders most of the time I am there. The one time I visit sushi island and order several rounds, they decide to tell me that I cannot order any more food. And considering that our table was occupied by five people (4 men and 1 woman), I think that it is understandable that we would order several rounds.

On top of that, I was disgusted to find that my friends and I were charged a mandatory 15 percent gratuity. I feel deceived that the “tip” was mandatory. If this service fee is mandatory, I am greatly puzzled as to why this is not explicitly stated in the menu. Each person was charged 15 percent gratuity — over 8 dollars — on top of the price stated on the menu plus tax.

The whole concept of an all you can eat buffet is based on the idea that for each customer who eats a large portion, there are a few people that eat less. As a result, the restaurant comes out with a net gain. Sushi Island advertises an “all you can eat” dinner, and we paid for it. Their decision to restrict the amount of food was a failure to keep their end of the promise, and was unjustified since they took our money — with hidden costs — for making such a promise.

I have no intention of going back to Sushi Island after today, knowing that they will not hold up their end of the bargain. I hear that there are new sushi restaurants in town, and my loyalty is...

The food is absolutely delicious and, in all seriousness, I have to say that it’s the best service I’ve ever received at any restaurant. The staff members are so nice and they all seem very genuine. Service happens ridiculously quickly. Like, I cannot stress this enough, even during rush hour, I don’t think we’ve ever waited more than around 10 minutes for our food. My mother and I go fairly frequently, admittedly to the point that we get recognized by most. The quality of the food is consistant and the prices are amazing. We always get the $40 combo thing they offer and honestly, it’s such a steal that it feels criminal. You get two drinks (pop), two extra sauces, four appetizer-like things (soup and salad), four rolls of sushi, and three side dishes. They offer complimentary ice cream at the end of your meal if it’s available and ginger and wasabi are both free as well. The combo feeds 2-3 people. Also, they have robotic cats that bring you food and, I promise, seeing them and getting to pet the robocat is enough to make grown adults squeal like children. It’s seriously so fun. The ordering is done digitally and the robocats are able to communicate in a myriad of languages as well, which I assume should be good for non-native English speakers or just non-speakers, period. The atmosphere is wonderful and the walls are covered in beautiful murals. I know this review sounds like I’m being paid to write this but I’m genuinely not, I just love it that much. I have literally nothing to say about the place except for glowing praise. If you’re in the St. John’s area and you like sushi or would like to try it, I’d highly recommend you go.

Food recommendations: seaweed salad black dragon roll spicy tuna roll salmon avocado cream cheese roll golden crab roll pork cutlet sweet and sour...