Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Pub — Restaurant in Winnipeg

This is incredibly disappointing to need to post. My family, has been dining at Ichiban for all occasions over the past 30 years. We have taken countless out-of-town friends here and shared many business dinners with colleagues here. After our most recent visit and managements response, we will be taking an extended, perhaps permanent break from this restaurant.

The chef reheated a woman's half-eaten dish on the tables stove while in the middle of cooking other dishes. This felt unsanitary and extremely uncomfortable.

The prices have increased exponentially which I understand in the economy climate. The portions of certain items has decreased. Items have been removed from categories. But the real issue here is recently the food lacked flavour, was not cooked well, and made family members sick.

Over our last 5 visits we have requested our favourite chef and not gotten him. It's a request not a guarantee - I understand, but they should be honest with guests so expectations can be properly set. This past visit we were promised on the phone he would be cooking at our table. Upon arrival, we were once again told he would be our chef. Until we sat down and the waitress came to confirm the opposite we were lied to.

We were seated at a table with a family that had very young children who ran around the restaurant into the bar from our table often. These kids multiple times went where the chef stands before and after the dinner trying to touch the hot stove. Someone from our party had to tell the kids parents that the stove was not a safe place for them due to the high temperature. Why is the restaurant not holding standards to ensure safety for young ones and that everyone's experience is a fun and relaxing one?

These kids constantly yelled at the chef (which he handled well but should not have had too) about wanting to try everything or to switch what they ordered for something else he was cooking. Multiple times changes to their menu were made resulting in everyone else not in their party but seated at the same table having less of what they ordered. We do not have a problem with children dining at the restaurant but believe there should be rules that parents can assess if their kids are able to act politely towards the staff and other guests. Additionally the restaurant should make sure that each guest gets what they pay for.

Due to the children sat at the table, the restaurant set an extra seat without arms on the chair for our party at the table. A member of our party was uncomfortably sat squished into the pole and another member at our party sat on the outskirts of the corner of the table. Again, when paying a more premium price for a night out, the expectation for a proper seat is not too much to ask for.

We got the number and email at the front for management in order to not cause a scene in front of other guests about our experience. We emailed management and received a delayed response where no real action seemingly will be taken to revive the quality of Ichiban.

This used to be an establishment in Winnipeg to boast about and it's a shame that it has changed exponentially. In sharing our review, we hope no one else feels the way we do - ripped off by hard earned money being wasted here at the time.

I sincerely hope the owners are able to reestablish this place someday as this is a true...

Hard to believe, my first visit to Ichiban was over 45 years ago. They have not changed much in the interval. It is still great food and a good show. I haven't been for many years but a new realitive (one of my off sprung has a new partner) suggested it as a good place to meet. Indeed, the menu was basically unchanged, although the sushi bar that was installed a couple of decades ago has moved from the main area into the kitchen you can still order a roll for an appetizer. Our new relative is from out of town an explained that she loves to visit the Ichiban whenever she is in town and has eaten there often. Her favorite meal is the Supreme, beef, chicken and shrimp, one I can agree is particularly nummy, but this time I tried the scallops. Alas, their cooking style does not lend itself to cooking scallops the way I like them and I'd stick to the Supreme or one of beef, chicken, or shrimp for future trips. Be assured, there will be future trips, the visit was very nice. The cooking is the floor show, and the chef's are good at it. Lots of flair, lots of banging and flames, a good show ... The appetizer is fried chicken livers, which does not sound all that great, but is one of the reasons I like going back. It is a very delicious dish and I recommend it heartily.

I'm not much for cocktails so I can't speak to the bar, but our friend quite liked the blue one, even before we noticed that the drink matched her finger nails. Note, If the party has any kind of special event, birthday, anniversary something like that your party can comp a free dessert. Which also hasn't changed in 35 years and is still a nice treat.

In all, it has not changed because if it ain't broke don't fix it. It is expensive, the Supreme dinner I mentioned is $60.00 but as a special treat it is a fun and tasty trip.

They validate your parking if you park in the parade, but the 18 bus drops you off 3 or 4 blocks from the place so it's pretty easy to get there. The place is such a blast from the past, with hints of the old Beach Comber resurant for those of us that old. It has become a part of Winnipeg history and there is a strong nostalgic...

We went here for a group dinner while in Winnipeg for a conference. It is conveniently located downtown, within short walking distance from several hotels and the Convention Centre.

We did not have a reservation, but they were able to fit us in after about an hour. They sat us in the lounge while we were waiting, and we each enjoyed a drink. The cocktails were good, and they had a selection of Japanese beers. The drinks arrived quickly, and the server was friendly.

We moved to a grill-top table in the main restaurant for dinner. They have a decent selection of combination dinners for a reasonable price (i.e. beef and chicken; chicken and salmon; etc). We selected a variety of different options for our meal, wich all included appetizers (miso soup and salad). We were first served our appetizers by the waitress, before our cook came to the table to cook our mains. The miso soup was decent - a very small portion and not very warm, but the flavour was good.

For the main part of the meal, the cook put on an entertaining show for us while he cooked our food. He served it to us in courses as it was prepared. He was very engaging, funny, and put on a good show. It was someone's birthday at our table, and he made her feel special throughout the meal.

The meat & seafood was hot, delicious and served with great sauces (not quite as good as the sauce at Japanese Village if you've ever been there - but close!) Even for those of us who did not order particular meats, or the fried rice option, he still gave everyone a sample to try which was very nice.

A few people in my group ordered dessert, which was very nicely plated and arrived quickly. The birthday girl also received a free dessert. The reviews were very good for the flavour, presentation and portion size.

Overall, we left full and happy and had a...