杏ダイニング An Dining — Restaurant in Kutchan

I had a bad experience on NYE

Tragic tale - I had a bad experience. Maybe one off, but must rate it down based on this one".

Let me explain - I’ve been to An Dining several times for lunch and dinner. I always consider it a good place, good food and service. For New Years Eve, I decided to pre-book/pre-pay for the NYE dinner course (Y15,000 per person) to have a special night. Booking was 9pm which was bit tight for NYE schedule but went for it since it fit.

Minor Issue #1 - I was bit surprised when they said, pre-paid and no cancellation/refund even booking 1wk ahead. Not the best policy for any restaurant.. but so be it.

Minor Issue #2 - Due to issues w/ prior booking and major broken glasses/bottles (said the manager), 2nd/late seatings were all delayed a little. Its ok, but the staff sure looked in a panic as 9pm/915pm etc seatings arrived on time or early like us. It was ok, we got seated 10min late.

Minor Issue #3 - Menu was printed on a pretty cheesy/cheap inkjet printed paper. Its ok, but not too classy.. if An wants to be 5-star, they need to up the game and get a professional printer.

Major Issue #1 - 1st course, potato soup was lukewarm. Both of us thought hmm… this needs to be hot! Also bit inconsistent presentation — one of the soups had truffles all in the middle, one was scattered about. Bad start.

Major Issue #2 - 4th course, chawanmushi - also lukewarm. We’ve all had this dish at any sushi place and know it should be hot. I noticed later seeing other folks chawanmushi queued up on the counter (maybe too long and cold as well?).

Major Issue #3 - Staff was so unorganized, they attempted to give us another soup after our 2nd course, and then later tried to give us another 3rd course (tartar). Its comical but also not something you could do several times in a meal and get a 5-star (or even 4 no less a michelin) rating. They also didn’t know what water I ordered so asked me and I could see them sorting thru bottles to guess which was mine.

Major Issue #4 - I ordered a glass of wine but at checkout they charged me for bottle. The staff said you ordered bottle, and I said no, I ordered glass. Then he brought the bottle trying to prove me wrong and I said that bottle is nearly full, I didn't order it but indeed they did pour my 1 glass from it — and come on, if I ordered a bottle they should have offered to refill my glass at least once??? Instead there is a nearly open bottle which nobody noticed or cared that it sat untouched for an hour... They fixed my bill, but still its ridiculous.

Overall the food (that was hot) was l good (Steak was great, crab tempura very tasty, and dessert splendid). However I don’t know about you but for 15k JPY per person, I expect a LOT better (if not perfect) food and service. I felt they over-booked squeezing in the 2nd seating and it did not pay off for them when they had issues (at my expense).

I did contact the manager and he apologized and explained the 1st seating issues but didn't explain the food or service issues. Casual lunch or drinks/dinner is fine, but this place IS NOT for fine dining. Stick to Kamimura or Asperges if you want a special...

Had the Premium tasting menu for 4 and generally ate half of each tasting dish due to questionable quality. There are much better choices in Niseko.

Large prawns had beautiful presentation but were very mushy/mealy tasting so we all had one bite stopped (note: it is common for prawns to become mushy if the head is left on as it releases a digestive enzyme that makes the prawn mushy).

The sushi had an odd butane taste to it. I'll assume it was served Yakotori style but they must of used a butane torch instead of the the traditional straw fire and smoke to give edges a light char.

Wagyu was very good.

Overall C- quality food. Nice setting, presentation, but very mediocre food. Service was average for regular restaurant, poor for a tasting menu and overpriced. The young staff tried and were nice but were inexperienced (seemed like first week on the job and hadn't worked in a restaurant before). Would put course down and run away without a word (not explain anything), you'd have to ask for a clean plate.

Overall not close to tasting...

Just spent 2 weeks at Niseko ,staying at Ki Niseko and although the weather may have not delivered upon its reputation ,(seems Mother Nature got her months mixed up) my stay at Ki and all its staff exceeded with theirs . It was truly a highlight just being here with its warm , and friendly staff and 5 star facilities .No wonder it always wins best Boutique Hotel in the world award. The staff and cuisine at An Dining make it truly a fine dining experience and I sincerely say among the best in Niseko . A special shout out goes to Robin and his bar staff team at Ki - Elliot ,Harry Jack and Aidan who with their exceptional service, friendliness and great cocktails supplemented for Mother Natures confusion . Third time here and will be back again . My best regards and great 2025 season to all it’s...