THE SODOH HIGASHIYAMA KYOTO — Restaurant in Kyoto

I really wanted to love this place because it came highly recommended but it just wasn’t worth the hefty price tag. The service was also average at best and we didn’t receive a warm welcome or feel “part of the family” like others have.

I dined with my 8 year old son and we went to the wrong entrance (thanks Google Maps) which staff seemed annoyed about. When we did make it to the restaurant, we were seated at a table in the middle despite there being a nice table by the window free (and it remained unoccupied for the entire time we were there). I had to ask for water and a fork (twice) - they kept taking the cutlery away and didn’t replace it. They also didn’t bring a menu at all. I had the “seasonal” menu which was fine but when I asked about options for kids I was told my son would be having the kid version of what I was having. There were two kids sat at a table next to us and they seemed to be having kids meals so they obviously had them but we weren’t given the option (there was also a language barrier which I get but the seasonal menu was in English so … ?)

The portions were also tiny (I literally polished off a box of popcorn when I got home). I paid extra for the wagyu and it was even tinier (see photo). And the glass of champagne? More like half a glass, the pour was measly. The servers (we had several) didn’t explain the food. They just plonked it down and walked away. I expected more.

The restaurant is super dark with mood lighting so not really family friendly and geared more towards couples.

We chose this place because it was my son’s birthday and we wanted a treat. I noted this at the time of booking yet it wasn’t mentioned at all. At the table across from us, another diner had a cake, candles, photos, the works so it felt like we were treated differently again. Disappointing and then some. To top it all off I went to the bathroom and when I came back the bill was on the table (I hadn’t asked for it). This felt like a not so subtle message to pay and leave which I didn’t understand because my son was very well behaved.

We left and waited 10 or so minutes to collect our umbrella. As we were standing there waiting, a young, local couple stood in front of us and were served immediately (it was obvious we were waiting). No sorry, no excuse me, nothing.

Anyway, it was so so and I don’t think...

We looked forward to The Sodoh more than any other restaurant in Kyoto, but what a disappointing experience. We arrived and were asked to wait as is usual in any restaurant. Two other couples arrived after us and were seated first and quickly. We were kept waiting and waiting and finally were escorted past a beautiful room (the main dining room seen on their website) to this drab, saaaaaad, dark room off to the side (near the bathroom and kitchen). We quickly realised this was the kids room as the next four couples that came in had very young children. If you look at the photo we posted you will see that it is nothing like the photos on their website as this is not the room they advertise. Finally another couple was seated without kids next to us but they complained and were quickly moved to the main dining room. Don't get us wrong, we love kids more than anything (more than anything) and it is great that they have a section for families with children, however they should inform guests in advance if they plan to put them in that room. You don't want to go to dinner at a fancy restaurant and be seated in the kids room. Lastly, it was a five course meal and it felt like they were so rushed. As soon as you put the last spoonful in your month they whisked the plate away and brought the next course. At some point they even put my next course down, and squeezed it on the table before I had finished the other one. When making a booking, please find out where they plan to put you, as there are definitely two very different experiences there. Why we were put in the side room despite having made a booking we don't know. Thank you to our server who was great even after we asked why there were two experiences for guests of The Sodoh. To The Sodoh. Do better. All your guests deserve equal...

Our family of four dined in this restaurant last night. We ordered four steak dinners (12000 Yen per person) and we found the food bland and tasteless.

The service mediocre at best and it seemed that none of the staff spoke any English whatsoever (this would have come in handy… read on….).

No explanation of the food and no inquiry whether or not you enjoyed the food or which temperature you preferred your steak!

The setting is stunning however. If you want atmosphere and stunning setting and you don’t care about food and service…. This is your place!

The kicker was that the gent did not put my card through correctly and it came up declined. I was alarmed and thought my bank locked my card (later upon calling my bank overseas they informed me that my card was fine and that the card was not put through correctly!!!).

When this happened in the restaurant I provided the cash but was 1500 yen short. 1500 yen short of a 58,000 invoice and the staff wanted to ensure I left my family behind as security so I could walk down to the supermarket to get that 1500 yen!!!! I was made to feel like a criminal and nobody spoke English and of course I was panicking about why my card was not going through as well.

This is shocking for a restaurant especially when a few of us did not even finish the non alcoholic beverages because they were not very good and we were not asked why we did not drink them!!! However we never complain when such things happen and just pay a bill and leave! Just us.

This ruined our evening. We would have come back the day after and certainly handed them this small amount of change. Tasteless restaurant and staff for doing this. Shame on you….

Will...