Zauo Shinjuku

Place is very loud, unnecessary drums every 10 seconds, uncontrolled kids running around. Part time staff are unfriendly and speak very quietly, their explanations of the menu were very confusing and we had to ask several times what they meant. Staff looked to me several times, confusing that it was my birthday being celebrated although the name was clearly not mine and instead my boyfriends. Fish abuse, damaged, close-to-death fish get stabbed several times by adults and kids alike and even die in the pools, but unless paid for, get thrown away. Fish are mixed up in the pools so even if you fish in the spot you’re supposed to, you can end up catching the wrong fish for no reason. I caught a red snapper in the horse mackerel section assuming it was a large horse mackerel (as most people would assume too), was congratulated by staff, then told to pay an extra 3,000¥ to eat the fish I caught. When I said no and that the fish was in the wrong spot, they threw it back in without apologizing for the mixup and walked away. I ordered the plum menu for me and my boyfriend. The food came out whenever the staff felt like it, and they had forgotten two of the final orders (the main dish of ochazuke and the dessert), having us wait for 45 minutes in between being served the fish. Since we had quickly ran out of tickets even though we only got two small mackerels, one shrimp, and a shellfish (4,000 yen per person for this), we had to wait this long time as the drums and children went off, stressing us both out. After we finally asked the servers to bring out the two dishes, they appeared immediately as if they were waiting in the back the whole time. The food was cold, which proved this. Since it was taking such a long time between dessert and the birthday cake that I had asked over online reservation, we had asked for the check, which then prompted them to rush the birthday cake, which looked very hurried and in fact was the same cheap looking cake they used for the dessert (that we had just eaten). The backdrop that was used for the picture was also placed upside down and the part time staff didn’t fix it until my boyfriend had mentioned it. When we finally got the check, I put my card in immediately, prompting the waiter to take it away, but he simply walked away for another 10 minutes. When he finally came back, it was to kick us out, saying our 90 minutes was up and that we needed to pay. The most horrifying thing about the experience was when he presented this bill. Even though the staff were very aware it was my boyfriends birthday, they gave the check FACE UP with the price in bold letters directly to MY BOYFRIEND!! Why would he pay for his own birthday meal!?! I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t speak. When the staff finally decided to show up again, he pushed the check towards me and when I pushed it back to him with my card, he pushed it back to me AGAIN. It wasn’t until I said my card was there and pointed to it clearly there that he took it. The card didn’t work, which added onto the frustration (although this part is not their fault), but honestly I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. We both noticed that the staffs name plates mostly had the title of trainee, so it’s understandable that they wouldn’t be perfect, but the main senior staff was the one who gave my boyfriend the bill. We were placed in the corner right next to the staff preparation area, so we were able to see and hear the staff throughout the meal. When we asked to be moved at the beginning, they denied the request. We both commented that the staff seemed to be very uncomfortable to talk to, awkward, and unable to answer any questions with a straightforward answer. The food portions were very small for the price and the timing was horrendous. I heavily recommend using your money elsewhere, as ¥8,000 can buy you a lot more anywhere else in Tokyo.