Kyoto Restobar — Restaurant in St. Helier

Kyoto Food was good, service, I guess will depends.

First time visiting Jersey and stumbled across this place on Google maps.

Although there’s menu on the website, you’ll notice there’s no price. I had queried regarding this via email and whether booking is required - didn’t get a response. Anyway, on the last day of holiday, we decided to go for it as we are craving for sushi / sashimi.

Their menu is available outside and we have checked the price before making a reservation.

We got in and got seated, but no menu was given and the staff (later found out was the manager), had just been serving food, sorting out collection orders. Then we got our menu.

Didn’t thought much of it, ordered the food and waited. We ordered the 36 pieces sashimi, we asked if it will includes all the other sashimi on the menu, he said yes, but is a mixed.

When it arrives, he explained what they are. But he explained it so quick and so faced on, all we could think of he’s so close to the food. And at one point he actually touched them.

We were confused as to why there were cooked prawns, and I believe they didn’t have hokkigai (surf clam) and unagi (eel), so they were replaced with tuna, salmon and mackerel. Overall I would say the food is good for its value, and fresh to taste. However, a little disappointed when you expect all to be sashimi and some items are replaced. He actually explained to us when with order, that the sashimi is just the fish, as some customers weren’t aware of this; but not clear about cooked items will be included, or replacement.

We also got some water (still). We actually expected it to be fresh bottled water, but I don’t think this was the case. FYI, I don’t remember seeing still / sparkling water on the drinks menu.

Bill time! Total food and drink £52.20 Total with 10% discretionary service charge = £57.75 We could pay by card, but we wanted to use up all the cash (Jersey notes) but didn’t quite have enough, we have £56. Rather than asking for service charge to be removed, we asked if we could pay less. The manager was confused so I just asked could he please remove the service charge. To our shock, he shouted “so you don’t have the money”, and then just say ok and waited for us to pay, without giving us the new bill (with service charge removed), so I asked for it. And another shock, he grabbed and scrunched the bill on the table and print the new one. And we paid the exact amount due.

After leaving, we thought we will speak with their manager, so we went back and found out he was the manager. There’s no other customer in the restaurant and I believe they are closing up.

Shockingly, he explained that it was a misunderstanding, he was confused as we said the service was good but we asked for the service charge to be removed, as no other customers do this.

Firstly, it is clear on the menu that the service charge is discretionary, surely, irrelevant to how I find the service, it is still to the customer’s discretion to ask for it to be removed. If this is not what the restaurant expectation, make it clear and print it on the menu.

Secondly, even if you are shocked or confused, is it right to humiliate the customer saying that you just don’t have money? As if we have plan this to eat without paying at all.

I am unsure if anyone else’s have had similar experience as most reviews have been positive regarding the food. Anyway, even we’ve enjoyed the food, I doubt we will be back. I just don’t agree with the restaurant forcing customers to pay a service charge, and when you don’t because is “discretionary”, they’re...

My partner and I were visiting Europe and we tried sushi in at least 4 different countries and this was our best experience by a long shot.

Coming from California we are spoiled with cuisine diversity, so it was refreshing to eat somewhere with authenticity and excellent food in mind.

Before I talk about food I must say cheers to the staff, they were all very kind, attentive and helpful.

We had the chef’s sushi special which was fantastic, and would be even more stellar with some nigiri in the mix BUT they do serve a delicious nigiri plate our friends enjoyed with their Katsu plate and Tempura ebi.

Europe has some great local foods and dishes, Kyoto Restobar is among the best Japanese dining experiences you can have out here.

For drinks I encourage newcomers to try Japanese beers and sakes with your meal, but we understand people love their wine out...

Went here last night with my partner.

What a fantastic restaurant to have in St Helier. My partner and I have been to a couple of Sushi restaurants in Jersey and Kyoto was by far the best we have been to so far.

On entering, the staff were polite, smiling and took us to our table, where they offered to take our coats.

We looked over the extensive menu and made our decision. We decided on, Vegi Gyoza, Crazy Sake, Sea red miso Suzuki, Maguro no moto, Chicken teriyake futo & Ahiru no. The food was delicious and came within a good time. It was all fresh and tasted amazing. The best Sushi I have in Jersey so far.

Very happy to come here and we will be returning again soon!

Thanks to Kyoto for a...