Gion Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Waitematā

Extremely disappointed and insulted!!!

Came in for my mum’s birthday dinner and I were told that the restaurant could offer my mum a little dessert and sing her a birthday song. Wasn’t that good to give my 71 years old mum a little surprise?

When we were almost finishing, I whispered to the staff to bring out the little dessert but the staff went straight to mum and asked for her driver license. Unfortunately, my mum only celebrates her birthday on lunar calendar date in her whole life which I wasn’t aware of that could create a problem.

The terrible thing was after the staff discussed this issue with the manager or owner (I suspected she is the owner). The owner gave a very bad face and only said “no”, then walked away. No one come to our table again and ask if we want to order any other dessert. It was so awkward and embarrassed. I wish they can handle that nicely and ask us to pay for the dessert and the staff can still sing my mum a birthday song.

I tried to express our disappointment about the way they handle it. But the owner was so rude and didn’t care about what I said. We paid $239 for a 3 person dinner. Would we cheat for someone to sing us a birthday song in order to get a little dessert?!

The food was good except too much sugar has been put into some dishes. It was so sad that the owner ruined the...

I booked a table @ Gion for my wife and I. That went well.

I was slightly taken aback by the attitude of the person who took us to our table. I felt that we weren't the customers that were expected.

We were seated beside the only other occupied table in the restaurant which I found slightly unusual as both tables could clearly hear the other table's conversation given the restaurant was so quiet.

The attitude of the person who took our order (same person who seated us) was quite offhand with the result that we felt we wouldn't enjoy our evening. So, as there are 3 other good quality restaurants in the immediate area we left without spending a cent and had an enjoyable evening at one of the other restaurants.

When we were heading home having dined elsewhere it looked like Gion was empty. The other restaurants all had a reasonable number of people in them.

Last time we were at Gion, about 18 months ago, the food was very good. Unfortunately we didn't stay long enough to be able to comment on the...

Not toddler friendly.

Food: small sushi was excellent, cuts and fish was fresh. Entree miso eggplant, sauce was overly sweet. Rice was soggy, miso soup portion was small with no tofu or seaweed inside.

Service: most of the ladies serving were okay. We were not greeted with a cup of green tea per what their website said they would do. I have a toddler with me and we were not offered any high chair so he had to sit on my lap while we ate. Head server/ restaurant manager was ok until my 22 month old wandered on the bench to the neighbouring table that was empty. She grabbed him at the other end and I heard her say to him fiercely “if you … you GET OUT.” Others at my table heard it too. I was quite shocked.

While I would consider the food above average, it is expensive for what is being offered and appalling for the treatment of my child. I had an upset stomach when I got home too, unsure if it was something I ate at the restaurant.

I...