Botejyu SM City Butuan — Restaurant in Butuan

Food is good. But the service, not so much.

Reserving was hard. No proper response/confirmation when texted. Did not answer call as well. Luckily the restaurant was not packed.

Went there around 10am. It took a while for staff to have us seated despite us being the only customers at the entrance. The mall just opened and everyone seemed to be in a sleepy mood.

We had to get up from our table several times just to call the server's attention to: take our orders ask for water request additional orders cause she was usually far away or doing something else (with the admin/manager perhaps).

There were delays in serving our additionals cause the server and cooks do not seem to have active communication. Ex. We saw our order sitting at the counter for quite a while (more than 5min. perhaps). We didn't assume it was ours at first because it was inside a takeout container. We were dine-in customers. But the server was already passing by it many times and did not even notice.

The food was good though. Will definitely come back for the food– especially the Luxury Tonkotsu Ramen, Tender Pork Omelette Curry Rice, Maguro Nigiri Sashimi, and the Golden Shrimp Tempura. We loved those!

The Karaage (Botekara all-star) however, it was not good by itself, had to add garlic mayo. And I can't really taste the difference between the flavors. The size was unreasonably small for its price too.

Overall, probably a 5/10 ⭐ because of the service. I'm just disappointed because it was meant as a birthday treat but the service was truly subpar. And this is a known Japanese Restaurant– we had better expectations.

[update] Visited again a month later, service was a bit better. Staff were polite and accommodating and the serving time...

I am compelled to articulate my concerns regarding the service at your esteemed fine dining establishment. While I prefer to remain anonymous, I feel it is imperative to share my experience. As a physician and entrepreneur, I am a frequent patron of BOTEJYU, where I have consistently found the staff to be exemplary in their hospitality and service—except for the current female manager, Ms. Mary Jane.

During a recent visit, I witnessed an incident involving a large group. Ms. Mary raised her voice in a manner that was both disrespectful and unbecoming towards the guests and her staff over a minor issue regarding a child's meal from a fast food chain that the group was bringing for a single child. Despite the mother’s earnest pleas for compassion and consideration of their request, Ms. Mary obstinately refused, resulting in the mother departing in tears due to the humiliation of the public confrontation. I was shocked, as were the other guests in the room with me.

This conduct is deeply troubling, as it is not the first instance I have observed of her mistreatment of guests. I have noted her hubris and unprofessional demeanor on multiple occasions, which undermines the otherwise laudable experience your restaurant endeavors to provide.

I implore higher management to rectify this alarming behavior. It is crucial for the reputation of your establishment that all staff, particularly management, adhere to a standard of respect and decorum.

Thank you for your attention to...

Our experience at Botejyu SM Butuan was pleasant overall. The reception crew stood out for their helpfulness in guiding us through the extensive menu when we felt overwhelmed by the many choices available. The staff were accommodating and attentive, enhancing our dining experience.

The restaurant's cozy ambiance was inviting, but the small size meant it filled up quickly, particularly during busy periods. This could lead to a crowded atmosphere, especially during peak hours, which might not suit everyone's preference for a relaxed dining environment.

As for the food, we opted for the steak, but unfortunately, we were disappointed by the small portion size given the high price. While the quality may have been good, the value for money was questionable in our opinion.

Despite this setback, we would still recommend Botejyu for its overall service and atmosphere. However, we might consider trying different menu items on our next visit to ensure a more satisfying...