Ipponyari Santa Rosa — Restaurant in Santa Rosa

My family and I visited this restaurant last night, which was my second time dining there. I had a great experience during my first visit for lunch last Friday. However, our recent visit left us extremely disappointed with the level of customer service, especially considering we were a family group of five, including a senior citizen.

SERVICE INCONSISTENCY and INFLEXIBILITY: During my previous lunch visit, they offered complimentary salad and cold tea, but these were not served during our visit last night. While it's understandable that these items are complimentary, it's unclear why the offerings varied. Additionally, when I ordered a sushi platter (mixed hachimori) last Friday, they informed me that ebi was unavailable and offered additional salmon as a replacement. However, last night when we ordered the same platter, they informed us that a particular ingredient was unavailable, but when I requested a substitute sushi as I had done before, I was told that altering the menu was not possible.

POOR TABLE MANAGEMENT: Our table was attended by different servers throughout our meal. One male server took our order, a female server informed us of an out-of-stock ingredient, and another male server brought our food, including the initial order that had to be changed. This caused confusion, particularly for my father who was expecting a different dish. Unfortunately, we were told that we had no choice but to accept the already cooked food.

SLOW AND INATTENTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE: Despite a service bell placed on our table, it was challenging to get the attention of a waiter. It took approximately two minutes of trying to catch their attention to request a fork, and another five minutes to actually receive one.

INADEQUATE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: The restaurant's inventory management appears to be flawed, leading to confusion and frustration among customers that could have been easily avoided with a more efficient system. Adding to the issues my father encountered, we ordered six pieces of mochi and were initially told by our first waiter that two flavors were available. However, the subsequent female waiter informed us that only the vanilla flavor remained. To our disappointment, during food service, we were informed that only one piece of mochi was actually available.

Overall, our experience at this specific branch of the restaurant was terrible, and we have decided never to return. The only positive aspect was the service provided by their security guard.

Note: The photo I have uploaded is illustrating the situation where waiters were congregated at the counter despite the availability of numerous unoccupied tables. This occurred while we were making an effort to get their attention in order to request a fork for our senior...

You aren’t greeted with a smile as you enter this establishment. Instead you are made to feel as if you are inconveniencing the staff for coming in. This attitude started from the reception/entrance and carried through to the service and upon exit. Just a gloomy feeling as if the staff are unhappy to carry out their job or too bothered to deal with you.

Many items on the menu were unavailable. Unfortunately we didn’t find out until after we already ordered. The waitress returned after 5 minutes to inform us items A, B, C are not available. We then scrambled to find something else to order. Only to be told any combination of items we ordered were also unavailable. There is zero flexibility to request substitute items when they run out of items. If a platter has 5 items but they only have 3 items, you will only get the 3 items. No extra servings of the available 3 items either. The staff made no attempt whatsoever to try and accommodate or assist in finding a solution. Instead you get a “take it or leave it” type of mindset at this restaurant.

Service was marginal and you never see a manager walking around in the dining area to greet customers. Upon paying the bill we didn’t receive a BIR official receipt. We received a receipt that was missing those BIR details one would normally see on a printed receipt. When we asked the waitress, she stated they only issue the receipt we were provided. She also said that if we wanted a BIR receipt we would need to provide our contact details to issue the BIR receipt. I found this response highly inappropriate and inconsistent with standard business practices. When you go to stores and purchase items you are given official receipts. You are not asked to provide personal details in order for them to issue a BIR receipt.

Unfortunately we will never return to this branch. We felt the staff and lack of management performed poorly. There was no effort made to try and find any amicable solution when asked to substitute unavailable items.

We enjoy other Ipponyari branches. This particular branch however left us feeling that our patronage is unwelcome and...

I've been getting lots of recommendations for this place and finally we were able to visit it during Lunch on a Sunday. Medyo agawan lang sa parking pero you can always park accross sa Paseo de Santa Rosa and just walk.

The Menu looks oddly familiar and then Iearned they started on Pasay Road Makati ages ago. That branch is now closed.

When eating in a Japanese resto i always order the Gindara. It has to be grilled really right kase and somehow this serves as my gauge for the chef's/cooks and the quality of the fish. There was a good Japanese restaurant in Ortigas who calmly told me that sir we will be unable to fulfill your order as the "quality of the fish is not good." Apparently if not right it melts. Wala lang kwento lang :P

The Gindara was perfect. Melt in your mouth goodness.. and the Teriyaki sauces was not too sweet.

The Tempura (standard fare) was crisp and the shrimps were of the right size and fresh.

The California Maki was "ok". Nothing special in there but it was good especially for those trying to avoid a 'full-on' Chahan or Gohan assault. :p

The Garlic Beef cube was soft and well seasoned so that's a good find too. Ill try the other one though this was a bit too garlicky for me and it somehow overpowers the taste of the beef.

Best of all - it's not that Pricey! Reasonable enough for the quantity. Real Bang-for-the-buck goodness!

Can't wait to indulge in the Kanton-men next time. One of my all-time go to...