KōL Izakhaya — Restaurant in Gauteng

I find this venue to be an excellently run establishment. The food is amazing, presentation of the Hibachi was fun and engaging. Our waiter, Albert, was accommodating and would provide background and insight with the menus. The atmosphere was great but not to my liking, though when the lights went out from loadshedding, I could appreciate it a lot more. Overall, I was very impressed and would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for authentic Japanese food with a twist of fusion. If not for that, at least go there for the experience.

Now, to address the negativity. I've seen comments that the menu is confusing, drinks did not have prices, food is pricey for their portions, food is bland, service was terrible, the interior is for show. Let me just say, this is a fine dining venue for the experience.

Menu? The title labels are renamed to fit the theme of the venue. If you spend some time going through it or even done some research, you'' find the menu works exactly like every other menu out there.

Missing prices? Did not see any of it. Everything is clearly labelled and the menus have seen some age, these are not new menus and have been around for some time. These claims are unfounded.

Food is pricey? The prices are fair, look at the other restaurants around. George's grillhouse have similar prices and they serve different portions too. A different restaurant altogether. If you are unsure of the portions, feel free to ask the waiters, they are always there to answer your questions. I ordered a Gyu Don Donburi, it was almost identical to the food in Japan, it was so good but I ended up not being able to finish it from its portion size.

Food is bland? This comment irked me. Stating that octopus had no taste and was chewy. A simple Google research will actually say it does not have much flavour, it tastes of the ocean, the flavour profile can be changed subtly, it is chewy like gummy candy.

Service? As I said, I had nothing but the best service. It wasn't just our waiter that served us, but additional other waiters wouid come by and assist or adjust our table accordingly.

Just do some reading and set your expectations to match the scenario. Perhaps even expect to experience different flavour profiles you've...

What to say…

I had been excited to eat here for quite some time as I had heard only good things about the food and restaurant as a whole. Never had a chance to go but decided that “I had no excuse” for my birthday.

Made a booking for my partner and I a few days ago for 19:00 and arrived on time. The hostess told us that table was being cleaned up and if we’d like to wait at the bar - they would call us when our table was ready.

After 20 minutes, I thought it best to go to the hostess and follow up as I saw a few tables being cleared and filled. I spoke to a couple with their son who had been waiting before us as they were also frustrated. The hostess informed me that the manager had given our table away. I was frustrated but decided to go back to the bar and wait a little longer to give them time.

After a few minutes - the hostess came to apologize on behalf of the manager. I made it clear that if he was apologetic, he would have done it in person.

10 minutes passed and after watching more people being seated, I decided it was best to pay for our bill and leave.

As my partner and I started to leave, we only then approached by other staff and “promised” to be assisted. Unfortunately at this point, I was no longer impressed by the lack of care - considering the high-end nature of the restaurant - and decided to leave instead where we were then told by the hostess as we left “oh we had a table for you in the corner”.

To be clear, it was not the over 30mins of waiting that bothered me. I’m a patient person and have worked in the food industry for 10 years. It was the change of story, lack of follow up and complete lack of communication and care between the team members that frustrated what should’ve been a relaxed and happy night.

On a lighter note, the bartenders were fantastic and made a brilliant cocktail. (I enjoyed my Asahi beer...

An absolutely BEAUTIFUL place to dine at. I came here for my birthday, and was extremely happy when I left.

Let's start off with the food. The taste of the food was spot on, it basically tastes like the food was made with love, or at least very well thought out. As well as the plating of the food was beautiful. I do have to warn people that is place is NOT cheap. Some dishes are extremely expensive for the portions you are receiving. Which I did know before coming here.

The service is EXCELLENT! Friendly, attentive, helpful etc etc etc. The waitress I had was also knowledgeable about the menu, as I wasn't sure which cocktail to drink, but she asked me the right questions to lead me to the drink I should choose (which was delicious by the way).

The atmosphere. Wow. Just wow. We sat close by the sushi bar, and it was such an amazing "view" that it made my eating experience even better. They have it all figured out, from where you sit, to the bar, to even going to the bathroom. I normally never review a bathroom, but this one I have to mention. It was stunning, with sensor doors, clean toilets, to the cream we were able to use, and the highlight of the bathroom was in the ladies communal area, where they provide perfumes for us to use if we need. It's such a small touch, but an impactful one.

I would definitely recommend this place, as the overall experience was amazing.

Just again, please be aware, it is more on the pricier side of life.

Edit: Spoke to a friend, she has also eaten here recently, and she would not recommend the cold noodles (I didn't purchase this, I only had what you see in...