Yakitoro — Restaurant in Madrid

There are many aspects this place needs to improve to be in the top places to eat. First of all, the balance between offered food quality and price is pretty poor. After ordering our preferences, we got a suggestion from the waiter, to order a rice as a side dish. We ordered beef, ceviche, chicken...When we ask the waiter which dish should be companied by that rice his answer was: "It goes with all", showing poor command of food combination and willing to sell whatever depending on the amount of food is ordered on the table. We paid 5€ for a small rice ration, which was basically cooked rice with a couple of seeds, nothing special.

Second of all, beer is surprisingly expensive based on Spanish standards. 5€ for a 30cl regular beer far from craft, just average beer you may find in other restaurants for 3€. Wine prices are according standards.

After ordering, dishes arrived gradually and randomly, with gaps of around 5 min. The waiter would rather throw the dishes instead of placing them on the table. This was kind of annoying. The rice took the most and arrived after we finished all dishes but one.

Desserts do not fit the prices.

To conclude, we were given the bill even though we didn't ask for it. It may be because they wanted to release the table as soon as possible.

As a summary, so average place rather expensive. The chart is thought to cover dishes from different places in the world, lacking a main theme. Personnel focuses more on the speed than the costumer treat. Very disappointed, since the owner is famous to instruct and form other restaurants personnel. Clearly he does not apply the values ...

Yakitoro Reina is a somewhat confused place. It dresses itself up as an upmarket, trendy, Japanase-Fusion restaurant in central Madrid. In reality, it only has some of these features and seems to fall short of being truly unique or excellent.

When we first went there, they were full. We then couldn't make a reservation for 3 days, but then were able to 'walk in' for dinner the next day and the restaurant didn't seem particularly full. Then, when we returned again on the day of our reservation, the restaurant was empty and yet we still were made to wait about 10 mins before they had a table. We were then seated right next to another group even though there were many other free tables. This was thoroughly confusing.

The menu itself presented a reasonable variety of dishes, beverages and desserts. The food was brought out very promptly (although the service is much slower in terms of getting the order etc.) and on one occasion we were brought the wrong dish, and on both occasions we noted that they didn't have what we asked for (once a wine, and another time the Churros).

It could be quite a lot better than it is. If they streamlined their seating/reservation process, improved their service and went for a few finishing touches like having chopsticks at the table (instead of having to ask for them and wait for them to appear), having Sake on the menu, then I think this place would be worth the $$$ you spend. What ends up happening is that you go there, spend your dollars and then leave feeling a bit underwhelmed and still a bit hungry and feeling like the experience was good but should've been...

I'm American and my wife is Asian...we own or have owned restaurants. As I write this the rating is 4 .3 with over 9700 reviews. I am baffled. First, yes this is fusion...if you are expecting a Japanese lean...think again. Most dishes are heavy handed with lots of sauces and salt. All meats came with a heavy layer of what tasted like a bbq sauce. Tastes good when hungry or you like traditional European or American food. Like others have complained about...the wait staff are terrible. Seven of us sat at the table...one person never even received their food (a chicken kimchee avocado), meanwhile others had ordered and received three courses. A total screw up...that person had to go over the road to McDonalds to buy fries!

After all that a bill of $30 per person because the portions are so small. No apologies ...the manager just took off the missing meal off our bill and walked off.

Btw yes I am European by background and travel a lot and am used to the poor service and attitude...but to pay this amount for just ok food...