Ginger Garden — Restaurant in Amherst

I'm visiting my college town 2yrs after my graduation. I show up here alone after a long day of driving. I say I'd like to eat, after being asked if I'm here to pick up. "Just you?" ,they ask. "Yep. Just me. I'd like to sit someplace quiet" I have migraines, social anxiety, and I'm on the spectrum; bright lights and loud noises are stressful. Regardless, I'm here to spend a pretty penny on sushi for myself. I'm directed over to a host who is about to seat the folks that walked in after me. Everyone stops and stares at me awkwardly. I'm brought into the main dining area. There are a few older couples and groups dining. Not ideal but I'll take it. My wait appears with tea and shortly thereafter, a family consisting of grandparents and two screaming kiddos. Nice! I ask to me seated in another quieter room (like the sunporch) away from children. What I'm offered are the table across from the chaotic family; and a table right by the entrance. Clearly this isn't going well and the wait staff have no interest in reseating me somewhere more suitable. "Forget it" I say. We'll try this. The scene quickly escalates to what can only be described as a platform for a bad comedy skit; Children are screaming and kicking and punching and running around. More family members and babies arrive. I'm struggling to eat my $20 chirashi in peace. I'm getting frustrated. This has got to be a joke. Right? I paid in cash, asked for my cange back. Left a nice sentiment on the back of the slip wishing that my server enjoy the tip from the folks he seated...

Went there on Monday at 5ish and it was moderately crowded and continued to get more so as time went on. Great ambiance inside and staff very attentive to our presence and needs(water refills, clearing dirty plates). Started out with an app of tuna tartare which was very good. Tuna seared perfectly and served with thin slice of jalapeno and spicy mayo on it. Creamy avocado and ponzu sauce complimented the heat nicely! Our dishes came with Ginger salad which was nice sized and the dressing was superb! mine also came with miso soup which was very good. Lots of seaweed and tofu in it and the broth was very tasty. I ordered Sushi platter as well as some ala carte rolls and sushi. I also ordered the Dragon on Fire Specialty Maki roll because on Monday it is 30% off. That was the only piece that was truly disappointing. The shrimp tempura within was warmed too much and made the rice and outside toppings soggy. It was also drowned in way too much sauce turning the roll into a pile of mush. The sushi was good,not great mostly because the rice was very bland. It could have been seasoned more with vinegar to complement the fish better. Wasabi was fresh and therefore made up for what was lost in the rice. Overall pricing is good as well as size of sushi pieces and maki rolls. Nice place and good food. Menu is extensive to satisfy...

Where do I begin? The location is well above par. Right on root 9 and easy to access either from big y or right off the highway however you roll. When you get here I highly recommend the beef sticks. No more trying to bite it and accidentally awkwardly and embarrassingly pulling the entire beef off the stick. Their stuff is tender. Bite it once and you will be beyond satisfied. Also the sushi is high quality and always prepared to perfection. Never mind how good everything is. Your food will be in your Hands, or mouths whether within 5 min whether you sit or take out. Might I add I highly recommend you sit down for your meal as the atmosphere is just fantastically wonderful? Where else can you just through a door and travel to another place on the planet. Overall I give Ginger Gardena 5/5 and I highly recommend you come here. It was the best oriental food I have ever had. If it were pizza this place should be in the north end of Boston. Overall and simply said just try it and you will keep coming back. Also I love across from the restaurant and I smell the food every afternoon in my bedroom and it smells good. I'm tempted every afternoon to walk over and engulf their scrumptious food. If your thinking about Chinese food in the amherst area this...