Asahi — Restaurant in Arlington

TLDR: Waited 40 minutes for 3 bowls of ramen before leaving hungry, annoyed, and tired at 9 pm. The staff was super unresponsive and unhelpful. No reasonable explanation on what happened whatsoever.

When we sat down at our table at around 7:30 pm, we already noticed that the restaurant was super busy and seemed to be severely understaffed. We ordered our food (1 specialty roll and 3 noddle bowls) with 3 cocktails right away. The cocktails and sushi roll were brought out pretty fast, nothing to complain. The real thing started after we finished our roll. The waiter who picked up our empty dish assured us that our ramen would be out soon so we just kept waiting for the food. But after about 20 minutes, no food came and no one came by our table to tell us if there was anything wrong with our order. We had to flag down a waiter to ask how our order was doing. They then brought out a bowl, which was then apparently not our order, and they just brought the bowl somewhere else. By then, still no explanation for us on what was going on. After a few minutes, someone came by, said sorry, and offered us some free soda or salad (which we declined as no salad or soda could lift up our mood at that point). 30 minutes since we had any food, no explanation whatsoever. A staff later came by our table and dropped the explanation that our order was delayed “because of a big party” that came in before us. The thing is, we could clearly see the restaurant clearing up over time, and another table with a party of 3 just like us - who ordered after us - finished their food and paid by the time we also decided to stand up and leave without our ramen. As a cherry on top, 5 minutes before we decided to leave, the staff brought out a plate of shrimp tempura which I guess was for our tempura udon. And of course, nothing said about when we should have the udon to eat with the going-cold tempura. We could understand slower service due to understaffing and unusual busy time, but we could not understand how the situation was handled by the staff. No one told us anything if our order was forgotten or something went our of stock. After we flagged them down on missing order the first time, we waited for another 20 minutes (which should be enough to make new orders??) but no one came by and gave us an estimated time when we should have our food. If you cannot serve us the food we want, at least be honest about it and tell us so we can move to a different dish or leave. Overall, we wasted our evening, got 2 sentences of apologies, no explanation. By the time we decided to leave, it was already 9 pm and a lot of other restaurants had closed by then. I guess we should have...

My recent visit to Asahi in Arlington unfolded as a delightful journey into the realm of sushi, showcasing commendable craftsmanship in the culinary domain. Nestled in the vibrant tapestry of Arlington's dining scene, Asahi offers a sushi experience that, while leaving a positive impression on the taste buds, presented a couple of considerations for the discerning diner.

The highlight of the dining experience at Asahi undoubtedly lies in the realm of sushi. The artistry and quality of the sushi creations were commendable, delivering a delightful array of flavors and textures. From meticulously prepared nigiri to inventive rolls, the menu demonstrated a commitment to the essence of Japanese culinary art. Each bite was a testament to the freshness of the ingredients and the skillful execution of the sushi chefs.

However, the positive culinary impressions were juxtaposed with considerations related to the dining environment. The tables, regrettably, were on the smaller side, creating a somewhat cramped setting. While the coziness could be considered charming, it posed a challenge in terms of comfort and maneuverability, particularly for larger groups or those seeking a more spacious dining experience.

Another noteworthy aspect was the cleanliness of the restroom facilities, which, although not dire, left room for improvement. Ensuring pristine conditions in the toilets is integral to the overall satisfaction of patrons, and enhancing cleanliness standards in this area would contribute significantly to the overall impression of the establishment.

On a positive note, the service at Asahi was attentive and friendly, enhancing the overall dining experience. The staff's willingness to accommodate requests and offer recommendations added a layer of hospitality that complemented the culinary excellence.

In conclusion, Asahi in Arlington stands out as a commendable destination for sushi enthusiasts, offering a menu that combines creativity and authenticity. While the dining space could benefit from more accommodating table arrangements, and improvements in restroom cleanliness would be welcomed, the positive aspects, particularly the sushi craftsmanship and attentive service, make Asahi a notable contender in the local culinary landscape. I look forward to future visits to savor the delectable offerings and witness potential refinements that could further elevate the overall...

Edit based on the owner’s reply - As stated in the initial review (unchanged below), the hostess provided absolutely no reason for the inability to seat us. “We don’t have the staff,” “the wait time would still be an hour and a half,” frankly anything would’ve sufficed. I’m not ignorant to the issues of restaurant staffing. So given the lack of apology and the sass in the owner’s reply, combined with getting an attitude from the hostess still warrants a 1-star.

Full disclosure- I’ve never ever brought this issue up in a single review before (all of mine are available).

Would give zero stars if I could just to bring down their average. My fiancée and I arrived last tonight around 7:30pm and were completely denied service. We walked in and off the bat were told “I’m sorry we don’t have any tables available.” (There was one available but it was probably for a reservation). Then we asked if we could sit at the sushi bar. There was a woman there, but there was still an empty seat on each side of her, and then two empty seats on the shorter length. The hostess LOOKED BACK AT THE SUSHI BAR AND THEN LOOKED US DEAD IN THE EYES AND SAID, “there are no seats.” I pointed at the empty seats and said, “there are two right there” (meaning there were indeed two seats where we could sit next to each other). She didn’t turn around, didn’t look back, just again said, “there are no seats.” At no point during the 2 minute interaction was there a mention of wait time, nor did she ask if we had reservations, i.e. nothing to indicate a real reason for being unable to seat us. We left.

I’m sorry but what the actual bleep? Honestly, my fiancée and I ran through every scenario and - absent a response from the restaurant owner or manager - the only thing I can think of is that it was due to us, two women, holding hands and me in a rainbow striped shirt. My fiancée was in a very nice dress and heels, I was in nice dark jeans and a top, both of us having come from work in professional fields. We were not in any sort of what one might call inappropriate attire (say, flip flops and ripped jeans).

So yes, I’m calling a spade a spade absent any other explanation - the hostess working Friday, April 12th at 7:30pm is homophobic and refused to seat two...