Tomo — Restaurant in Atlanta

Writing this review because I want to see this place improve and achieve the greatness it is clearly capable of.

Starting with the positives: the culinary expertise and ingredients are top notch. Of note: the seared abalone with truffle! Spectacular and exotic fish from Japan (and even live Maine lobster sushi!). Also the lighting and the space are nice, atmosphere wise - the table lamps really provide nice ambiance when it gets dark outside . Personalized menu with my wife’s name on it for her birthday was a really nice touch.

Areas for improvement: I reached out to plan an Omakase seating for my wife’s birthday. Originally chose $300 PP Chef’s Table Omakase. 2 days prior to our reservation I was told that the pricing for that special seating had changed to $400 PP - felt like the classic bate and switch. I originally agreed to it, but then changed our mind out of principle and chose the $250 PP table-side option. Felt like the whole thing was weird, and they should have just honored my original request. At any rate, was still excited for the dinner despite this.

Greeting upon entering restaurant: wasn’t the most professional from the hostesses, have had better greetings at Chili’s.

Service was fine and friendly, but expected better from a restaurant of this caliber. They had to check our Omakase menus to see what they were supposed to bring us next. Also, we asked for sparking water and the first bottle they brought wasn’t cold. To be fair, our waitress noticed this and asked the bar tender if he could do better - to which he said that was all they had at the moment haha. She remedied the situation and came back after a couple of minutes with a cold bottle, but why did that all have to play out in front of us?

Again, no complaints about the food, all was spectacular.

Drinks: cocktails and sake were good.

Valet: brought my keys to our table before we paid the bill. It was only 9:45 PM, but they made it seem like we were closing the place down. I mean, is this what time things shut down in Buckhead on a Saturday night? I pulled out my walet to tip the valet while still seated at the table, something I've never done before.

Overall the dinner was overpriced for the experience. You just expect top notch everything at that price point. Would love to go back if they can improve all of the...

Went in at Lunch Hour January 3, 2020 a Friday...was greeted with a warm welcoming and was asked if I would like a table or would I like to sit at the Sushi Bar. I chose a table but when I saw where I would have to seat I changed my mind for the Sushi Bar....did not care to squeeze in at a table side by side other patrons.

It was busy and I felt my server was slightly annoyed by? When I placed my order I wanted to try the Soft Shell Crab and the Sushi Sashimi Entree....with Soup and Salad.

Soup was okay with out a spoon so you have to sip from the bowl no problem, Mixed Green Salad was okay with a Savory Ginger Dressing.

Soft Shell Crab was Good, tasted fresh served with a Ponzi Sauce that was a bit vinegary slight sweetness to it garnished with slices of scallions.

The Sushi Sashimi Entree was decent but not great served on a large black oblong plate that was somewhat impressive. Large plate for the amount of food seemed an overkill. Nonetheless was decent presentation.

But what brings me to question, were a few bussers, servers, even a Hostess were frowning and appearing to be very unhappy and disgruntled over something....my waitress even gave me a frown or two when attending to me.

Paid for my meal and upon leaving I was not greeted with a smile except the two turned away and bowed there heads and ignored me I would have appreciated a "thanks for coming” "hope to see you again” goodbye greeting.

On the Web site it says free parking if you present the parking ticket. I had forgotten and walked out the door and in a few steps I remembered went back in to inquire, and the Hostess put a bar code on my ticket and I was on my way.

Not sure I would enjoy the high volume get them in and out atmosphere because of the employee crowd of patrons. Perhaps dinner would be a bit more calm and relaxed and every employee would have on Happy Faces?

Overall the experience was okay....there are a lot of better places to visit than Tomo...

When we walked into Tomo, we weren’t sure why Tomo was on so many top restaurants lists, but now we really don’t know why. Our first red flag should have been the fact that they had so much availability on a Friday night in Buckhead, but we figured since college is out, maybe it’s quiet this time of year. Our second red flag should have been the laminated menus, but we thought maybe it was a no-frills purely good food experience we were in for. Boy were we wrong. After eating our appetizers and while the waiter was standing at our table, I noticed a cockroach crawling on the booth next to me. I told the waiter, and the response of the restaurant staff was gravely unprofessional and unapologetic. First the waiter walked quickly to the back, then a gaggle of restaurant staff stood behind the counter staring and whispering. Our waitress came over with a napkin, chased the cockroach around the booth, and then crumpled up the napkin and walked into the kitchen. I’m only about 50% sure she actually caught it. Another staff member tried to explain that they had just bug bombed the restaurant the day before, so that’s why they were all coming out. Um, why are you serving food if you have a roach infestation? We then had to physically approach the staff gathered behind the counter to ask for the check, and the waitress actually asked us if we wanted them to take the food that hadn’t come yet off the bill. Then a manager came out and immediately started saying, “Oh it’s because of remodeling the sushi bar,” and when we mentioned that this is a health violation, he then said we wouldn’t have to pay for our dinner. Also, the roach was not very big, maybe the size of a nickel, which indicates it is young and probably has many siblings around. In the end, we did not even receive a single apology from anyone...