Johin'na — Restaurant in Birmingham

I want to start by saying I do not give one star reviews. I feel they are often not deserved and do not always take them seriously. After my experience, I found myself resonating with a lot of the problems noted by others - things that should have been taken care of long before I dined here on September 18. The first thing I noted about the restaurant was its atmosphere. It was dark, sleek, and modern, all things I have liked before in restaurants. However, the music was both too loud and unfitting of the dining experience Johin’na advertised. It was basically club music. Upon inspection of our table, I noticed stains on the water glasses and dust on the appetizer plates. I brushed this off. I wanted to like this place, and I excused these first few missteps. My friend and I both ordered a drink. I will not note the names because they were unremarkable. I remember thinking I could have stuck with just water. My friend noted her cocktail tasted of straight vodka. For appetizers, we got the kimchi fried rice and the tempura green tomatoes and okra. The kimchi fried rice came first. I saw along the edges of the perfectly shaped rice was what appeared to be dust. The rice itself was very good, but not something I would prefer over any average Asian restaurant. The tempura green tomatoes and okra are where I started having actual issues. The fried tomatoes and okra were placed on some kind of leaf that was oddly wet. I think there was sauce under it. This made the bottom tempura pieces incredibly soggy, and there was nowhere near enough sauce for the food. To their credit, my friend did really enjoy her Kyoto heat roll. She said the fish was incredibly fresh. My steak came out, and I was not brought a steak knife. I thought surely our waitress would return with a steak knife, but I waited for about 10 minutes before I had to flag down another server. The steak was cut haphazardly and plated with the potato shavings on top. This meant that the potato shavings on the bottom became soggy in the time I waited and stuck to the steak. The steak itself seemed to have been soaked - drenched - in soy sauce. It became inedible after a few bites. Steak is my favorite food. I don’t think I have ever had a steak I wouldn’t eat before this. This steak was terrible, and the price was steep for what I got. I would have sent it back if our server had returned faster, but she was notably absent for much of our meal. My friend ordered the butter cake and noted it was very good. I didn’t have the heart to try it. I went home hungry and with a significant dent in my wallet. I would never...

I had a absolutely lovely time dining at this beautifully designed, dynamic restaurant. From the moment, I arrived, after receiving complimentary valet that's become necessary for visiting restaurants in BHM, every single person I interacted was personable and hospitable! It quickly became clear this wasn't a typical eating establishment and every small detail showed the care and consideration gone into making this an enjoyable space. I let them know I was celebrating a birthday and they made sure to make me feel special, including a free dessert. The dessert was a tasty way to end what was endless amounts of flavor. Chef Ashley Jackson's menu included deliciously exciting items like collard green gyoza with a sweet tea soy sauce. Amazing! My friend and I shared multiple plates family style and thoroughly enjoyed everything we ate. The drinks, recommended by our awesome server, Destinee, were top-notch! The vibes were enhanced with a lounge like playlist featuring the likes of Kaytranda and Beyonce. And as a final cherry on top, a surprise flash mom showed up and dazzled everyone with spontaneous dancing. 🕺🏽 There are still, of course, a few kinks left to work out, like the valet service. It took my friend and I about 20 or so minutes standing in heels in the humid summer evening before we got our cars and things were tense with people not respecting order of arrival. The warm temperatures was true for the inside as well. There was never a moment I felt cool and ended up using my personal fan for the night. However, It's clear this is restaurant is here to give BHM something it's been craving: " elevated eating experiences" From the design & flow of the space, the knowledgeable staff, and the focus on food, you'll get everything you want and more from Johin'na. Consider this my notice as a new regular!

2 Drinks, Dessert (Comp), Valet (Comp), 2 plates, + Tip...

I have frequently encountered this restaurant across various social media platforms, with many praising its offerings. Intrigued, I decided to visit and experience it for myself. I was thoroughly impressed by the entire experience.

Upon entering, we were treated with the utmost respect. The food was nothing short of extraordinary, with each dish presenting unique flavor combinations that were unlike anything I had encountered before. We sampled four different dishes, and each one exceeded my expectations. The drinks were equally impressive. Our bartender, Tyler, provided exceptional service that made us feel warmly welcomed. We entrusted him with our drink selections, and every choice he made was delightful.

Although we typically do not indulge in desserts, we were so enamored by the meal that we decided to try the peach cobbler, which was breathtaking. To cap off our evening, we had the pleasure of meeting the owner and engaging in a conversation with her. Her genuine care for every patron was evident. She introduced us to her daughter, Ms. Ashley Jackson, the Head Chef. In our conversation, it became clear that she is deeply invested in every plate that leaves her kitchen.

The portion sizes were generous, the texture of the food was exceptional, and the flavors were truly outstanding. I hold this restaurant in the highest regard, and I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience it...