Wabi Sabi — Restaurant in Covington

Last night we walked in and there was a large party in front of us. I asked the host if we could go sit at the bar and she told me no and that she had to seat us (even though there were at least 10 seats available). We waited about 5 minutes for her to maneuver tables and seat the large party. She then went and cashed someone out at the bar. When she finally came back she told us we could go sit down. We walked ourselves to the bar after being given permission as she stood at the host stand. We were not given menus for another 5 minutes. Service was slow but our server Patricia (according to my receipt because she never told us her name) was nice and apologized a few times. We spent 40+ dollars a piece on saki, appetizers and sushi. On the menu it says if you have 5 or more in your party they will add a gratuity. When we recieved our checks for our party of two she added a 20% gratuity to both of our checks. We nicely crossed out the added gratuity (because I try to tip in cash) and wrote the total with tax and initialed it. She ran our cards anyways with the 20% gratuity added. I acknowledged that the menu states added gratuity for a party of 5 and asked where it states added gratuity for a party of 2. She then told us it is "at the server's discretion". As a former waitress, I found this to be highly disrespectful...if you are adding tip "at your discretion" to my check that means you think I am going to stiff you. I refused to sign the ticket and told her she needs to re-run it with my credit card so that I can dispute it because I did not agree nor was notified of a 20% added gratuity especially not for the poor, slow service we recieved on a Monday. This was the first night of my vacation... the two stars is because the sushi was actually...

I was looking for ramen and this was the closest place I could walk to from the hotel. I know it is a sushi joint, but most Japanese style places carry it. Only one option though... Spicy seafood ramen. More of a Korean menu I found out.

Service was excellent at 2pm. Guy at the door was helpful at seated me quickly. My server was fast and nice, but after I told her the ramen was "not ramen but good," I was given a check quickly after. I can take a hint...

Ordered green tea and got 1 tea bag and a pot sized for two cups. Most customers I saw ordered sodas.

Tried the nagiri (4 different pieces) and it's not bad for the area. The size of the pieces is around 25% smaller than a typical USA joint. More in line with what you see in Japan where portions are generally smaller. At least it was 40% off or I would have felt like I was getting ripped off for the price. Lots of American staple style rolls on the menu, so probably would go that route.

As for the ramen. It isn't "ramen" other than the package noodles. Basically a beef bone broth soup with the most overcooked rubber tire seafood I've ever had. Quite a jaw workout. You can see in the picture the bone broth scum on the surface. At least it was a descent sized portion. Spice level is very low too. It's there, but only in flavor.

Hate to give a two star review, but this place disappointing. Maybe the Korean food is better, but I'm burned out from it since I spend so much...

I come here all of the time, almost as much as Charlie and his daughter come to my business. I’ve never once had bad customer service or bad food served to me. Unfortunately tonight has been an awful experience,’from the time I walked in, the hostes or whatever her position is supposed to be, Julia; greeted me and then looked at the guys who make the sushi and rolled her eyes. I shrugged that off maybe in was unintentional or not toward me. However my awesome server Allie was very cheerful and did an awesome job and didn’t seem a bit bothered that I had come in 40 minutes till closing time. I was in and out very quickly because I didn’t want to keep anyone in later than they should be, although there were about 8 others in at the time before me. However my entire time I sat at the bar the hostess sat diagonal from me against the wall on her phone and kept yelling for the guys behind the bar constantly asking if she could just lock the doors, is it time to lock them yet, how much longer, 5 more minutes ?! If you want to leave or go home help the rest of your team clean up! Don’t sit on your phone, don’t yell over top of the customers while they’re eating and don’t stop the others that are working to ask 20 different times about...