Akira Back — Restaurant in Delray Beach

Dear Mr Matthew Moll,

My family and I visited the restaurant today to celebrate my eldest daughter’s birthday. I was very glad you went outside to farewell us as we left and shared your contact. I would like to share some of my thoughts after having visited Akira Black for the first time.

I can tell you that my family and I travel a lot and go to restaurants everywhere we go, we have traveled all over Europe, the United Arab Emirates, we have been to New Zealand and, of course, Japan. Your restaurant is clearly to claim a Michelin star: the service is excellent, the food brilliant. However, I see would like to share my thoughts of what could be improved.

We were rushed to the table and to ordering as we walked it: you should let the guests settle down calmly, do not immediately offer food to guests, offer drinks, and then everything else. If guests come with children, which we did, everything for children should be offered in the first place and the food should be brought to the children first - then to the adults. It is very important that the waiters are smiling, perhap know some jokes and are attentive to children, offer them something to draw, coloring books, pencils, crayons, or something else... so that parents can relax and talk calmly and calmly enjoy the amazing food.

Be sure to ask if someone is allergic to something, otherwise unpleasant and even unfortunate conclusions may occur. If the guests came for the first time, it's great that you offer to take everything to try and share, BUT it is also important to understand that the portions are small and it is often not convenient to lay them out with chopsticks between each other, so in this situation, the waiter should be nearby and offer help sharing the dishes - it would be correct and convenient, and since there are many sauces, an experienced waiter will not allow the guest to get dirty themselves.

Additionally, as I mentioned today, you need to improve the quality of octopus preparation. This time we had to re-order it twice — it was too dry. Perhaps you need to cook it correctly first, for this add 1-2 corks from wine or champagne to the water, 2 cinnamon sticks and half an orange. Boil it on medium heat for 2-3 hours and it should come out just perfect: soft and reach with flavour.

Last but not least, it would be great if, when booking a table, as soon as the Hostess receives information that they the guests are going to celebrate a birthday, you would make a compliment from the Restaurant, in the form of ice cream, cake, whatever you want. That would definitely make you stand out and you would definitely be remembered, recommended to friends, etc.

Thank you for your time. Looking forward to hearing from you and visiting Akira Back again.

P/S I’m sorry that I’m complaining, but today was my daughter’s birthday and she turned 18, I chose your restaurant, I thought it was the best here, but it didn’t turn out the way I planned, I hope that everything will be magical next...

Akira Back, Delray Beach

I am not into 'chi-chi' dining at all but I do enjoy good food at a reasonable value.

Based on my research I new Akira Back was not going to be cheap but it was helmed by a Michelin Star Chef and it was a splurge night.

Turned out Akira Back was not my cup of Saki. Let me count the ways:

...Saturday night the decibel level was near ear shattering. So much so that even my hearing aids couldn't compensate for the din. Almost impossible to hear my companions.

The weather was iffy, but the manager offered to set us up outside with a few other intrepid guests and luckily they had large patio umbrellas, because of course it started to rain.

Cocktails in a high-end restaurant should be a given especially at Akira, the Lychee Martini. We ordered 4. This (my girlie drink go to with Sushi, no offense ladies!) and one that should be floral and Sweet... to all of our palates this version was surprisingly not. In fact it was almost sour-ish. When brought to the attention of the waiter he was surprised but the drinks were immediately exchanged for different cocktails. Mine a Rasberry Mule, satisfactory.

One good thing I could say was that as requested, we recieved 3 Lychees!

For the apps we ordered the touted Sushi Pizza ($29.), aka small thin sliced Tuna on a Cracker Crust with a few jalapeno slivers and no sauce accompaniment. 8 small slices, maybe 2 bites each. Dissapointing.

Next, the Seaweed Salad, Constructed ($16.) (beautiful presentation) and immediately deconstructed per our waiter's suggestion into a mish-mash on a plate. Tastey. Worth the price on any planet? Nope.

For the main we ordered the Perfect Storm Roll and the Hot Mess Roll (~$26. ea). Honestly, bland and nothing special. I've had better at many a lower end Sushi restaurant.

Black Cod with Saki Foam $42. for an estimated 5 oz (or 4 oz) piece of fish, Really?

We thought it was interesting when ordering the waiter suggested we order sides with that main... Now we knew why.

I'm not quite sure why many in this group think this stuff is fabulous/great. What are their benchmarks? I searched through the postings and even posted my own query. Should have known from my post, and only a handful of respondents out of the 135,000 members of Let's Eat South Florida that the reception of Akira was luke warm.

Overall, the four of us were Underwhelmed, We Over Paid and We're Still Hungry.

On a bright note we were lucky to find street parking on a busy Saturday night in Delray. Hotel Ray valet...

Dining at Akira Back in Delray was an unforgettable experience that effortlessly combined exceptional cuisine, outstanding service, and a welcoming ambiance. We visited on a Saturday night with friends, and from the moment we arrived, we felt a warm and inviting energy that set the tone for a wonderful evening.

Our waiter, Adam, was outstanding. His attentive service and friendly demeanor perfectly matched the upscale yet relaxed atmosphere of Akira Back. He was knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations, enhancing our dining experience with his charm and professionalism. The general manager, Helvio, also stopped by our table to check in, adding a personal touch with his warmth and outgoing nature, making us feel right at home.

We started our meal with the Octopus Carpaccio and Grilled Octopus—both dishes showcased the delicate flavors of the seafood with expertly balanced seasonings. Moving on to sushi, we enjoyed the Protein Roll and Baked Crab Roll, both of which were fresh, flavorful, and perfectly crafted. The highlight of the night was the King Crab Legs, which were incredibly tender and rich, leaving a lasting impression on our palates. The Miso Black Cod was another standout, featuring a silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture complemented by a subtle miso glaze.

To accompany the meal, I had the Summer of Love cocktail, a delightful mix with just the right hint of passion fruit and mezcal, while my wife enjoyed the Hani Jin, a refreshing gin-based cocktail with hibiscus notes that perfectly balanced sweet and floral flavors.

We ended on a sweet note with the AB Cigar dessert and the Apple Harumaki. The AB Cigar, with its smoked Japanese whiskey ice cream and chocolate brownie, was a unique and decadent treat, while the Apple Harumaki provided a comforting finish with its cinnamon and vanilla gelato combination.

Akira Back in Delray goes beyond just dining; it’s a complete experience that blends culinary artistry with impeccable service. A perfect spot for a special night out, whether you’re with friends, family, or celebrating an...