OTOTO — Restaurant in Denver

IF YOU HAVE ALLERGY CONCERNS, BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS OF EATING HERE

Our friends visiting from out of town love Japanese food, but one of them has a fairly serious sesame allergy. We thought that a restaurant of Ototo’s character and reputation would be able to accommodate us, and our server assured us that he and the staff could absolutely handle a sesame-free meal.

The very first dish that arrived was the spicy edamame that was visibly covered in black sesame seeds. We informed our waiter who took it away without making any sincere apology. After sending the dish back, the manager returned with edamame with the spicy sauce on the side and said that the dish cannot be made without sesame, something that our server never informed us about when ordering or delivering the dish.

A couple dishes later, the server delivered the Crispy Spicy Tuna. The menu description does not list sesame and our server assured us after the first sesame incident that we were in the clear. We immediately spotted black sesame seeds on top (see the picture I was able to snag before the dish was removed).

At this point, we were fairly upset that the restaurant did not take our allergy request seriously. We informed our waiter of the sesame seeds, and his only response when taking the dish away was an exasperated, “I put that there was a sesame allergy on the ticket to the kitchen”. The manager came to our table to apologize and told us that he was going to take the sesame dishes off of our bill and would give us half of the remainder.

As we waited for our final plate, our friend started having an allergic reaction to one of the other dishes (he hadn’t touched either of the items with obvious sesame seeds). We asked for our check so that we could leave and deal with reaction, and our server gave us a bill that had items we still hadn’t received on it. When we called him over again to remove the undelivered items, he told us that he would just comp the whole check.

The food that we did receive and were able to eat was fairly tasty—the aburi salmon belly and the brussels sprouts were particular highlights, but all of this was overshadowed by the restaurant’s extremely casual approach to allergens in their dishes. Based upon the food and atmosphere I would normally be inclined to return, but their seeming indifference to our friend’s allergy has really turned me off from this place.

We were shocked at how nonchalant the restaurant’s approach to allergies was. We received two dishes with obvious sesame seeds and a third with (at minimum) sesame cross-contamination. We recognize that a sesame allergy in a Japanese restaurant can be difficult. If our server or the manager would have told us at the beginning that the allergy was something that they couldn’t accommodate or guarantee would be safe, we would have totally understood and looked for another place to eat. However, when they assured us that it would not be a problem and then completely and repeatedly failed with this food safety issue, we began to seriously question the restaurant’s care for...

In an attempt to support a local neighborhood business, we dined at Ototo in their new patio decking area. The Website states “House made ramen available all day” which is not technically true. The kitchen was closed when we arrived (4:20pm) so the only food available was "cold plates" already in the chiller cabinet and I have to assume they were simply unboxed and plated. Kitchen reopened at 5 at which point hot plates were available. Unsure if this is their normal kitchen operating hours, but please update your website copy to reflect that only cold dishes are available form pm-pm. The food was 3.5 stars (sushi and sashimi overly chilled), service 4 stars, but the reason for my 2 stars now follows.

I understand the hospitality industry is hurting right now, but to charge a 12% markup as a "covid fee for...well, you know face masks etcetera", feels a little steep AND sneaky, as we were not informed of this charge before ordering. We were told of this "fee" as she handed us the check, WOW! How about informing guests when seated, before they order? How about adding it on the menu as a statement?

We ordered multiple plates and 5 beverages so our bill totaled $136 w/tax. Then add 12% on top of that feels pretty insulting. We honestly would not have ordered as much food and the final round of drinks if we knew an additional 12% would be added on top and then the regular expected gratuity. Interesting thing is they lump all the fees together in the final amount so unless you go back and reference the itemized receipt, you could easily add gratuity on the additional 12% fee.

Website doesn’t indicate this fee anywhere but states it encourages guests to provide contact information for contact tracing purposes - something we were not asked for and nothing to even fill in on the receipt. Website also states "Upon arrival, guests will be asked a few basic health questions and given a non-contact temperature check." This did not happen. Finally it refers to "We have a designated Safety Manager for each service who is responsible for maintaining our supply of PPE, and monitoring staff and public adherence to safety measures." I'm sure the PPE fee pot is growing by the minute and the safety manager is well stocked for masks, gloves and hand sanitizer! Our hour seating got them $15.12, and every table had guests dining!

May I respectfully suggest charging a flat fee per guest to cover the restaurants additional PPE expense versus a % markup? Other Denver restaurants are only charging $2/guest, some charge $0. Sadly it looks like Toshi and Yashu win again by charging ridiculous fees on top of an already expensive menu....

My experience at Ototo left me thoroughly impressed. From the moment we stepped inside, the warm ambiance and attentive service set the stage for a fantastic dining experience.

Our party of three had the pleasure of being served by Christina, whose impeccable knowledge of the menu and cheerful demeanor made our evening even more enjoyable. She guided us through Ototo's extensive list of Japanese robata-style tapas, ensuring we made the most of our culinary journey.

Our journey began with the Kara-Age, which arrived perfectly crispy on the outside yet succulent on the inside. The combination of flavors in the Honey Miso Eggplant transported our taste buds to new heights, leaving us craving more. The Crispy Spicy Tuna was a delightfully modern twist on a traditional dish, with its subtle spiciness perfectly complementing the freshness of the fish.

A highlight of the evening was the Angus Beef Sirloin Carpaccio. Christina's recommendation proved to be spot-on, as the thinly sliced beef melted in our mouths, releasing a symphony of flavors that were simply divine. Lastly, the Tako Yaki, a classic Japanese street food delicacy, was bursting with savory goodness, leaving us wanting to order another round.

The quality and presentation of each dish were outstanding, and the portion sizes left us feeling satisfied without being overwhelmed. Christina's attentiveness and genuine enthusiasm added a personal touch to our dining experience, making us feel valued and appreciated as customers.

In conclusion, Ototo, accompanied by the exceptional service from Christina, exceeded our expectations, providing us with an unforgettable culinary adventure. I highly recommend a visit to experience the delightful flavors and warm hospitality...