UMAMI REVOLVING SUSHI — Restaurant in El Paso

This was the 2nd time my daughter we visited this restaurant and unlike the 1st time (on a busy Saturday at noon) what a horrible experience this time on a Tuesday evening! The food is terrific with many fresh, delicious choices on the revolving belts and plenty of other great options on the menu. And the concept is fun. The food itself merits the high rating. However, the service was terrible, if not downright hostile. From the moment we walked in, the young woman stared us down & asked how many were in our party with not exactly a smile. Then, despite the restaurant being 1/2 empty with plenty of booths and counter seats available, she said she had to clean a table and would put us on the list. Then she walked off, went to the back & plainly ignored us. We then asked another waitress if we could sit down on two empty seats by the door. She said yes and then said that we better order drinks fast because they were very busy. Again, the place was 1/2 empty, much of it is self-service and there were 3 or 4 people and it’s not a big place. We then had to ask for water, which she said she was busy with other tables. After waiting, we got our water and some chopsticks, again without a pleasant attitude. We were not asked if we wanted other condiments. WE WERE IGNORED and if we asked, the response was almost hostile and just made unwelcome. And it wasn’t closing time either— it was just after 7PM. In summary, it was very unpleasant and we couldn’t enjoy the food and just left. I’m always appreciative of service staff and I tip well and just don’t ever have the heart to not leave a tip. I left a measly 5%— and even that was undeserved after being treated so awful. I don’t know if it was an off night, but management really needs to either train its staff or be onsite to supervise them. I certainly won’t ever be back because clearly, my patronage...

I might not be giving a fair review of this revolving sushi bar because I have been to other ones in bigger cities. HOWEVER, the only reason I decided to write one was because they charged me twice for tip. I didn't realize until I had already gotten my itemized receipt afterward that they had already put a $10 tip for themselves. They did not notify me they had already put a gratuity tip even though it was a table for 2 people only. I understand bigger tables have automatic gratuity, but this was not the case.

Now to write about how this compares with other places: • Each plate had a different pricing based on color and what they had (in other places, they charge the same for every plate on the revolving conveyer belt regardless of whats on it so even a california roll will be the same as one with wagyu beef, octopus, etc.) • There were not a whole lot of sushi options, although I'm giving some benefit of the doubt because EP isn't on the coast and doesn't have access to fresh fish • The "game" you can play where you eat 5 plates and only have a chance to get a prize? In other places, it's guaranteed. The prizes are little toys that cost less than $1 or that you could get in a quarter machine, yet you have to eat enough sushi to get the prize at either $20 cheapest plates only or up to $40 if you get the most expensive ones. It's messed up that you have a chance to "lose" the game and not get anything after eating/spending so much.

By EP standards, I do appreciate new places like this opening up and giving those who haven't been to other cities a chance to experience it. So even though I'm glad I was able to go with someone so they could experience a revolving sushi bar for the first time, there's still a lot to be left to be desired and I can't wait for them to visit me out of town so they can experience how a revolving sushi...

The sushi was fresh and they are committed to enduring that their food stays that way. They have sign stating that if you arrive during slow hours the sushi are made to order only. I arrived during a busy time, around 5:30 pm, and was able to watch the nigiri sushi roll past.

There are three levels to the conveyor belt system. The bottom-most belt is the sushi conveyor, the middle tier is for the automated tray delivery system (for special order sushi or non sushi order), and the top tier, which houses a reward gatcha style box to potentially reward you with small prizes for every 5 plates you eat (aka the plates from the conveyor system, custom order food do not count)

The innovative rolls, the Italian roll for example, was a delight to try. There was also a wide selection of nigiri, inside-out rolls (California roll style), and tempura rolls.

They also offer custom order Japanese food. I ordered the tuna jaw and loved the taste of the concentrated tuna in the soft soy dashi. The veggie tempura was a mystery box full of squash, sweet potato, carrots, and asparagus.

The plate counter is best used by allowing a single plate to go through, wait for the beep, then allow another plate to go through.

This place is a sushi place, so expect sushi prices. Four plate colors, yellow, blue, purple and black has a price range from 3.50 to 7.50. Blue plates are the most common plate that I saw.

I have spent ~64 dollars per person and we arrived hungry. It is a good place to celebrate or sneak in by yourself to indulge on...