Benihana — Restaurant in Farmington Hills

TLDR; silly reminder to bring your printed coupon or face the wrath of General Manager Aroha Yang… Okay so to be fair the food and server/chef were terrific but that’s not always the concern with a 1 star rating is it? Went here tonight for my wife’s birthday dinner. Got the idea from a bday email ad, great marketing! We kept quietly to ourselves at first, noting that the restaurant was super dated inside and wondered how they kept the doors open - but we’re here for a birthday so let’s make the best of it! Definitely would not have said a thing about this to anyone. Actually has nothing to do with this review. At least our table mates were terrific (all commented about the same lack of updates since the 90’s but again has nothing to do with my problem). Everything was going swimmingly in the food department. Ate far too much as one does in this sort of place, and then we get the bill. But that’s where things took a negative turn. You see, on one’s birthday one likes to use the birthday coupon. It’s the one time per year where you don’t feel like a total fool for how much money you are blowing on a single night out. When presenting the simple digital coupon via phone as one does in 2002 and beyond on an expensive bill, was told they would not accept. It has to be printed! Ah yes this is actually noted in the email after all! That’s where our fun times ended. Cool trick for a restaurant to do after we arrive and starting reading the offer more closely. To be fair, I’m a simple man of principle, even on a $30 coupon. Not a problem. Quick question with the management as to whether they’d like me to leave the restaurant, drive 2 miles to my office to print the coupon, pay the bill, and lose me as a customer forever, or whether they’d like to honor the spirit of their offer. The manager in the restaurant seemed to want to fix this but instead deferred to the GM who was in the building (thank god I thought, hopefully sanity will prevail)... bit no. The general manager (Aroha Yang is her name, probably a nice young lady on any other day, but today demonstrated a real lack of leadership). Aroha was very proud to defend the corporate policy. In fact, she Informed me I was the 4th person tonight to learn the hard way on this policy, and it wouldn’t be fair to change it for just me and not those other customers too, right? Very interesting. I’m the 4th customer with this problem up until 8pm on a night the restaurant is open until 11pm? And on a Tuesday, when it was slow? That’s the statement that made me take the time to get in my car, drive to my office, and print a silly coupon to make sure this company earns $30 less today. As a software consultant, it’s obvious to me these coupons have a unique ID on them too - it’s not even possible to reuse if they scan it lol!? But when I learned I was the 4th person just tonight to receive this bait and switch news, I decided I had to share. Unfortunately, as a lot of corporations do, this one makes even their GMs fail many times per day and they so so willingly. As for my family, we will enjoy our chicken fried rice and other accoutrements elsewhere, like the many other fine dining establishments in the area. Wasabi, Ichiban, Kyoto, etc. I suggest you do the same. Or for the love of god bring your printed coupon. Regardless, I hope you at least got some entertainment by reading this and please feel free to share with all of your chicken fried rice eating friends. Maybe we can put Detroit on the map for some good old fashioned comedy and restaurant shaming when they do silly things like this? I’m still heated with you Benihana but I’m really full so it’s hard to be mad right now TBH. But come on - A qualified GM would have solved this and any good leader knows that. Every family like mine you rob $30 of with your bait and switch offer feels the same. Corporate policy or not,...

I am writing to express my deep disappointment with a recent experience at your restaurant, which has left me both frustrated and dissatisfied. As a long-time patron of Benihana, I have always appreciated the unique dining experience you offer. However, my recent encounter has compelled me to reconsider my loyalty to your establishment.

Initially, I attempted to place a to-go order by phone. I called the location several times, only to be repeatedly placed on hold with no resolution. Each time, I was told I was being transferred to the to-go representative, yet no one ever answered. After numerous attempts, I decided that my only option was to visit the restaurant in person, which was both inconvenient and frustrating.

Upon arrival, I placed my order with the manager, Jason. He informed me that my order would be ready in 25 minutes. Despite this assurance, I waited a full 45 minutes before receiving my food. During this time, I noticed a lack of organization and urgency among the staff, which contributed to my growing dissatisfaction. Additionally, when I finally received my order, Jason informed me that there was no to-go silverware available unless I waited an additional 10 minutes. This lack of basic preparation was surprising for a restaurant of your caliber.

My disappointment only deepened when I returned home and discovered that my order was incorrect and overcooked. I had ordered the Samurai Treat with steak and shrimp, specifically requesting the steak to be well-done. Instead, both the steak and shrimp were burnt, rendering them nearly inedible. I also ordered two chicken fried rice dishes without vegetables, yet the order did not meet these specifications.

Furthermore, my Hibachi Shrimp with a lobster tail and shrimp fried rice was similarly overcooked and lacked the signature garlic butter, leaving the dish dry and unappetizing. It is disheartening to receive such poor quality food, especially considering the high expectations I have always associated with Benihana.

In an attempt to resolve these issues, I called the restaurant and spoke with Jason again. His response was dismissive and unhelpful, offering no solutions or compensation. He simply stated that they were closing soon, even though it was only 10:40 pm, and the restaurant did not close until 11 pm. When I requested compensation for my travel expenses, as I had driven 7.3 miles from West Bloomfield, MI, I was met with indifference.

For a bill totaling $157, the service and food quality I received were unacceptable. The lack of concern from Jason and the overall experience have left me with no desire to return to this location. I feel compelled to share my experience with others, as I believe no customer should endure such poor service and quality.

I sincerely hope you will address these issues to ensure future customers are not subjected to the same...

Wednesday evening, April 10th, 2024, review left on OpenTable and Google

Will not be returning anytime soon; customer service was not there at all this evening. Arrived just after 7pm for a 730pm reservation. Didn't leave the restaurant until 10:45pm, and didn't even really eat our dinner.

Wait times for a table, even though a reservation was made was almost an hour and a half to be seated. The restaurant was super crowded and clearly could not handle all the people waiting in the lobby, both reservations and walk-ins.

8:45pm After being seated at a table with a group of people, menus were left with us; however, it took over 20 minutes before a waitress came to ask us for drink order and appetizers; then nothing. It took another 20-30 minutes to get the waters and almost an hour for the appetizers, then soups and salads.

By the time the chef came to the table it was after 930pm. He finished cooking after 10pm, so that our full dish was ready to eat by 10:15pm. However, by this time, the entire table, there were 3 separate groups of guests, no one really felt like eating at this point. It was late and people were tired.

As we start to eat, the waitress then comes by and says, let me bring you boxes to wrap up your food. Does anyone want ice cream now? Yes, in reality, people probably were ready to go, but timing was off. She could've waited just a bit to let people have time to take some bites. During this time, it took forever to get water glasses and drinks refilled. The one guy at the table had his dinner ready first, but it took over 40 minutes to get a bowl of steamed rice served to him, by which at that time, he was no longer hungry to eat it.

The highlight of the night was the chef. All of these circumstances do not take away from the superb job he did cooking our meal.

The restaurant management could be better. If you can't handle it, then turn people away. Or give them a realistic wait time. Don't take reservations, shut it off. This meal was not cheap either for this experience.

2023 5/5 stars Always a fun time to watch the Chef on the teppanyaki grill! You can't go wrong with grilled meats and seafood plus veggies on the grill. Love when they add extra garlic butter... because why not!?! 😋

Nice selection of cocktails and appetizers as well to compliment the meal. Depending on what you order from the grill, it may come with the house onion soup, salad, and ice cream.

Great customer service from staff all around. Chat with others at your table for a fun experience.

May seem a bit pricey but experience is worth it! The chefs are nice and entertaining! Reservations are recommended, else wait can be long, especially for parties...