Bonsai Sushi — Restaurant in Florida

Absolute worst dining experience in my life and I am not a picky or high expectations consumer nor do I ever feel compelled to write a review, especially a bad one. Could have saved $60 and went hungry as nearly all the items were inedible and there was barely any service despite having more employees than customers. It's the following morning and my stomach still feels icky.

First, we ordered 2 large hot sakis which we normally enjoy quite a few before ordering food. The first 2 shots immediately did not sit well and I barely made it to the restroom as they quickly came back up. I have never had this happen and I frequently enjoy the drink. My boyfriend did not have the same experience but also didn't enjoy it or finish it. I was scared to try anymore saki after knowing that it was the trigger and immediately ordered hoping food would make me feel better. I got the pork gyoza steamed and could only force myself to eat 2. The dumplings had a 1/3 of the filling they should, which was very bland, and you couldn't even get it on the fork without it completely falling apart since it was mostly an empty noodle. Dipping sauce was a little on the sour rather than sweet side.The salad and miso soup were just okay but luckily edible. Finally got my chicken teriyaki while the boyfriend got his what I remember as volcano and key west roll. It was disappointing immediately upon sight. My chicken teriyaki consisted of a tiny super thin probably previously frozen chicken cutlet about the size of my palm cut across in strips with little teriyaki tasting very store bought sprinkled with pepper and served on a sizzling skillet next to a cold pile of very unappealing beansprouts and bowl of white sticky sushi rice on the side. The chicken was overcooked on the bottom being so thin so it was very tough. I was able to force down 3 or 4 pieces of chicken with maybe a 1/4 of the sticky white rice. My boyfriends sushi was very bland unappealing and quite obviously mostly filler. What I think was called key west (conch) was inedible. Mostly cucumber filling and rice. The I think volcano roll was also very bland and just basically cucumber filler with only about a 1/3 of a crab stick inside of it and the rest of, if that, on top. It did not have any spicy mayo or other mixed in the crab stick topping nor any eel sauce drizzled on it. We have usually experienced volcano rolls as fried/cooked but they were not. The side of Wasabi and ginger were not the greatest either. He forced down a few pieces. He tasted my chicken teriyaki and experienced why I also ate so little and after much attempt to try to eat decided we were done as we shouldn't have to force ourselves. He waved the server over to ask her to warm up the remainder of my saki hoping to at least finish it but he didn't and when she returned asking if we needed boxes we immediately declined and she cleared the table. We had to ask for a refill on waters as our glasses were empty some time and were only visited once very shortly after food came out to ask if we needed anything. Other than that we were only visited when our food/drinks were served. Our check took way too long after food was cleared and I walked up front to the register to pay.

I've worked in the restaurant industry including as a hibachi chef and am understanding of today's hardships in the industry but I don't see how this place is in business. I don't mind americanized Asian cuisine but this place had zero Asian influence in the sushi rolls or chicken teriyaki other than the name or being a "sushi roll". I will never go back.

We would have been better off eating sushi from a gas station and that "chicken teriyaki" can't even be compared as only the sauce fit it. Anything was better than the food we experienced here.1 star is...

I have never written a review before, however the food here is sub-par and I wish I would've done both of us a favor and walked out before ordering. I want people to consider this review due to the fact that it was significant enough for me to take the time to write about our experience. I have eaten at numerous sushi restaurants, and they ALL were far better than this location! Very plain, unattractive sushi roll menu compared to all other competitors. The sushi roll was tasteless and very poor presentation. We looked through the other menu offerings and they were very limited and repetitive. Both my wife & I looked at each other and stated what a poor selection. At that point, we should of saved our $36 & walked out, but we were on a short timeline and hungry, so unfortunately we stayed. My wife ordered fried rice, and it was bland. In addition to the food.....The booths were hardwood and very, very uncomfortable.I am astonished at how this place received 4.6 out of 5.....We chose this restaurant because of the reviews, I hope you strongly consider my review before going forward. Apparently people haven't experienced what good sushi dining beholds or the reviews...

let me start by saying bonsai has been my absolute favorite sushi place. i have been coming here for more than 5 years and love their sushi quality above any other places around. however, customer service is very important when considering where to return to and today isn’t the first time their customer service has been poor, but today i was very upset by their lack of professionalism and had to write a review. today, i left with my to-go order and thank god i checked it in the car because my fried roll had multiple hairs fried throughout it, sticking out on top. when i brought it back they simply said “new roll or money back?” i asked for a new roll, and they left to make it. i have worked in the hospitality business for 8 years. if there is ever an inconvenience like that, it is customary to fix the food and take it off the check/return the money. they didn’t do that and just gave me a new roll. so after them not catching their mistake, remaking another roll, and having to wait for another roll, they just handed it to me as if i had inconvenienced them. it put such a sour taste in my mouth, i don’t know the next time...