Shima Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Miami Lakes

The atmosphere was the best thing about my experience and even then, it was sloppy. I gave this review an additional star for the fact my friends enjoyed their meal. I, myself do not eat fish or sushi so I know what I am getting myself into when I go to eat out with friends and family at places where it’s mostly fish so I always make sure to take a look at the menu beforehand so I know what my options are. When we sat down we were immediately greeted which was nice but set a false pretense to our dining experience because after that everything just started slowing down from there. It took about 10 minutes just to get waters for the table, the hot sake was even longer and the third jar we ordered was left in the microwave way too long because we burned our hands grabbing the bottle and then not to mention how nuclear the sake was we burned our mouths taking the first sip. In the meantime, my friends start chowing down on the dishes of sushi coming out of the river boat and I can already foresee I’m going to be the one left at the table eating while everyone is ready to pay up and leave, but I didn’t expect our server to take another 15 minutes to come back so I can at least put an order in, in the chance I would be able to enjoy having dinner with my friends. Bad decision. When the server finally came back and took my order, I explained I don’t eat sushi but I was looking at the menu and asked her opinion between the yakisoba noodles and the okonomiyaki since that was on their specialty menu. She had a tough time helping me decide (maybe she’s new and I’ll chalk it up to that) either way, we came to the order of okonomiyaki. Guys, when I tell you this food took about 40 minutes to come out… I would have appreciated a heads up that this menu item was going to take that long to make because I would have happily ordered something that takes a little less time to make so I can, once again, have dinner with my friends. It was either that the food took long, or (as a server I have also done this in the past) she forgot to put my order in, and then put it in when we followed up about the dish 20 minutes later. Dude, I seriously am not a stickler about food order and time to the table, but this was just beyond ridiculous and embarrassing at this point. More time keeps passing by, and at this point everyone has started slowing down and you could see the food comas starting to set in and they’re ready for the check. At this point, I don’t even want my order and I have lost my appetite, so I tell the waitress to cancel the order AND THEN she says “oh but they’re working on it, it’s going to take about another 10 minutes”. So now not only have I waited an hour for a meal after ordering, but now I am made to feel guilty about accepting and paying for the order. I tell her to put it in a container at this point because I am not going to go back and forth about an order I do not want anymore, because clearly, it’s easier for me to spend money on an order I have no desire for anymore after waiting an hour for my food, than to explain to the server that the entire dining experience and lack of service and wait time was absurd and it should be voided from the check. Dude… when I get this order prepared in a takeout container I am even more disgusted. Thank you for putting all the sauces separately, that I do appreciate… but the appearance of this food when it’s supposed to be like a pancake is chopped up like dog food, this was the topping of the cake. How could an already terrible experience get worse? I might give this place one more try just in the chance it was a bad night, but that’s a fat chance...

Shima Japanese Restaurant Review

Shima Japanese Restaurant is a popular spot known for its high-quality sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

1. Food Quality: Shima is particularly well-regarded for its sushi and sashimi. The fish is fresh and expertly prepared, often a highlight for many diners. Rolls are inventive yet balanced, with a good mix of traditional options and some unique, fusion-style creations. Their signature rolls, like the Shima roll or spicy tuna, are often favorites. Additionally, they serve classic Japanese dishes like tempura, teriyaki, and udon, which are consistently well-prepared and flavorful.

2. Presentation: The presentation of the dishes is immaculate. Sushi is served artfully, often with garnishes and side dishes that enhance the overall experience. You’ll find that the attention to detail is on par with higher-end sushi restaurants, which adds to the experience.

3. Ambiance: The restaurant has a sleek, modern ambiance with subtle Japanese influences in the décor. It’s cozy but upscale, making it a great place for both casual dining and special occasions. The lighting is typically dim and atmospheric, giving it a relaxed yet refined vibe. Some locations also feature sushi bars where you can watch chefs prepare your meal.

4. Customer Service: Shima’s service is generally top-notch, with attentive and friendly staff. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about the menu, making recommendations when asked. However, service can vary depending on the time of day, as it can get busy during peak hours.

5. Menu Variety: The menu is extensive, featuring a wide range of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese favorites like grilled meats, rice bowls, and soups. Whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or looking for something else, there’s plenty of variety to satisfy different tastes. The drink menu, including sake and Japanese beers, complements the food offerings well.

6. Price: Shima is on the higher end when it comes to price. While it’s not the most affordable sushi option, the quality of the food and overall experience makes it worth the price for most diners. You can expect to pay a bit more for premium options, but the value is there for the quality provided.

Overall: Shima Japanese Restaurant is a fantastic choice for anyone craving fresh, high-quality sushi and other traditional Japanese dishes in a stylish, modern setting. While it’s on the pricier side, the food, service, and ambiance make it a worthy dining experience for sushi lovers or anyone looking for authentic...

I love the food here and have come often with friends and my partner. I’ve frequented the restaurant multiple times a week for months and know some staff by name. I’ve loved dining in regularly up until recently. While finishing up and being handed the check, my partner and I notice we were charged at large party fee, though it was just myself and my partner. We asked a server and were told this was to guarantee tip as it was rumored we would not tip. This is completely untrue and was extremely rude of the server to add an extra miscellaneous charge based off rumors.

We weren’t a large party nor have there ever been major problems with service before, but this visit left my partner and I with a bad taste in our mouths. We enjoy the food and being regulars, but we’ll be taking a break from Shima. Most of the staff is pretty friendly, but some weekend staff are quite rude, cold, short, and do not take the time to make your night special the way some do. Nathan is always kind and helpful when we’ve visited. Adding hidden fees and charges to guarantee tip for yourself is shady and as someone who works in food/customer service, I’d never behave the way we were treated last.

I know nothing will probably change, but it felt worth it to at least let others know. The food is usually great, some inconsistencies with taste but great most of the time. The atmosphere is cute and Shima is usually playing great music too! But overall customer service has hit an all time low. In this type of setting, multiple servers are present and help out multiple tables at once. So, this setup is very unlike the traditional waiter/waitress server model. You’re usually on your own most of the time besides being asked about drinks and sauce when you first sit, which is also why the added charges felt a bit...