Raku Izakaya — Restaurant in Fort Lee

So I frequent this place often and bring people from out of town here and recommend this place often. Now my review is not so reflective of the incident itself as the response.

Yesterday while dining. With my family including two toddlers, an accident happened as they do. My husband ordered the steak that comes on a hot cast iron platter. When the server/runner went to deliver the plate , she dropped the steak and my husband grabbed the hot cast iron plate from hitting my toddler in the high chair. So in response my toddler was shocked and was crying and my husband had stains on his clothes and everything was a mess. Again, accidents happen BUT after that incident …the service almost stopped. We weren’t upset or anything when it happened and were understanding. However , we wanted to order more food and wine.

No one came back for a while to update us or check on us and after I flagged someone down , they are basically reassuring us that everything is fine as if - we dropped it. A bit weird. And we had to ask if the steak was being re-cooked and if we could get refills. I thought they would be more attentive but it was the opposite. So service almost halted besides them later bringing the steak and again telling US , ‘no worries’ . Then when we when to pay the bill not even our $5 avocado roll was comped or our $3 miso soup off of an almost $100 bill. Like nothing off the bill was comped off of good gesture for the incident or better yet , the lack of service following.

Very disappointing on a service level side. Very surprised at this place and unfortunately a once ‘gem’ we loved , left a bad taste...

Allow me to extol the virtues of my recent dining experience at Raku Izakaya, an establishment that exquisitely marries culinary mastery with impeccable hospitality. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.

Raku Izakaya's menu is a symphony of flavors, expertly curated to delight even the most discerning palate. Each dish presented an artful fusion of traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary flair, showcasing the chef's dedication to both tradition and innovation. From delicate sushi rolls bursting with freshness to robust izakaya-style small plates brimming with bold flavors, every bite was a revelation.

Yet, it is not only the exceptional cuisine that distinguishes Raku Izakaya, but also the impeccable service and attention to detail. The staff exhibited a genuine passion for their craft, effortlessly guiding me through the menu and ensuring that every aspect of my dining experience exceeded expectations.

As I reflect on my time at Raku Izakaya, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to partake in such an exceptional culinary journey. Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend Raku Izakaya to anyone seeking an unparalleled dining experience that transcends mere sustenance to become a true...

I’m surprised at all the good reviews because the way I’d describe the food is that if you’ve never had Japanese food and/or you’ve never met an Asian person in your life, yeah, you’ll probably like this.

The sushi rolls aren’t that good, the rice tastes old and they put weird sauces on the rolls (I mean, why is it sweet???). Just go to either Kura Sushi or PJ Sushi honestly, better food AND better prices.

The karaage (fried chicken) was dry, I’ve had better fried chicken everywhere else. Just go to Mitsuwa or Kura Sushi (I will say Kura karaage runs a bit oily but that’s just me! Better than dry chicken. I’ve had grilled chicken breasts juicer than Raku Izakaya’s karaage.)

The takoyaki is the worst. It’s actually offensive they sell this. It’s the soggiest sad piece of dough with octopus I’ve ever had. Serving what they call takoyaki should be classified as a hate crime (I’m joking about the hate crime, but yeah it’s bad).

Service was nice though and I didn’t get food poisoning or die from the...