Kobe Japanese Steak & Seafood House — Restaurant in Glenarden

As a fan of local Japanese Steakhouses, I was excited to realize that there was one so close to home in the Woodmore Shopping Centre. Well, we were immediately seated and our drink order was placed. Then, I was asked for my food order within 60 seconds of being seated. I had barely gotten settled and opened the menu. But, whatever. I ordered the Hibachi Steak Entree. Or so I thought.

After about 10 minutes, Johnny the Chef came out and began our entrees. The fried rice was made... Then the noodles and veggies hit the grill. Wait a minute... Where were the soups and salads? I started to doubt my order. Maybe this hibachi chain did things differently. Then I watched 2 other tables get both soup and salad. So, I asked Johnny. Since our server had vanished, the CHEF had to ask the MANAGER.

So, rice was on MOST plates, veggies and noodles were cooking and we had two separate servers (still not our initial server) bring out lukewarm soup and salads simultaneously. I, however, had ordered STEAMED rice and was still waiting for it as my veggies and noodles were added to the plate and the proteins were cooking. When my steak was placed on my plate, I got the managers attention - yeah, the guy in the white shirt who already knew our service had been compromised - and he brought my little bowl of steamed rice from the kitchen.

Another couple at the table had to ask this same manager for a second round of drinks at the server was still MIA. By now, I'm expecting the manager go offer the table a discount, a complimentary drink, gift card, anything??

Suddenly, our original server blows out of the kitchen and snatches my boyfriends soda glass for a refill. She then works on refills on another table before asking the others, myself included, if we needed anything. I just wanted a water since my adult beverage had long been gone.

The chef finishes, we tip him in cash and the meal commences. The server has ghosted again and we have to ask the manager (white shirt guy) for to go Containers. Then our little server chick has the audacity to bring our checks - for full price. At the same time, the Appetizers another couple ordered arrived - after the late soup, the late salad, the entire entree, and even the check. At least server girl was quick enough to remove that from their bill.

I was still angry having had to ask for the soup salad, AND my rice. So I took my $81.00 bill and requested some reciprocation from Mr.White shirt. He snatched my bill and offered me a $10 discount. Basically, he covered my drink. I told the other parties at my table and they too asked for reciprocation. One of the couples explained that they were seated, then asked to move and if we did not like their service it was "their policy" to add gratuity to the bill.

Well, all I can say is after this experience I will happily drive north to Fuji or Dakota or south to Hanabi as this experience left a sour taste in my mouth. Everyone at the table agreed that we should have gone somewhere else. Especially if your policy is...

We went in tonight to try out Kobe as we have walked by the restaurant on numerous occasions. Unfortunately it has been one of our worse experiences for a Japanese steak house.

We were seated fairly quickly; however, we were not recognized by anyone or offered anything until after the table had been filled (10 minutes or so later). We then tried to order some sushi to tide us over until the chef came out to start cooking, but it didn't arrive until the chef had started. We were happy with the Las Vegas roll we had ordered. This may be the only reason we try the place again - to see if they have other good sushi.

I will be comparing this Japanese steakhouse with similar ones I have been to. Definitely on the pricey side. Plan to spend approximately $5-$10 more per entree than surrounding areas. Also plan for a $2 upcharge if you want fried rice (which will be a smaller portion than white rice - we compared as I got fried and my friend got white). The noodles will also be a smaller portion as well - the other diners at my table complained about this as well and had to get very loud before anyone would do anything about it. I will add that although the portions were smaller than expected, both rice and noodles were pretty good.

I was hoping because they were pricier that we would get more of a show, but it was also pretty average. Show was ok, but I've definitely seen far better effort at other places.

We ordered filet mignon, scallops, and shrimp. Ordered filet medium rare, which was actually pretty good - it was good to have some melty meat! That was the upside. The seafood was all overcooked and rubbery and I was disgusted to have gritty scallops. Overall the meat and veggies were bland in taste.

Finally be prepared for a minimum gratuity of 15% for parties of 1-4 or 18% for parties of 5 or more. This is automatically added to your bill. This is something I mention as there is still a line for tip once your credit card is ran. I don't mind this, but I know it bothers some people.

As far as service went, I would say it was okay. We had to flag someone down whenever we needed refills on our drinks. I also thought it was very strange to have people standing inside of the kitchen door taking turns staring into the dining room.

All in all, this place was okay at best. Hibachi is much too overpriced in my opinion especially not to have fried rice in the hibachi price. Might come back for sushi, but not...

So I've visited this location a few times and it's good but the last time made me a very unhappy customer. I decided to call in an order for take out for my family and myself on Nov 2, 2019 and the person that picked up the phone seemed a little flustered which came off as rude but I was told that I could not do a to go order over ther phone with no explanation. So I decided to call back later and I got someone else on the phone and they seemed a bit nicer than the first but she told me they cannot do any to go orders because the kitchen was backed up??? So I asked to speak to a manager and they told me there wasn't a manager around... so I explained to hostess that I am about to literally purchase 4 filet meals and sushi apps which is well over $100 worth of a items to sell so she asked a kitchen member could they go ahead and do it and they told her no so then I decided to go up there and I spoke directly to a manager and I told him what I wanted and he replied that he could not help me and I told him that was unacceptable and unprofessional since they're literally letting a $100+ sale to walk out of the door and that's bad for business especially for a local patron who normally spends quite a bit there however, he didn't really seem to care much. So to the owners and upper management I hope that you see this review because this location definitely needs better kitchen and staff management because you are literally losing money when you are over packed and its unfair for those who support this business I also would like you to know that since I was not accommodated for the inconvenience I decided to take my business elsewhere to Fuji in Gambrills, MD which isnt too far they were just as busy as your establishment and I was treated way better then there and they were a lot more professional. Most likely I will give this establishment another chance by you will definitely have to re-earn my business as well as my family's business but taking better care of your customers. Could be 5...