Sakura Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Grandville

I really debated about even posting a review as I don't like to hurt a company's business, but since this was my first time here and I am pretty sure it will also be my last, my date and I decided that we needed to leave a review. Now were to start...

1. We arrived at 2:00 pm on Saturday 2/8/2020, and since lunch goes until 2:30 we asked to make sure we'd still be on the lunch menu when they said it would be about a 15 minute wait when we asked for the Hibachi side. We were told it would be, but they never explained that the delay was waiting for others to come in so they would have the table full around the Hibachi. So it did end up being a longer wait and therefore we went past the lunch time, and lunch time prices.

2. Once the whole table was seated, our beverages were served and order was placed, we were wondering why there was such a wait for the hibachi chef to come out, and then when our server Alan brought appetizers to half the table we realized the reason. Again, this was a communication issue and a potential loss in an up sell. Had Alan come back down to our end of the table and told us and the couple next to us that the other end had ordered appetizers so there would be a bit of a delay and see if we wanted to order any, we just might have.

3. I wish I could say that the dining portion was good and entertaining, but that would not be accurate as our chef's timing was off and aim was definitely off. So everything was overcooked and over salty. the lobster was like rubber, the filet mignon which we requested rare was medium well, the shrimp was tough and the scallops barely edible. He failed at the onion volcano, as he had cooked the onion before he attempted it an it was too cooked to stack. And once the Chef came out Alan ghosted our table, he never came around to clear the salad or soup dishes and did not keep beverages filled.

4. After we were done, we needed to stop in the restrooms and the condition and lack of cleanliness at 4pm was quite atrocious. We both agreed that had we stop in the restrooms before being seated, we would not have...

Came in an hour before close. We don't usually do this as we don't like to burden the restaurant staff, however we eat quickly and knew we could be out within the hour. Our table was sticky, and our waitress was sweet, but she was very loud, and didn't check in on us at all. We got a Dragon Roll and a Vegas roll, which were both good. We also got gyōza that tasted awesome. However, our main entrees were disappointing. The chicken katsu didn't come with any sauce, and neither did the shrimp tempura. I've never had katsu of any kind that didn't come with tonkatsu sauce, nor tempura without tentsuyu. We would asked for sauce, but our waitress vanished and we couldn't find her. The tempura was soaked in grease as well. Finally, our bills was rounded to the nearest dollar. While this isn't a huge deal, it was a little bizarre that nothing like this was mentioned. We are willing to give it another try at an earlier time, but still disappointed that the food and service quality went down significantly even though we dined later in the evening.

EDIT: We came in for hibachi in early May for my little sister's birthday. It was her first hibachi experience and on a Saturday, so we made sure to make a reservation two weeks in advance. We get there and proceed to wait 45 minutes for our table. Along with that, there were probably about 30 other people in the lobby waiting for tables as well. I get that table management can be hard, as I have been a hostess before, but having someone with a reservation wait for any more than fifteen minutes is unacceptable. Twice I came up to the host stand to see what was going on, and the hostess there ignored me for a solid minute or so to text on her phone. Dinner was good and chef was friendly. Not the best hibachi I've ever had, but I find that all hibachi tastes pretty darn good. I'm not changing my rating of three stars as I think that the chef and food made up for the long wait, but I'm frustrated that the table management was such a nightmare. We probably won't be coming back to Sakura, and will find...

I don't find this place to be worth the money. Food quality and portions are just not there for what they are charging. We went there last night with a group of 10 for a birthday. The chef does not divvy out all of the food fairly, giving some people a heaping plate full of food and the rest with very skimpy portions of side items and meat. My wife and I both got the hibachi steak and chicken. We definitely got skimped on the portions compared to a couple of others at our table. The chicken was way over cooked and dry, and the steak was overcooked as well despite him asking us how we wanted it prepared. The hibachi chicken and steak meal is $28.00 and you get one small chicken tenderloin and half a small new york strip steak for that price. 6-7 ounces of meat is about what we were served.

Also, diner beware when the time comes to pay your bill...When the check comes there is no gratuity added to your itemized bill. When they take your card to swipe it they will add the gratuity at that time - after you've already viewed the bill. They will bring the bill and card back with a handwritten spot on the receipt for an additional tip. While I didn't mind them adding gratuity to the bill, i'd like to see it added on the itemized bill the server presents you for payment. This is a very deceiving practice that opens up the opportunity for customers to double tip which I'm sure happens often; as two people in our party didn't catch it and likely double tipped last night. Our service was good, but not that good!

Our total bill was $70.00 for two hibachi meals with water to drink and no appetizers - $35 a piece. Totally not worth the price for the skimpy portions of everything and overcooked meat. You're better off going to a Chinese buffet that has a build your own hibachi option - more bang for your buck there. We don't mind paying good money for good food but it's got to be top notch and for their prices it just...