Sage 400 — Restaurant in Houston

I rarely leave negative reviews, but today's visit deserves a special mentioning. Context: this place has been among my favourite sushi spots in Houston since 2015, and I believe one of my reviews from that time reflects all the nice impressions and experiences I used to have here. Until today. I was finishing my long road trip and decided to have lunch there. Obviously, I was dressed in simple sports clothes, for many hours of driving, no make up and no fancy labels on me, as I walked in and was heading towards one of the booths, the manager literally rushed across the room, yelling to the waiter who accompanied me, waving at her to not seat me there, and pushing us toward the smallest table in the most crowded part of the restaurant. I stopped and asked to be seated at a big table, but the manager responded, that "those are all taken" (observed people randomly walk in and take those spots later), I turned around intending to leave, but she suggested a bar table (which was a tiny bit bigger, but at least could fit in all the lunch plates for both of me and my companion). I don't know what has happened since my last visit a few months ago: all the waiters I saw today were new, and the salad I always used to order this time was 1/2 of the portion. The food is still good quality, so I was going to just let those unpleasant moments slide, but when I headed to the restroom the same lady called to me in a pseudo-polite condescending manner directing me to turn around and walk from the backside, not crossing the area where tables were. Don't get me wrong, I have been taking this "bathroom route" for years, I simply didn't know the back-passage existed, otherwise I I would have taken it, but being loudly stopped like a child who misbehaved in the middle of the class and publically "excluded" from the populated area - SUCH level of hospitality and professionalism I don't think I have ever met in a restaurant, and I have been to many very different places, from Ossiano in Dubai to a tiny hut with handmade kottu roti in the middle of Sri Lanka. While I was at the restroom the manager approached our table and started taking away the unfinished plates while my companion was still eating, making him feel rushed out. I beleive if a person needs to be explained that a fake smile doesn't make up for general feeling of terribly unwelcomed reception - they should not be in any way involved into a business that works by providing service to people who are searching for a break from daily life troubles, for a good meal in a nice warm atmosphere. I used to advertise this place to all of my friends and colleagues, but god forbid they show up there slightly underdressed and receive an embarrassment of reception like that. This place is off my list for good. " Big mistake....

My brother and I were visiting Houston from San Diego in April 2019. This resturant was directly in front of our hotel. There was another resturant next to Sage 400, so we went in there first. It was freezing in that place so we walked out. We noticed that everyone from the area seemed to be going in Sage 400 so we followed along. First off, first impressions are everything and the first impression we got was from a kind and professional hostes named Micah, that had a giant smile on her face. The tempature in this place was perfect and is an awesome dining aptmospher and enviroment! Although the resturant was extremely busy and it was obvious that Sage 400 is a local favorite spot, we didn't have to wait long at all for our food. Our server was very attentive and greeted us with great conversation, asking where we were from and how was our trip...The food at Sage 400, which was sushi for us, was absolutely amazing! There are alot of sushi places in California, and not one is better or as good as Sage 400! We were treated with kindness, attention and professionalism and it made our short trip worth every second including the 23 hour drive back home. Do yourself a favor and go dine at Sage 400. You will not regret it. Everytime i visit Houston from now on, I will dine at this resturant. And this message is for the owner/management. Micah is an asset to your resturant! Her welcoming and warm smile is a great first impression. Paul and...

Minutes away are much much better options. Sage 400 really only has the setting going for it.

Go elsewhere. Nobu. Kata Robata. Roka Akor. Branch out, and go to Peli Peli instead. There’s no reason to come here since they don’t do anything better than anyone else.

Nobu and Kata Robata, the former about six minutes away, have much better food and atmosphere. Remarkably, the atmosphere is one of the worst parts— while Sage 400 looks great, it is packed beyond reason. All tables are about 2-3 feet from another. Besides being somewhat unsafe in the face of an ongoing pandemic, it means that the place is loud and brutally un-intimate. It is downright cacophonous and you will have to raise your voice to be heard by the person sitting directly across you.

The food is okay. They were out of fatty tuna and all akaushi (wagyu) options when I was there, so I can’t comment on those, besides that Akaushi is typically regarded as the worst breed of wagyu. Nobu and Kata both serve higher quality wagyu without the angus crossbreeding that reduces flavor, texture, but also price. The bluefin tuna nigiri had an overpowering amount of wasabi— the fake horseradish stuff, not real wasabi— and was actually painful to eat.

Surprisingly, the miso seabass here is extremely similar to Nobu’s miso black cod. This was the highlight of the meal. “It was like a better restaurant’s” is a bad...