Izakaya Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Indianapolis

What a shame. I’ve heard such good things about this place and have wanted to try it for a long time. However, my experience was not the same of all the good reviews I’ve read/heard.

Came here for an early dinner with my husband. We sat in the dining room side (not the hibachi). The atmosphere was nice. Low lights, simple, yet tasteful decorations. We ordered a sushi roll for an appetizer and we both got the steak and Japanese croquettes dinner. I ordered filet and my husband ordered New York strip. The meal included a salad, miso soup, and steamed rice. We substituted the steamed rice for fried rice. The “Mafia sushi roll” was standard. I was hoping for the Playboy roll from Naked Tchopstix, but I received an imposter.

Still, my dreams were not crushed. I remained optimistic.

The miso soup was above average. The salad was a standard Dole iceberg mix. However, the salad dressing was a delectable, creamy ginger dressing.

I still had high hopes. But things turned sour.

When they brought the meals out, my first thought was, “why are they serving me plastic and trying to pass it off as real food?” The second thing I noticed was that both steaks were of similar shape and size. I immediately asked which one was the filet. The server did not know. He went back to the kitchen to find out.

Instead of admitting that they were both the same cut of beef, they tried to pass them off as different cuts.

I tasted both my steak and my husband’s. They tasted exactly the same. My husband agreed.

I am offended that they thought so low of my intelligence that they did not think that I made it past kindergarten where you learn the difference between shapes, sizes, and textures.

Alas, I attempted to eat it anyway.

The cow carcass was disappointingly bland. They tried to hide their lack of seasoning with a tasteless teriyaki mess slathered on top.

Although I do like my steaks medium-rare, I still expect it to be cooked. It was cold. Unpalatable. Rubbery. Unable to be chewed. I’m almost positive they had this pre-cooked and microwaved it for 10 seconds to freshen up the juices before plopping it onto a plate filled with a gelatinous, brown goo.

I stopped eating out of fear of E. coli.

I did not enjoy the croquettes or the fried rice either, but they were less regrettable than the steak.

When speaking with the staff about the meal and how I didn’t want to be charged the upcharge for filet, they were polite and apologetic and offered to “discount” the meal. Once we got the bill, the only discount was the price difference between the filet and the strip. Le sigh.

We paid, tipped generously, and moved on with our lives. But I felt the need to warn others about our experience. Do not let them give you leftover steak bits with meat glue holding them together!

I’m only giving two stars because the environment was nice and the salad dressing was delicious. I could probably drink a pint of it, no salad necessary.

Maybe the hibachi is a different experience. Too bad that I won’t be back to find out.

Life is too short for...

I have never left bad review in my life! But this time I was absolutely disappointed with the service at this place! My family has beeen coming to this place since opening. But within last year we noticed that the quality of the food and service has changed and not in a good way. Having entered the restaurant at the late afternoon on Sunday, we found place very quiet . The greeting person was eating at the near by table and without greeting us she just grabbed the menu and asked what table we want. After placing an order for sushi, we had to wait about 15-20 minutes , which would be fine if the place was busy but not at this time. Our order was done and was waiting for us at the sushi bar but waiters was nowhere to found. Finally, she brought our order and without saying a single word dropped the plate and left. Well... I understand that most of the stuff do not speak good English but still.. this type of attitude ruined my whole experience. I had to ask few more things during our dunning and waiters was not around so I kept asking cleaning crew. The food was ok but I didn't enjoy it due to a poor customer service. When we were leaving greeting person just looked at us without saying thank you or anything like that.... The good restaurant comes not only with a good food but a Welcoming , friendly atmosphere . I hope my review will help management make some changes. Although, I am not sure we are coming back to this place to...

Have come to this place since it opened over 15 years ago. Always been great food and service for a good value. Tonight, brought the family in for dinner and was seated right away. After a couple minutes, another group of people was seated at our table that clearly had been partying in the parking lot with Mary Jane. It was overpowering and all of my family was clearly noticing it as they all looked at me and gave me that look. Yes, we have all been there and smelled the smell I'm talking about, but the last thing I wanted to do was sit and eat for the next hour while getting high from the contact buz.even with exhaust hood fan on we were all feeling it. I left the table and went to the bar to speak with the manager about moving to another table and he asked 20 questions about why I had to move and who the people were. Instead of moving us, he started pointing at the group of people and making a scene.. I Decided at that point it was a lost causes to try moving my family and proceeded to motion them all to join me as we left the restaurant for the last time. I guess this is the new normal in some places, but I will only patronize establishments that have some sort of conduct in place. Unfortunately I don't think this one...