Blue Sushi Sake Grill — Restaurant in Kansas City

On Saturday 10/26/24 at approx. 8pm I entered Blue Sushi Sake Grill in the power and light district located at 101 E 14TH St, Kansas City, MO 64106. Upon entering the host advised my friend and I that we could take 2 empty seats that were located at the far east end of the bar. Prior to sitting down I looked around frantically for the restroom and to my left I saw a sign that I thought said “restroom”. I never sat down but proceeded to a short hallway which was maybe 3ft from where I had been standing. As I started to enter the hallway a man who I assume was an employee said “you need to walk around the restaurant to the other side this is the staff area”. By this time I am already into the area as I never really stopped moving toward the restroom sign. I said to the employee “Oh My God, move PLEASE, I REALLY HAVE TO GO”! As I hastily entered into the bathroom (maybe it was 10 steps forward) I held my legs together and also my hand down in front of me in an effort to make it into the bathroom without an embarrassing incident. After I finished up in the restroom, I exited and exited to the left which was considered the correct way to exit based on what the employee told me. I walked around the restaurant and back to my chair at the bar where I sat down and began to get ready to order; or so I thought.

A tall, slender white male who spoke in an effeminate tone approached me from the front and stated “we need to talk about this bathroom incident”! To this I replied “oh my gosh, yes, I’m sorry but I really had to go”. In my mind he was speaking about me entering the restroom from the north side of the bar versus the south side of the restaurant. The manager proceeds to state that “you entered into our staff area and you hit and moved my staff”. At this moment my heart started to race as I was totally confused and very embarrassed. I immediately advised him that I had not hit or touched anyone and had no idea what he was talking about. He proceeded to accuse me and I continued to vehemently deny the accusations; I asked him repeatedly if there were cameras so that he could review footage. I asked could he go get the employee because surely there was a misunderstanding and to this the manager, who we now know is Justin (last name withheld when we asked for him info), replied “No, and there were several people that witnessed this and FOR HIS SAFETY”….. I started to shake and tears came to my eyes, my hearing felt like it started to fade and I could hear my own heart beating in my ears…I said to Justin many more times “I NEVER HIT ANYONE”’! Justin continued to accuse me and even went on to try to scold me saying” YOU DON’T PUT YOUR HANDS ON PEOPLE! YOU DON’T MOVE ANYONE OUT OF THE WAY”! Again, I said, “I never touched anyone in this place nor even got close to anyone”. Suddenly Justin stated he was going to go speak to the employee. Justin reappears and said “OH MY GOSH IM SO SORRY! MY EMPLOYEE USED THE WRONG WORDS AND YOU DID NOT ACTUALLY TOUCH HIM. THIS IS TOTALLY ON ME…OH MY GOSH WOULD YOU LIKE A DRINK”!?

I was very loudly, disrespectfully, wrongfully accused of hitting a staff member, which I believe was NOT a misunderstanding, by Justin!! I want to clarify that I value the safety and well-being of all employees and customers, and I would never engage in any form of violence or harassment. In addition to the wrongful accusation, I felt I was subjected to racial profiling during this incident. I believe that the assumptions made were based on my race, rather than an objective assessment of the situation which was NOT done. This experience has caused me significant distress and discomfort, not only as a patron but as a member of our community. At the time, as I sat and looked around in pure shock, I could see that my friend and I had been the only black patrons and now the only one being burned at the stake. I am spreading my story and experience so that others know not to...

I have my favorite sushi joint in KC. I won't name names to avoid bias.....but it's in KC and they sell sushi. I love sushi and always like to try new places when folks tell me about them. Problem is, they never stack up to my favorite gettin' place. So my son says we need to try Blue. I wasn't really in the mood for a tryout, but my fave is closed Mondays and we really wanted sushi. So we went. Some would say I'm not really..... fashionable. That's fair. I'm usually down with casual/cozy places. Don't try to impress me with fancy words from a thesaurus or how your not providing straws is somehow going to save the planet. I don't need any of that gas. So I was a little apprehensive when we walked into Blue. I didn't really know anything about it - spur of the moment type thing. So no preconceived notions. (Are you keeping up with my fancy words?). But when you walk in you're struck by vivid colors and eclectic Japanese motifs (ooh lah lah). Everything reminding you of the sea and sea life - which I was about to put in my mouth. Again. Worried. Not my usual joint. I was waiting for the bouncers to come and tell me I'm not cool enough to eat here. It happens. Server was super friendly and eager to answer any questions. Now this place is strictly sushi. And oh my. The menu is quite extensive. I noted that the menu lists all the parts of the ocean and what country the fish is sourced from..........worried.....here we go. They don't have teppanyaki tables here. They focus on the fish. But there were a huge amount of strictly veggie sushi options I noted. More concern...... I mean who goes to a sushi joint to eat celery? Vegans, that's who. Oh brother. People who don't eat meat make me nervous and my eyes can't help but roll. Well, I didn't order any of that. But we ordered up a mess of fish let me tell you. They don't have natto. As I've written before - it's my gold standard in my quest for perfection. I love natto - fermented soy bean paste - in both maki and nigiri. It's hard to find because most Americans hate it. But it's a real Japanese thing. So I always ask. And no they don't have it. BUT. My waitress knew what it was! Wow! And no she didn't like it but - she knew and she tried! So impressed with her. Now on to the eats. Every bite I put in my belly was amazing! Tuna was some of the freshest I had ever eaten in town. The rolls we ordered were some of the most unique sushi creations I have ever tried. And so much flavor. Look at my pics. We ate all that - because we couldn't help ourselves. We ordered extra because we wanted to try everything. And we ate it all. It hurt but was worth it. Sushi chefs neglected to put wasabi and ginger on our boat.... what? But server immediately addressed it. No biggie. As we were rubbing our bellies in pain but pleased, the manager walks up, asks us if it was our first time. Yes we were Blue virgins. So she offered some free mochi ice cream desserts! Explained about the chain and all their locations. I didn't know they were a chain until that point. Very friendly. Very professional. And what a great way to promote your brand. Blue owners: very smart and good hire there. So hell yes I'll be back. Not giving up my go to joint. But definitely the edge goes to Blue now. Huge find in Kansas City. Eat at Blue in Power and Light KC. Can't go wrong and even if you don't like sushi...... you can eat the bean sprout maki I guess. I'll give veggie sushi a try maybe next time. Everything else was so good, can't be wrong. But guarantee it won't make me a Vegan either. And I'm maybe a little more stylish having et there than...

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding an incident of racial profiling that occurred at your restaurant on October 26, 2024. My friend and I had been wanting to try the new Blue Sushi Sake Grill. My friend is a big sushi fan and was very excited to try this restaurant. What started as an exciting anticipation quickly turned to feeling unwelcome, harassment and disrespectful.

On October 26, 2024, I witnessed discriminatory treatment by the manager of Blue Sushi Sake Grill, Justin. My friend and I pulled up to the Power and Light district. Traffic was very heavy so I told my friend I would park the car and she could wait by the entrance. It took me roughly 15 minutes to park the car and meet her. We go inside where we are greeted by a young lady. She told us there would be a 30 minute wait. My friend provided her phone number and we were added to the wait list. I ask her if we could sit at the bar. She said yes. We walked to the bar. My friend said she needed to use the restroom. The restroom was clearly right around the corner. I said, there it is. She preceeded that way. She then was approach by a gentleman who said this area is for staff and you have to walk around, despite the restroom being less then 4 steps as to where she was standing. My friend said I'm sorry but I really have to go and continue to the restroom. She came back to the bar and we was then approached by Justin. Justin approached us and said he needed to speak to us regarding the bathroom incident. My friend said yes I told your employee I really needed to go. He said yes I understand but that does not give reason for you to put your hands on the employee. My friend and I was both astonish at these accusations. My friend begin to state she did not put hands on anyone and can they pull the camera footage. Justin said there was no camera footage but several witnesses that said they saw her push him. We ask to bring the employee out and he said no for his safety. By this time my friend and I was extremely upset. We could not believe we was being lied on like this. After continuing to accused my friend, Justin finally said he would go back and speak to his employee. He left and came back within 3 minutes and stated, "I'm sorry he used the wrong words. He said you walk past not push and that is my fault, im sorry, can I buy you a drink". We could not believe what had just happen. My friend was falsely accused at this establishment.

This is not acceptable on any level. My friend character was question on this night. A person who is very very successful. It burdens me to see more reviews posted regarding discrimination from Justin. Please note I have sent more reviews regarding this incident as well as a letter Flagstaff, the owner of the Blue Sushi Sake Grill. This situation was hurtful, embarrassing. To be accused in front of the entire restaurant is very very unacceptable. I hope this review will bring insight to a much needed action that needs to take place at this...