Kona Grill - Kansas City — Restaurant in Kansas City

I recently visited Kona Grill for a late dinner at 9:30 PM, hoping to avoid the crowds and enjoy a special evening for my birthday. I had been wanting to try this place since last year and finally decided to treat myself, with my daughter offering to treat me. Unfortunately, the experience was incredibly disappointing and frustrating from start to finish.

First, the atmosphere was not what I expected. Based on the photos, I thought Kona Grill would have a more upscale environment, but it felt more like a sports bar. While that’s fine for some occasions, it was not what I envisioned for my birthday dinner.

When we arrived, we mentioned it was our first time and hoped the staff would help us navigate the menu, especially since I came specifically for the Taste of Kona menu. However, no one offered assistance or explained anything.

The real problem was the service. Despite arriving at 9:30 PM, we didn’t get our appetizer (a salad) until after 10 PM. Our server, Rainy, kept saying it was “coming,” but it would have been much better if she had been honest about the delays or explained what was going on. Between waiting for food and dealing with the slow service, we didn’t leave until nearly midnight—at 11:50 PM. And this wasn’t because the restaurant was busy; they only had about four tables at the time!

The delays weren’t the only issue. I asked for red wine to go with my steak, but Rainy brought me Moscato instead, without even confirming if that’s what I wanted. My steak arrived with fries, which was disappointing because I had expected shrimp and asparagus based on the photos. By that time, I was so tired I didn’t even bother to ask about the mix-up.

It didn’t get better with dessert. I had to repeatedly remind the server to bring the dessert that was included with the Taste of Kona meal. My daughter also mentioned it was my birthday, and I had noted this in the reservation with a special request for a birthday dessert, but there was no acknowledgment of it at all. The server never brought out the birthday dessert or the dessert included in my meal. To make matters worse, I was charged double for a dessert I never received.

The bill was another issue altogether. It kept changing, going from $68 to $75, and finally almost $100, for a steak and fries, cheesecake, a third of a glass of wine, a $21 cheeseburger with fries, and an $8 bottle of sparkling water. For such a loud, casual environment with poor service, this was outrageously overpriced.

When I asked for the bill to be corrected, the manager adjusted it but didn’t offer any apology or try to make the situation right. The lack of professionalism and communication from the staff, especially Rainy, was shocking. If you’re not going to take your job as a server seriously, why work in this role?

What was supposed to be a special birthday dinner turned into a stressful, exhausting experience. I regret choosing Kona Grill and would have had a much better evening at Yard House or even cooking dinner at home. I will never go back to Kona Grill and would not recommend...

Went for mother's day brunch and it was the worst experience. After booking a reservation at Kona Grill on the Plaza, I expected to get the great restaurant experience that others left reviews about. It was completely awful. They didn't let you order off of a menu until 3:00 (our reservation was for 2:00). Food came out cold. Ran out of dishes, silverware, cups, etc. We were served in styrofoam glasses and our poor server had to look everywhere just for basic necessities. It seems this isn't something they do every mother's day, and I truly hope they never try to do the "brunch" again. Outside of the food being cold, it seemed like they had never cooked it before. The quality wasn't anything more than frozen food thrown in a microwave. Everything was cold, but eggs were extremely rubbery, pancakes were so stale they were inedible (also ran out of syrup until our server hunted it down 15 mins after being served in plastic cups), and pastries seemed like they weren't made there or anything impressive (think mini muffins from a gas station) and not warm. Not to mention, it was $50 a person when maybe 2 people could eat off a plate and be full. It was unlimited food, but they ran out of food 30 mins in to our reservation. Server brought more of what he could but the kitchen stopped making the food for the brunch. We barely asked for seconds of anything it was so gross, anyways. Why do this brunch if your kitchen cannot support it, management? Our server was trying his best, but management and kitchen staff really really dropped the ball. Worse than I've ever seen. Serving sizes were awful, weird style of bringing everything to a crowded table rather than a buffet line, gross food, and a really bad experience overall. This disappointed me big time. Paid over $500 for a complete garbage experience. Never EVER coming back and telling all folks who suggest it to not. I know this was a special event, but I can't believe a high quality restaurant would let this kind of experience fly just to make a quick buck. Sad to see, but will never return. Maybe the regular experience is good, but I'm sure not ever going to give this restaurant another dollar...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kona Grill, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience that left me completely satisfied. From the moment I stepped inside, the ambiance was delightful; the modern yet cozy atmosphere set the perfect tone for a fantastic evening. What truly made my visit exceptional was the impeccable service provided by the charismatic waiter, Brandon. His helpfulness and warm demeanor enhanced our dining experience, making us feel truly valued and well taken care of.

The culinary delights at Kona Grill were nothing short of extraordinary. I started my evening with a refreshing mojito that was expertly crafted, setting the stage for the culinary adventure that followed. The Bama Roll, one of the restaurant's signature sushi dishes, was a true masterpiece. The combination of fresh, succulent fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and a delectable sauce was a burst of flavors in every bite. The attention to detail and quality of ingredients were evident, making it one of the most delicious sushi rolls I have ever had.

In addition to the outstanding food and service, the atmosphere was elevated by the presence of a banging DJ who curated a playlist that perfectly complemented the lively energy of the restaurant. The music added to the overall vibrant ambiance, creating a perfect backdrop for socializing and enjoying the evening. The seamless integration of the music with the overall dining experience showcased the restaurant's commitment to creating a memorable atmosphere for its patrons.

I left Kona Grill with a heart full of contentment and a taste bud memory that will linger for a long time. The combination of the delightful staff, especially the remarkable Brandon, the mouthwatering Bama Roll, the delicious mojito, and the energetic tunes from the DJ made my visit an absolute delight. I wholeheartedly recommend Kona Grill to anyone seeking an exceptional dining experience filled with fantastic food, superb service, and a lively ambiance. I am eagerly looking forward to my next visit to this...