KIWAMI by Katsu-ya — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Used to come here 2-3 times a week but lately maybe once a month. I do like the food and the price is right, but half the servers are absolutely horrible. Had one of the worst experiences to date a couple days ago. Started off with this one older short server who looks tired (always dread when I get him, he doesn’t know how to do his job) just to then be passed around 5 other servers. Dishes all arrived at random times. Got a main dish before any appetizers. He forgot my drink. Gave me the bill without asking if I was done or wanted dessert. The younger tall servers aren’t bad, I don’t mind when I get them, but I swear the two short older ones are awful. Time for them to go or get retrained? Their attitude is so poor too… they treat you like you’re a bother. I honestly started thinking it was personal hate toward me but every single customer in the restaurant seemed annoyed with their service. And why can’t we stick to ONE server? Or maybe give us the option to pick who we want as a server. Wish I knew their names to call them out more properly. But this feels like the Cheesecake Factory now in terms of service quality or one of those mall restaurants. And we’re expected to tip 20% for that type of mediocre waiters. I’m absolutely sure I’m not the only who feels this way as the restaurant is always pretty empty lately…. You used to need reservations for this place. There’s maybe now only ever 5-6 sitting tables at night. Oh well. Hopefully management wakes up and improves. Really sad. Lastly, the inside fees so sterile and bright, like a cafeteria. Used to love sitting outside but lately they don’t even bother turning out the heat lamps or closing the...

I have been to almost all Katsu-ya locations -- Hollywood, Glendale, Brentwood, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Studio City.

The best and most memorable service at a Katsu-ya has been at their Sherman Oaks location on Sepulveda Blvd. I highly recommend visiting this location as their sushi chefs are friendly, prompt, attentive, and their staff including their manager interacts with the guests. He also offers water to those waiting for a seat.

This Katsu-ya location has the worst service out of all the locations I've been visiting over the past 13 years. They are inefficient and disorganized here.

I left Kiwami tonight without finishing our meal because of their horrible level of service. I should have left $0 for tip.

We left and visited the neighboring original Katsu-ya Studio City location (and paid for valet again at their neighboring sister restaurant) to finish off our meal including dessert.

I vowed to never return to Katsu-ya if we received the same level of service at the original location.

Reasons for our dissatisfaction at Kiwami (upscale Katsu-ya):

-Gave my sister a pot of hot water instead of tea. I've never seen that before.

-The server called me "sir" when I am a female

-Sushi chef forgot our sushi orders

-The wait for sushi sitting at sushi bar was the longest ever I have ever experienced. I found our sushi chef was too busy to take care or remember our orders.

-They forgot our edamame

I'd stick to the original Katsu-ya locations in Studio City and Encino. Why pay $1 - $4 or so more for a better atmosphere and...

I called and asked how long the wait was for a table of four at 8:42pm on 1/21/2017. I was told there was a table open on the patio. I arrived 8 minutes later and the lady told me two tables on the patio had paid but had not gotten up yet. Different story than i was told, but i took her word. 20 minutes later, still no seats.

Several people had left and i saw a table of four open inside the restaurant. I asked her what about that table. She said there was someone in front of me waiting on the table.

So basically, there was no table open at all and i was literally lied to by a place where i was going to spend my hard earned money. I don't leave many negative reviews, but this was ridiculous.

Two of my guests are from St Louis and we have an event to catch tonight. We don't have time to be lied to and deceived. Luckily, i called Teru Sushi next door. They said they had four seats open at the bar. I arrived a few minutes later and what do you know, the seats were actually they're. Thank goodness honesty still exists at some places.

Totally unacceptable. I will never patronize Kiwami solo or with any of my guests. There are too many good options for me to deal with lying and trickery. Integrity is not a switch your can turn on and off. You can't train employees to have integrity with food but not with customers. If they have no honesty and integrity with their customers & will tell a bold face lie over the phone & in person, I couldn't imagine what kind of honor and integrity they have with their food, especially when no one...