Sakana Sushi & Japanese Cuisine — Restaurant in New Brunswick

Had a very disappointing experience here recently and sent an email, but there was no response, so posting this publicly.

My wife and I got the AYCE on a Tuesday night, coming in around 545 (so, not a peak day or hour). A few things from our first round came out fast, but most of it wasn't showing up. When we talked to our server after waiting for quite a while, it was not clear what had happened but it sounded like it was forgotten about or misplaced in some way? Glitches happen, and most of what was missing came out quickly, so that was fine. Some stuff still never showed up, but we figured we could just order it in the next round.

The real problem was in round 2. Two things came out quickly, but then after another long wait our server came by and said there had been a delay with the chefs and estimated about ten minutes more for the rest. We thanked her and asked that she bring the check when the second round came, so that we could pay and go once we were done eating. Twenty minutes later, she brought us the check and said that there was still further to wait on the sushi because of how backed-up things had gotten. So we simply paid, left, and picked up other dinner on the way home because in the ninety minutes we were there we had gotten perhaps half of the food we had intended.

I understand that sometimes kitchens get backed up due to unexpected short-staffing or other factors. However, I feel like this could have been handled better. When we first encountered problems, we weren't led to believe that it was a general issue but rather a one-off mistake. As a result, we simply ordered our second round, expecting things to be normal from there, but then they weren't. It was largely that conflict between expectation and reality that created our bad experience, a problem which recurred when our server told us apologetically that food would be another ten minutes, we shrugged and agreed, and then twice that time expired and it was still unavailable, with no estimate on when it would be coming out.

The kicker was that on our way out, there was a large line of people waiting to be seated, because it was 7:15 and the peak dinner crowd. It felt to me irresponsible to be seating people like normal and not warning them if the kitchen was already heavily backed-up, but I didn't feel like it would be appropriate for me to say something to them, either, and my priority was getting the rest of our dinner somewhere else fast and going home.

This was a very disappointing experience; I can't honestly say "I'll never come back" or anything like it, because we've been coming for years fairly regularly and this was unusually bad, but I will definitely be substantially more skittish next time, which is a shame. I hope that in the future, Sakana staff can handle problems like this with better communication than...

Dining out is not just about the food—it’s about the entire experience, and a great server can elevate a meal from good to unforgettable. At Sakana, a restaurant known for its delicious cuisine and inviting atmosphere, one waiter stands out for her exceptional service: Jenna. From her warm hospitality to her attention to detail, Jenna exemplifies what it means to be an amazing waiter, making every guest feel valued and ensuring a memorable dining experience.

One of Jenna’s most remarkable qualities is her welcoming and friendly demeanor. From the moment guests are seated, she greets them with a genuine smile and a positive attitude, setting the tone for the meal. Her ability to make customers feel comfortable and appreciated is a rare skill that enhances the overall dining experience. Whether it’s her cheerful greetings or her engaging conversations, Jenna creates a welcoming environment that keeps guests coming back.

Beyond her friendly personality, Jenna is incredibly attentive and detail-oriented. She remembers regular customers’ preferences, anticipates needs before they’re voiced, and ensures that every request is handled promptly. If a guest has dietary restrictions or questions about the menu, Jenna provides knowledgeable and thoughtful recommendations. Her efficiency in managing multiple tables without ever seeming rushed is a testament to her professionalism and dedication to excellent service.

Another aspect that makes Jenna an outstanding waiter is her ability to personalize the dining experience. She pays attention to small details, such as noticing when a guest is celebrating a special occasion and offering a complimentary dessert or a kind word. Her genuine care for customers goes beyond the standard expectations of service, making diners feel truly valued.

In conclusion, Jenna from Sakana is more than just a waiter—she is a key part of what makes the restaurant exceptional. Her warmth, attentiveness, and dedication to customer satisfaction set her apart as an amazing server. Dining at Sakana becomes a memorable experience because of her outstanding service, proving that great waiters like Jenna are the heart of any...

I rarely leave a negative review but this was something else. Atmosphere was pretty nice, price is good, food is meh, I would eat at any of the other AYCE places. But the service was insanely bad. I’ve been waiting tables for awhile, and I’ve never seen something so unhinged. Google says they close at 930, I guess last call from the kitchen might be 9 o clock. We showed up at 7:50, got sat. Waiter didn’t come to our table until like 8:10 just 15 to 20 minutes waiting. Shows up with some water and says, hey last call will be soon so we should order everything all at once. I don’t mind at all, we ordered, food showed up. He didn’t bring one plate out and not once did he grab a plate or bus the table. He brings the check at 845, with a 930 close mind you, and says “would you guys mind leaving soon? I’m trying to go home.” Lol, we had not been in that restaurant for an hour, and had one plate left on the table. Most insanely, there was still maybe 10 parties in the restaurant, one of the parties was like a 15 top. Look I get it, I’ve had a long shift, I’ve gotten sat right before I got cut, but telling people to leave before they finish their food? The only time this guy bussed the table was immediately after he asked us to hurry and leave. It must be hard to find good help as a restaurant these days. All the other servers looked fine, this guy obviously just got sat with us in the middle of his side work or something, an hour and a half leeway before coming into a Restaurant is beyond reasonable. I’ll definitely never come back, there are a lot of AYCE places I can think of that have better sushi, but I can’t think of a restaurant in New Brunswick, or anywhere for that matter, that would treat you worse than this. I don’t get the hype, off color fish, sink water broth, misshapen roles. I think people get tricked...