Kings of Kobe - Wagyu Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in New York

I’m going to need my $600 refunded. Absolute terrible experience especially for the absurd pricing. I brought my family in (I’m visiting from out of state for the holidays) after seeing this restaurant go viral for their all-you-can-eat $55 a person option (we were a group of 5 which had to include the minor—my nephew—we had with us or else we couldn’t get the all-you-can-eat option according to the waitress). We received one round of meat (two steaks for five people) and then waited for over 35 minutes for a second round. There was a total disregard for our table as I saw neighboring tables getting served. I’m sincerely hoping this was not motivated by race or some kind of stereotype since my family is not caucasian like those clients neighboring us. Once the second round came, we did not want to continue eating but still paid the full check and gathered our things to leave. Before leaving, I asked their waitress and manager how long it takes between rounds and the manager responded saying “5 to 6 minutes normally and 15 minutes when really busy.” I asked if waiting over half an hour for the second round was justified in any way, they said absolutely not and, after a very insincere apology, the waitress kept repeating that I had paid in cash to the manager. I dropped six brand new $100 bills on the check that included their automatically billed 20% gratuity (which was never mentioned). Her tone attempted to demean me as she repeatedly kept telling the manager that I had paid cash and not by credit card. You would think working in the service industry they would appreciate cash. I paid cash only because my girlfriend (who was there) worked in the service industry and told me cash is always appreciated especially in terms of tip. They offered to comp a glass of wine and 1 cocktail as if it measured up to the disrespect and embarrassment they made my family and I experience two days before Christmas. Don’t be fooled by the iG or tiktok video. The essence and beauty of the city is lost with restaurants like these. Shameful! When they read this, know that I expect a significant percentage of my check refunded if not its entirety before the 31st of December. When you respond, since I paid in cash, I will gladly take my refund face to face.

Update: I see everyone with poor reviews for this places gets replied to promptly with the staff trying to plead their case and/or defend itself. I got no reply before the 31st of December deadline I set. That is because the staff was well aware at how badly they ripped my family off that night. I will continue to pursue a refund with this establishment.

Update (4/23/25): I see the staff responds to the majority of reviews here but still I have received no response. Clearly they know exactly when this night happened but are choosing to ignore. I am still demanding my $600 refund or some kind of effort (you can keep the tip). Let me know the best time to come...

So me and my boyfriend went in for dinner tonight and when they gave us the check, an automatic gratuity of 20% was added to our bill when the menu states that it will be added for parties of 5 or more. Don’t get me wrong, I 100% believe in tipping and that waitstaff should be tipped well as I am a server myself. I understand how customers can be and how people are stiffed all the time and that is why we always tip not even 20% but always over 20%. Our server was really nice and we liked him and we are literally the easiest table like we just order, eat, and leave so I don’t understand what reason we gave for the gratuity to be added for 2 people because we always tip more anyways. And I’ve never written a bad review in my life, I just feel like this was not right and after he inserted his card into the machine with the gratuity already added, it had options for another tip ranging from 18 to 25 percent. I would never do this at my place of work because I do not feel right to take advantage of people.

Edit: Thanks for the response but there is no reason to be defensive when you are in the wrong, it is okay, people make mistakes. You can ask your server, when we asked for the bill, (this was before he came with the pos system) he handed it to us with the gratuity already added. On the bottom of the check he gave us, it listed the percentages that you talked about. When the card was on the check, he came over with a tablet and ran the card and then more tip percentages showed up. So how did we add the tip when it was already added when he handed us the bill? I'm a server, I think I know how this works. Furthermore, if gratuity was not added to our bill, I took a picture of the check as you can see before it was paid. So how was it not added when it is clearly stated in the picture? I wrote this review not to bash your restaurant but to warn people to check their checks and not get taken advantage of. Gratuity should be charged for 5 or more people since that is what is stated on the bottom of your menu. Check code 5-59 b of NYC law. Lol...

Update after their answer: that answer just proves the same thing: they don’t listen (I said these issues incl the arrogance happened with every single order over the last months and they act like it was a one time mistake and we exaggerate - as you can see we didn’t write reviews the last times!!). They argue with customers instead of apologizing one single time (in their answer they did but not yesterday when it counted). Same on the call yesterday: I didn’t call, that was my brother. And he just wanted a new correct burger and instead he was questioned 20 times (“what’s wrong? What cheese did they put on it? [how should we know that????]Can you bring the old burger” etc.) after WE had to run to the restaurant through the storm two times. I guess you see the vibe. You can still go there, it’s great food and NOT a tourist trap but their arrogance and way of treating regulars is just a huge turn off.

Previous review: The food has always been great. But they are really getting annoying. We live next door and were regulars but lately it’s something wrong with the order every single time. This time it was the wrong cheese on the burger (disgusting one, whatever it was), last time ingredients were missing, the sauces are also wrong almost every time. But that’s NOT the main issue - it’s how arrogant they are. In literally every other store I just call them, tell what’s wrong and they fix it. At Kobe they’re so entitled that they discuss with you for 15 min (guess they think they’re the Olymp or burgers and can afford it). It always feels like they truly believe they can’t do anything wrong. Which is obviously not the case. It’s just a huge disappointment how esp regulars are treated here (just checked our orders, we ordered 30 times last year!!). It’s most likely the last time now - pretty sad, but maybe it’s fun to finally try new burger stores around here. YES you have 1k mostly good reviews bc the food is great! But this attitude is exactly how you lose regulars and go downhill. Happened to...