Zuma New York — Restaurant in New York

This was by far THE WORST dining experience I’ve ever had. My partner and I got there 15 mins before our reservation (@ 5:30pm). We were suggested to wait at the bar upstairs and have a drink while they were still in the opening phase. We get to the bar and there’s nowhere to sit, no stools. So we basically had to stand ordering our drinks. We made it clear that one of us had back problems and that we need to sit till our table was going to be available. They eventually pointed a couch by the staircase and we sat there. Then it’s 5:35, we asked a host if we could be seated and she told us to go back downstairs and someone would have taken care of us. We went and the same woman (SANDRA) who checked us in at the very beginning, just walked in front of us a couple of times bringing other customers to their tables. So we wait. Then after a while I asked her if we could be seated and she’s telling me that I can’t be seated cause I’m wearing a hoodie ($600 designer hoodie!). She tells me to tuck it in, which I did even without really understanding why cause other customers already sitting have hats on, one had a sky jacket with the hoodie. Then we waited at least 10 minutes and someone else comes over bragging, not in a polite way, about their policy of no hoodies. Eventually they took us to our table and we ordered our meal shortly afterwards, at least 6-7 courses + drinks. As soon as the appetizers are getting served, I realized I needed to wash my hands and I headed to the restrooms. An obnoxious and very rude woman (NOOR TEETER) stops me saying I cannot wear the hoodie, even if tucked in. I explained that I already had the conversation with Sandra about tucking it in but I wasn’t told to either check it in or put my coat on. At that point she now orders me to either check it in or wear my coat at the table or otherwise I had to leave. She was really nasty also to my partner who tried to have a decent conversation with her. They still charged us, outrageous. I will further escalate to their corporate both in the UK and USA, we were treated so badly and nobody in their staff tried to make it right to us on giving us an enjoyable experience. I already complained to OpenTable cause they cancelled my reservation the second I walked out so that I couldn’t leave a bad review. OpenTable reinstalled it in my history and I was eventually able to review. I wish I could leave a no star or...

We had ostensibly come to try out the restaurant week menu, but in the end plumped for the standard menu instead as it looked more interesting. It was good that we did as it turns out it gives you buffet service at the counter, which we hadn't realised. Probably because we decided what we wanted pretty quickly and our server didn't get a chance to ask us whether it was our first time here or not.

In addition to the buffet service you get a free drink, fried calamari and a main dish. Everything else (including desserts) is self-service from the various counters.

One thing we did notice, for the brunch service at least, was that there was no real drinks menu given. There were some brunch alcoholic drinks listed at the top, but when I asked whether there were any non-alcoholic drinks available the waitress had to recite 4 of them. She later had to do the same for the table behind us. I suggest they actually put this down on the menu as it saves everyone a lot of time. I had the iced green tea and passion fruit cocktail, which was nice. I mentally rolled my eyes at the last option of a virgin mojito, but that's because that's what EVERYONE always offers as a non-alcoholic cocktail.

The service did seem a little confused at times as our mains didn't come at the same time, mine came 10 minutes later. In fact we weren't sure when they were supposed to turn up so whilst I waited for mine I went to get some miso soup. Unfortunately, the station was empty and one of the managers said they'd bring it to my table. They never did, but I finally received my main shortly afterwards.

The food itself was good for the most part, though some of the sashimi and sushi were kind of uninteresting. Much preferred the hot counter food. The roast pork buns were particularly nice. Probably would have gotten more of them if they hadn't kept running out, though that could be a blessing in disguise for my waist line. 8) That was the case for other items that were popular, they didn't get restocked very quickly.

The restaurant is beautifully designed and not too loud even with it being mostly full. There looked to be dining areas above too.

Do note that they don't show all their seatings on Opentable for Sunday brunch. If it looks like they're booked out then try their website online system. We had assumed this might be the case but managed to do a walk-in as we got...

Food was good however a signed contract for a private event to be held at Zuma NYC on 2/4/23 for a total of $6000 with the knowledge it can go over the amount and the additional payment can be made the night of the event. On the night in question of the event it was cut an hour short of the contract time, the guest and I were rushed out with them taking all food and discarding with no question if we wanted to take home, the receipt received did not reflect the initial deposit or payments made, we were charged for items neither ordered or consumed then forced to pay a total of $12,000. The payment was made in cash and credit card, they gave a receipt for the credit card but never submitted one for the cash payment of $5600. Almost a week later on 2/10/23 the planner reached out to the manager Kelly whom the contract was created with and was then advised we were overbilled and would receive a refund (amount or reason was never given). After conversing with the manager the planner reviewed the receipt only to realize the receipt had a time of 5pm when my event was scheduled for 9:30pm to 1:30am which clearly confirms this was not our receipt and it was incorrect. Upon recognition the planner went to ZUMA NYC to try and rectify the mistake as well as retrieve a corrected receipt and was met by my host of the evening Noir and security who escorted them out with no explanation or assistance. They've contacted ZUMA NYC numerous times and have even corresponded with the East Coast Director of Operations Teddie who stated the cash was seen counted on camera by host Noir and a corrected receipt would be given however she has been of no help in correcting the receipt or rectifying the overcharge. The manager Kelly, the host Noir, and the DO Teddie have all refused to give corporate’s information to file a complaint. We have the original contract, the one they revised after the event on 2/13/23 after a conversation with the DO, all correspondence leading up to the day of the event and after, the confirmation of all payments made via cc that total over the contract amount. In total the planner was overcharged $10,000 and is frustrated, she is still being forced to deal with this for the past 3 weeks with no response, resolution, or accountability of Zuma NYC or...