Mahzu Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Norwich

I was part of a 10 person group that had made reservations in advance. My husband and I came together in our own vehicle. When we arrived we told the host that we were part of a group. He told us that no groups were reserved. After a few minutes members of our group saw us and started waving so we found the table. We were seated in a back corner, at an 8 top (8 seats for a party of 10). We thought that when the people sitting at the next table were done they would slide the table over to make up our 10, but instead they decided to seat another party there. When our last 2 arrived we pulled chairs from a hallway and set them on the ends of the table. It was crowded as the guy on the end had to get up every time the person at the other table wanted to get out.

The wait staff was openly rude, and refused to stop by until all 8 chairs were full. We tried to be as helpful as possible by making sure that people who were going to be on the same bill sat together and we tried to order in the order that we were sitting to make splitting the bill easier. But the waitress jumped around only taking orders from certain people and then having to be told that others hadn't ordered.

The food came out at different times. 5 of us got food, 4 others had to wait about 10 minutes, and 1 guy had to wait even longer. The staff came by once to check on us but didn't offer to refill drinks. We had to flag them down, despite the fact that they stood, obviously gossiping as they were pointing at us, near our table. We had to flag them down to get refills of tea and water.

The sushi was ok for the most part. Mine wasn't rolled correctly and fell apart. My husband ended up with bones in his maki roll. When we finally flagged down a waitress to bring us the check she did it as one large bill and, as customary with large parties, they added the tip automatically. Needless to say, we weren't impressed and have no intentions...

We tried this place for our anniversary last Sunday. It happened to be all you can eat day which was great. At first glance when we walked in the appearance of the restaurant was nice. The only negative observation was that they put a bunch of balloons up for Valentines day and some were not Valentines balloons. Some were happy birthday and congratulations. For what I don't know. When I looked around the restaurant to observe guests I noticed many were without food. This made me plan my order strategy accordingly. We decided to select everything we wanted to eat at once so it was a BIG order rather than in segments. Based on the previous reviews this was a sound stretegey and pretty spot on by other commenters. The wait took forever (over 40 minutes) and if I did visit this place again I would be seated, place my order, go shopping at TJ Maxx, Dollar Store, and Shop Rite and still be back in time for my food to arrive. No joke this is what I would do next time. I do have to say that the food was worth the wait. The fish was fresh and tasty. I would prefer to get more sushi next time (samlon, tuna, yellowtail instead of special rolls. (This is all you can get for this special. No sashimi or hand rolls) Overall I give it 4 stars mainly on food alone. Food was 5 stars once I actually got my order. Service was 2 stars because she was not very attentive. Atmosphere was 5 because of the lovely lady I was with and the wait I will give a 0 star. I will visit Mahzu in the future but only on the Sunday special and if I apply the same or an improved strategy to handle the long wait for my...

This review is based on multiple (at least 7) consistent experiences. Food is good FOR THE PRICE, but the SERVICE is so OFF PUTTING, that this place does not warrant anything more than 1 star. These people make you feel like its a privilege to sit in their restaurant. They DEMAND you to do things, like make reservations for parties above 6, my waitress even told me to MAKE their lives easier with splitting the bill. The manager seems to be selective of who he is polite to (by observation, racially based). He didn't even smile at me and dismissively sat me down, when he would have long conversations with other patrons. But much more disappointing is the waitress. I HAD TO ASK for some water and to order an appetizer 25 MINUTES after sitting, because this waitress WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK at me while passing. She rushes by me when putting down my food, already looking at the next customer. And when WE ASKED POLITELY if we can move to a bigger table to put our group of 6 together, she began to LOUDLY tell us that we are being difficult and that they would lose money (I don't know how)by giving us the table. These people don't even smile or are even remotely courteous. They make you feel like they are just RUSHING TO GET YOU OUT so they can sit new customers in. Overall, workers lack courtesy you'd expect from a restaurant, and are combative to the slightest of request. Food is not worth the rude treatment. To top it all, They INCLUDE TIP in your bill! Make the drive; GO TO SUSHI KAWA in GROTON. Or better yet, check out the new KOREAN restaurant, MI NAMO FOR INFINITELY BETTER FOOD...