RAW — Restaurant in Redding

5/14 So to start we arrived at 7pm with a 30 minute wait which was understandable because it was super busy and we did not have a reservation. With that being said we (me and my partner) went to the bar to get started on some drinks, we weren’t even acknowledged by any of the 3 bartenders for at least 15 minutes. Not even “I’ll be with you in just a moment.” When we asked about their selection it seemed that they weren’t even aware of the alcohol they served??? There is no one to clean the tables. We sat at the bar with someone’s dirty leftovers for well over 20 minutes while waiting to be seated at our table (other people were also waiting for the mess to be cleaned up so they could take a seat at the bar as well) which that alone exceeded our wait time to about 45 minutes.I get it, it happens. It’s busy. We’re not going to make a big deal out of it. When we did sit down and ordered a starter, it was over an hour and a half wait from when we got our starter to get our actual 3 rolls. We ordered our rolls maybe 10 minutes after our starter. (which were warm, very good, but warm) also during this time frame we seen the owner go up to a table of friends at a booth and shotgun beers then proceed to serve tables himself while stumbling around, which was very unprofessional. That should have been a private room type of thing with your own bottle. Not for the general public to see. Our server on the other hand was very polite, you could tell he was definitely new at serving. We’ve been to higher end restaurants than this place (Catch LA, nobu, Gary danko, etc.) and I’m sorry but for a $200 tab for 2 people, this place was not it. It’s disorganized, cleanliness was not a high priority. Many tables sat with dirty dishes for 10+ minutes before being acknowledged. You would think for the owner being there and this being such a hyped up modern place, it would’ve been more put together. Maybe give it a few more months before coming here that way you actually get the service your paying for. Profesionalism 1/10 Food 8/10 Cleanliness...

Ambiance, Flavors, and Timing Challenges

From the moment you step inside, this restaurant captivates you with its stylish ambiance and refined decor. The furniture is thoughtfully selected, blending comfort and elegance, making the atmosphere warm and welcoming—ideal for any gathering. My party of ten colleagues was eager to experience everything the place had to offer.

However, our experience unfolded with a few noticeable missteps. Four of us ordered cocktails, yet it took over 15 minutes for the drinks to arrive, as it appeared that only one bartender was managing the bar. This led to a bit of frustration, especially given the high standards set by the surroundings.

Once we ordered, the kitchen's timing proved inconsistent. Our plates arrived sporadically, with my selection—the chicken and pork belly Alfredo—arriving a full ten minutes before my colleagues' meals. I felt compelled to start while it was still hot, but one of my co-worker’s sushi sampler came out only after most of us had finished. Such a staggered service detracted from the communal aspect of our meal, which was disappointing.

Now, as for the food: the chicken and pork belly Alfredo boasted rich flavors, though it missed the mark in texture—surprisingly dry, with far too little sauce. However, the server took note that I’d barely touched it and graciously removed it from the bill, which speaks to their attentiveness and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Overall, the atmosphere was fantastic, and the service team did their best, but the coordination between the bar and kitchen could certainly use improvement. While a service charge was added for our large group, it felt justified given the effort of the staff. I’d return in hopes of a more seamless experience because the potential is there—just a few tweaks to timing could make this place truly...

We found RAW when passing through, and happened in during happy hour (3-6 pm; and 9 -closing) Hubby and I enjoyed choices from the happy hour menu. —tenderloin strips and the tempura shrimp roll for hubby. —salad roll for me, plus miso soup ($6 reg menu) We both savored the spicy (flavorful vs hot) edamame. ALL were scrumptious! The tenderloin came with cilantro lime sauce ( or chutney) that married perfectly with MY salad roll. The salad roll is exactly that—salad. Sautéed or steamed—don’t know—was flavorful on its own, but married with the tenderloin strip’s chutney was MMMMMMM. The spicy edamame was drizzled with perfectly sautéed garlic (the flavor that stood out most) and some red seasoning. If I can duplicate this at home I’ll be a happy girl. The tempura shrimp roll had that perfect blend of flavors that married in the mouth for that oh, oh, oh THIS is what I love about a great sushi roll experience. (I don’t eat the sashimi or rolls with raw fish, so if someone in your party is like me, they can be more than happy).

This takes me to the miso. Hands down the best miso soup I’ve had. You can tell that it’s made from the paste and not a dehydrated packet. It definitely had the smoothest mouthfeel and most complex yet delicate flavor of any I’ve had. I’ve eaten at Sushi places from Korea, Hawaii, CA, Oregon to the east coast and places in between. Sorry to just be passing through, but plan to stop again on our return. Becca, our waitress was cheerful and on the spot. Why a four for atmosphere? The music. It was too loud (and we were in a booth). We didn’t care for the electronic style—that could be an age thing, but it was a double sting. It would have been more tolerable if not so loud. The setting is beautiful! Plenty of positive...