Bonsai Japanese Steakhouse — Restaurant in Sandy

RUSH RUSH RUSH. Priority for flipping tables and not serving guests!!

My husband and I have been going to Bonsai for a very long time. We had our wedding rehearsal dinner here 17 years ago and have loved coming back often. Tonight we went in with our 4 kids and my husband's mom. I was shocked at the service.

When we went in, they asked us how many and we told them, including that one wasn't here yet. They sat us immediately. From the time I texted my MIL that we were there, to when she joined us at the table was literally 7 minutes. In that time, the server came out 3 times to ask if we were ready to order. I'm trying to get 4 kids situated and figure out what everyone wants. The third time she came back (because the first two I had told her we needed more time), she asked if we weren't ready because of the last person not arriving yet and if we knew what they wanted. She left in a huff. A man came out and asked if we could call her and find out. Because they wouldn't have sat us if they'd known our full party wasn't there. And normally they'd have us take our drinks (waters) back to the waiting area. Mind you, there were several available tables... I said we could do that if that's what he wanted, and gestured to my kids. He looked embarrassed and asked again if I'd call her. I told him that we hadn't even been seated for 5 minutes and were still figuring out what we all wanted, but yes. I would call her. He said it was probably a communication error and if he had been at the front, he wouldn't have sat us. (But that doesn't actually matter, because he wasn't and the error from the other guy shouldn't be put on us. We don't know their "policies.")

I was flabbergasted. The hospitality I'd always enjoyed here was nowhere to be found. Dining with this party meant spending $200. And if it hadn't been my son's 13th birthday dinner, I would have gathered them all up and walked out.

To add insult to injury, we then waited 10 minutes after her arrival for a different server to come and take the order. (We're guessing the original was worried about her tip after being so rude). I laughed at how ridiculous this all was. Then at the end, several employees were hovering and giving us the stink eye because my children were enjoying their ice cream and we didn't race out after paying the check. Again, there were still several available tables, so there was zero reason for all of this.

There are other Hibachi places. I don't think we will be back...

Regrettable Dining Experience

Recently visited with a colleague on high hopes as he never had hibachi before, but unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. Beyond the culinary letdown, there was a regrettable incident that inadvertently offended religious sentiments.

The service was rude and rushed, and the overall atmosphere failed to meet expectations. Moreover, an incident occurred that left me feeling uneasy due to its insensitivity towards religious beliefs. It's disheartening when a place meant for enjoyment overlooks the importance of cultural sensitivity. I do not take certain meat options for religious reasons however was shocked to see the cook cooking different meat options without even bothering or cognigent of cultural/religious beliefs.

The service staff's attitude was dismissive and rushed, and their lack of courtesy overshadowed any aspects of the meal.

From the moment we entered, it was evident that customer service was not a priority. The waitstaff's demeanor was unwelcoming, and requests were met with impatience. This kind of treatment significantly detracted from what could have been an enjoyable dining experience.

When I politely asked for a to go box as I had to forego my entree seeing the inconsideration towards religious sentiments, the wait staff promptly brought the check too even though my colleague was in midst of their meal. The wait staff too never showed the courtsey / concern I was undergoing during the entire dining experience. The cook was on a rush and completed the experience in 15 mins without much considerations of serving a good experience.

In total we were forced to be done within 40 mins since we walked through the door with all hopes of having a fine dining experience in vain. This was the rock bottom of the tepanyanki experience I ever had. I will never visit them again!!!

We rushed to Carvers Sandy to treat ourselves to give dinning and excellent service after this...

The people are nice enough, BUT The staff here does not understand what it means to have a food allergy, and totally do not understand cross contamination. We informed them that we had shrimp allergies and they confirmed with us multiple times. Then the chef proceeded to cook the shrimp FIRST, dragging the shrimp all over the hibachi grill. He said he would clean his spatula before cooking our food. So he wiped it with his rag. We weren't okay with that, so he switched to a new spatula. Was that ok? No, because the grill was still covered in shrimp. He offered to wipe the grill clean. We asked for our food to be cooked in the back so the other patrons' dinners wouldn't be interrupted. This upset the chef very much and he expressed his frustrations with us. At the end of the meal, he showed us how he would've clean the grill. With a steel scrubber and water. Which he swished around the grill with very little effort. Leaving the grill so disgustingly dirty. I looked around at "clean" grills around us and they were all greasy and gross. Apparently they don't understand what it means to clean, because every other hibachi we've ever been to put their backs into scraping off the food residue, scrubbing with steel scrubbers in soapy water, and then wiping down with a wet towel and lemon juice. I'm nauseous at the fact that I actually ate the food. NEVER...