Benihana — Restaurant in Santa Monica

Update: not only did they lie and dismiss us for a non-reason, they followed it by shockingly having someone from the restaurant (or clearly affiliated with it) write a fake review impersonating my father (who is a senior btw), mocking his English (confirming their racism) instead of doing what any reputable restaurant would do: reach out, apologize, and take responsibility.

A Disgraceful Display of Disrespect, Disorganization, and Discrimination. A Shameful Reflection of Hospitality

We arrived early for our reservation, and our entire party was present before our scheduled time. Yet, instead of being seated promptly, we were repeatedly brushed off with vague responses like “You’re after those people”. “Those people” came and went multiple groups while we kept waiting, well past our reservation. We approached the host multiple times, politely, and each time we were met with dismissive nonchalance and robotic deflections.

30 minutes passed. No apology. No explanation.

When we finally expressed our frustration rightfully so their tone immediately shifted to defensive and antagonistic. What happened next was not just absurd it was deeply insulting.

Out of nowhere, they canceled our reservation. Just like that. And why? Because my father a respectful, elderly man had used the single-stall restroom. They accused him of doing something “inappropriate”… but wouldn’t say what. When we asked, pressed, and insisted we were told by the “mangers” Harry and Haiman that “several” people complained that he “took too long” and there were “sounds” in the stall.

Sounds. In a bathroom. Where someone was using a toilet.

Is that the new standard of misconduct? Is making “bathroom sounds” now a bannable offense in this establishment?

This is beyond ridiculous it’s dehumanizing. Not only was the accusation vague and baseless, it was clearly a fabricated excuse to deflect from their own poor service and mismanagement.

We’re a religious family, and my mother wears visible religious attire. There is no other way to interpret this behavior except as targeted discrimination under the guise of faux...

I reserved a table for two last Friday (5/18) with a co-worker friend. Then I called back to ask for a table for 3. I was disconnected by the hostess at the restaurant so I called back to confirm she had put us down for 3 people not two. When we got there, the hostess wasn't pleasant at all, she asked without a smile, do you have reservations without a "hello", "how are you" so I asked her, "Hi How are you today", I have a reservation." She was not pleasant at all. We were a little early so we went up to the Bar, the couches looked old and ripped, which snagged on clothes. I asked for sauce about 3 times. The hostess came up to get us only to hear that our reservations were for two not three people so we had to wait again. When she came up again to get us, we told the hostess we were waiting for #3 person, the lady was standing by the bar where we had to raise our voice just to speak. I asked her if she could come closer so we didn't have to raise our voice. The bartender charged us for 5 drinks instead of 4 drinks. We got seated very close to each other so there hardly was any room to eat. The hallway coming out of the kitchen next to the bathrooms were trailed with dropped food on the floor. I went to the restroom and it was absolutely filthy. Someone used the toilet and left it unflushed and it was absolutely disgusting. A lady asked me to hand her tissue as her bathroom stall had no tissue, there were used paper towels all over the floor, disgusting! When I came out, I asked a guy in a tie that worked there (looked like a supervisor), I told him the bathroom was disgusting. I went back to the restroom before I left, and no one cleaned up or flushed the toilet, nothing. I ordered 6 course meal, the salad was watery and we never received or even were asked if we wanted our ice cream, which we did want. If I am going to pay top $$$ for a dinner meal, the service from Benihana should be a lot better. I live in Venice Beach and I will not be coming back to Benihana again. Your service has gone down hill with...

Went for my bday. They booked me for May 15 instead of March 15, even though we confirmed TWICE. After 1.5 hr wait upstairs w staff that seemed borderline suicidal, and clearly didn’t want us there, we went downstairs to our table. The chef was super awesome and food was delish. I couldn’t use my free birthday meal because u have to bring in the physical print out, like we are living in 1997. My friends agreed to pay for me and all was well.

Fast forward, I go with another set of friends to actually use the bday coupon a few weeks later. We go upstairs to have drinks. Staff is better this time but you can just tell they are not happy. We are seated when all of our party arrives. The chef was great, but again, you can just tell he wasn’t happy. At the next table over there is a woman who starts screaming at the manager. She refused to pay for her drink, claiming that she paid for it upstairs. Frankly I believe her as they would not let us go downstairs until we closed our tab upstairs. She attempts to leave. The manager is blocking her way. She warns him not to touch her. He touches her to try to keep her from leaving. She swings her purse at him. Things go flying. I’m there w my 81 year old Auntie who is in the line of fire but gets out of the way before she is hurt. They eventually let the woman leave... finally. Our (sub) waitress completely vanished and abandoned us at that point. No one came to collect the check. No one came to get our plates. We literally cleared off the table ourselves so we could take a picture. When I gave them my coupon they said it had already been used... Luckily, they accepted it in the end.

All-in-all... I don’t blame the staff. The staff are a direct reflection of the big boss. If the big boss is happy, kind and full of life. So are the employees. If the big boss is evil, bitter, and rude... It takes a toll on the employees. So I say to the owners/ folks in charge over at the SANTA Monica Benihana, YOU need to do better. Your staff is completely miserable, and it is all your fault....