Kume — Restaurant in Topsham

Used to be better, but probably a solid three now. There have been times where I’ve hit it and it’s been a solid four. However recently, I went there And the food hurt my stomach which was strange. But cause I frequent the restaurant they took care of me but not without a little back and forth. And my fund were put back on a gift card. And that was a while ago. Tonight I had asked them if they allow tabs for people that are regulars in the entire staff came over to my table as well as the manager because it seems as if they didn’t understand what a tab was. I had to explain what it was to the waitress as well as the manager. Everybody looked at me like I had five heads. All of which seemed strange for people who work in a restaurant industry not to know what a tab is and have to have three other people come to the table to listen to the same question. Very confused how people you could have people working in an industry like that and not know what that is.

Update: went back tonight 3.12.25. Was chased out the door, asking why I didn’t leave a tip. I am kind of old-fashioned and there are times I do feel where tips have to be earned even though i am normally generous with them. I’ll be sure to leave a tip next time as I left my food in the table in the waitress, brought it out no problem with the waitress in general. However, just given past experiences, there have been times for Kumi in general the restaurant itself has fallen short. I typically do tip at other places and I do respect and appreciate people who work on gratuity. I work on commission myself so I understand. However I also work in an industry where my money has to be earned through the service that I provide. In the past, I’ve also had issues with stomach aches after eating at Kumi, which was recent until that’s completely fixed I’m very hesitant to leave a tip going out to eat at this restaurant until i know it will not cause any stomach issues. But next time I do I will leave one for her in particular. She did bring out my food box i left on the table and made sure that i got my veggies cooked the right way. And stopped me at the door to give it to me. Though It has been entirely by coincidence that I have had the same server the past couple times. And I do understand because she has a valid point that is also called trying to get someone to guilt tip. Again, nothing against the waitress just the restaurant and the experiences I’ve had there recently id like to see better. But recently i have had yet to go there and have an experience that hasn’t resulted in a stomach ache, confusion with staff or anything else recently. I am normally generous with tips when i go out. But when I dont have a-lot of funds those tips need to be earned by good customer service with attention to detail followed up by consistency with that. Which she did. However there needs to be no stomach issues and there shouldn’t be anybody confused about what a tab is in a restaurant with the entire staff circling you confused and staring at you for asking which happened the time prior (that used to be a very common thing in bars and restaurants btw). And so long as I receive the same follow up for clarity and i have the money to leave a good tip i will do so. But the service has to be there first. I will say my waitress seemed to be a kind and lovely person. But on limited funds tips must be earned. I am part of big tipper culture and never leave less than a 10$ tip unless their have been issues at a restaurant in the past. In which case they must start earning them. But again. She seemed like a good person and I am sorry It seems to be happening by coincidence. But if they keep improving and providing what i feel is exceptional customer service they will eventually see that from me. I can be generous with tips. But I’d like to see the restaurant do better. The server was fine. She was actually a good waitress. And what Id like that person I know is that it was nothing against her at all.But tipping can also reflection of past experiences as well. Service needs...

All was fine with dinner like usual, we enjoyed the chef a lot and food was excellent. I’m a frequent flyer here at this location, it’s where we always come for birthday dinners. This will be my last time. We ate our food and went to pay by credit card, all was fine. We left 0 tip on the credit card slip because we prefer to leave cash tips. We were told we had to leave a tip on the card, for the servers. Mind you we gave a cash tip to the chef already, and had every intention of leaving cash tips for the servers as well. She sat and debated for 30 minutes about how we must leave a tip on the card, even after explaining we will leave cash tips on the table. There were multiple split checks, so 2 of us did leave a card tip and 2 were leaving cash tips. Even after refusing to leave a tip on the card, they kept looking at the slips while at the registers and speaking their language, and then proceeded to carry them around talking about them. We will be sure to check our credit card statements to be sure tips weren’t added after we left, especially cause we left a cash on the table. Did that tip amount go down because of the 30 minute debate, of course. As it should. If I’m tipping a server, I’m tipping for them being great. She wasn’t great. This is unprofessional and disrespectful. I hope this lady learns to have boundaries, you mind your business - and...

Unfortunately have to change my review from a 5 star from 5yrs ago to a 3. I'm not sure what exactly has changed, but I was extremely excited to get sushi for my birthday yesterday and was quite disappointed. We've been trying to find a great sushi place since Aki closed, and I'd previously had a spectacular hibachi experience here. I had also stated that I LOVED their fish tank at the time - I'm sorry to say but your fish tank now looks disgusting. That doesn't give people a great first impression (what else isn't getting cleaned?). Algae all over the tank, the rocks at the bottom, flickering lights, flith on decor / airline hose. I almost wanted to walk out then. The tempura veggies & shrimp I got were soggy - not crispy. The sushi roll was mediocre at best, and the Kume bun was a little misleading as I thought it was a pork bao bun, but it was just a little peice of pork folded in some breading. Did it scratch the itch for going out to get sushi? I suppose. Do I wish I'd tried somewhere else? Yes. I'm more and more disappointed with going out to eat, especially given my experience in food service. You find less people who are passionate about making your food good - and they just show up for a paycheck. I really wish I could make my sushi on my own & maybe this is the incentive for me to really get...