Gegeten op 25 januari 2025
- Algeheel 2
- Eten 1
- Bediening 2
- Sfeer 3
We first tried Izakaya Nonbei back in 2021 when they were only doing takeout bentos. We recalled really appreciating the quality of the food, and wanted to try dining in this time.
We were not greeted by the staff upon coming in, and the food quality was not at all what we remembered. The Spicy Ahi roll was not fresh, and the smell was strong (this is coming from a family who regularly eats raw and cooked seafood.) The chirimen (baby anchovy) cabbage dish really skimped out on the chirimen, and just didn’t have that much flavor overall….and the chicken katsu (we actually ordered Kurobuta Tonkatsu, but the kitchen got that wrong) was dry, with the batter being overcooked, yet falling apart. Even at the end, our hot tea was literally just hot water. No trace of ANY tea flavor. One of the few dishes that stood out for the better was kurobuta kakuni.
The only thing that made this experience better was one of our servers, Kimberly, who, not only was friendly, unlike the other male server who helped us in the beginning, but apologized for the wrong katsu order, and even comped us for it. For our dessert order, she even gave us an extra order on the house. And, Kimberly was the only one who said “thank you” as we left. No one else said anything. Not the other server, not the sushi bar workers either.
I think it’s safe to say that, until we hear or read about at least the food improving, we’re not coming back. There are Japanese restaurants and Izakayas that are of comparable or cheaper prices, with way better food.