restaurant review: March 2008 Archives
We showed up, got seated, got our water, and 7 minutes later the waitress showed up to drop off the menu's. Eight minutes later, we placed our food and drink order. They didn't have any of the teas on the menu, then we attempted to order juice for our son. She rattled off four or five juices, we ordered apple juice, and Jen returned her drink (not diet). The Waitress came back and told us they didn't have any juice, so he got to try Sprite for the first time. We both ordered the lunch sushi special, and got vegetable tempura appetizer for the little one. She served four other tables drinks before she brought our drinks out. Jen commented "she must not have kids" - appetizers and drinks are supposed to be fast - it gives little children something to do when the parents wait for their food. His stuff came out last. We waited 20 to 30 minutes for our sushi, soup, and salad. Everywhere we've been brings out the soup and salad first. Like they did at the other tables at Carytown Sushi!
Our soup and salad came out 5 minutes after our sushi was delivered. Once we were done eating, we had to wait 9 minutes to even see a waitress, and she didn't even look at us her first three passes. So, in review - the service was really bad.
Now, about the food. Is it better then the other sushi places in Richmond? Not really. The menu is frighteningly similar to Sakura's, but a little shorter, and fewer specialty rolls. Technique wise - the California rolls did not have enough rice on the outside, and the avocado was a little over-ripe. The cucumber rolls were not 'sealed' very well, two or three fell apart when I picked them up. The spicy tuna rolls had a layer of 'crunchy' - fried panko -on them, my wife likes that, but they were not very spicy. Also - there was no option for tuna rolls on the lunch menu, just spicy tuna.
I think they are a little better then Sticky Rice, but I would not go back. Akida has better sushi in the fan (Robinson and Grace), if you are downtown, go to Hana Zushi or Kobe. Osaka, Sushi Bay, Rhoda, Sakura, and Akida are better options for Short Pump/West End/VA Center areas.
Our soup and salad came out 5 minutes after our sushi was delivered. Once we were done eating, we had to wait 9 minutes to even see a waitress, and she didn't even look at us her first three passes. So, in review - the service was really bad.
Now, about the food. Is it better then the other sushi places in Richmond? Not really. The menu is frighteningly similar to Sakura's, but a little shorter, and fewer specialty rolls. Technique wise - the California rolls did not have enough rice on the outside, and the avocado was a little over-ripe. The cucumber rolls were not 'sealed' very well, two or three fell apart when I picked them up. The spicy tuna rolls had a layer of 'crunchy' - fried panko -on them, my wife likes that, but they were not very spicy. Also - there was no option for tuna rolls on the lunch menu, just spicy tuna.
I think they are a little better then Sticky Rice, but I would not go back. Akida has better sushi in the fan (Robinson and Grace), if you are downtown, go to Hana Zushi or Kobe. Osaka, Sushi Bay, Rhoda, Sakura, and Akida are better options for Short Pump/West End/VA Center areas.
deLux is the latest offering by the Richmond Restaurant Group - owners of Europa, Michelle's at Hanover Tavern, the Hard Shell, and The Hill Cafe. The place looks nice, the music was right off my iPod, and the waitstaff is friendly. That being said, our first visit was a bit of a disaster. We went there today for lunch with our two year old. He was great, didn't throw anything, no screaming, just a little talking and giggling when we were keeping him busy. We placed our drink order (soda's), and the waiting began.
It took a few minutes for our drinks to come out, and even longer for the to-go cup for the little guy. We then placed our food order. After about 30 minutes, our food came out. I ordered a Reuben, Jen ordered a hamburger, and we got the little one a hummus platter. As our food was coming out, the waitress dropped my plate. She rushed back and got me my side of potato salad as they re-fired my sandwich. Jen's burger was warm, but not hot, and I had some potato salad. I nibbled on the hummus platter, expecting my food to come out in 5 to 7 minutes. After 10 minutes passed, I started to eat the hummus platter. Jen said the burger was good, but nothing spectacular. As for the hummus platter - CousCous has better hummus, a better platter, and I think it costs less.
How was the Reuben? I couldn't tell you. After waiting 23 minutes for it to get re-fired I had them put it in a to go box. How was the potato salad? It was a bit of a letdown. They used redskin potatoes, whole grain mustard, celery, and a few other ingredients. I don't know about you, but when I see whole grain mustard, I expect to taste some mustard, it was like it was there solely for look. Our drinks were never refilled either.
They call themselves a diner, open almost all hours of the day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But night is mostly a bar/hangout. How can a place that is considered a 'diner' be SO slow at sandwich preparation? Especially when there were only 5 tables with people? I'd be afraid to see how long the waits are when theya re full. I'm unlikely to go there again.
It took a few minutes for our drinks to come out, and even longer for the to-go cup for the little guy. We then placed our food order. After about 30 minutes, our food came out. I ordered a Reuben, Jen ordered a hamburger, and we got the little one a hummus platter. As our food was coming out, the waitress dropped my plate. She rushed back and got me my side of potato salad as they re-fired my sandwich. Jen's burger was warm, but not hot, and I had some potato salad. I nibbled on the hummus platter, expecting my food to come out in 5 to 7 minutes. After 10 minutes passed, I started to eat the hummus platter. Jen said the burger was good, but nothing spectacular. As for the hummus platter - CousCous has better hummus, a better platter, and I think it costs less.
How was the Reuben? I couldn't tell you. After waiting 23 minutes for it to get re-fired I had them put it in a to go box. How was the potato salad? It was a bit of a letdown. They used redskin potatoes, whole grain mustard, celery, and a few other ingredients. I don't know about you, but when I see whole grain mustard, I expect to taste some mustard, it was like it was there solely for look. Our drinks were never refilled either.
They call themselves a diner, open almost all hours of the day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But night is mostly a bar/hangout. How can a place that is considered a 'diner' be SO slow at sandwich preparation? Especially when there were only 5 tables with people? I'd be afraid to see how long the waits are when theya re full. I'm unlikely to go there again.
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