Benihana - Denver, CO

Review summary

1. j

   jody

   Denver

   8 reviews

   2.0

   8 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   We had a 6pm reservation and were not seated until 7. We would have appreciated a text letting is know you were running late! We would have showed up at 6:40! Luckily my parents cancelled but an hour would have put them over the edge. We get busy but just let us KNOW! A text you res is 15 mins later, oh now 30 mins later…
   

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2. J

   Julie

   Little Rock

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   While the experience and food was good and the typical Benihana experience, and yes we went Christmas Day night which was also my husbands birthday so I did expect it to be busy, we had a reservation for 4 people for 5:30 and did not get seated until 6:40 which pushed our later 8p birthday party reservations off which cost us money. Did not appreciate the fact that they did not adhere and manage their reservations properly.
   

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3. A

   Angela

   VIP

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   If I could leave less than one star, I would! Please do not waste your time going here. We made reservations for Christmas dinner well in advance. We arrived on time for our 430 reservation. As we entered the restaurant, the hostess refused to acknowledge us for several minutes, and at full volume was yelling and announcing other tables. When she finally did acknowledge our presence we told her our name and she said “I’m about to hit you with some bad news. We’re looking at over an hour wait” confused my husband, son, and I all looked at each other, and then replied to her “Why do we have a reservation then?” at this point, she turned away from us and refused to acknowledge us and made snotty faces to her coworker. We asked her coworker if we waited, would they call or text us or did we have to wait in the restaurant? They said they would text us. They never did. And then they no-showed us on OpenTable! Luckily by then we had given up and found another place to eat dinner. I will never ever give this restaurant my business. When I looked at other reviews, it sounded like a lot of people had had a very similar experience. Huge wait times even though they had made a reservation. I would encourage anybody who is considering this to find a different Japanese steakhouse. You will not be treated while here.
   

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4. L

   Lisa

   Denver

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We made reservations 2 weeks ago but waited 45 minutes for a table. Ben, our cook, was awful. He walked up and said - “It’s Christmas and my birthday and I wash I was home with my family but you can make up for this by leaving me a fat stack of cash.” Ugh. He was sarcastic, rude, and brash and didn’t do any of the “normal” Benihana cooking. He stood there and barely engaged with us and the food was mediocre at best (and we come in every year for the holidays.) The prices have gone way up and value way down. We will think twice about where to drop $300 next year. Not the best holiday memory for sure. I’m sure I’m not alone with my thinking.
   

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5. B

   Bill

   Denver

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food as always was superb. An excellent choice for a family gathering!
   

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6. L

   Lisa

   Orange County

   20 reviews

   4.0

   20 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   The food was great as always. I have allergies, and they were awesome at accommodating my allergies. The chef was fantastic. It was Christmas Day and we were surprised by the amount of kids. They were having fun; however the screaming was a lot making the experience significantly less enjoyable. I would definitely go back again.
   

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7. S

   Sean

   Denver

   12 reviews

   1.0

   12 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Unfortunately, the management team at this location lacks insight and professionalism to effectively manage what has in the past has demonstrated to be a very busy day. Reservations ran on average 50 minutes behind. They had ONE bartender who was outstanding but by far overwhelmed. The yelling names out to find groups is so far outdated that it is almost embarrassing. Then since behind, they had a team member come to each table and basically say, it's the patrons fault for them being behind, and so we needed to hurry and eat and leave and not visit and enjoy tye meal with family on Christmas eve. They overbook trying to make so much money that they then devalue the experience that patrons are paying for, instead of just maybe spacing people a little bit further apart so the restaurant runs smoother. Yes a little less revenue but a netter experience. Even the grill experience was absolutely rushed and nowhere near the experience on a normal dining experience. Best advice, AVOID going here on a holiday.
   

   Benihana - Denver, COResponded today

   Hello Sean, We're truly sorry to hear about your recent experience at Benihana - Denver, CO. We always strive to provide excellent service and it's clear that we fell short during your visit. We apologize for the long wait times and the perceived lack of professionalism. We're also disappointed to hear about the issues you encountered with the bar staff and the overall experience. We understand your concerns and will take your feedback into account as we continually work to improve. We hope you'll give us another chance to provide a better dining experience. Best, The Management Team
   

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8. J

   Jennifer

   Denver

   12 reviews

   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had an amazing hibatchi chef Caden on Christmas Eve - the restaurant was full to the brim but the food was spectacular as always. It is expensive and important to know that before you go.
   

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9. R

   Ruth

   Dallas

   8 reviews

   1.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We made a dinner reservation we checked in 30 minutes early. However, we were told they were running 20-30 minutes late on reservations. In my opinion that's simply poor management of reservations. They give away or cancel your reservation if you are 15 minutes late. A group walked in after their 15 minute grace period and they were told they lost their reservation? What? You're 30 minutes behind so technically they are 15 minutes early. There is no where to comfortably wait for your table. What do we( paying customers) get if you are late? Our meals discounted? Free drinks? Nope Nothing! The server said they see 1200 people a night? How is that possible when you are 30 minutes late in your reservations. And if that's true why is your restaurant dumpy, not well ventilated. The decor is tired and this place needs an update desperately. The bar area could offer more seating if it were managed and set up appropriately. The lights in here are on a constant flicker. Really? Get an electrician and fix this. Hostesses: tough job but the yelling for customers is terrible. No professionalism. Not their fault though because this is truly a reflection of restaurant leadership. Bright Spot: The server who helped us was kind and attentive. She was helpful and did a great job. Menu: Mushroom onion Soup was good Salad: the Ginger dressing was bitter and really tart. It needs a sweetener like mirin to create balance. Entree: we ordered medium Rare and got fully cooked steak. We also ordered one steak entree no mushrooms but it came out with mushrooms Rainbow roll: underwhelming for a Japanese restaurant. Why serve sushi if you don't do it well. Vegetable tempura: worth it. Rice: you're a Japanese restaurant how is your rice dry? Sad Dr Pepper was flat. Lemonades were yummy. Desert: we had to ask for our desert. We paid our bill and are still waiting for the ice cream. We left and only 2 of the 4 deserts came. Pride in
   

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   Benihana - Denver, COResponded 1 day ago

   Thanks for the feedback, Ruth. We're truly sorry to hear about your experience at Benihana - Denver, CO. We apologize for the confusion and disappointment caused by the reservation mix-up and the issues with the lighting and ventilation. We understand how important it is to have a smooth and enjoyable dining experience, and we're sorry we fell short on your visit. Your comments about the mushroom soup, salad, and the steak entree have been noted and will be addressed with our team. We appreciate your constructive feedback and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again under better circumstances.
   

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10. M

    Michael

    Denver

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1

    Been 45 years since I was last there. It's obviously evolved into something quite different. Loud. Terrible service. Made reservations and received out first adult beverage 40 minutes after being seated 20 minutes late It was worthy of trying the experience so many years later, but I'd never go back.
    

    Benihana - Denver, COResponded 1 day ago

    Hi Michael, We're really sorry to hear about your experience at Benihana - Denver, CO. We understand that the changes you've noticed over the years are quite different from the dining experience you've had in the past. We apologize if you felt rushed and weren't greeted as you had expected. We're glad you enjoyed the food, but we're sorry that other aspects of your visit didn't meet your expectations. Your feedback is important to us and we will certainly take it into account as we continually strive to improve our guest experience. We hope you'll give us another chance to show you the hospitality that has made Benihana - Denver, CO such a special place. Best, The Management Team
    

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