05/27/09

Noticing a trend

by earnestearnesty

Kooma could indeed be one of the trendiest restaurants in the Columbus area with its top notch sushi and ethnic cuisine, however I have noticed a trend in the recent reviews. Most here would claim their accolades are stifled by a lack of aptitude in the service, which is wholly justified, as the management does not see it fit to properly train servers.

When I was hired, I seemed more like a body in an apron rather than an investment as an employee, and the staff was sure to reaffirm that belief. The management was poor with communication, as one would contradict the other with information and technique. The only way I was every going to taste the stuff was if it was snuck off a discarded plate, or I came in on my day off to pay the full price for a roll. Being too personable with the customers was discouraged as they would stay longer than necessary. My least favorite technique was the constant criticism of performance IN FRONT of customers, which is grossly unbusiness-like. I resonate with the general consensus, which is again a lack of investment in the face of the restaurant.

The staff knows how to put on a good show, but for those with a keen sense of observation, the attitude prevailing at Kooma will leave a bad taste in their excellent fish.

• Pros: great looking food, atmosphere, variety
• Cons: service, staff, attitude

03/09/09

Better than most in Columbus.

by cdubya1971

This is my go to sushi place in Columbus - far more dependable than others (Haiku, Shoku, etc...)

The service has vastly improved over the years and the sushi is still great.

The Sunday Morning Roll is prolly the best roll (heavy on cream cheese though) in Columbus, second only to their Sunday Morning #2, which is on special from time to time. Spicy Tuna Roll is also the best in the city. Cooked food is tasty as well for those who don't care for sushi. Park in the North Market parking lot for cheap, secure parking and arrive early on weekends as Kooma is quite small.

• Pros: Sunday Morning Roll, Spicy Tuna, DJ on Friday and Saturday.
• Cons: Parking, Service is sometimes spotty.

01/03/09

Take the Clint Eastwood Approach to this restaurant.. Do you Feel Lucky Punk? Well do you?

by iam007

I wish I could say that this was a great experience but in all honesty I was a little put off by the parking situation. We luckily arrived just before the 7:30 rush on a Saturday night and didn?t have to wait long. I did ask for change for the meter and waitress acted as if I was an idiot to ask her to change a 1.00 to quarters. Anyway food was great tasting Dumpling soup was maybe the best I have ever tried. Portions were ok and the fish seemed very fresh and had a nice texture. Rolls were a little to much cream cheese but really liked the buckeye roll and the breakfast roll. My wife and I shared the deluxe sushi dinner and as I said the fish was very nicely prepared. Service was very abrupt and we always felt like we were putting the waitress out if we asked for a refill of our hot tea. I guess my biggest concern was after we got home my wife and I both could not wait to get to a bathroom. (I won?t go into details but we both felt it was something we ate) Again everything seemed fresh but that is not how I feel now. I would stick to other Sushi restaurants in the area that are just as good or better like Shoku in Grandview. You won?t have to wait in line or pay for parking and I have never had a bad experience.

• Pros: Soup was Great, Presentation Great
• Cons: Parking, Staff, ? food prep