Haiku Restaurant

10/06/09

Disgusted - Won't be back

by dk430 at Citysearch

Being a lover of sushi, I was looking forward to trying out this restaurant. I had an 8 o'clock reservation for a party of three to celebrate a coworker's new job. When we arrived, the hostess claimed they mistakenly had us listed for a party of two, and that we would need to wait for 20 minutes before being seated. Surprised, since there were at least two empty tables inside and eight empty patio tables, we were relegated to the bar. Couldn't help noticing that that during our wait, tables were being cleared and new patrons being seated, some that arrived well after we did. After a half hour of waiting, one of my friends went to the front to ask how much longer for the wait. She was told that there were two parties of two that had priority before us. Interesting, since those parties of two arrived after we did.

I've lived in the Columbus area my whole life, and I consider this to be a pretty open-minded town. It wasn't hard to notice that there were only two other African Americans in the restaurant, both seated with white patrons. In my mind I was giving the restaurant every benefit of the doubt and refused to jump to conclusions. I've never had issues at any other restaurant in Columbus regarding my complexion, and this surely couldn't be the case tonight. My optimism soon diminished, and the final straw came after 45 minutes of patiently waiting when a party of six was seated after only a five-minute wait at the bar.

Frustrated and hungry, we left the restaurant. On the way out, my friend commented to the hostess about the poor service and how we weren't given patio options, yet "certain" patrons were given priority over us time after time. The hostess then ran after us in the parking lot to issue an empty apology and to let us know they had a table ready. Really? We had to bring up the apparent issue of race in order to be seated? I would've thought the reservation and our willingness to spend money there would've been enough. Thankfully we were able to walk into another restaurant in the downtown area and be seated after 15 minutes with no litmus test to pass beforehand.

• Pros: Decor
• Cons: Everything else

06/21/07

Great sushi / sorry service

by ccjr71 at Citysearch

It's been at least a half dozen or more years since I've been to Haiku, and the sushi is still top notch. I selected Haiku as a place to dine with a date over other highly recommended sushi establishments in town, mainly for the ambiance. It is still a trendy looking establishment, though certain parts of the interior of the restaurant could use some freshening up and remodeling. The patio is highly recommended, even though it is large (almost German beer garden like).

We showed on a Wednesday night between 7:30 and 8 p.m. My only complaint was the awful service, which seems commonplace anymore in Columbus. (too many restaurants, not enough qualified or experienced staff available?) The manager/maitre d' was rude and obviously put out by my sheer presence when I arrived. I may have missed it, but the host stand is not easily found. His conversation with a server about non-related work subjects appeared to be more important. The table I was brought to was not clean and a used glass had to be removed upon my arrival. I realize patio seating is more casual, but at least try to find a table that is clean please. If you're going to give the clientele attitude, you'd better back it up with near perfection, otherwise you're no better than the corner greasy spoon diner. The server was nice, but seemed stressed out and non-existent. Service was slow, though she did try to pause and answer questions and make recommendations.

I may go back sometime, but with the many other recommended sushi establishments in town, it may be a while before I return.

• Pros: Sushi
• Cons: Service

05/20/07

we love it!

by osu07 at Citysearch

absolutly love haiku. want an appetizer? try the lettuce wraps and don't forget the edamamae....never really crowded whenever I go there, but they do accept reservations. they have a website if you want to check out the menu before hand

• Pros: great food, great atmosphere, usually good staff
• Cons: make you vallet park on the weekends if you want to park in the lot, but you can just go on the street instead