09/22/07

I know a better place

by benjamn

If your looking for a "crowded market" type of atmosphere while you eat, then you will love the House of Japan on Sancus Blvd. (Avoid it on weekends if your looking to relax) There is many things going on to keep your attention from what you came for. Great food. From the moment my girlfriend and I entered we felt like a heard of cattle being herded to our seats. Seating was very prompt mind you and our server was very attentive and respectful. Our chef as well was attentive to our orders . Yet his food lacked in flavor and the seafood was overcooked to the point of being dry. His knife skills and presentation was excellent, yet quality was very blah. A saltine cracker, I hate to say had more flavor than our entire meal. Mind you, we had a little of everything between my girlfriend and I. Chicken, fillet mignon ( which I might point out, to my culinary trained eyes looked more like top sirloin than mignon), shrimp and lobster. Every aspect of our meal felt "RUSHED". If your a Columbus native than you should recognize this next establishment. Fujiyama. Located on Cleavland Ave. They have been around Columbus for some time. With age come greatness. Go to Fujiyama for better food and service. Go to House of Japan for a distracted stampede and taste bud let down.

• Pros: Promt seating, great menu layout,
• Cons: Horrid weekends, Lack of flavor in food,

08/16/07

Just "an experience"

by jva824

Like any Japanese Steakhouse, it's fun and entertaining to have your food prepared in front of you on the hibachi. The cooks/chefs are funny and amusing. On the other hand, this is a restaurant that I'd only go to once or just for the "special occassions" - i.e. birthday, etc. The hosts/greet staff were somewhat rude and very unflexible. They do not seat you unless your full party is present. I understand it somewhat, but from a practical standpoint, it is hard to get a large party of people to all arrive at the same exact moment. At the same time, they give out the table that would otherwise be yours, causing a wait in their always crowded front area. The food tastes good, the hibachi chicken/steak/shrimp/scallop are all tasty. The entrees are somewhat expensive though for what the food really is. On the plus side, you always get a good portion of food, so you'll probably have leftovers for tomorrow's lunch. Do not tell them you have a birthday, otherwise they'll bring out a chopped pineapple, do their little dance, and then stick you with a $6 charge on your bill for a chopped piece of fruit. What happened to birthday cake, etc. being free?

• Pros: entertainment, tasty
• Cons: service, $$$

06/12/07

If you have food Allergies AVOID!!!

by sarahm02

I had the worst experience of my life at this restaurant. I have celiac and always let the servers know when I arrive that I need special accomidations for my dietary needs. After thirty minutes of being there and thinking everything was fine, they brought the food out and were getting ready to cook and that is when they told us that they were unable to accomidate my food and I had to wait for my boyfriend to finish his meal and leave hungry.

• Pros: fun atmosphere
• Cons: will not accomidate food allergies... and don't tell you until the last minute so you can't leave

12/29/06

Fabulous

by elesis98

My family and I go here regularly. We love it. We eat here at least once a month and sometimes more.

• Pros: Food

11/29/05

Excellent dining

by mumster2002

Great food and is very economic. The kind of place I can afford to take my daughters a couple of times a month. At todays prices, comparable to McDonalds, much healthier and entertaining.

I highly recommend House of Japan on Sancus Blvd.

10/03/05

Stay Away

by tmaffei

First greeted by 17 y.o. boys who had no class or clue at their job as hosts. Sushi was low grade--smelled and tasted old/fishy. Size of sushi was small. The only good thing was that the sushi chef was fast and friendly. Possibly the habachi bars are good, but the sushi definately isn't.

• Pros: Fast Sushi Prep
• Cons: Poor Management, Low Quality, Small portions