Sakai Japanese And Korean - Burlington

I visited this restaurant a few weeks ago with some guests and colleagues for lunch, and I wasn't impressed with the quality of the food or the service we received. Additionally, they automatically add an 18% tip to the bill. I had dined there a few times before the pandemic, and I have to say, the restaurant has changed for the worse. Particularly concerning was the fact that the two sushi chefs behind the counter near our table were not wearing hair nets or masks, and one of them wasn't even wearing gloves!

1. I was promptly seated, but the restaurant was uncomfortably cold. 2. The pahn chan set they served was beautifully arranged, featuring cucumbers, bean sprouts, and kimchi. 3. However, when the salad arrived, I discovered a mosquito at the bottom of the bowl where the sauce was; they took it away before I could snap a photo. The manager apologized, explaining that they had kept the kitchen doors open during the summer. 4. The spicy salmon roll was mediocre. I felt the rice-to-fish ratio was off, and it was missing the crunch I was expecting. 5. They also brought me a fried kimchi pancake that seemed to be made with egg and onions. I found it unremarkable and didn’t particularly enjoy it. 6. The stew was disappointing; it lacked richness and was overly salty. Getting the bill was another challenge; the waitress was busy preparing table mats two tables away and seemed oblivious. Even trying to get her attention was ineffective. It may have just been an off day for them, but I left feeling quite dissatisfied after the initial bug incident.

When I realized the seating wasn't ideal, I politely asked if she could find a high chair for my two-year-old closer to me. She seemed annoyed by my request and didn’t even make eye contact. She simply said she couldn't do that because she needed to prioritize the takeout orders. Seriously? You seated us right by the entrance, next to a crowd of takeout customers with my three young kids. After about ten minutes of enduring the chaos from the takeout orders right next to our table, she finally turned and said we needed to scan something to access the menu. As she walked away, I asked if we could at least have some water, but it felt like an afterthought. I had always thought this restaurant had good food, but I never expected to be treated this way. Feeling frustrated, I decided to take my kids and leave. The food might be decent, but the staff's attitude and service were definitely not up to par. I won’t be returning!

Our lunch group through out the years have been to Sakai many times. While it's not a regular location we frequent I'm thinking that maybe it should be. I have never come out unhappy or unsatisfied when dining here and that's because the quality of their food, the service, the ambiance and the value are all great. For lunch they have a different special for each weekday and if you're not into the Japanese side they have the Korean side. Most meals are in the 10 to 15 dollar range for lunch whether it be a chirashi lunch, bento box, bul goo gee, whatever really the variety of choices are good. The portions are also really good for the value. With my Sakai Bento Box today (choice of maki California and 5 nigiri or 9 pieces of sashimi) is 14 dollars. That includes a miso soup and salad. The box includes a generous portion of tempura as well as rice as well. The tempura were hot and fresh, 2 pieces of sweet potato, 2 broccoli, 2 shrimp and 2 pepper. The quality of the fish here is evident. The sashimi is chilled and the right temperature. In my sashimi I had white tuna, red tuna, Atlantic salmon and mackerel served on cold shredded radish. I have to say for being a Thursday the place was packed. There wasn't a free table in the entire restaurant. When we were here last year for our lunch group Christmas lunch we had one of the larger private booths with the curtain as we had 5 or more. Sakai does a great lunch for a great value with great quality food. I think we may end up coming more often going forward.

The best Japanese restaurant. Chef John was great, fresh and amazing presentation. Very unique style. If you want to know about sushi, grab your seat at the bar, Chef John will educate you: I can't wait to visit again