Grouchy Chef

"What a great time! I expected a very rude, uncomfortable experience based on the reviews, and it was not that at all. Chef was very kind and polite the entire time - directive, to be sure, but very sincere and never rude. The food was honestly worth two or three times what we paid. The photos do it no justice, they can't begin to capture how tasty everything was. Highly recommend before it's sold!!"

"Sorry this is long...We had to try this place! I don't even know how to start to describe this place. It's located in an industrial area and you can barely see the sign at night. I made reservations by leaving a message. The chef called back 3 times before I was able to talk to him. When I made the reservations he told me about some of his rules - vaccination card, photo ID, no jeans, dress nice, cash only and no tipping. And be on time. I debated to go or not because of all the rules. It's truly a ONE MAN SHOW! He's the host, the chef, waiter, busser, and dishwasher. When you walk in he tells you to go to the bathroom and wash your hands then sit on the bench until he's ready. He then ask for your ID placed next to your vaccination card to make sure it's you. The rules are typed out and then the menu is in a binder with several different languages available. When he takes your order he then also collects the money (tells us the coins are cleaned and sanitized). This whole experience was comical. Food was pretty good overall. Definitely great value for the price! We just kept laughing because it was such an odd experience. There were hats and T-shirts on a shelf. They aren't for sale but if you donate to cancer research you can grab a T-shirt. But once you touch them you have to donate. There was a sign written about the donation but was very confusing on how to donate. We tried to ask him but he was so short and rude to us, we still didn't know how to pay. Then we thought he said to pay online so we did. When we were leaving he asked why didn't we put money in the jar for the donation (in another area). I showed him my receipt on my phone but he was confused, didn't want to listen to me explain and said that's fine we can leave. We were very irritated. But made the best of it and laughed it off. At 8:30pm he called and explained that he didn't know we paid online. That another couple there overheard and told him that's what we did. He called to tell us thank you and that no one has ever paid digitally. It was such an odd experience and I'm glad we went. He's very direct and see things black and white. You just have to try this place out yourself! I can't even explain everything about this place!"

"That was some experience! The food was good. Service stands up to the name of restaurant. At the entrance you are told to go wash your hands in a very particular manner.Then you get a booklet with rules. Each step has to be sertain way or else... you fill like a child with a very angry teacher,and you are scared to ask a question. I asked what kind of soup is a soup of the day and I was told that he doest have time to answer. The proce is very low. We paid 35$ per person for 4 course dinner. But I dont know if it worse the abuse."

"There's something to be said about the pursuit of a craft, to be completely immersed in it and everything else is just noise. I think Chef Masumoto is misunderstood by many, he's not grouchy, he's just trying to preserve his vision. I don't understand how someone can come to this place, eat the food and not be impressed, not to mention the incredible price. This is THE PLACE for foodies, because all that Chef Masumoto offers is a love letter to the food, to the better times when people had manners and respect, to purity in the craft. I will be coming back, and I look forward to tasting this amazing food again."