In town for Candy Cane Lane opening night. My mom has raved about this place for years- working in El Segundo means knowing all the little haunts. Arrived just after restaurant opening hour, we are second seated table. Place was empty. Sushi bar chefs were still setting up and there were stacked fish on top of the glass case salmon, yellow table, etc stacked 4 high. Drinks ordered and came quickly. Ordered a few rolls, my husband ordered the combo teriyaki and cal roll comes with huge salad bowl of rice and miso soup. We order edamame and tempura as app. Edamame comes warm, over salted ( but I like it that way) and overall ok. Tempura comes -it's typical and fine.then the night went sideways. The tables are starting to fill up, one young blonde and a slightly older brunette are working the tables. I need more napkins as we had a green tea bag get messy, and can't see either server, I walk over to the sushi chef and ask- man, was he put out and made a big huff and puff about interrupting him. The young woman brought them to the table.
Followed by my husband's meal. No sushi rolls. We watch as every table that came after us was served. My husband ate his meal.all apps were done, tea was refilled twice, the older brunette asked if she could get our check, and thought we were done. I said with some tone in my voice- we haven't been served yet. We had been there 40 minutes, people who came in 20 minutes ago were done and asking for their check. I asked my husband if he was supposed to get miso soup- yes but it never came.
We see three more orders go by and I call over the older brunette- we would like our bill. There may be a communication issue. Because we next get the miso soup. I ask for the check again because now we are getting close to when we want to be at the candy cane lane line up. I am polite but clearly irritated.
Lo and behold my husband's California roll arrives for his combo. I ask for a box and a bill, but to take off the rolls we ordered. Next to arrive is not the box, or the bill, but the rolls. I say, no thank you, and stand up get our check. And a box. They clear the sushi from the table including the California roll from the combo. As I am standing there waiting for the bill and the box. The sushi chef gets loud and says "there was this large take out order... and we got busy, and things." I cut him off with "no! We were the second table tonight, all these other tables were seated well after our order was in.He said "well we were busy tonight." I said "that isn't my problem." He screams " you are right it isn't. So I will take the rolls off the bill! And you can go! The older brunette comes by whispered I'm sorry I put your order under the others. How she is taking responsibility when I only saw her cleaning our table, was weird to me.
I paid cash-$58 for 2 hot green teas, an ice tea, a tery/cal roll combo dinner (no miso until after it is clear we are leaving), edamame and veg tempura. Tipped the blonde who took our order 10%, and packed up the combo - husband went to go walk the dog.
The blonde was kind enough to pack up the cal roll. And brought it over, as the chef is literally screaming "put it all in the trash!"
No, "I'm sorry", no goodwill gesture of packing up the sushi to go.
After seeing the unhygienic handling of the fish maybe they did us a favor.. They probably were just having an off night. We wont be back. I rarely give less than 3, food we ate earned 3, service 2, ambiance2. There are better places. Go to elsewhere read more