First, I want to say that the staff here are genuinely kind and welcoming, and in many ways this…read morebuffet offers a lot to seafood lovers. There truly are some standout items, and when things are done well, they are really done well. I especially loved the seafood broth in the dish with corn, the broths used with the fish, and how they pair with the incredibly fresh seafood. When those elements are fresh, they are absolutely delicious and a highlight of the meal.
The fresh sashimi, crab legs, and shrimp continued to live up to their reputation, as did the mushrooms, seafood dishes, fresh cucumber salad, and cabbage. These items were very fresh and made it easy to create an excellent meal. There is a lot of potential here, and many of the offerings truly are amazing.
That said, I feel strongly that the buffet would benefit from fewer options done well, rather than a larger variety that isn't consistently fresh. Unfortunately, some items were clearly spoiled and should not have been served. I honestly believe that if everything were taste-tested before being put out, some of these issues could be avoided.
The pickled ginger, in particular, had gone bad and so it had a strong unpleasant odor and a slimy texture. This seems like something that could easily be prevented by serving smaller portions, keeping the rest refrigerated, and checking it daily before serving. While I thought the sushi was good, it felt amiss without the pickled ginger.
More disappointing for me was the fresh fruit. The oranges, honeydew, and cantaloupe all tasted off and had a bad odor and slimy texture, which is the primary reason for the 3 stars. The bubble tea however was still delicious, but I was really hoping to finish my meal with fresh fruit, and that just wasn't possible this time. I also continue to wish there were more ice cream flavor options.
There is so much that is great about this place, and I truly hope management focuses on freshness and quality control so the best items can shine without being overshadowed by a few spoiled items.