I used an "all you can eat" deal as my introduction to Sushi Samurai at Neutral Bay. We were supposed to have a leisurely 90mins to enjoy any choice from the sushi menu BUT we booked for lunch at 12:30 turned up at 12:25 and were clocked on the spot. It took the waitress 5 mins to explain that we had to choose one of two plates of pre determined sushi combos before we were allowed to eat anything from the al a carte menu. Definitely not what the deal promised!
"Defeat hunger pangs once and for all and prove chomping capabilities by enjoying unlimited access to the a la carte menu of takoyaki, tofu seaweed salad, crispy prawn dumpling, deep-fried oyster, lotus root chips, vegetarian spring rolls, and salt and pepper crispy squid."
And as we knew, we could only order more food after we finished our plates. We didn't know that there was a limit of 2 pieces of some sushi per person.
Our first plate was delivered 25 mins into our sitting. When one of us finished it was almost amusing that he could not get eye contact with any of the wait staff to put in a subsequent order. Finally, he ordered two plates from the al a carte menu. He received one smaller mixed plate of the two choices. I ordered one plate from the al a carte menu - and never received it.
Besides the lack of choice, it completely spoilt any relaxed lunch as we were timed to the minute from when we walked in the door and all these rules that were not how the deal read, really put us on edge. You would be doing well if you could swallow at all. We did not expect to eat excessively, but we did expect that we would be able to try a few dishes that were new to us. And we expected to be able to enjoy the experience rather than feel cheated by not being given the choice of dishes, some of which inexplicably didn't arrive at our table. We left early and dissatisfied.
If you are considering this deal - drop in and check out the "real" rules, the A4 page you are confronted with on being seated plus the A4 menu choice page, before you buy. read more