Let me start by saying, "The F_CK"! Those previous reviews that coaxed me into this establishment must be real lucky to have had such great service.
There were 3 of us, visiting Lisbon for the first time, all of asian descent, from the San Francisco Bay area. Right off the bat, approaching the restaurant, we saw this portuguese white guy, looking at us, DISDAINFULLY, with a friggin resting bitch face. I meant, instead of a smile, he's actually POUTING. That should already alerted us that there's something wrong.
BUT, it's our 3rd night, been eating our hearts out with portuguese food, and if there's one thing I noticed, servers from this part of the world comes off standoffish but they warm up pretty easily, smiling and trying their english, once you get into their establishment.
However, this restaurant, DID NOT!
We got seated at the front side , with my back from the espresso machine (important part of the story). Well, to be fair, the portuguese guy handed us over to our indian waiter, and he was nice. Took our orders, explained some of the items, and got us our food.
But, never came back .
We really didn't mind because we were tired at that point, after a day of walking up and down the hills of Lisbon, and we were just trying to wind down with something familiar and light.
BUT, then the F_CK came splashing on us from the espresso machine.
You see, the seat that we were seated was situated so near the machine, that when Mr. resting bitch face, tried to brew some espresso, he literally, SPLASHED us with cool water! It was so bad that , my friend who was sitting across me( I was nearest the machine), got his face wet.
DAMN, that made us jump! BUT, that idiotic guy, didn't even apologize. It was another indian server who immediately was besides us, wiping the water off my nape and saying sorry. The fool just walked away like nothing happened.
When we asked for our bill, another portuguese white guy(I think he's the manager, he knows more english), was at my back again, making , yet another cup of espresso. But, at least , this one knows what he's doing.
Got our card out and when I was trying to hand it over, he looked at me like I was passing a venomous snake. He snapped, "wait" and continued to make those dang coffee. But, when he saw the 5 euro tip, he , at least, said obrigando.
It was so absurd that I was trying to wrap my head around it. Looking back, there's not a SINGLE asian looking person, aside from us, in that place. Mostly, locals, caucasians from their looks.
SO, if you're visiting Lisbon, ASIAN, and does NOT speak a lick of portuguese, STAY AWAY. The food is ok at most, and mediocre at the least. The service SUCKS! And, it's supposed to be a japanese restaurant, the irony!
The 2 stars was for the 2 indian servers, hopefully they got a piece of that 5 euro tip( but I highly doubt it). read more