A deeply upsetting experience--left without eating.
I rarely leave negative reviews, and I never make accusations lightly. But what my friend and I experienced at Wakaze was so disturbing that I feel compelled to speak up.
From the moment we were seated, the treatment we received--especially toward my friend, who is Black and wears a hijab--was cold, dismissive, and dehumanizing. The server assigned to our table dropped the menus without eye contact or a greeting. When we asked for recommendations, she stared blankly and refused to respond, despite having just spoken fluent English to another table. We tried to remain polite and asked for more time, but she simply walked away.
When she returned, her demeanor hadn't changed. No warmth, no courtesy--just a curt "ok" and a pen poised to take our order. I was overly polite in hopes of shifting the energy, but the way she treated my friend made it clear: we were not welcome.
We ultimately chose to leave without ordering. The contrast in service at Yo! Sushi afterward--where we were greeted with smiles and treated with dignity--was stark and heartbreaking. It opened my eyes to what hijabis and visibly Muslim women endure far too often.
I hope no one else has to experience what we did. Wakaze needs to reflect deeply on how their staff treats guests, especially those from marginalized communities. read more