So, Monday night after a class over by Wilcrest, I stopped by a sushi bar that I've been curious about. It's Shimako on Westheimer by Dunlavy. The place was of interest to me because it's previous format was a walk-up style sushi place. You literally walk up and pick up the sushi you like and you have few seating for you to eat.
They have sinced moved away from that model, but in the space is much nicer, and chic decor. You walk up, there's 2 small table for outside seating, right by the door is couple more tables, then it's a full bar and the space. The interior space is gorgeous, chic yet upscale kind of feeling. Opposite the bar, at the other end is the sushi bar attached to the kitchen with a very fast working sushi chef.
My experience of the place was disappointing at best. I know it was 9pm on a Monday night, not exactly the prime time of dining hours. However, there were one bartender, one waiter, one sushi chef, and one bus person. When I walked in the waiter was on his cell phone, there were 3 other seated table when I walked in, one of which are filled w/ the waiter's friends. I'm not even going to touch upon the fact that not one single person that works there is Asian. I know I'm playing into the stereotype here, but at a sushi restaurant, the least you have one token Asian person to make you feel like you're eating something Asian. Yes, I'm bias... we'll move on.
So, the bartender seated me, the sushi chef took my order, the bus person got me my water, and the bartender helped me get my check. Yet, the waiter was the only person that should be waiting on me, have not even so much as to say hello. Oh wait, I think he did say hello when I'm ready to pay for my check. Give me a break! You're in the service industry. I was so tempted to not give him any tip and write: here's a tip for you ~ wait on your customer, then give all the tip to the sushi chef & the bartendar. Alas, they have my credit card info, can't very well do that and not expect any reprocussion.
So here's my review to tell you, first sign of an Asian Restaurant, even though you know the kitchen staff are 90% Hispanic, is to have at least one Asian person to run the place. Second sign, is when the one and only waiter is on his cell phone instead of hanging up and greet you, seat you, and get your water. That's a clear sign to stay away, despite the fact that you're hungry and wanted to give the place a chance. Third sign, when the sushi chef takes your order and the waiter still hasn't come by to check if you're ok, or place your order, or ask what was it for the ticket purposes, you should run the other way. Last but not least, if the waiter is sitting w/ his friends and not pay attention that you're ready to leave. You should not return.
I know this is a big rant, I will say that the food was good. There's some faire that I don't usually see at a sushi restaurant, but there's some staples that I don't see there as well. The price is higher than the norm, mind you that strip of Westheimer there's at least 5 sushi restaurant in a 2 miles radius. You're eating the fancy decor they put in along w/ the big flat screen TVs and the satellite cable. Food is not bad at all, but if the price is high and the service is lousy, why go to this place when there are other places that are happy to serve you and take your money on sushi that are good?! Plus, trust me, in this town, we are not shy of sushi restaurants. Lesson learned!
Shimako Sushi Bar
8401 Westheimer Ste 160
Houston, TX 77063
713-952-7600
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