07/16/08

A HORRID RUDE PLACE TO GO- NOT SAFE- VERY ANTI AMERICAN- BAD FOOD.

by MICHAELFOODCRITIC

A Horrible Experience. These people there and especially managment are apparently ANTI-American, RUDE, ARGUMENTATIVE AND GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT THEY MAY SPIKE YOUR FOOD WITH. If you go - do not turn your back on them. No more "Pearl Harbor" style sneak attacks again for me thank you. Twice was enough, as there are so many other fine Japanese restuarnatns and their employees that really enjoy serving people politely, with no attitude - and with much better and fresh food.

THEIR "FRIENDS/EMPLOYEES" CAN WRITE THEIR BOGUS REVIEWS, BUT THIS IS A VERY BAD PLACE. WHY RISK YOUR HEALTH AND DINING EXPERINCE TO THESE HORRIBLE PEOPLE. AND IT IS TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE.

05/15/08

Worst Japanese in Orange County

by kitanohara

Six adults visited this landmark restaurant for dinner. The restaurant has a nice glass walled garden that imitates the famous Ryoanji Temple rock garden. All great. But you cannot eat the gravels from the garden. The food is mediocre to downright poor quality, especially viewed from the high price they charge. For example, their featured Seafood Miso Nabe contained microscopic amount of seafoods. If you want to pay $30 for a bowlful of cabbages, go ahead. The hostess warned us that the kitchen is busy and either Sashimi or Sushi would take 45 minutes. We did not mind the waiting, but when the $60 sashimi arrived, it was a disappointment- you could find another Japanese restaurant within 5 miles that would serve much better and fresher sashimi for probably under $20. Sushi looked very funny- the fish pieces were formed a'la PlayDo, very unappetising! We heard that this restaurant is very popular, and big crowds show up for lunch hour. Let them pay dearly and eat poor food; I will never go back there again.

• Pros: Nice surrounding
• Cons: Bad food for high price

05/03/08

Do not pay with a credit card!! Unless you don't mind fraud...

by missvvorid

My girlfriend and I used to eat here constantly. One day while we were looking over the credit card statements, we noticed a few charges from Kitayama for exactly $280. The charges occurred on days that we hadn't even eaten there. We called the credit card co, they examined the situation and said the credit card charges were for TO GO orders. Needless to say, we never ordered 280 dollars worth of take out. We have never gone back and they lost two very good customers. I don't recommend eating here, but if you insist, make sure that you pay CASH! We have since moved on to Bluefin, which actually has better sushi and is in a way nicer location.

• Pros: They taught me to examine my credit card statements closely
• Cons: God only knows how much they ripped us off for before we noticed

01/18/08

Make reservations!

by kay21597

I have to admit that dinner was a little pricy but lunch is a definite must do. Make sure you make a reservation.

12/30/07

Ambience is nice, way short on execution

by maitianci

Beautiful Japanese gardens and nice dining areas. Yet, they are trying to do too much with the menu and, as a result, are doing very little well. Place has potential, but in Newport Beach as long as the place is one where people can be "seen" they probably don't need to waste the money and effort to produce a fine meal.

• Pros: Setting & Scene
• Cons: Food

11/05/07

DO NOT EAT HERE!

by tracy627

I entered the restaurant with high expectations, and left beyond disappointed. We had a large group of people for a friend's bday, and our reservation was for 7:30PM. They started serving us at 9:30PM, half an hour before they close at 10:00PM. The waitors were rushing us out, cleaning up our dishes before we finished eating. One busboy had the nerve to take my friend's plate, and toss the remainder of her food onto the grill. All in all, we waited 2 hours to eat, then finished our food, or tried to, within 15 minutes. I've never had such an awful experience at what supposedly is a nice restaurant. Please take my advice, and forego this restaurant. It's not worth the time or money.

• Cons: SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE

11/03/07

Never come back again!

by pp011286

I walked in Kitayama on Firday night, this restaurant wasn't busy at all. I made reservation for private room @6:45, I was there 15 min early, and they wouldn't let me seat in the room, their hostess told me that I need to wait unitl 6:45, I came back to host stand @6:45 to request to seat in the room, another host told me that I need to wait few more min.. I don't understand what kind of Japanese policy?? I'm a sushi lover, their quality of sashimi and sushi was horrible, I was so disappointed! less than 20 pc of tiny little bit slices sashimi charge for $60, their "assorted sushi, $22" looks like lunch special. It was my first time and also last time to visit Kitayama..

04/25/07

Rudest Staff in any Japanese / Sushi Bar ever encountered anywhere in North America

by pjcorvus

I have been enjoying Sushi restaurants all over North America; including Vancouver BC, Seattle WA, Miami FL, Boston MA, Chicago IL, San Fransisco CA, Los Angeles CA, etc etc, and have been eating Sushi and Sashimi since about 1984 and never in my life have I ever encountered a staff which is so rude. Everyone from the Hostess to the main Sushi chef were void of personality. The Sushi was over-priced and average, and actually not-so-fresh. The presentation was poor. I was treated like a homeless man who wondered in from the back alley with no clothing on. If you like snooty, pretentious people, then go here, if you like friendly service and great fresh Sashimi, DO NOT GO.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Parking
• Cons: Poor Service, below average Sashimi, Value

03/02/07

Great steamed egg custards & broths for sukiyaki

by insun

Kitayama has great ambience. Our servers are always great- the kimonos are a very nice touch, and my husband and I find that charming (he is not Asian, but even being Asian, I find it charming as well). I love having the broth from our sukiyaki with rice at the end of our meal. Also, ask for specialties that are not on the menu- such as their seafood steamed egg custard. It is to die for. If you ask your server what specialties they can offer that night, she will let you know. The sashimi was only okay, not great, but there are plenty of other items to try on the menu. We always have a great meal here.

Traditional Japanese cuisine served in a glass-walled room surrounded by elegant Japanese gardens.

by Contributor

In Short
Kitayama brings nature inside with panoramic views of its private gardens. Modern Japanese lamps and Breuer chairs juxtapose hip design with the waitress' kimonos in the sushi bar and the three tatami rooms. Traditional Japanese offerings include sukiyaki, teriyaki and tempura. A la carte items include crab chawanmushi, a hot custard with fresh crab and shitake mushrooms, or beef shiso rolls, broiled with Asian bechamel sauce. Green tea coconut mousse, in a martini glass adorned with tropical fruits, is dessert.