Kitayama
(949) 725-0777
101 Bayview Pl
Newport Beach,
CA
92660
33.6531
-117.8691
Reviews & Ratings for Kitayama
17 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 17 reviews
Waitresses wear kimonos by Sylvia G. at InsiderPages
Contributor
December 17, 2008
The food here is pretty good. The decor is pretty amazing and they have real tatami rooms for groups of people to eat at. I love that the waitresses wear pretty kimonos.
A HORRID RUDE PLACE TO GO- NOT SAFE- VERY ANTI AMERICAN- BAD FOOD.
by MICHAELFOODCRITIC
July 16, 2008
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.
Worst Japanese in Orange County
by kitanohara
May 15, 2008
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
Do not pay with a credit card!! Unless you don't mind fraud...
by missvvorid
May 03, 2008
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
Nice place by Sandra I. at InsiderPages
Contributor
April 25, 2008
Nice and warm place - high scale. Great place. Glad my bosses paid the bill - I would recommend this place for someone who wants peace and quiet PLUS good customer service. Gives the Japanese feel but without living in Japan.
Make reservations!
by kay21597
January 18, 2008
I have to admit that dinner was a little pricy but lunch is a definite must do. Make sure you make a reservation.
Ambience is nice, way short on execution
by maitianci
December 30, 2007
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
DO NOT EAT HERE!
by tracy627
November 05, 2007
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
Never come back again!
by pp011286
November 03, 2007
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..
Rudest Staff in any Japanese / Sushi Bar ever encountered anywhere in North America
by pjcorvus
April 25, 2007
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
