03/03/08

Horrible Horrible Serive! I will never eat here again!

by Drybones

I'm a local resident who doesn't go out to eat as much any more because an experience like this ruined eating out for me in gerneral. I didn't expect fine dinning only a hip little sushi bar since that's what my friend told me to expect. There was nothing wrong with the atmosphere, it was indeed hip, but I can't believe some of the girls they hired as servers. This was indeed some of the worst service I've ever had. She knew almost nothing about the menu, was incredibly rude, and seemed to be on "something". After looking around it seemed like a large percentage of the serving staff was on "something"(I don't know this for a fact but it seems highly likely) Anyway orders were forgotten. We were forgotten, and we felt very insulted for spending money here. As I left i tried to remeber the server's name so I could write to the owners, but realized she never introduced herself. But she was blonde and not very nice(understate of the century), I can't imagine she'd still be working there but if she is I feel sorry for whoever else sits at one of her tables. I enjoyed the food, but other places of similar price offer better quality and selection without having to deal with the kind of service I had to endure. I'd like to think it was only an off night for a server but several people I spoke to had very simmilar experiences. So I don't recommend this place to anyone in fact I say avoid it like the plauge. Because of this experience I'ved turned over a new resolution to cook more at home, so I never have to deal with an experience like this again.

• Pros: Nothing
• Cons: Service

10/03/07

Re: Rude Hostess

by sfgreen

I have experienced the rude hostess as well and was very surprised. I have been eating at Sushi Groove on Hyde for three years and have started to go elsewhere because I had the hostess literally laugh in my face when I came in without a reservation of a Tuesday night.

• Pros: Great sushi
• Cons: Awful service

09/04/07

Rude Hostess

by vaportrail

I've been a Sushi Groove regular for many years--Even before I moved less than a block away three years ago. The constantly changing staff has lost the neighborhood feel. Last night I was rudely turned away even with empty seats in the restaurant. Hostess was rude and uncaring.

I live 600 feet away, and I wont be back. Sad.

08/08/07

Fresh Sushi, unique atmosphere

by jerseygrl93

I visited this place when in town on a business trip after a recommendation from a friend. I read the reviews on Citysearch and totally agree - this place is small. I saw several parties waiting. I sat at the bar and received excellent service from the Sushi Chef. The sushi was incredibly fresh and i was pleasantly surprised by the amount of fish in my sushi roll. I asked my waitress to call me cab when i was finished. She actually walked down the street and hailed one for me. Now that was worth the price of admission!

01/03/07

So so in nowhere land

by chefpj

I was really looking forward to eating here, as I read all of the positive reviews. I travel all over the world, and I always order sushi when I can. My only fear was the report of long lines. I went at 6:30 Wed- place was empty. As for as the sushi goes---- eh, not so good. the fatty tuna had no fat. The salmon the same. Sushi chef was very nice and conversational if you wanted to talk. I do recommend the cilantro roll, as it was great. Overall-- way down the list of great sushi resturants. Not at all worth going.

• Pros: Great interior scene. Like the candles, great trance music
• Cons: Sushi is boring. No signage out front, waitress was sub par

07/16/06

Fresh fish, but will cost ya

by foodielover

A very hip place for the young crowd in their 20-30's. There is no large signage outside until you get to the door to see a small plaque with the restaurant's name on it. The sushi bar seats about a dozen and the interior has a limited amount of tables. You have to arrive early if you're serious about eating and be sure to make reservations. Most sushi bars have you order as you're ready, our chef wanted us to place several orders at once. The foie gras sushi was very good but took a long time to arrive. We liked the spider roll, unagi, butterfish, amberjack, hamachi nigiri sushi. The California Roll consisted of fresh king crab but was bland. We didn't care for the Dynamite Roll either. All the fish tasted fresh. A meal for 4 with beer leaving you somewhat full came to almost $200. Not the most economical for sushi but we enjoyed the food. We were finished w/the meal but hadn't left yet & the busboy started to reach over our shoulders at the sushi bar to clear the table. That was rude service since the spaces at the bar were close together & he could've spilled debri on us.

• Pros: Fresh fish, trendy environment
• Cons: busboy started clearing the table before we left, reaching over our shoulders at the sushi bar. Expensive.

07/11/06

Hip atmosphere, hip customers, hip wait staff, good food

by agentred

We really enjoyed their asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and their beef topped with fois. The miso-glazed bass was fine but not thrilling. The sushi was quite good, especially the hotate (scallop) and walu (butterfish). And they're open on Mondays - bonus!

• Pros: good Japanese and non-Japanese food, friendly sushi chefs
• Cons: No sign outside, wait staff is more attractive than you

04/27/06

SOMA HOT SPOT FOR SUSHI AND SAKE

by schneidersf

It's packed when we arrived sans reservation, the hostess nformed us there's a waiting list. She seems uninterested and ask us to wait if we want to eat, minutes later we were greeted by a man wearing a suit with cool sneakers asked us if we have been helped. We told him we have no reservation, he was accomadating and told us there will be a table for us in 10 minutes. We were seated by him in exactly 10! The service is attentive, the sushi rule in this busy hot spot!

• Pros: hip, great sushi, good value
• Cons: packed

12/03/05

Sleek spot

by agrig1000

Don't expect Olive Garden-like elbow room here as it's quite a snug fit. The chefs make interesting and unique sushis and sauces to compliment their creations. I'd recommend going before 8 pm though since the place does get packed. The hostess even called a cab for me and double checked to see if it was there yet. Very nicely decorated and very hip.

• Pros: Sushi and sauces, unexpected location
• Cons: crowded, small lounge area

11/05/05

don't show up hungry!

by jeffanderyn

if you think you'll be hungry for sushi in an hour or two, head on over to sushi groove south. got there at 9 and didn't get seated until 10:30 - granted, we didn't have a reservation, but the hostess informed us over the phone and on our arrival that it would be "about 20 minutes." waitresses were friendly but lacking. hostesses were, well, they sucked. their beauty and crappy attitudes gave me the sneaking suspicion they were hired on looks alone. despite long waits and mediocre service, i'll still give it another chance for the outstanding, fresh and innovative sushi.

• Pros: great, fresh sushi, good music, nice atmosphere
• Cons: bad hostess, long wait, may eat before 12am