Wafu

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  5     

After our experience here last night I have been inspired to write my first ever Eatability review, even though we did not eat here! (therefore, all my ratings other than for service I have put in the middle), mainly because I have never been treated so rudely in all my years of dining out!

We arrived, without a booking, entered the restaurant, which has about 15 tables, 2 of which had diners already seated at them. We waited patiently for awhile until we were approached by the waitress and we asked for a table of 3. She made no reference to whether we could have the table but replied “have you heard of our new policies”. Which we hadn’t, and were then instructed to go outside on the street and read the policies that are on the door of the restaurant.

After our ejection from the restaurant we stood on the street and were reading the policies, when the waiter came to the door opened it slightly and stuck her head out, but did not invite us back in or step outside. From this angle she informed us that it would be impossible for them to explain their new policies to three people tonight and, therefore, we would not be able to eat there. We reflected that we understood the policies, i.e. The need to share everything and not leave any food on the plates, but we were firmly told it was impossible for us to be inducted, and for us to then eat within that policy tonight, and we were thus sent away.

I’m all for the sustainable approach too, but managing your customers in a respectful way is surely doable within this framework?! A simple sorry we cannot take patrons without a booking, but please do come back on another day and if you wouldn’t mind, please have a read of our policies for next time (why don’t you read them online before you come, or surely they could have an outline of their policies in a booklet for people to read once they enter the restaurant).

Their treatment was totally unnecessary, patronising, and downright rude. Certainly won’t bother trying this restaurant again.

Apr 14, 2010 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  7     

Love the concept, organic produce, no waste, no plastic take-away containers. In reality the way the philosophy/rules were communicated made for rude and to be honest very weird customer service.

Initially it might have been a problem to accept a table for 3, discrimination against odd numbers? Then we left 2 lettuce leaves from the side salad that came with the sashimi/sushi plate and got a long, aggressive, badly communicated lecture about taking said lettuce leaves away in our container (which we'd diligently brought). You don't get your 30% off until the plate is all empty. Good concept, badly implemented and this was after we'd ploughed through the biggest plate of green beans ever seen. Some long explanation about vegetable variety ensued on this topic as well.

The curry was good. The sashimi/sushi was great. The stir fry noodles were a let down. I wish them the best of luck in improving the way they communicate with customers and hopefully they can get positive momentum happening. Mental note, ranting to us for 10 minutes about your solicitor and what you can do to "kick out customers that don't believe", might not be the best way forward. Stay in the kitchen, get some vegetable variety, and get a new person front of house.

Apr 09, 2010 

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  10     

I'm sorry, I just don't know what all the fuss is about. The place is good value for money but the ambience and the service really let it down. I terms of the food, it was good. Not amazing. I won't go back there in a hurry.

Mar 11, 2010 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  10     

I went there with my wife 2 weeks ago. My wife is Japanese and I am keen on all food Japanese. It will be our first time there. There was only two other table that were occupied but it was 2.00 pm and we thought it was getting a little late for lunch. We made reservations and thought that, perhaps, we did not really have to since the restaurant was quite empty. We were wrong because the owner had to turn away at least 4 other customers that came through the door that day because they did not have reservations.

The owner of the restaurant is the chef/assistant/cashier/wait staff. Her food was excellent to say the least. I have special dietary requirements and she met them all. It is the first time I have gone to a restaurant and ordered food with complete peace of mind. Her food tasted great and we will definitely frequent her restaurant. I must add that the price for both of us was ~$25/head. I had a very full meal and apparently ate enough for two people.

I must warn you that she may take a while to get to you because she cooks table by table. My wife and I plan to take part in her cooking class some time in the future. This is one restaurant I have absolutely no complaints about.

Mar 03, 2010 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I love it! It has organic wine choices, a vegetarian specific side to the kitchen, sashimi that is hand chosen and so shiny you could do your lipstick in it, the chef sacks staff for smelling like cigarette smoke, she is unreasonable in her demand for excellence which is such a payoff as a customer, brown rice sushi and it is cheap.

It's not iron chef style japanese far more casual. In a sea of ordinary over-priced Sydney restaurants Wafu is a shining star. The only downside is that you can get turned away as it can be booked out or busy but the turkish takeout next door is fabulous and also does byo.

Dec 29, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

I love this place! Great quality food, all the healthy boxes ticked and incredible value. Some of the best sashimi I've had in a while. Love that they use brown rice and all is gluten and sugar free. Go!

Dec 03, 2009 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Had a great experience here on Saturday night. Yukako is very friendly and does a great job running the show. Everything on the menu is gluten free, which is fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed the chicken tonkatsu and salmon sashimi. Will definitely be back soon!

Nov 16, 2009 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Fresh, healthy meals served including a macrobiotic menu and meal deal (as listed on the board). Although the macrobiotic meals were very healthy, there was not as much flavour as the written menu items. However, it was very refreshing to go out for a light and healthy meal with good service.

Nov 09, 2009 

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  8     

Was looking for a casual venue for a mid-week dinner with the girls and we wanted something healthy, byo and reasonably priced and this ticked every box. It's low key dining and the food is just outstanding, clean, fresh flavours and you don't get the 'eating-out' guilts if you're on the diet wagon, it's all so healthy and delicious.

For $35 a head we rolled out of there after an entree and main each and that included corkage and tip, so very GFC-friendly. Will definitely be adding this to our list of regular haunts, loved it.

Sep 20, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

One of my favourite sushi joints in Sydney. Great food, great atmosphere, great service, love the organic and healthy theme, but the food itself tastes amazing. Enjoyable date restaurant.

Jun 28, 2009