Takara @ Venue - Clearwater, FL

Date: July 26, 2011
Time: Dinner/Drinks
Type: Restaurant/Bar
Where: 2675 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL 33759
Party: Three adults, two children

Immediate Impression:
They have made some interior changes which is for the better; less pretentious


Service:
Overall the service was HORRIFIC! First, it took 20 minutes for anyone to even come to our table, then there was confusion as to who was actually our waiter. We chose to stay with the female server because her demeanor was nicer (the male looked so uninterested and rather upset we were making him do his job). I can't really blame her for all the service errors, she was slammed and the restaurant was obviously understaffed, however, we think she forgot to put in one of our orders.


Menu/Food:
We went for the all-you-can-eat sushi and one of the children ordered off the regular menu.

MISO SOUP: Skip it, it tastes a bit like dishwater

GINGER SALAD: If you don't like your salad smoothered in dressing, ask for it on the side; they glob it on.

SUSHI: The sushi is actually really good and fresh; and there is enough on the menu to fill you up. However, it took us 2 hours, because of the horrible service, to make it worthwhile. Also, read the descriptions carefully and if you order the vegetable roll make sure you ask which vegetables.

Allegren Info: If you can't eat butter, you should be fine, it wasn't used on this menu, but beware if you order off the regular menu. For those with a gluten allergy, you should be safe, but stay away from the Krab stuff, they aren't clear if it is real or fake. Everyone else, if you can't eat sesame seeds, make sure they know that and again, get specification on the vegetables.

Price: They say the price is $19.95 before taxes, what they don't tell you is they are also going to AUTOMATICALLY charge you 20% for gratuity! Last time I was there, we were a party of 6 so I understood, but this time we were a party of 5, and they still did it. This is NOT listed on their menu. There is NO WAY I would have given that much in tip during this trip.

The rest of the non-sushi menu seems reasonable, but $6.95 for a bowl of edamame and is RIDICULOUS!

Final thought: I am not really sure...$19.95 for all you can eat sushi seems like an excellent deal, however, the poor service really makes me stop to think - how valuable is my time? Luckily this week, I had the time to sit for 2 hours (8pm-10pm) but normally, during the week, I don't. There is going to have to be a VERY GOOD REASON for me to go back!