I honestly love this restaurant, but the past -three- times I've been there, I've had some of the worst service I've ever had. And not within a few weeks; once was in March, once was in June, and once was just last night. I keep going back because I love the food, but after my experience last night, it will be a while before I return. They are horribly under staffed and seem to have a huge lack of communication among each other. Our waitress at the teppanyaki took our order, wandered off, and we had to find her after about 20 minutes to remind her we had an appetizer - and she didn't even recognize which table we were from. We had trouble even getting water refilled or getting our salad and soup plates cleaned. We had reservations for 5:45 and we didn't leave the restaurant until nearly 8 o'clock - I'm aware going to the teppanyaki is an experience and sometimes a drawn out one, but that seemed a little over the top. My food was still delicious, but until their service improves, I will be finding somewhere else to go.
I would recommend KoKoRo. KoKoRo has the original flavors that no other resturants can copy. KoKoRo was the first sushi resturant built with tepan table. I got great service because all the waitress provided me with more than I needed! I even got a free drink!
They also have korean foods too! Kimchee and Tofu Soup! I think I they are really good! :)
For sushi I would recommend : "Firecracker" or "O Judy Roll"
For dinner: "Succulent Steak and fried rice"
The fire shows were awsome too! :)
Their wait staff IS wonderful, but after witnessing how the chef and management berrate and mistreat their help, my co-workers and I will never eat there again. While eating we saw the chef speaking in plain clear English, but when the waitress tried to discuss the wishes of another table, he acted like he didn't understand her. It was shocking and embarassing to watch. I've noticed there's always a "help wanted" sign in their window. There's reasons for that I'm sure. Take your business somewhere else where the food is better, and where the servers are respected.
At least that's what I thought before I went to Kokoro. I can't tell you how it compares to other sushi places, since Kokoro has been my only experience. From the perspective of the unitiated, however, I can say that Kokoro is a good place to start. If you've never tried sushi before, you can't really go wrong with the Crunchy California Roll.
I'm enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to going back again. The service leaves something to be desired, but they're really nice, which does sort of make up for the slow pace.
Not going back. We had reservations for a large party and when we arrived a table was sat infront of us (at our reservation time) and then we were told we would have to wait for 45min-hour for a hot table to open up. No point in making reservations at this place! We left and wont return. The atmosphere was not great either, first impression: Run-down bar area...not an eye pleaser.
I've never eaten at Wa, but I go to Sushi Station often. I think that KoKoRo may have the best sushi in town. I've ordered the seaweed salad from KoKoRo, but it always seems to be a smaller serving, much smaller, than that of the order I get from Sushi Station.
The Tofu is amazing and the sushi is always good. The service is exceptional, they are overwhelmingly helpful.
Good sushi. New Menus.
Cool servers! Funny drinks! Cute dishes!
The only Teppan Yaki (grill tables) in Lawrence.
It's a family place.
Calling ahead for reservations is almost a necessity. I suggest you do it every time. Specify "regular dining" or "grill table".
weekend nights after 8pm not sutible for children but always good fun for college boys and girls...
Don't be fooled by the aging shopping mall Kokoro resides in. Don't be fooled by the faded paint and cheap decor once you at your seat. Kokoro offers the best sushi I have had in the Midwest. Other dishes are offered for those who won't try sushi such as the grilled shrimp, beef and chicken are excellent with a smoke flavored dipping sauce. Presentation is always different and fresh. Service is fast and friendly. Don't be fooled the best sushi in the area is hidden in Lawrence Kansas!
I'll take kokoro over wa anyday....I've had nothing but great service from their staff. They are friendly and willing to please. Wa slightly beats them on the sushi, but not enough for me to put up with the weird vibe there(kind of like walking into a strange dive bar kind of feeling).
In my opinion Kokoro is the workingmans sushi bar....It may not be as pretty, but it gets the job done right.AND THEY HAVE KIMCHEE!!!
Comments
jessibean 12 years, 9 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
I honestly love this restaurant, but the past -three- times I've been there, I've had some of the worst service I've ever had. And not within a few weeks; once was in March, once was in June, and once was just last night. I keep going back because I love the food, but after my experience last night, it will be a while before I return. They are horribly under staffed and seem to have a huge lack of communication among each other. Our waitress at the teppanyaki took our order, wandered off, and we had to find her after about 20 minutes to remind her we had an appetizer - and she didn't even recognize which table we were from. We had trouble even getting water refilled or getting our salad and soup plates cleaned. We had reservations for 5:45 and we didn't leave the restaurant until nearly 8 o'clock - I'm aware going to the teppanyaki is an experience and sometimes a drawn out one, but that seemed a little over the top. My food was still delicious, but until their service improves, I will be finding somewhere else to go.
sushilovelove 14 years, 1 month ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
I would recommend KoKoRo. KoKoRo has the original flavors that no other resturants can copy. KoKoRo was the first sushi resturant built with tepan table. I got great service because all the waitress provided me with more than I needed! I even got a free drink! They also have korean foods too! Kimchee and Tofu Soup! I think I they are really good! :) For sushi I would recommend : "Firecracker" or "O Judy Roll" For dinner: "Succulent Steak and fried rice" The fire shows were awsome too! :)
Cliff Davis 15 years, 2 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
Their wait staff IS wonderful, but after witnessing how the chef and management berrate and mistreat their help, my co-workers and I will never eat there again. While eating we saw the chef speaking in plain clear English, but when the waitress tried to discuss the wishes of another table, he acted like he didn't understand her. It was shocking and embarassing to watch. I've noticed there's always a "help wanted" sign in their window. There's reasons for that I'm sure. Take your business somewhere else where the food is better, and where the servers are respected.
mmmskyscraper 16 years, 3 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
I don't like sushi.
At least that's what I thought before I went to Kokoro. I can't tell you how it compares to other sushi places, since Kokoro has been my only experience. From the perspective of the unitiated, however, I can say that Kokoro is a good place to start. If you've never tried sushi before, you can't really go wrong with the Crunchy California Roll.
I'm enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to going back again. The service leaves something to be desired, but they're really nice, which does sort of make up for the slow pace.
lisabeth2002 16 years, 4 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
Not going back. We had reservations for a large party and when we arrived a table was sat infront of us (at our reservation time) and then we were told we would have to wait for 45min-hour for a hot table to open up. No point in making reservations at this place! We left and wont return. The atmosphere was not great either, first impression: Run-down bar area...not an eye pleaser.
monisu411 16 years, 8 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
Not a bad atmosphere. I could do without the TVs in a sushi bar. Great food. Affordable. Not the best service, but not bad.
Jclarkson 17 years, 6 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
I've never eaten at Wa, but I go to Sushi Station often. I think that KoKoRo may have the best sushi in town. I've ordered the seaweed salad from KoKoRo, but it always seems to be a smaller serving, much smaller, than that of the order I get from Sushi Station.
The Tofu is amazing and the sushi is always good. The service is exceptional, they are overwhelmingly helpful.
doggie 18 years, 1 month ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
Good sushi. New Menus. Cool servers! Funny drinks! Cute dishes! The only Teppan Yaki (grill tables) in Lawrence. It's a family place. Calling ahead for reservations is almost a necessity. I suggest you do it every time. Specify "regular dining" or "grill table". weekend nights after 8pm not sutible for children but always good fun for college boys and girls...
sake..sake.... SAKE BOMB!!!
enjoy.
jcampbell 18 years, 11 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
Don't be fooled by the aging shopping mall Kokoro resides in. Don't be fooled by the faded paint and cheap decor once you at your seat. Kokoro offers the best sushi I have had in the Midwest. Other dishes are offered for those who won't try sushi such as the grilled shrimp, beef and chicken are excellent with a smoke flavored dipping sauce. Presentation is always different and fresh. Service is fast and friendly. Don't be fooled the best sushi in the area is hidden in Lawrence Kansas!
Kelly Powell 19 years, 10 months ago on Kokoro
Kokoro
I'll take kokoro over wa anyday....I've had nothing but great service from their staff. They are friendly and willing to please. Wa slightly beats them on the sushi, but not enough for me to put up with the weird vibe there(kind of like walking into a strange dive bar kind of feeling). In my opinion Kokoro is the workingmans sushi bar....It may not be as pretty, but it gets the job done right.AND THEY HAVE KIMCHEE!!!
Sign in to comment