10/21/09

Wowza! That's some poor service!

by 2topdotcom

My partner and I used to frequent Domo weekly until we realized on our last visit that we are, in fact, not masochists and do not like being treated poorly despite how good the food is. Our service was heinous....Our server "Daisy" was totally unhelpful, ignored drink re-fill requests, and was basically totally aloof. I understand that part of Domo's authenticity effect is not making ANY changes to menu items but is it too much to ask for the shrimp tempura to be placed outside of the soup so it doesn't get soggy?? Apparently so, because our request (among others) was denied. In short, regardless of the food quality, Domo left a bad taste in my mouth...

• Pros: Good food/ interesting ambiance
• Cons: Pretty much the worst service...ever

10/09/09

domo thanks but NEVER AGAIN!

by katarddx

I have been coming here on at least once a week basis for years (pretty sure twice is more accurate and I usually bring at least 3 people with me) and since I work near by in Police Bldg I have brought many first timers who are now regulars at your restaurant.

I had guests from Europe here in Denver for 2 weeks. I told them so many stories about a fine establishment called domo, and by many, I do mean many stories…so they couldn’t wait to see the famous Domo! If they only knew…

My wife and I took our guests (5 altogether) and went to Domo Restaurant on a 09-24-09.

Once, Domo was a great establishment, but for me, those days are over since I am not coming back ever again.

What a total mess this fine establishment has become!

After 45 minutes (they promised to seat us in 10-15 minutes), we finally got our table! And I went to restroom twice in meantime and checked that 2 (yes TWO) tables were empty! When complained I was told that there is a big party of people inside and we just have to wait. Off course I checked again, the party was actually 6 people! That is the BIG party at your restaurant??? 6 adults and 6 kids – all of them 2 years old or less! And STILL 2 empty tables.

Two tables (which were seated 35 minutes AFTER we arrived), including a table of 6, were all served before us).

Our server NEVER came back to our table to check in with us. He took our order and went his way… never told that wait for food is going to be a long nightmare…

On top of all that my business partner (from Germany so he is used to cold) was literally shaking from the cold INSIDE!

I had to get up to alert waiter that a mistake had probably been made since we never received our orders. He said it is going to be another 20-30 minutes! And we were sitting at the table for at least 45! 90 minutes of waiting already!

Now, I do realize that mistakes can happen in all restaurants. I waited before at Domo for food… But this time it went overboard.

Your wait stuff kept telling us about “big party they had and how busy kitchen is” but we were there and we KNOW how big of a party that was!

As we were exiting the restaurant (after 2 hours and never getting our orders) , we approached the host, and I told here the very same thing I am writing here but she did not give a damn! Instead, she turned around to newly arrived couple to show them their table. However that couple asked me what is going on (since they overheard the story) and I told the – they turned around and left Domo without a word! Now, that was not my intention but I will make sure that anyone I know find out about our experience. Never take your guests and especially your business guests to Domo! NEVER!I understand that limited server staff and limited cook staff is clearly the problem but that is your problem not mine.

It's sad that you as a owner, are not aware what's really going on now.

I almost cannot believe how horrible our experience was. If my wife wasn't with me, I would have blown a gasket! I've NEVER, EVER, EVER been treated so rudely. On top of that now I am a laughing stock of business partner! And for that I will make sure that I share this story with every single person I ever introduced to Domo!

Thanks a lot DOMO! But NEVER again!

• Pros: food is good, when it arrives...
• Cons: everything else

06/09/09

A great cultural experience!

by mandalynn16

I have worked in food service for many years, and have eaten at Domo many times. The food is fantastic, the service is friendly and knowledgeable, and the ambience is amazing. You should sit in the garden when weather permits...it is beautiful and you forget that you are just a block off of Colfax. The ever-changing side dishes maintain a fun, unpredictable menu.

I am appalled at the discourteousness of some of the other reviews. A guest in ANY restaurant should never expect special treatment because of a dietary restriction, and that is something the person should know before they decide to leave their house to go out and eat. Chef's, especially those in upscale restaurants, prepare dishes in a certain manner, because they know what tastes best. People who do not want what is offered on the menu should stay home and cook for themselves (especially seafood at a Japanese restaurant!?!). It is unjust to give someone a bad review because of your medical problems or food aversions. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

• Pros: Food, ambience, culture, service
• Cons: None.

05/29/09

Great food - unique gem

by diningdenver

Domo is the result of Gaku Homma's unique vision - for those who want a sushi bar, I recommend going someplace else. The food here is as close to the cuisine of the peasantry where he grew up as he can make it. I appreciate the unique flavors and influences. When you go to Domo, try to go with an open mind and try to experience the vision of the chef, not a preconception of Japanese food.

We went there tonight with a friend and had a wonderful time. The food is delightful - from the sides served before the meal to the generous main portions, everything was tasty and well prepared. The hostess was gracious and our servers were polite.

• Pros: great, unique food, good service,
• Cons: a bit pricey

05/27/09

It was just alright.

by xstineonthescene

My boyfriend and I went here for a special occasion, and like everyone says the hostess was pretty rude, luckily our server was super sweet. She was pretty good with explaining to us the food - but then again you can't change anything in the dishes which is a little odd to me. The food was delicious though, but the sake was not so great because it was luke warm (which I had asked for chilled) Anyways, I would really have to be in the mood to come back here...

• Pros: Decent food
• Cons: Hostess.

03/28/09

No soup for you

by uncledave

If you like a little S&M you'll love this place. I have never been treated so rudely, so consistently anywhere in the world. I could detail the service atrocities I've endured here but they pretty much parallel the rest of the one start reviews. I worked as a bartender in a Japanese restaurant for many years and really loved the Japanese owners and staff for their unfailing graciousness in the face of some very ugly Americans. Domo must have a special interview process to be able to select the rudest possible servers available.

• Pros: beautiful place, food is good and generally tasty
• Cons: service

08/24/08

Burger King would have been a better choice

by KarmaRocks

Avoid this restaurant at all costs! We had the most terrible dining experience today. Our table of 9 had reservations, but still, it took them over 40 minutes to seat us. Then, when the waitress accidentally wrote down the wrong order for a member of our party, she refused to bring us the correct item. The suggested that we just eat it, or her other suggestion was that we share other food with her. The manager was nowhere to be found. All 9 of us ended up just getting up and leaving, after we spent over 1.5 hrs at the restaurant. At this point, they threatened to call the cops to force us to pay for food none of us actually touched!

The service is not worth the aggravation, the quality is lacking. Don't eat here!

• Pros: Can't think of any at the moment
• Cons: terrible service, high price, total lack of quality

08/24/08

Don't step in, you will leave LIVID! :-(

by Juniperus

We went to Domo's yesterday, to celebrate a graduation. I will never forgive the waiters and owner for their utter lack of tact and courtesy. I wanted to substitute an item in my order as I am allergic to gluten. One of the waiters actually questioned the reality of my allergy! I should not have to explain exactly what will happen to my bowel movements if I injest breaded shrimp! They flat out refused to accomodate any sort of a request, and wanted to charge me for two items if I order something else off the menu. At one point, one of the waiters told us that my boyfriend should just eat my food - along with his $23 dish, I shouldn't have anything, and pay for both. When you go to an upscale restaurant, you expect service. I understand McDonalds not having substitutions, an possibly incompetent waiters. But when you are paying ove $100 for your table, there is no excuse.

If you want Japanese country cooking, go to Amu's in Boulder. You will not be disapointed by the service, quality or price. Stay away from Domo! The decor alone is not worth the terrible quaility, service, and sky high, unjustifiable prices!

• Pros: The garden is nice, but not worth the price
• Cons: Service is TERRIBLE, food below mediocre, management is AWFUL

08/24/08

Show up, shut up, and pay

by alohahiker

I have been to Domo's many times and in the past generally the only problems I've had is slow service. Which is fine when you have good company and can enjoy either the interesting decorated inside or garden outside.

However, when a problem arises is when a restaurant can really shine or in this case fall out of the sky with both wings on fire and everyone screaming all the way to their demise.

My girlfriend ordered the Tojimono dish with shrimp, she is allergic to wheat (gluten) and since soy sauce usually has a lot of wheat ordered the miso broth. The problem came when they served the dish and the shrimp actually turned out to be tempura shrimp breaded in panko (bead crumbs). She informed the server that she could not eat the shrimp because it was breaded and could they just give her shrimp like I had which were just plain, to which the server said 'no'. The dish was taken away and the waitress shows up telling us that we should have told her that my girlfriend could not eat wheat and hinted that if she would like to order something else she would be charged again. Now if the menu had said shrimp tempura and we ordered it and complained that the dish had shrimp tempura I can sort of understand, however when it says shrimp I do not assume that it comes tempura style. They specify that the udon comes with tempura shrimp, so why not for this other dish?

Anyways several people came over to talk with us, all confused that we should have some how known that shrimp actually meant shrimp tempura. Finally the owner came in and shooed the other waitstaff away like little flies. At this point my girlfriend was so upset she did not want anything to replace her dish, so instead was charged $7 for the side dishes. I've never been to a place where they were so hostile to their customers. The wait staff who from what I can gather are also the students at the on site akido school. It is quite clear that they do not want to be serving in the restaurant.

• Pros: unique atmosphere
• Cons: waitstaff, bizarre rules, "NO SOUP FOR YOU"

07/04/08

like a quick trip to Japan! Authentic and delicious

by riadoc

We were recommended by someone who spent 6 years in Japan. On arrival, we were promptly and properly greeted, seated and watered. We ate in the garden, (so did everyone else!). The service was excellent, complete with a team spirit exuded by the staff. The waiter was from south America and quite shy and proper, and attentive. The food presentation was impressive and delicious - and lots of it! So much we had to take some home. The edamame side dish was our only source of disappointment. The miso broth was delicious and the seven little side dishes that come with entres were excellent.

We can't wait to go back!

• Pros: Ambience, service and food quality and presentation
• Cons: could be difficult to enjoy the outside on a rainy night.