Ai Japanese Restaurant

The minute my wife and I walked in with our two children ages 3 and 1, the owner of the restaurant started giving us dirty looks. When we requested a high chair, they told us they didn't have any. When we asked for a booth, that we saw was available, they told us they couldn't give us the booth because it was used to seat 5. So they sat us at a table, 2 chairs and a bench.
Our 1 year old had to sit in a booster, which was challenging, but we got through it, our 3 year old sat in a chair with no booster. Throughout dinner, we did not get asked for refills on our drinks, or for any other type of help. After we finished our dinner the check didn't arrive. We got up 15 minutes after we finished our dinner to pay up front.
When I brought up the issue to the owner she told me, and I quote, "You could go to another restaurant."
As for racism, well, everyone at the restaurant was either White or Asian. Me and my family obviously are not.

Posted 01/17/09 | Report Abuse

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Their service has always been spotty but the food was always worth the wait, especially for the price. But, its not worth cold food (the fried food was cold in the middle), the tempura was tough and cold. I always am willing to, especially after being a customer for 25 years, consider it was a bad day so I had it re-ordered. I didn't expect to see the tempura with a bite in it come back...just with a bit more oil...and alot more tough. Do you think I got it removed from my bill? Not without asking. The sushi bar is fine...and if you ONLY order sushi you should be ok.

Posted 11/09/08 | Report Abuse

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There is nothing good I can write about this restaurant. THe sushi was mediocre at best, with a rainbow roll being particularly awful, the miso soup was watery, with no flavor, the service less than professional (I was the only customer, but was not brought the generic wine I ordered) and the surroundings looked dirty.

Posted 09/21/08 | Report Abuse

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If your going to Ai, try and get there early. This is a busy place in the evenings and the wait can be long. This is out local sushi place which we like. Most of the time however we dont really order sushi. The other foods tempura/teriyaki etc are very good and we've never had any problems. Yeah service is a little on the slow side but grab a saporro and relax it doesnt seem so bad.

Posted 01/13/08 | Report Abuse

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A very bad experience, I will never go there again. We went in a group of four. Three people ordered plates with sushi on the side, I ordered sushi only. The non-sushi dishes were served and after 45 minutes still no sushi, all of the wait staff had disappeared. After finally getting the hostess, she said she would check on it, she never returned. Finally getting a waiter's attention he returned to tell us the order was not placed. Food finally received, after another 15 minutes, with a hair! With a replaced sushi piece, I ate and the check came, the waiter made sure to add on the cost of my delayed meal, no discount. When complaining to the waitress (the waiter disappeared again), they said they were just behind, this was a lie. It was obvious they made a mistake because my meal came after patrons that ordered after I received food and the meal was clearly added on the check after the other items were totaled. I complained again but the manager was "out ill" and the other staff decided to ignore me leaving me talking to myself in the lobby. I paid full price for my meal and I am a little concerned that I may be ill soon, one piece did not taste fresh.

Posted 12/27/06 | Report Abuse

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If you love sushi and get a hankerin' for it, and you're in South Pas and Ai is the closest place, it will fit the bill.

The sushi is good. It is not fantastic, it is not bad, it is fresh enough, but we only went once and have not felt compelled to return. On the oter hand, if we were in that area, and feelin' fishy, we'd not be opposed to returning. It's just kind of not the place you go on a special trip.

The servers were sweet and helpful. The atmosphere was fine. It is handy that it is right next to the Rialto.

Posted 04/19/06 | Report Abuse

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Ai has lovely service, and more than polite waiters and waitresses. The meals are in the average price rangeand always fresh, and the sushi is the absolute best.

Posted 08/03/05 | Report Abuse

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Sushi is the best, the service is lacking to say the least, although the sushi chefs are great if you are lucky enough to get seating at the bar. They can never quote a time accurately so dont try picking up a to-go order at your lunch time since you will spend most of it waiting for an order you called in and that was suppose to be ready 15 minutes prior. But never fear...Bristol Farms has already prerolled sushi, I was told but the front desk lady, if I couldnt wait for my call in order. Can we say...RUDE?

Posted 01/17/05 | Report Abuse

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