"The end of an era for my family and friends. For about 20 years, my family and closest friends have gone to Ichiban for New Year's Eve. We look forward to it every year. I make sure to reserve our full table every November when they open reservations for NYE. There's usually between 9 and 12 of us at dinner. Whatever the table will hold. This year, we showed up to find, our reservation was not in their book. Fortunately, I had record of my call on my phone. Regardless, they accommodated us, and within 30 min, we were seated. Our experience was anything but ordinary this time. Our chef threw rice balls at each one of us to catch with an open mouth. It was odd and extremely messy. Most of us did not catch the rice so it ended up in our hair or on our shirts and all over the floor. Next dinner. Most of the us ordered chicken teriyaki or steak, that was upgraded to filet mignon. Some ordered sirloin. The chef cut up the steak, then proceeded to mix the meats up. Which, for those who upgraded their steak choice didn't seem fair. When he was called out on that, he denied doing so. Yet, several people noticed the same thing. One of our guests, ordered her filet mignon well done. The chef seemed to badger her about her choice. After it was called out about the switch of meat, by said person, it seemed she received the rarest of the meat. None of the chicken teriyaki's were made with teriyaki sauce. Although the meal itself was tasty, it wasn't a pleasant experience. The manager was called to our table. Our bills were mixed up. Everything was off. It did not seem to be the same restaurant we've come to love in the past. Besides our dinner, the sink water in the ladies room was ice cold. I ran it awhile and it never warmed. The toilet didn't flush. There were no paper towels. It makes me sad that a place we all have looked forward to coming to year after year, has declined as much as it has. Looks like we'll be starting a new family tradition."
