Tabe Fusion

Update: I received email from the manager that replied to my review apologizing for the experience and asking my availability to dine at the restaurant again. I promptly replied with my availability and I have yet to hear back. That was months ago. I was really excited to try Tabe and went solo for the omakase experience, but it didn’t fully meet expectations. To start, I called to confirm the $50 reservation hold fee and was met with a long pause, followed by “yes?” when they answered the phone, and a hesitant response, which felt unprofessional. The space is large, with a few thoughtful details, but lacked the ambiance I’d expect in a high-end Asian restaurant. The atmosphere of the second floor was a bit better than the first floor. I had an 8:00 pm reservation with a stated 5-minute late policy, yet we didn’t begin until around 8:30 pm due to late guests. Waiting that long felt inconsistent with their own policy. I also noticed there didn’t seem to be a dress code enforced, which slightly affected the upscale feel. For the food, I chose the premium omakase. Portions were generous, but the quality didn’t quite match the $120 price point, pre-tip and tax, which appears to be about $30 higher than earlier pricing. The opening soup was gelatinous and bland, and while most dishes were okay, few were memorable. The wagyu was a highlight, though the caviar felt unnecessary. Several dishes seemed pre-prepared and served from a cart, which took away from the typical omakase experience of watching chefs prepare each course. The fish also did not taste fresh. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in the pacing of service. At times, others were served before me, and at other times, I received my dish ahead of the rest of the group. There was also minimal explanation about each dish that was served. Service was okay, but not always attentive (e.g., empty water glass during a couple courses). I also noticed each chef appeared to reuse the same singular pair of disposable gloves across courses, which stood out. The billing process was confusing. A 20% gratuity was already included, yet the tablet prompted for an additional tip while staff stood nearby, which felt awkward. Having tried omakase experiences in New York and Japan, I’ve come to appreciate the level of detail and consistency that makes these experiences stand out, which is why some of these points were noticeable. They may import some fish from Japan, but it might be worth bringing over the quality, service, and cleanliness that Japanese restaurants are actually known for too. Overall, Tabe needs improvement in consistency, execution, and quality and value. I’d consider returning if these areas are addressed. I also hope any response to this review is genuine and not AI-generated, as thoughtful feedback deserves the same in return.