by Randall Sambrook on Located next to Chifa, Morimoto is giving Jose Garces a run for his money. Unlike most restaurants, Morimoto is not dimly lit, and you can actually see the person sitting across from you. Although, there is an awkwardly placed artificial candle/light at the center of the table that can't be moved. As a result, shared dishes have to be put near the edge of the table and diners can't look at each other without being blinded by the light. The food, on the other hand, is enough reason to return. We started off with the 10 hour pork 'kakuni' - a braised pork belly served with hot rice porridge. The pork belly was cooked perfectly, with the meat flaky and the fat pure decadence. Next up was the angry chicken - a nicely marinated organic half chicken with roasted finger peppers and spiced chicken jus. The chicken was cooked just right, moist and tender without being overwhelmed by the sauce. Then there was the kobe beef ishi yaki bop - a rice dish prepared tableside in a hot river stone bowl. The kobe beef cooked evenly to medium-rare, and the flavors blended in a perfect fusion. Finally, the deserts. First came the black sesame moussecake - a silky smooth cake with layers of goma mousse, sea salt mousse, flourless chocolate cake, and dark chocolate ganache. Each bite was a bite of heaven. Then there was the irish coffee jelly parfait made up of coffee jelly, coconut sorbet, suntory 12 year yamazaki, and a dash of cinnamon. There really aren't that many words to describe this - you'll just have to go and find out.
by Rob B. on I have to say I expected much better from this place. I had heard about it from so many people but perhaps the name is reputation only. I had a $10 off (of $30) birthday coupon so perhaps that affected the service. I can't complain about the food. It was very good and typical Italian. They brought bread to the table and the oil that you dip it in, and they have been heavily promoting the buy one meal for $12.95 and get a 2nd to take home. You need to know that the one you are taking home is already going to be cold so you cannot plan to eat it at the same meal. Also you can order one choice to eat there and other item to take home as long as it is from that list. What totally turned us off was the bad service we received. When we entered; there was no one to greet us but there was an employee behind the counter who was busy with his back to us. He never once turned around to greet us. We were standing there for the longest time and about to ask if we could just go pick any table, when a manager who was passing by saw us and asked if we had been helped (some greeting) and then preceded to go get the hostess to seat us. After getting our table, we waited over 10 minutes for a server. There were several occupied tables and they were busy with them and he finally told us he would be with us in a few minutes. That was not acceptable considering that he had been there the whole time assisting others but never acknowledged us. When I told him I had a birthday coupon he treated it like any other coupon and just said OK. It would not have taken that much to say oh who's birthday is it? and to tell me Happy Birthday or something. But nothing. We left disappointed and I really could care less about returning. There was one of those survey deals on the back of the receipt and I don't normally do it but I did this one and complained about the same things just mentioned. It's been a week and they never responded. I guess they really don't care. I would say this place is a bit on the high side, and there are other choices. It is unfortunate that they do not care. This is a pretty restaurant from the outside and nice looking inside too (if they keep dusting the chandeliers)
by Jeremiah Levites on I'm of the school of thought that ice cream shops in malls are a rip-off. The quality is no different than the half gallon kind you buy at the supermarket. But instead of paying $3.50 for a half-gallon, you're paying $3.50 for a cone. However, one visit to Amy's has completely changed my perception. These were by far the best ice cream I've ever had. Period. It's a good thing that I don't have to go to the mall often because I would stop at Amy's every chance I get (although now I made it a point to stop at Amy's when I'm at the airport). I prefer to get without their 'crushin's. I think when they mash in toppings, it lowers the temperature of the ice cream, which makes them melt faster. I would give this a 5 star except I had to remove a star for cash only policy, so-so service, and not being adequately staffed. I think it's ridiculous since no one pays with cash these days. Service - I just didn't get WOW'd as some have mentioned. They only seem to only have two people working at any time which made the lines go really slow (about 15 minute wait both times). Yes, the store is tiny but I'm not going to knock on that since its' nicer to sit outside by the fountains. Issues aside, this will definitely be on the list of places to take not just the out-of-towners, but in-towners too.
