Which Sushi Restaurant Gave Bad Service to Zimmern?

Author, TV star, and all-around nice guy Andrew Zimmern files a blog post this week about a meal that he had at a New York sushi restaurant recently where he experienced terrible service. Although Mr. Zimmern does not name the establishment — again, he's a very nice guy — he does note that it's in the East 40s and is "universally regarded as one of the best sushi bars in America."

Because of weather and gridlock, Zimmern was running late for his 12:15 p.m. reservation, so he texted his friends to let them know he was on his way. The host told his friends that he couldn't find their reservation, even though Zimmern had confirmed it the week before. After another phone call, the manager eventually found the reservation, but said that they would have to be done with their meal by 1:30 p.m., an hour and 15 minutes after their reservation time. Zimmern writes: "The restaurant doesn't know what we are ordering, at what pace, and most importantly, never communicated anything of the kind when I made the booking last month. Had they, I would have chosen another restaurant."

Then things really go off the rails.

Zimmern and his two friends were seated at a tiny two-top, made into a three-top. He writes:

We all got our food, at different times. I had to hold my water glass in my hand while I ate the first plates that arrived because we were seated at such a small table. We talked, took care of business, and then something I never thought I would experience in a restaurant of this caliber occurred. Our waiter came to our table and told us the kitchen needed our final order. It was 1:15 p.m. The kitchen wasn't closing, but apparently we were shut down. I looked around the room. Empty seats. Weather was brutal, so I imagine some no-shows and diminished walk-ins were the result of the biblical deluge outside.

Zimmern was handed the bill with his last bite of food, and he was not offered anything else. He also notes that there were "no guests waiting for tables either," and that the restaurant has a "no-tip policy." Any guess as to where Zimmern received such lame service? Place your thoughts in the comments.
· When Restaurant Service Goes South: A Diner's Tale [MSP Mag]
· All Coverage of Andrew Zimmern [~ENY~]
[Photo: Travel Channel]