Called up Zest PJ to make a booking about 1.5 weeks in advance for dinner at their Japanese Restaurant called Genji. Took the 8pm booking instead of 6pm booking because if you took the latter slot, you would have to leave by 8pm so that the restaurant could prepare for the 8pm batch of crowd. Therefore, to make justification to this, the price also varies. For 6pm it is RM89++ where as if you booked for the 8pm slot, it will be priced at RM99++ per pax. The buffet is only available on the weekends. On week days, it would be ala carte basis.
We arrived 5 minutes before 8pm and registered at its reception area. I saw my name was second on the list and was glad about that. This would mean, I will be able to get a nicer table somewhere inside or so I thought. The receptionist lady directed us to our table. To our dismay and disappointment, we were placed right at the corridor near the entrance where all the guests have to pass by to take their food inside. We were placed literary within 5 – 7 steps from the reception counter. What added to my disappointment was, the table was not properly set-up. The receptionist just asked a waitress, “this table is ready ar?” The waiter replied “Yes.” Then, we were just dumped there. Upon request to change table, we were told that we cannot change as this will stress out the receptionist. Dwhitecoatbabe said it’s ok, so we settled for that 1st table at the corridor.
The dining experience became worse when kids were running up and down noisily along the corridor, the air-condition at that location was not working well causes us to feel really uncomfortable. When, I walked further in to the restaurant to take the food, I noticed there were so many empty tables for 2 persons even at 9pm.
Haha. Normally, I don’t really complain but this is something to me which was not acceptable from a service industry point of view. How can they say they cannot change our table because “the receptionist will be stressed out?”. If I were to book a day before, I could understand this situation. There was another example, a waiter came and asked us for drinks but never came back after taking the orders. I am not blaming ZestPJ for this blunder, but I blamed it on the staff who do not know how to handle a simple situation properly. Probably they needed retraining.
OK, enough of bitching already. Having said all those above, the service provided by the waitresses(not that waiter) to the servers at each food counter were really courteous, polite and efficient. Thumbs up for that! The food is tasty and fresh. Let’s take a look at some photos below.
Sashimi and sushi were fresh.
Centre frame is teppanyaki beef, squid as well as vege. Some Japanese Noodle and fresh oysters.
Teppanyaki Mussels and Chicken. Ebi Tempura for those who loves fried stuff like me. All of these are cooked for you at that moment.
A lot of people blog good stuff on Genji. I like it too after discounted the few “boo boos” when we first stepped into the restaurant but was later justified by the waitresses who was serving as well as the food. As said by one of my colleagues, Genji is better than Jogoya. I do recommend Genji too. Apparently, if you try the Ala Carte on weekdays, it should be even better.
And oh, the very next day, a lady from Genji did call and apologise for the air-condition as well as the seatings arrangement. She said, they will look into this matter. Now, that’s good customer service response. Good job!
Price : RM89++ for 6pm, RM99++ for 8pm / pax (Saturday Dinner)
RM89++ / pax for Sunday Lunch
(The prices are as off 8th May 2010, for more updated info you can visit www.zestpj.com)
Location : PJ Hilton, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Address : No 2 Jalan Barat, Petaling Jaya 46200, Malaysia
Contact : +60 3 7955 9122
(This post is solely my opinions and what I thought and have nothing to do with any organizations, company or individuals.)
I’ve to admit Jagoya was only all-talk around. My experience there wasn’t superb in terms of service and food quality.
Me and my friends will definitely give Genji a try. Here come the sushi lovers.