Woodbridge's Kona Grill is located on Route 1 South -- between Woodbridge Center Mall and Menlo Park Mall. Restaurants located on this strip normally make millions of dollars in profit annually -- monies generated due to the restaurants' proximity to the shopping centers. However, the Kona Grill sits on an undesirable piece of real estate. The restaurant is located in the Sheraton Hotel complex, and is difficult to access. Furthermore, the restaurant does not have an extravagant curbside sign -- in turn -- making it easy to miss when you're driving sixty miles an hour down Route 1. The Kona Grill has been open for nearly two years; however, I had yet to patronize the business due to its inaccessibility and location within a hotel complex.
Accessing the Kona Grill was convenient; due to the business' location, and proximity to both the Garden State Parkway and The New Jersey Turnpike. However, entering the hotel complex was difficult -- I nearly missed the entrance due to the restaurant's lack of a curbside sign and narrow entrance-way; but on the bright side, there was ample parking. I was caught off-guard by the restaurant's beauty. The ambiance was exceptional -- contemporary, sophisticated, and cozy. The bar area is made of solely the finest granite and marble. Furthermore, there are a plethora of fire places, plasma televisions, and fish tanks filled with exotic marine life. A business only has one chance to make a first impression on a customer, and the Kona Grill made the most of this opportunity.
Though the atmosphere is astonishing, it is not the most impressive part of the Kona Grill -- the wine list is. Though the list is relatively small -- compared to other nearby restaurants -- it is incredible. Almost every listing is available by the glass or the bottle; and all listings are reasonably priced. Santa Margheritta, J. Lohr, Ruffino, Cappola, Blackstone, and Dr. I were all available by the glass for less than ten dollars -- remarkable. In comparison, the Bonefish Grill, located across the street from the Kona Grill, charges between nine and sixteen dollars a glass for the above wines. Furthermore, all of the alcohol at the Kona Grill was relatively priced.
Unlike the liquor, the food was expensive. The Kona Grill offers a variety of sushi and American cuisine -- food that is far more expensive than comparable food served at neighboring restaurants such as Red Lobster, Houlihan's, and Yu Yee Sushi and Hibachi. My table ordered twelve sushi rolls; each of which was well made and served in large portions. However, the quality and authenticity of the sushi was not comparable to that of Yu Yee. This in combination with the steep prices, will make question returning to the Kona Grill.
The service was the least appealing aspect of the dinner. It took between three and seven minutes for each drink to arrive from the bar -- a truly pitiful time given our proximity to the bar. The waiter was slow, and the bus boys were able to carry a few plates each time they visited the table. Not only were the employees poorly trained and inattentive, the restaurant was clearly understaffed -- proving that the poor service was not a fluke or a single unmotivated worker.
Overall, the experience was pleasurable. Due to the pleasant atmosphere, I would return to the Kona Grill to enjoy late night drink and sushi specials. However, I will not return for dinner or recommend the restaurant to friends. The service was poor, and the amount of American cuisine on the menu lacked. Furthermore, the restaurant's location in a hotel complex is a nightmare. The Kona Grill is unable to boast about more than their sushi selection and short wine list.
No comments:
Post a Comment