Koto Japanese Steakhouse - Keene

After 30 minutes of ordering our food, I asked about the appetizer. The waitress said they're working on my appetizer. I said it's been 30 minutes. With an unpleasant attitude she said they're short staffed and doing what they can and left. After 35 minutes we get the appetizer which is basically a handful of calamari. I understand things can happen while working. But this behavior is not acceptable. I'd say I have a valid reason to complain for waiting that long while starving. Then our food came. It took one bite from the noodle and omg! ?

Went last night for my husband's birthday. My grandson was excited for the hibachi experience, which is why most of us go for a hibachi dinner! It's supposed to be the whole package. It wasn't. While the food was good, the entertainment was lacking. The server was doing double duty as server and bartender, didn't catch that another party at the table had a seafood allergy, which could have been disastrous for him, and was slow and as unenthusiastic as our chef.

The older gentlemen that cooks is not personable at all! The point of hibachi is it is supposed to be entertaining. Then he slaps steak on our plates after NOT asking how we like it. THE STEAK WAS PURE RAW AND THEY QUESTIONED IT! They then wanted to reheat it! I took a pic of the meat and I can't post pictures on here. If you go here, please make sure it's not the older gentlemen. I can't believe I am leaving a hibachi steakhouse hungry! Guess we won't be back here. Like there's many places in keene to eat!

We have visited Koto multiple times and honestly each time has been drastically different. When everything seems to be clicking I would rate Koto 6 stars however, our last visit would be worthy of just one. The food and drinks have been the only consistency throughout our visits here. Thankfully they have been great every time! Food is cooked to your liking each and every time. There seems to be some reviews on here knocking the sushi. We have not had that experience luckily and always start with fresh well rolled sushi that looks and tastes great! Our issues are mostly with staff and service. There are times where your chef is animated and seems to love their work. But the majority of the time they seem bothered and over it. On our last visit the chef said no flaming onion volcano right off the bat which was okay. Then he promised us saki and flying veggies (hibachi staples) that never happened. Even after a couple people reminded him he dismissed them quickly. Depending on where you sit you may be cold the entire night due to them leaving double doors open in the middle of winter. If you are looking for good food and drink and don't want the hibachi experience then this would be a great choice. If you want a true hibachi experience I suggest seeking elsewhere even if it is way out of the way.

The food is delicious. Sometimes, when they are busy, it's a little slow but I love going here.