Saju
“I stayed at Hotel Mela next store and went to Saju's both days I was in New York for their brunch!”
“We were able to take advantage of the Pre-Theater 3 course meal special that they had for $28/person.”
“My husband and I were in NY on vacation and on our last day we took a walk down to Times Square.”
Saju
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Located withn the Manhattan – NY "Theater District", adjacent Times Square, sits Saju.
With exception of the name itself, this review is a fervent testament towards Saju being your run of the mill Mama/Papa establishment, yielding mediocre cuisine at exorbitant prices.
Given the variance in eateries conveyed within the city of Los Angeles, we made our way to this eatery over the course of the New Years holiday weekend and trotted in to a relatively embracing ambiance.
Having spent a portion of my childhood in France, Saju managed to conjure a sense of nostalgia – from the dangling chandeliers down to the elegant, if not downright romantic atmosphere. Had we not dined for breakfast/brunch, we'd likely have been all the more impressed.
We were seated with relative hesitation as there was no one present to greet us. Shortly thereafter we were offered H2O yet as it appears, service seemed to dissipate thereon.
Our attendant, a young lady in her mid to late 20's was "all over the place", neither of which included OUR TABLE. It became apparent that despite the restaurant's void in diners this particular morning, she was either hungover…….,did NOT so much as care for her selected means of employment or perhaps even — there was something brewing "within the kitchen" that made her appear to be so scatter-brained and disheveled.
FACT: Our orders took so long that we honestly forgot what we'd even ordered!
Alleging a claim to fame of having the "best omelets in town", I partook in the creation of spinach and feta (maybe it was Gouda) omelet ….not on the menu, with bacon because as we're aware:
BACON MAKES –EVERYTHING– BETTER!!!
He, some other dish that took duly as long to arrive to the table as my own did. Having ordered grapefruit juice with the presentation of my water, said juice was presented by way of a shot glass. The duration of our wait alongside my thirsty epiglottis partitioned a refill and it was as if our server felt she was "doing me a favor" to replenish my glass.
"Like sand through the uhm……shot glass — these are the days of our lives….." — upwards of 45 minutes later and still completely void of customers, our food FINALLY made way to our table. "His", side of bacon was overlooked and it was questioned whether or not he actually even ordered it.
Nothing SCREAMMMS "customer service" like confirming an already screwed up order through last minute customer interrogation upon the remittance of one's meal.
-__-
As we impatiently waited for the bacon to be microwaved, we caught wind of another diner, who'd just been seated, arguing with our server who'd been MIA the entire duration of all of our waits. As it appeared, our bacon had been added to his omelet when he'd actually requested ham.
This guy set it off like a scene from a Netflix movie and whereas this situation could've been diffused with relative ease, our server pulled her manager aside……….DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CUSTOMER only to commence with the engaging of a "he said, she said" battle.
This nightmare was so undeniably tactless that I requested our check ON THE SPOT!!!
As luck would have it, this was the most expeditious portion of our encounter. Two omelets and a few sides as well as our beverages engendered a $65.00 tab!!!
#un-frikkin-believable!!!
Need I say, we were dinged for EVERYTHING???!!!
Spinach…..extra! Bacon (both inclusive to my omelet and for the side)…….extra! Cheese…..extra! Refill of grapefruit juice (and OJ)……extra (despite there being no notation that "refills weren't on the house".
Since it's likely to be perceptible that we DID NOT leave a tip upon the conclusion of this meal, allow me to leave one now……
$ $ $ $ TIP: The key words within the phrase "customer service" are a. CUSTOMER and (wait for it,….wait for it…..) …….b. SERVICCCCE!
It goes without a need for stating that going AWOL, not once but repeatedly, within a customer's meal — only to berate them for self-imposed oversights and/or correctable offenses ……DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM, works completely in opposition of said phrase.
Saju — GET IT TOGETHER.
Come correctly, or simply don't come at all.
This place is an oasis off the Bryant park bustle.
You step in it feels like a bistro in the south of France but with better service.
We sat by s small window. It was lovely and actually quiet. There's a hum as the restaurant got busy but maybe it's the old wood of the bar or floors but it just never reached thr cacophonous levels I'm accustomed to in that area.
They offer all the French classic cocktails, wine and even beer.
I had the chèvre chaud salad. It was a good quality goat cheese in two tartlette shells. No quite chaud more room temp. Salad was underdressed.
The escargot were served in an escargot dish. Each escargot bathing in a sauce of butter garlic and parsley. They were fresh, not too chewy and had no grit.
The beet and burrata was plentiful. It came with cubed golden, red, chiogga roasted beets and a small globe of the cheese.
Prices area very reasonable for the area. Meaning they don't seem to jack up the prices for the business clientele.
I'll be back.
Really good food and a cozy feeling.
I went for a pre theater dinner and the service as fast. The food was fine, nothing great! I had mussels and they tasted sort of so strongly of the wine (it was as if the alcohol hadn't been cooked off) they were a little hard to eat. This place wasn't a giant chain like most of times square and I liked that!
Good sushi. I love the fried rolls and they have mastered them. Service was efficient and polite but not doting. It's pricey, but if you want good sushi there you are going to pay.
Last night was the last of my 3 night stay in the city and my I was in the mood for something light. I stopped in and was warmly greeted and given my choice of the prime seating available. I ordered a mixed greens salad topped with grilled salmon. The salmon was served in the form of rectangular slices. It didn't have the best flavor so I deduct 1 star for that. I had the Empire Amber Ale on tap and it was magnificent. The rest of the salad was fresh tasty with generous portion basket of excellent French bread. The salmon taste was lingering on my palate so ordered a Malbec and they gave me complimentary French cookies which were delectable. I finished off with a Cote du Rhone. Great meal, atmosphere, and service so I definitely plan to be back!
It has really been awhile since I dined in French restaurant. Saju Bistro at the Theater District in Midtown Manhattan reminded me of how fine the French inspired dining experience can be.
The dining hall is adorned by various chandeliers accentuated by a high ceiling. The ambiance is cozy and romantic, the table setting was arranged to casual elegant, the table for two were comfortable and spacious.
As soon as we are seated, the waiter served us a bowl of mixed olives marinated with olive oil with garlic, baguette and butter. The Provencal Fare dominated the dinner menu. I selected the off menu French version of Spaghetti Bolognese, it tasted really good, the ingredients are fresh and it went beautifully well with a modest bottle of Pinot Grigio.
The customer service was awesome. Upon request of the check, our server complemented us with a variety of home made cookies. Certainly a place to be recommended.
Came here before heading out to work for the night. Nice looking place with a good menu,decided to give it a try.
The moment we got to the table the waiter came over and was asking us if we wanted anything to drink . I don't mind but literally we are still standing with our coats on trying to get to our seats –It wasn't even crowded.
We placed our orders and food came out in a timely fashion . I was feeling basic so I just ordered the house burger . It was delicious and the fries were fresh. Food gets five stars.
When we finished our coffee the waiter disappeared . It was well over time to leave ( plus I had work) and he never came back . So we went to the front and asked to pay. He then came out asking if we had a good meal and trying to rush out compliments that were just unnecessary. When my friend went to pay , the waiter turned around and then did the most dramatic eye roll . We were nothing but nice to the dude . But that's alright he rolled his eyes just before we got to the tip line .
Anyways don't let this experience make you not want to go . It was really good food – we just got a snooty waiter .
I'd come back but not for a long time .