I had my birthday dinner here and had the best experience! Everyone is very friendly and the atmosphere is so fun and cute for pictures. Although we had a large party out server Troy was very helpful and patient with us. I would definitely recommend trying this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susan Hallak
A Hidden Gem with the Best Happy Hour & Outstanding Staff!
I can’t say enough great things about this place! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm smiles and an inviting atmosphere. The happy hour here is unbeatable—incredible deals on craft cocktails, wines, and a delicious selection of appetizers that go beyond the typical bar fare.
The bartenders are true mixologists, crafting drinks with precision and creativity. Whether you’re in the mood for a perfectly balanced old fashioned or a refreshing, fruit-infused spritz, they’ve got you covered. And let’s talk about the food—every dish is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The happy hour menu alone feels like a gourmet experience at an unbelievable value.
But what really sets this place apart is the staff. The service is impeccable—attentive without being overbearing, friendly without feeling forced. They take the time to make genuine recommendations and remember regulars by name, which adds such a personal touch.
Whether you’re looking for a casual after-work spot, a place to celebrate with friends, or just a cozy corner to unwind, this restaurant is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back again and again!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10 Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AMERICA ORTIZ
Beyond perfectly cooked lamb and black cod. The texture rivals the taste as it melts in your mouth. Service and atmosphere are top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kendra Rivera
Awesome experience! I love the atmosphere and our server Emily Coston C was very attentive and nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Whipped Cream Cheese Rangoon
Rob Boswell
Excellent service and great atmosphere. Friendly and attentive staff. Food was absolutely delicious. Would recommend the teriyaki chicken
Shout out in particular to James for his great customer service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hucana Khawar
Very beautiful place but awful food. Waste of money and time :(
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Raidne Retamoza
Took my boyfriend here for his birthday expecting a nice dinner before going to a show afterwards at Balboa Theater. I should have known from the moment I called the restaurant to move our reservation back 30 minutes. Normally, when you call a restaurant, you hear some sort of greeting letting you know the place you’re calling. The girl on the other line just said “hello?” So I had to poke to see if I’m even calling the right place. Anyway, she moved it, no problem. We showed up, couldn’t find it so they sat us by the bar in a corner high top. Alright, no big deal, we’ll have fun anyway. Our server James was very nice but the actual service not so much. I had to get up and pour our own water because the soda waters we requested were nowhere to be found. He took our order and I accidentally asked for my steak to be prepared medium. Before he left the table I rectified my order to be medium rare instead, some jokes were thrown around about it and off he went. First course came and my rock shrimp was very bland, not good, not awful, just not a lot of flavor. My boyfriend claimed his yellowtail appetizer was delicious. We also asked for a Papaya salad that again, zero flavor. This is one of my favorite dishes elsewhere but here it was very underwhelming. We might have waited at least 20-30 minutes before the second course showed up and we kept having to ask the food runners for water refills because James was nowhere to be found. Boyfriend got nigiri and I had the steak. He claimed his fish was fine, rice was not sticky enough to hold on the way it’s supposed to. My steak came medium instead of medium rare and I made a comment in a silly tone to the server “all those jokes about medium or rare and it still came back medium?” He offered to change it but by this point I was annoyed of the bad service and waiting 20 minutes I didn’t want to wait anymore. “I said it’s fine, I’ll eat it.” I saw a table with some sparklers in the main dining room and said in a joking tone “it’s his birthday, can we do that too?” My bf embarrassed said “please don’t.” Letting him know it was his birthday. In one of his very rare rounds we asked for the dessert and the check because we had to go to the show, and we told him this. We paid, tipped 20% because that was the lowest option available on the system and he left. And that was the last time we ever saw him. We kept waiting around for a dessert that never came. I had to get up from my table to look for someone, anyone to help us because we had to go. I went around to the bar and asked for a bartender to help me, she was on well station and really busy but pointed me to the general manager. I tried to tell him the situation and took off for the dessert before I could finish with “we’re going to the theater, can’t take it with us, can we come back and pick it up afterwards? When we were ready to leave he caught up to us and tried to give it but I couldn’t take it. Went to the show, and came back to the restaurant, I tried to pick up my dessert but by then the place had turned into a club and I wasn’t going to go around trying to track down my food so we turned around and left. I’m not usually one to post reviews but we were so disappointed by the experience for his birthday that I felt like I just had to.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Shy Mars
Our first time here and we did the restaurant week menu. Everything was DELICIOUS!! The low lighting and awesome interior really set the mood and our server Emily was a gem. Definitely recommend the chicken teriyaki. I also got the cheesecake for dessert and it was great but vaguely reminded me of fruit loops lol we definitely recommend this place and will be back! Oh and on Saturdays and Sundays it turns into a night club!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Park
If I could give zero stars, I would. My experience at AKA Restaurant was an absolute disaster from the moment we arrived until the moment we finally walked out in frustration.
We arrived on time for our 7 PM reservation, only to find several other parties waiting outside. After checking in, we were told it would be a 5-10 minute wait and were invited to wait at the bar. That seemed reasonable—until we realized what was actually happening.
After about 10 minutes, we noticed other groups going up to the front again, some leaving in frustration and others returning to their tables to discuss something. It turned out that the restaurant was offering high-top tables near the bar to people who had reserved standard seating. Apparently, the restaurant had booked a private event, cutting down the number of standard tables available for people who had made confirmed reservations. Instead of being transparent about this from the start, they made everyone wait unnecessarily. Even worse, the high-top table we were eventually offered had been open the entire time we were waiting. Why not just let people know their options instead of creating chaos? If the restaurant had simply offered a complimentary appetizer or drink for the inconvenience, it would have shown at least some level of customer service. Instead, it was a disorganized mess with visibly frustrated diners.
Once we were finally seated, we placed an order for two appetizers: edamame and rock shrimp. The edamame arrived quickly, but the rock shrimp never showed up. After two follow-ups and 15 minutes, the restaurant finally managed to bring it out—though it was over-breaded and unimpressive.
Then came the real disaster: our entrees. We ordered Dan Dan noodles and miso cod. After finishing our appetizers, we waited 30 minutes—nothing. The only person checking on us was the assistant, who kept apologizing and seemed to be the only staff member even remotely aware of how dysfunctional the place was. Our actual server had disappeared completely.
By the 45-minute mark, we had enough and asked to cancel our entrees. A manager finally came by and asked if we wanted him to check on the food, but at that point, we had lost all patience. As we were waiting for our check, it became obvious that we weren’t the only ones having issues. Multiple tables were complaining to the manager at the same time—people were frustrated over long wait times, missing orders, and complete disorganization. The restaurant clearly couldn’t keep track of anything.
Then, as we were closing out the check, our server finally reappeared—after an hour of being gone—and asked if we wanted to wait for our desserts. Desserts?! Our entrées hadn’t even arrived. We never even ordered dessert. It was clear that the service was so overwhelmed and chaotic that they couldn’t even keep their tables straight.
The restaurant removed the entrées from our bill, but we still paid for everything else. No discount, no real apology—nothing beyond a reluctant comp for food that never arrived.
This place is an absolute joke. Between the poor reservation system, endless wait times, lost orders, and non-existent service, it’s clear that AKA Restaurant is in desperate need of a complete overhaul. Someone call Gordon Ramsay, because this place belongs on Kitchen Nightmares. Until then, save yourself the frustration and go literally anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Hanna Fernandez
Omg I love AKA! My 4th time here, such an upbeat sushi restaurant. Fresh sushi & good music. We were here celebrating our friends bday and our server Troy made sure we had an amazing time.
Great atmosphere. The food and drinks were amazing as well as the staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hally Shuck
First time here for restaurant week and this place is amazing! We had 2 apps (yellowtail and ribs), 2 entrees (filet and salmon), and 2 desserts... None of the food disappointed. The hostess was super sweet and our server Emily was awesome. Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yuzu Miso Snapper
SHAWN STEINBERGER
Great food, awesome atmosphere. Would recommend anyone wanting sushi to come try
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Whipped Cream Cheese Rangoon
Adam Poltorak
Overall great food, blue fin was to die for. Troy was an awesome server as well.
I had my birthday dinner here and had the best experience! Everyone is very friendly and the atmosphere is so fun and cute for pictures. Although we had a large party out server Troy was very helpful and patient with us. I would definitely recommend trying this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Hidden Gem with the Best Happy Hour & Outstanding Staff!
I can’t say enough great things about this place! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm smiles and an inviting atmosphere. The happy hour here is unbeatable—incredible deals on craft cocktails, wines, and a delicious selection of appetizers that go beyond the typical bar fare.
The bartenders are true mixologists, crafting drinks with precision and creativity. Whether you’re in the mood for a perfectly balanced old fashioned or a refreshing, fruit-infused spritz, they’ve got you covered. And let’s talk about the food—every dish is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The happy hour menu alone feels like a gourmet experience at an unbelievable value.
But what really sets this place apart is the staff. The service is impeccable—attentive without being overbearing, friendly without feeling forced. They take the time to make genuine recommendations and remember regulars by name, which adds such a personal touch.
Whether you’re looking for a casual after-work spot, a place to celebrate with friends, or just a cozy corner to unwind, this restaurant is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back again and again!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10 Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beyond perfectly cooked lamb and black cod. The texture rivals the taste as it melts in your mouth. Service and atmosphere are top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome experience! I love the atmosphere and our server Emily Coston C was very attentive and nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Whipped Cream Cheese Rangoon
Excellent service and great atmosphere. Friendly and attentive staff. Food was absolutely delicious. Would recommend the teriyaki chicken
Shout out in particular to James for his great customer service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very beautiful place but awful food. Waste of money and time :(
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Took my boyfriend here for his birthday expecting a nice dinner before going to a show afterwards at Balboa Theater. I should have known from the moment I called the restaurant to move our reservation back 30 minutes.
Normally, when you call a restaurant, you hear some sort of greeting letting you know the place you’re calling. The girl on the other line just said “hello?” So I had to poke to see if I’m even calling the right place. Anyway, she moved it, no problem. We showed up, couldn’t find it so they sat us by the bar in a corner high top. Alright, no big deal, we’ll have fun anyway.
Our server James was very nice but the actual service not so much. I had to get up and pour our own water because the soda waters we requested were nowhere to be found.
He took our order and I accidentally asked for my steak to be prepared medium. Before he left the table I rectified my order to be medium rare instead, some jokes were thrown around about it and off he went.
First course came and my rock shrimp was very bland, not good, not awful, just not a lot of flavor.
My boyfriend claimed his yellowtail appetizer was delicious.
We also asked for a Papaya salad that again, zero flavor. This is one of my favorite dishes elsewhere but here it was very underwhelming.
We might have waited at least 20-30 minutes before the second course showed up and we kept having to ask the food runners for water refills because James was nowhere to be found.
Boyfriend got nigiri and I had the steak.
He claimed his fish was fine, rice was not sticky enough to hold on the way it’s supposed to.
My steak came medium instead of medium rare and I made a comment in a silly tone to the server “all those jokes about medium or rare and it still came back medium?” He offered to change it but by this point I was annoyed of the bad service and waiting 20 minutes I didn’t want to wait anymore. “I said it’s fine, I’ll eat it.”
I saw a table with some sparklers in the main dining room and said in a joking tone “it’s his birthday, can we do that too?” My bf embarrassed said “please don’t.” Letting him know it was his birthday.
In one of his very rare rounds we asked for the dessert and the check because we had to go to the show, and we told him this. We paid, tipped 20% because that was the lowest option available on the system and he left. And that was the last time we ever saw him. We kept waiting around for a dessert that never came. I had to get up from my table to look for someone, anyone to help us because we had to go. I went around to the bar and asked for a bartender to help me, she was on well station and really busy but pointed me to the general manager. I tried to tell him the situation and took off for the dessert before I could finish with “we’re going to the theater, can’t take it with us, can we come back and pick it up afterwards?
When we were ready to leave he caught up to us and tried to give it but I couldn’t take it.
Went to the show, and came back to the restaurant, I tried to pick up my dessert but by then the place had turned into a club and I wasn’t going to go around trying to track down my food so we turned around and left.
I’m not usually one to post reviews but we were so disappointed by the experience for his birthday that I felt like I just had to.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Our first time here and we did the restaurant week menu. Everything was DELICIOUS!! The low lighting and awesome interior really set the mood and our server Emily was a gem. Definitely recommend the chicken teriyaki. I also got the cheesecake for dessert and it was great but vaguely reminded me of fruit loops lol we definitely recommend this place and will be back! Oh and on Saturdays and Sundays it turns into a night club!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give zero stars, I would. My experience at AKA Restaurant was an absolute disaster from the moment we arrived until the moment we finally walked out in frustration.
We arrived on time for our 7 PM reservation, only to find several other parties waiting outside. After checking in, we were told it would be a 5-10 minute wait and were invited to wait at the bar. That seemed reasonable—until we realized what was actually happening.
After about 10 minutes, we noticed other groups going up to the front again, some leaving in frustration and others returning to their tables to discuss something. It turned out that the restaurant was offering high-top tables near the bar to people who had reserved standard seating. Apparently, the restaurant had booked a private event, cutting down the number of standard tables available for people who had made confirmed reservations. Instead of being transparent about this from the start, they made everyone wait unnecessarily. Even worse, the high-top table we were eventually offered had been open the entire time we were waiting. Why not just let people know their options instead of creating chaos? If the restaurant had simply offered a complimentary appetizer or drink for the inconvenience, it would have shown at least some level of customer service. Instead, it was a disorganized mess with visibly frustrated diners.
Once we were finally seated, we placed an order for two appetizers: edamame and rock shrimp. The edamame arrived quickly, but the rock shrimp never showed up. After two follow-ups and 15 minutes, the restaurant finally managed to bring it out—though it was over-breaded and unimpressive.
Then came the real disaster: our entrees. We ordered Dan Dan noodles and miso cod. After finishing our appetizers, we waited 30 minutes—nothing. The only person checking on us was the assistant, who kept apologizing and seemed to be the only staff member even remotely aware of how dysfunctional the place was. Our actual server had disappeared completely.
By the 45-minute mark, we had enough and asked to cancel our entrees. A manager finally came by and asked if we wanted him to check on the food, but at that point, we had lost all patience. As we were waiting for our check, it became obvious that we weren’t the only ones having issues. Multiple tables were complaining to the manager at the same time—people were frustrated over long wait times, missing orders, and complete disorganization. The restaurant clearly couldn’t keep track of anything.
Then, as we were closing out the check, our server finally reappeared—after an hour of being gone—and asked if we wanted to wait for our desserts. Desserts?! Our entrées hadn’t even arrived. We never even ordered dessert. It was clear that the service was so overwhelmed and chaotic that they couldn’t even keep their tables straight.
The restaurant removed the entrées from our bill, but we still paid for everything else. No discount, no real apology—nothing beyond a reluctant comp for food that never arrived.
This place is an absolute joke. Between the poor reservation system, endless wait times, lost orders, and non-existent service, it’s clear that AKA Restaurant is in desperate need of a complete overhaul. Someone call Gordon Ramsay, because this place belongs on Kitchen Nightmares. Until then, save yourself the frustration and go literally anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Omg I love AKA! My 4th time here, such an upbeat sushi restaurant. Fresh sushi & good music. We were here celebrating our friends bday and our server Troy made sure we had an amazing time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great atmosphere. The food and drinks were amazing as well as the staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time here for restaurant week and this place is amazing! We had 2 apps (yellowtail and ribs), 2 entrees (filet and salmon), and 2 desserts... None of the food disappointed. The hostess was super sweet and our server Emily was awesome. Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yuzu Miso Snapper
Great food, awesome atmosphere. Would recommend anyone wanting sushi to come try
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Whipped Cream Cheese Rangoon
Overall great food, blue fin was to die for. Troy was an awesome server as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent music,service, and environment!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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