Otani Japanese Restaurant

Great Japanese cuisine. They are closing permanently on Mar 16th.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I wanted one last visit to my favorite childhood restaurant before they close on March 16th. This place was once the heart of my birthday celebrations, a spot filled with great food and even better memories with my family and my best friend. Unfortunately, my final visit with my best friend was nothing short of heartbreaking.

We were the third table seated at dinner service upon opening, yet we waited three hours for our food. Three hours of watching confusion, disorganization, and diners growing restless, watching tables who sat after us eat and leave before us... When the sushi finally arrived, it was just as good as I remembered—but by then, the experience had already soured.

It’s painful to see a place that once meant so much go out like this. I wish my last memory was one of celebration, not frustration. While I’ll always cherish what this restaurant used to be, it’s clear why it’s closing—because no amount of nostalgia can make up for service this bad.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Don't even bother going if you are trying to go for nostalgic memories, this place is nothing like before. You will wait for 45 minutes for cold food and terrible service. Keep your memories from before and don't even bother trying you will just be disappointed.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

This is the worst hibachi restaurant I have ever been to. The salad dressing is not “ginger dressing” and I’m pretty sure it’s what they used as the yum yum sauce. Everything was super salty, except the “green tea,” which tasted like moldy pond water. The chicken had the texture of fish. Speaking of fish, there were two surprise shrimp in our entrees. Yay, unless you have shrimp allergy’s. Thumbs down, do not recommend, not sure how this place is in business.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

GUYS- JOSE IS THE BEST EVER. IF YOU ARE THE MANAGER- GIVE HIM A RAISEE!! He has really cool shoes and he is W.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Terrible Experience

I would give zero stars if I could. We waited an hour and a half at the hibachi grill and when the chief finally arrived and cooked our food it, bland, and completely disappointing. The service was just as bad—no updates, no apologies, and it felt like we were completely forgotten. By the time we got our meals, we had lost our appetite. Definitely not worth the time or money. Avoid this place unless you enjoy long waits and terrible food.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Had sushi 🍣 and the quality and service were both very good. The atmosphere was great and this place is overall much better than other places the area I have tried. Get the hot Saki with your 🍣 meal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pricey but really good

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Otani Special Fried Rice, Shrimp, Steak, Miso Soup

Wow. 5 years ago this place was super nice. Now prices are higher, service not as good, food not as good. There are much better places and cheaper. Example: young sushi in willoughby. Otani not worth it anymore.
After leaving,i said your place got bad, instead of how we can make it right, all i got OK! Wow. Thats the way to run business

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

What a fun atmosphere. The food and experience was fantastic.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Got to this restaurant on a Monday for my 6 year old sons birthday only to be told there is no hibachi on Mondays!!! Staff did not address us after standing at the desk for 15 minutes. I had been calling this dump for hours before arriving which would have saved us the trip. I am livid!!!!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

First time here...food was super bland and salty...very disappointed 😞

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Always consistent. Nice staff.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Salad soaked in dressing, and the dressing tasted like ranch not ginger. Pork cutlet way overcooked and tough. Our fourth person waited a long time for their stirfry and it came out cold. Probably sitting while the waitress forgot about it. And the brown rice was like mushy oatmeal.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

I've been going here for decades but no more. Ordered $200 worth of sushi for takeout and didn't receive a $30 menu item. But worse than that, all of us got severe diarrhea. Unfortunately this wasn't the first time. I'll be going to the new sushi place in Mentor on the Lake which I'm told is superior to Otanis.