Perhaps this restaurant is popular enough that it doesn’t feel the need to provide good service. After all, the tables will probably fill up whether we return or not. But being busy shouldn’t be an excuse for poor hospitality, and popularity should never be mistaken for good service. :)
I waited two weeks before writing this review, not because I wanted to complain, but because I wanted to make sure I could share my experience without letting my emotions take over.
What impressed me most, unfortunately, was how quickly this restaurant managed to ruin our dining experience before we even sat down. In all my years of dining out, I have never experienced anything quite like this.
We arrived on a Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM, a full three hours before closing. The restaurant had more than 10 empty tables, so we certainly weren’t expecting any issues with seating.
The host led our party of five to a table positioned right along the edge of a hallway. Although it was technically set for four, it was realistically only comfortable for two. He then brought over an extra chair from another table and attempted to place it directly in the middle of the walkway. I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
The table was already far too small for five people, especially considering this is a shared-plates restaurant where multiple dishes are meant to be served at once.
We politely asked whether two tables could be pushed together so we would have enough room to enjoy our meal comfortably. The host refused, explaining that we were “only five people” and that the other tables might be needed for future guests.
On a Tuesday evening, with more than 10 tables sitting empty and only three hours left before closing, that explanation was difficult to understand.
When we asked whether he could consult a manager about the seating arrangement, he rolled his eyes and responded, “Fine, if you insist.”
That reaction was completely unnecessary. We weren’t asking for special treatment. We were simply asking for a table that could reasonably accommodate five guests and the food we were about to order.
And somehow, the experience managed to get worse.
Before all of our dishes had even arrived, the bill was placed on our table.
At that point, it genuinely felt as though the restaurant wanted us gone before we had even finished being served.
I understand that restaurants have seating policies, operational considerations, and their own ways of managing tables. I also understand that not every request can be accommodated. But there is a difference between maintaining a policy and treating guests with basic courtesy and respect.
As someone who has been working in hospitality industry for more than 4 years, the hospitality I received from this DanDan location is incredibly disappointing. What disappointed me most wasn’t simply the small table or even the refusal to move us. It was the attitude, the dismissiveness, and the complete lack of hospitality throughout the experience.
Dining out should be about more than just the food. It’s also about feeling welcomed, respected, and comfortable enough to enjoy the time spent with the people around you.
I waited two weeks to write this because I wanted this review to reflect the experience itself, rather than my frustration in the moment.
Unfortunately, even after two weeks, I still consider this the worst dining experience I’ve ever had, and it was ruined before dinner even began.