WELCOME TO SIZZLE AND KOI, HAMILTON'S ONLY TRUE NIGHTLIFE ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX. WE ARE A PLACE TO PARTY. AN EXPERIENCE. AN EPIC ADVENTURE. JOIN US AS WE PRESENT TO YOU HAMILTON'S ONLY TRUE UPSCALE NIGHTLIFE VENUE.
Let's get the food out of the way: mediocre.
We had just bought a house so we stopped there for a beer and some food. They served us and then we were informed that something "special" was happening that night and that we better hurry up and eat? When we inquired with another server she did not know what we were talking about. About 5 minutes later a boneheaded bouncer type starts standing over our table egging us on. He handed us our bill and proceeded to stand over our table waiting for us to finish. The only thing we could figure out was that we didn't fit in with the crowd but they had no problem taking our money and then ruining a great evening.
After reading a few reviews on this place I can...
After reading a few reviews on this place I can see possibly where the feeling of "pretentious" comes from. However, our experience was quite enjoyable. Our server was attentive, and polite, although seemed like she was trying to rush us a bit. The food was excellent as far as I was concerned. The sushi was fresh, and the coconut shrimp is excellent. I admit I noticed the prices on the menu were steep for certain items like the steak mentioned in the previous review (almost $30 for 12oz), but generally for this type of formal more upscale restaurant the prices are satisfactory and in check. I would definetely go back to Koi, especially in the summer where the patio looks very nice. Even just for some drinks and some apps (the tempura was also very good). No doubt, there may be better sushi houses around but overall to please a varied palette, Koi is quite delicious.
Once again I'm at odds with Restaurantica's rating system. Would I visit koi again? To eat inside, No. To sit outside on the patio in nice weather and have a couple of koi's more edible appetizers and some beers? Absolutely Yes.
How come? I'll be honest; some of the most beautiful girls I've seen on four continents work at koi. Am I shallow enough to visit koi's patio in the summer for that reason alone? You betcha. Plus the food at most patios in Hess Village is lousy anyway, so I might as well go to koi.
Inside is another matter. Although I heard a man at another table compliment the waitress on his steak, we found our meals mediocre and expensive.
In fact, koi comes close to committing that most unpardonable of Hamilton sins.....it's pretentious.
The servers were non-existent. Never asked how our meals went or made any attempts for a friendly conversation.
Food was expensive and not that great. Other sushi all-you-can-eat restaurants were better than teh sushi here.
We convinced four of our friends to join us for a night out in Hamilton. They are from Oakville, and quite snobby about coming to Hamilton for a night out. We usually have to go out in Oakville or Toronto when we get together with them... but they FINALLY came our way.
We got a great table on the patio.. and had a FABULOUS night. We unknowingly came on a theme night. There was a gorgeous Ice Bar on the patio, infused with tropical flowers, as part of their themed party "A Midsummer's Night Dream". There were pretty tropical flowers sprinkled all over the patio, and the servers had cute flowery makeup designs on their face.
As we ate our yummy food, we thought what we were seeing was the theme party. Boy were we wrong. When we asked the server if there was more to the party... she smiled coyly and said "Oh yes... just wait till later!"
We finished our meal close to 10 p.m. and were enjoying some aperitifs and cocktails when we started seeing girls dressed as "Fairies" and guys as "Wizards" beginning to appear from everywhere!! Apparently the restaurant had hired Hair and Makeup people to do up scores of staff and models who were all in full costumes!! The bartender at the Ice Bar was STUNNING in her costume and makeup. We took pictures of her.. she said she was in hair and makeup for THREE HOURS!! The entire place took on an aura of fantasy... it was surreal.
We ended up staying the entire night... and even ventured upstairs to the nightclub and danced the night away. Our friends from Oakville were BLOWN AWAY. First by the food and dining experience... then by the incredible theme party that followed.
My husband and I were proud Hamiltonians... and laughed to each other when our snobby Oakville friends asked when we were going out in Hamilton again!!!
WELL DONE KOI !!!!
I am not normally someone who reviews restaurants on the web, but I stumbled upon this site and the reviews for KOI. I am SHOCKED at some of the negative reviews. I think it must be mostly malcontents who write reviews.. because I eat at this restaurant more than twice a month, and my husband and I always LOVE it.
The Atmosphere is wonderfully chic, yet comfortable. The food is unique with fantastic flavours and presentation. The service has always been great, and we have had the pleasure of meeting both the owner, and the chef on numerous occasions.
It is definately one of our favourite places to eat...and we eat out ALOT!!
We eat here all year round... but if you really want a WONDERFUL patio experience.... this is THE spot.
Cant wait to go back!!!
We eat here ALOT and LOVE the food and the atmosphere. It really is a hidden gem in Hamilton. We saw on our last visit that Koi actually won "Restuarant of the Year" at the Hamilton Tourism Awards. Well deserved!!!
The Customer Service was non existing. The waitress was definitely not experienced. We sat on the Patio with approx. 5 or 6 other tables. We actually witnessed a customer get up, go to a corner store and brought back her own Tomato Juice for the Bar to make her cocktail.
The hair in the Tempura was a huge turn off!
Would not recommend.
The place was busy (always a sign of something good going on) so we thought we'd check it out. Our server was a young girl but mature, polite and had us laughing. We showed up for some drinks and wound up staying for dinner. Great time over, nice people from start to finish. The food was savory just the way we like it!
The interesting thing about boutique dining destinations in Hamilton is there are none. With no competition the standards remain quite low.
Koi is typical of the Hamilton pub-crawl district Hess Village, except it makes the attempt to appear as an uber-chic dining lounge.
Our server was unattentive and seemed hung-over from the night before, she didn't check on us once during the meal so we went without drinks the whole time, the music was typical satellite broadcast downtempo, and the food as good as the pub next door.
So if your looking for somewhere in Steeltown to look good in your new urban attire without standing out, this might be the place.. but if your looking for somewhere that puts forth an effort in creating a dining/lounge experience go elsewhere..
Looking at the other reviews you see this restaurant is not consistant. We were there last July and gave it a 10 across the board. This time while the beef was still great the assorted sashimi had 2 not 5 different fish and was tiny . The red we ordered for the beef never did arrive. We were told they store the wine on the 3rd floor and the "guy" they sent for it never did come back. Our server just shrugged it off
We went on a Friday night the weekend of the Canadian Open. The place was recommended to us. The atmosphere was amazing. There were two beautiful Palm trees (real ones!) at the front entrance of the gorgeous patio. We were delighted to be seated in comfortable outdoor booth with cushioned seating. The patio was stunning, as was the inside (very modern and sleek looking). There was great people watching, including lots of the golfers from the Canadian Open! There were 4 golfers seated right next to us. We chatted with them and they told us it was their 3rd night in a row there! The server was very attentive and informative. The food was fantastic with fabulous presentation. There were 2 menus. A sushi menu, and a regular menu. Our guests were sushi lovers and they loved the sushi, (my husband and I are not) but the regular menu was great. The owner also came by and chatted. We had a blast. Will definately be back next time we are in Hamilton!
We had a blast. The app plate was on the spicy side and something different - i loved the dumplings. Our server was quick to attend to our needs and very sweet. A little bit of construction going on in the back, but we moved tables and other than that the atmosphere is really trendy. I liked that our server spent more time talking to me, rather than my boyfriend for once!
Wonderful patio and wonderful service: prompt, friendly.........charmed my date
We thought the food was great!
We ate on the patio which is great for people watching.
We loved the place! We ARE going back for our anniversary!
What a fabulously entertaining evening!! Great sushi, great wine. The servers were funny and thoughtful. Not only did we have a good dinner but a great night out as well. Had a blast dancing after dinner - the dj was right on the ball. Our guests from overseas were floored as well. It's our new favorite - would well recommend.
Food was to die for. Presentation was amazing and...
Food was to die for. Presentation was amazing and taste was incredible. The atmosphere was sophisticated but the servers gave it a friendly touch. Beautiful modern interior. I didnt have one complaint. The owner even made time to thank my party for coming and made sure we were enjoying ourselves. An experience I can't wait to relive.
Great patio location.
Very good food.
Mediocre service.
Lacking in cleanliness.
They do seem to think they are better than they really have performed.
I've been 3 times although the date listed is just a guess. Each time my ranking is consistant.
Although the menu on their site is outdated, this...
Although the menu on their site is outdated, this is a great restaurant. It's mainly a sushi restaurant, so if you're not into fish you might want to go elsewhere. That said, the food is delicious and the service is professional and friendly.
