Dear Ichiban Restaurants:
Though the service in your restaurants is always hospitable, I unfortunately write to you with a minor issue that took place this past Friday during the lunch hour.
After seated and waiting for over fifteen minutes, our Japanese waiter finally appeared, ready to take our orders. As he went down the line taking each guest’s order, it was finally my turn. After deciding on Hibachi Shrimp (which by the way was delicious) and an order of water, I also asked for a coffee (I was in dire need of one). In response, he chuckled and informed me that Ichiban doesn’t serve coffee. His response would have been exceptional, were he not to laugh again and state in a clearly mocking tone, “you’re in a Japanese restaurant you know. We don’t serve coffee here.” So not only was I denied coffee, but was also reduced to feeling like an imbecile.
I was tempted to inquire why he was speaking English in a Japanese restaurant, or why California rolls (created in the United States in the 1960s) were served in a Japanese restaurant, or why I can still drink Coke, Sprite, or a number of non-Japanese alcoholic drinks in a “Japanese” restaurant. Instead I accepted his reply, but informed the rest of my table that contrary to popular belief, there are coffee shops on every other street in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and even in Nara, Japan.
So as I don’t intend to influence any additions to your drinking menu, and I understand that Ichiban tries to provide a true Japanese experience by presenting a menu that western Pennsylvanians believe to be authentically Japanese, the incident was still odd and somewhat unfortunate.
Anyways, I wish Ichiban restaurants the best of luck in the New Year, and hope to taste a Hibachi lunch again (with or without coffee) soon.
Sincerely,
Ricky Moslen
