Went there the other night. We luckily got sat at a table with 3 other couples. Shrimp/Filet combo with fried rice. Bartender made the wife's drink a little strong, but I wasn't complaining... Tim R is right, ask for Joe when you make your reservation. Engaging, but not intrusive. read more

I love hibachi style and this is the place I go to get it. That being said I don't go often. The routine is the same everytime no matter who is prepairing your food. The decor is appealing to the eye and it is a nice place for a date (lighting, koi pond waterfall, etc.), if you don't mind sitting with 6-8 strangers. They do have intimate seating but it is not hibachi style obviously and I have never tried it. The only reason I will go back is probably just to try that and the sushi bar. The hibachi menu has range from chicken and seafood to steak and duck, which are all pretty good. The seasonings are simple and you get the typical soup to start, then a typical lettuce, carrot, red cabbage salad with the most delicious ginger dressing (I swear it is freshly made), and shrimp. Then you get your choice of white rice which is included in your meal or you can opt for daruma fried rice for an extra $2.50. It is basically pork fried rice without the pork. My husband loves it, I do not. I have been to this location so many times and the one thing that irks me is consistency. The service is bad. The last I went it was our anniversary about a month ago. We made reservations for 5:00pm and we weren't seated until 5:20pm. We got to watch people who weren't even there for as long as we were be seated. Why did I even make a reservation?! There were about 5 people at the front desk the entire time and every single one of them looked pissed off. No one smiled but everyone used their "business voice" on customers. If there is one thing I hate it is bad service. I have since been a few times and tried their sushi which was pretty good. No complaints as usual on the food. read more

Best teppanyaki in Sarasota! Great happy hour with a selection of appetizers and rolls for $5 between 5-6 read more

Very disappointed not Japanese at all and really it doesn't help if the cook is Mexican. The cocktails way over priced. Charlie is a a very friendly server. The owner should consider to hire proper cook's !!! Not talking about the sushi . read more

Have enjoyed dining here multiple times both table side and sushi bar. Very clean, always prompt and courteous service. First time doing their 5-7 happy hour with $5 and $6 appetizers. Ordered spicy tuna and a jalapeño bay scallop offering along with $4 sake. Great value, will try their other HH offerings next visit. Recommend read more

I invited 9 friends & family members to DaRuMa restaurant to celebrate my birthday because every time I go I have a great time. So much so joined their birthday club. Imagine my surprise that at the end of our meal I was asked to email my certificate to the manager just to be told that we did not have a qualified visit because our party of 9 people because we were on separated checks. My dad and I had a bill of $76.00. I did not see that it was written on the certificate that is had to be $88.00. However I do not see anything on that certificate that states that it should be on a single charge. Instead the waitress suggested I order a dessert to bring my bill higher. It was my birthday, these folks can't even spring for a stupid dessert. Instead ? Our combined bills was probably $300.00 if not more and the manager who wouldn't come out and explain this, he left the new waitress to be throughly regretful and embarrassed. My dad and have been to DaRuMa three times in the last month. I have had coupons from every restaurant in the area for my birthday month, all with NO restrictions. Is this your policy to upset your loyal guests ? read more

Wife and I went in a bit ago for dinner. We sat down at the Bar and was looking over the Menu that was provided by the Bartender. Shortly thereafter, a young man came by to inform that there is a "no sleeveless shirt policy" and offered a shirt for me. Right next to me a lady had on a sleeveless dress. When I asked if this Rule only applies to Men, he responded that he did not know. I advised that I wasn't interested in wearing someone else's shirt and would take my business elsewhere. When walking out the door, some Customers whom were smoking directly by the tables at the entrance asked why we were leaving so early. Informed them what had happened to their disbelief. Funny thing... the lady with them had on a spaghetti strapped dress with her back out. If there is Truly a Rule, we should've never been allowed to walk pass the Greeters and it should be Posted on the front door! read more

Visited on 2/1/13 for the first time. Daruma as far as food quality is decent, small portions and they nickle and dime you ($2.50 extra fee for fried rice). Also, the food didnt have much of a flavor, it was bland. As far as decor, it is newer and looks nice..However, Daruma crams the chairs in at the table to the point where you don't have sufficient space. The staff needed a lesson in customer service. Everyone we spoke with and watched while speaking with other customers were pretty snooty or rude. They were attentive just enough but they all had a crappy attitude. Even the chef didnt get into it like you want him to he was just cooking- boring. I would not suggest this place to a friend because its just decent and I don't think worth the money, you will get decent food but its not as enjoyable as it should be. I will stick with Jotos, it's a little older restaurant but the food and staff are much better! read more

The food was really good, and the ambience was lovely. Live keyboardist and sounds of laughter was lovely to listen to. The food came out of the kitchen at weird times and our sushi roll took forever because they were busy. But overall it was pretty good and close to where I live. We will likely go back! read more

I love me some Japanese steak house so anytime I have the offer to try out a new restaurant, I am there. I came here with 5 other friends during the middle of the week. It wasn't very busy. Though the location is in a strip mall, they definitely made an effort in the design of the outside and the interior decorating inside. Our table was raised up on a 3 foot platform and we actually had to climb up to get to our seats and with 5 inch heels, this wasn't the easiest task! Kind of odd how they have it arranged. Our service was good and our chef was great. The drinks were OK and the food, as always, was pretty good, too. Though, not amazing. It was a bit over priced but perhaps they had to jack up the prices for all their fancy interior decorating including the koi fish pond in the front! read more

Nice atmosphere, and like the previous reviewer said, good for a date if you want to leave some sort of impression on your invited company. However, I also agree on the service. Definitely a crapshoot. Last time I was there it wasn't even busy and the server was not attentive. Everyone at my table liked their food, but they definitely need to improve the service here and keep things CONSISTENT. Oh, on a side note, love the bathroom sinks. read more

From the min we walked in this place it was great. Service, food, sushi. Def going back.

Honestly, Let me start by saying FRIED RICE!!! It was 10 times better then any other hibachi restaurant I've been to! Our server "Ty" Was outstanding, he made the whole experience. You got a big salesman right there. I Brought the family for the first time and will definitely be back! Request Ty and try the Lobster! read more

Been eating here since I was a good. I'm not sure how this only has 3 stars because it's amazing! Best hibachi I've ever had to this day!

Had the combo steak and salmon,Cooked perfect! Excellent Service. Love this place!The Chef was very entertaining.

My Grandson loves this place. He especially loves Ashley the Manager. She always makes him smile. The food is always fresh and tasty. I will keep coming back! read more

Great service, cozy environment.... just a tad bit pricey, that's why I'm only giving it 3 stars.

We had a reservation for 10 people. They wouldn't seat us until all 10 were there. Nine were there. The 10th was stuck in traffic. We had a baby with us who was crying and hungry. He needed to be nursed but the mother was uncomfortable nursing him in the waiting area surrounded by several other guests waiting for tables. I asked the hostess to seat us because the table was already ready for us. She refused. I asked several times. She got the manager, a woman who was not at all friendly. She said they didn't want the tenth guest to order later than everybody else. I said that was fine, that we'd order his meal when we ordered ours. She asked what he wanted. I said I'd call him after we sat down and looked at he menu. She reached for a menu, wanting me to choose his meal right then and there, at the hostess station. Things were getting ridiculous!! I was starting to think, "Control freak much?!?!" I told her he'd just have the panko shrimp. She disappeared and came back, asking if it was the appetizer one or the dinner one. WHO CARES?!?! I told her the appetizer one. Only then would they let us go to our table. And, we then sat there for 20 MINUTES without anyone coming to give us water or anything. One person in our party had to complain to the hostess. Ten minutes later, the waitress finally showed up. When the sushi arrived (2 plates of 4 different kids), one of them was wrong. The waitress had to bring out the rude manager again. She asked detailed questions of the guest, making it seem she didn't believe it was the wrong order. It was. She took both plates of sushi back with her and returned later with 2 more plates. One of the plates was wrong again. She was not apologetic. She made everyone uncomfortable. I ordered the filet mignon and panko shrimp box. Very expensive at $29.75. It came with about 8 small bites of steak, 4 shrimp, wilted (yellowing) broccoli with runny cheese, about 2 tablespoons of a pickled salad, and cold rice that was put in the "box" with an ice cream scoop so it was all stuck together. I ate the steak and the shrimp. That was WAY too much money for that food!! We spent a lot of money last night and we are NEVER GOING BACK. read more

Overpriced, very average food. My husband got chicken fried rice for around $14 and preferred the fried rice at the local carry out for $6. My sister in law ordered a bento box for about $25 and she was very dissatisfied with the chicken teriyaki and the shrimp. My brother and I had a seafood noodle bowl for $18 each and it had small scallops of the kind you buy frozen in a bag cheaply at the grocer, just two nice shrimp and pieces of fish cake. Lot of noodles- ok but way too expensive for what it was. Good service. read more

Love this place been here several times and never disappoints. The show is fun and the food is always good.

Contrary to most reviews on this restaurant, this place is AMAZING. Do not listen to the negative reviews; food was amazing, cheap, and great quality. Would come again for sure! read more

look I absolutely love to darumas. and I go there about once a month to get together with family. service is good and food is good. I need y'all to listen and I'm speaking on behalf of all you're customer! WHAT IN THE WORLD DO YOU PUT IN THE FOOD? every single time I go there I can barley walk out of there without s#!ting my self. The people I go with have the same problem every single time. hon we need answer. like I know this post is something to laugh at and I would definitely laugh if I seen someone els post it. But there have been Multiple times myself my wife and the 30 other people we know that go there monthly have s#!t them selfs. I'm sorry I honestly won't eat there again, it's a damn shame Because I love the place. Fix this darumas and stop acting like you don't know what we are talking about! whatever you put in the food has been on going for years! I'm pissed because I obviously didn't make it home this time... read more

This was probably the worst dining experience I have ever had!! The service was horrible and the food was cold. I had the stump of the lettuce in my salad and my vegetable hibachi was all broccoli. THEY CHARGE FOR FRIED RICE!! EXTRA 12.50 on the very EXPENSIVE bill! No apologies and would not accept my email for my birthday dinner. GO TO KUMOS OR SHOGUN... much better service and food! read more

Our favorite place to eat!! My husband and I go there all the time. Their food never fails us and for the amount you receive, you never leave hungry. Great staff, comfortable environment......and terrific bar. read more

Wonderful experience this evening. My husband, myself, my seven and five-year-old sons enjoyed hibachi grill for the first time together. It was very entertaining for the children, lots of laughs and lots of wows. We came early enough to beat the crowd. Our food was served promptly. Everything was delicious. The staff were very nice to us, even with a seven and five-year-old in tow. read more

I orchestrated a large group of people, 18 to be exact, to celebrate my best friend's birthday. Our large party required two tables of course but they were across from each other. The other table seemed to get their food at a steady pace but unfortunately at my table an appetizer never made it out, the salads didn't arrive until our food was being prepared and beverages were promised and not brought. The worst part was we had all just signed our credit slips when the manager walks over to inform our tables that the next large group was coming in and motioned towards the door for us to leave. I have never been asked to leave to accommodate another group before. My whole party was basically mortified and appalled. It's not like we sat around and drank water. Between our 2 tables I'm sure we spent well over a thousand dollars. We will not be returning. read more

Food and chef was completely amazing but the waitress was not. I ordered sushi when taking my initial drink order, which was never received throughout the course of my whole meal. We ended up having to go to the bar to order our drink refills because our waitress never returned to give us refills. When finishing our meal and getting our bills, we requested a correction on the bills and the waitress caught an instant attitude. The correction took forever for her to complete. At this point I do not appreciate being required to do a 19% tip! read more

This place is great for dine in, but this review is about take out. Ordered take out tonight and asked for shrimp tempura appetizer and instead got a shrimp tempura sushi roll. I had also ordered a fried roll, which is suppose to have cream cheese in it. It didn't. I have ordered it while dining in before and it was made correctly. I also ordered take out about a month ago and had ordered the lobster volcano appetizer roll and upon eating it, there were pieces of what seemed to be hard pieces I am assuming were pieces of maybe shell. 30 minutes later I had vomited only the lobster salad on top of that roll, nothing else that I had ordered and consumed from there that night. Chances are I will not be ordering any other take out from there in the future unless it is their delicious clear soup or an entree. read more

We came in tonight for some sushi, and we were not disappointed! Our waiter, Nate was absolutely wonderful, when we asked him what sushi rolls we should try he told us about his favorite rolls there and they were perfect! Best sushi i have had in a long time. Nate was so friendly and professional, we pretty much let him lead our dining experience and it was one of the best dinners we have ever had. We will definitely return to Daruma and hopefully we will have Nate as our waiter again! read more

This restaurant deserves it 5 stars. SPECTACULAR show food get one words!! The decor down to the restrooms are pristine. A little pricier but worth ever penny!!! read more

Well I'd like to give a review on the food but I can't. My party has never had such a rude manager in their life. Arrived at 4:50 and waited outside until exactly 5pm where by that time it was a mass run to the door by an accumulation of people and kids. Most did not have a reservation so made us happy to breeze by them. Then we were taken to an hibachi table where we requested a regular table on the phone. The manager said that it will be a half hour to get a regular table because they aren't ready yet. Well that sounds pretty Ridiculous doesn't it, it did to us. So one in our party mentioned it may be our last time there. The Manager immediately popped off rudely saying he doesn't need to be threatened like that. We all asked what threatened. What are you talking about. As he walked away cockily some one said jerk under their breath and he turned around and said what did you say. I immediately told him nothing was said, The manager said that's what I thought you said. Oh that put everyone on uproar and laid into him and walked out. So I will never know if the reviews for this place are good or not. All I can say is that if you are going here to make sure you can eat shit before you eat sushi. That is if the same manager is there. read more

I don't generally go here for the sushi although it is good. The highlight is the Hibachi/Teppanyaki tables. Great choice for families and groups. The tables are lively and the chefs always entertaining. In the dozen or so times I have ate here I have never had a bad meal. Meats and seafood are always cooked perfectly! read more

I so wanted to like this restaurant. I gave it one star for the very unusual interior. The food was extremely salty. Actually, it was uneatable. I placed the cover on the plate and sent it back. I should have insisted they remove the charge from my bill. I didn't. The couple, next to our table, told the waitress their food was too salty. We paid the bill and left with a never to return option. When I received my monthly credit card statement, the waitress over charged my 20% tip by adding $10.00 more. I still have not received my credit. Watch your receipt and be careful what you order. read more

We went for my sisters birthday with a reservation for ten and we're seated 40 minutes later. My wife ordered a drink which was forgotten and when reminded our server had mentioned it would be on the house. I ordered sushi as my main course which was given to me after the entire party had already eaten. When I received the bill ($400 before tip) the drink was on there. I mentioned this to the server and he refused to remove it from the bill. Being my sisters birthday we left without conflict. I called the manager after and expressed my concerns regarding the extra charge and receiving my meal late. The manager said her hands were tied and there was no way the charge could be removed. An extreme lack of professionalism from the server to the manager existed. read more

Not worth the money. Low quality food. Kumo on University is 10x better and half the price!

If you sign up for the birthday club, be sure to sign up 5 days before your actual birthday, because otherwise Daruma's local management cannot honor the birthday discount (it takes the speed of postal mail to deliver the e-coupon). According to our server, this happens all the time. read more

Daruma is one of the better hibachi joints In the Sarasota area. Their sushi bar is fashioned like a large U bar and many hibachi tables in the area. The food is pretty good and the sushi is respectable too but you can tell that they are not using good quality tuna. The service can be hit or miss as well, but their drinks come through. They have a pretty good saki (hot or cold). Check it out if you have a decently deep pocket. read more

DaRuma is a great restaurant to enjoy a classy night out with a group. I went with a group of 10 and we did the Teppanyaki, The chef was entertaining and the portions were generous. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. The only thing holding this restaurant back from getting 5-stars is the price. A bottle of beer cost $6.50. I was alone on my tab, and for dinner & one beer, I spent nearly $50! Now, that wouldn't be so bad if Joto's (a similar restaurant) wasn't right down the street with comparable quality for almost half of the price. read more

I thought, " you eat at one Japanese steakhouse, you ate at them all!" Nope, this one is less than average. The soup was less than average. The sauce was less than average. The fried rice was less than average. The place was, well you can guess. I will give a pass to our chef, he seemed new to this with all the fumbles, but hey, gotta start sometime. The place is nice and clean but the food, meh! read more

Slowest service I've ever seen. Food is pretty good. Prepare to have a 3hr dinner and wait forever for your drinks.