Restaurant responds to backlash after woman 'embarrassed' by singles rule
The Brisbane woman says she felt 'disappointed' and 'embarrassed' after being turned away from Yakiniku Hibiki on Saturday night.
A new restaurant in Brisbane’s north has defended itself after a “disappointed” and “embarrassed” customer claimed they were turned away on Saturday night.
Yakiniku Hibiki, an all you can eat Japanese style BBQ, had its soft opening in Mango Hill from April 13 to April 16, however, it has already ruffled some feathers among local diners.
Over the weekend, a woman said she tried to visit the new hotspot for a solo dinner, but was “turned away because [she] didn’t have two people or more.”
“As someone who is new to the area and doesn’t know anyone or have family here it really sucks. I was keen to try it out and support a new business,” she posted on a community Facebook page, adding it “felt pretty embarrassing being turned away in front of a line of people”.
Despite her disappointment, the diner urged others not to let the supposed rule deter them. “By no means am I saying don’t go, just a heads up for anyone who is thinking of going alone,” she said.
Restaurant responds to incident
Steve Baek, one of two owners of Yakiniku Hibiki, told Yahoo News Australia they have since been inundated with complaints on Google and Facebook after the woman posted her story.
“Even someone [who has] never visited our shop [has] complained about our services and food on social media now,” he said. Mr Baek said the restaurant was packed on Saturday night and the sole customer who complained confirmed she did not have a reservation.
“Unfortunately, we could not make a table for her…our staff explained to her we were fully-booked and that we more likely can not serve the sole person for an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet but we will be able to serve the sole customer when an a-la-carte menu opens,” he said, adding that they hope to introduce the second menu at the end of this week or early next.
“We understand that she feels embarrassed because there were a few groups of people waiting behind her.”
Restaurant struggles to keep cost down
Mr Baek told Yahoo Yakiniku Hibiki features a BBQ burner set on each table and a ventilation system above. “We can not move around the table or chairs to arrange a seat for customers casually,” he said. “Because of those reasons, at least my understanding, all Japanese or Korean-style BBQ restaurants require customers to order a minimum of two portions of meat.”
The co-owner said his business would not survive if one customer occupies a table designed for four to six people. Adults can eat the unlimited BBQ and wagyu platter for $54.90 per person. Kids cost $26.90 per person.
“Furthermore, all food costs and labor costs increased, and offering all you can eat quality BBQ meat and all side dishes unlimitedly for $50 per person was a challenge to us as businessmen,” Mr Baek said, adding the restaurant just started official trading last Monday.
“We are still updating our menu and system to meet most customers’ expectations,” he said.
Confusing detail on menu
Following the woman’s online warning, other Facebook users pointed out a confusing detail on the restaurant’s menu regarding its pricing for children. A small asterisk at the bottom reads “child 5-12 or over 110cm”, leading one local to comment: “Too bad if you’ve got a tall child”.
Mr Baek said the policy means kids up to four years old are “free of charge”.
However, “if a child is four or three years old but over 110cm, we charge the child price because of food consumption,” he explained.
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