Kaiyo Grill - ISLAMORADA

The experience was great overall, but the noise level was quite overwhelming. Our table wasn't the only one that felt the need to speak louder due to the music being so loud. It’s a simple fix—just turn down the music.

We waited 20 minutes before the server approached us, and then it took an additional 40 minutes for our food to arrive. However, the meal was enjoyable once it finally got to our table.

We planned to have dinner at Kaiyo for a special occasion, but unfortunately, the experience fell short. The food was unremarkable, and the macadamia-crusted fish was overcooked. The waiting staff was overwhelming and distracting. After saving up for this meal, I’m disappointed and wouldn’t recommend this restaurant to others. I wish I could get my money back.

Ridiculously expensive for marginal Chinese food, at best. Started off with the miso soup which had the incorrect type of tofu, barely any wakame, and was $8 for a small bowl. F. General Tso's Cauliflower was thick, unevenly cooked, and so overly salty it ruined my palate. F. Korean Bulgogi Tacos were awful: overly salty, steak overcooked, and the kimchi tasted weird and inauthentic. They served this dish with four paper thin pieces of red leaf lettuce (an entire head of crispy romaine is standard) which was placed directly on a steaming hot plate so the lettuce was completely limp and soggy upon arrival. As a Korean, I was offended by the entire interpretation of this dish. F. Lastly, the fried rice...I ordered vegetable fried rice with a fried egg and shrimp which was a whopping $39. Greasy, vege was cooked unevenly, and small shrimp that were clearly frozen and the texture was mushy. No fresh thai basil, no love. F. I was so excited to check out Kaiyo, but left with nothing but a large bill and sadness. Do better.

Disappointing dining experience. Quality of the food was good, but nothing came out at the right time. Entrees for two of six in our party 30 minutes before salad and soup for two others. Served the wrong salad. Sushi came out 30-45 minutes after that. Incredibly slow and inattentive service. I expect much better service from both kitchen and wait staff given the cost of the meal. We have dined at Kaiyo many times over the past ten years and have always been very satisfied. Not tonight.