Kim Son Cafe

i have followed the Kim Son family for many of years from starting out downtown in the very tiny cafe to the first Kim Son Resturant across the way. I was so happy that they finally made it closer to my home which is here on Eldridge Parkway. They started out great. Food was great and service was very good. Well now its not so good anymore. Every time my boyfriend and i order either dine in or delivery it always is so disappointing. They changed all the chef and the food qualities have gone down hill. I probably will not return anymore. I feel so very disappointed. My journey with the Kim Son family may have ended. Tonight of ordering food again from them it was another disappointment. We visit Kim Son either thru delivery or dine in at least 4-6 times a month there. We spend a lot of money each time to be disappointed and each time we would hope it would be better. Stop changing the chefs for cheaper labor

First thing first, the review should be 3.5 star as it's definitely above average but not quite the 4 stars restaurant yet. This Kim Son place has been opened for a bit so they must be doing something correctly. I already know the Kim Son Cafes are definitely catered towards the non-Asian crowds as their locations are all outside of Asian hubs (Chinatowns). We went there around 6PM not knowing they have happy hour and sushi as we were thinking about getting some pho. I ended up getting my happy hour drinks and the happy hour price sushi while my girlfriend did get the pho and ate some sushi. Since the restaurant is facing west, the sun was definitely blinding certain spots of the restaurant even with their shades all drawn down. Luckily, there wasn't too many people so we did have a nice spot without the need to squint at each other. The decor is the typical Asian restaurant trying to look upscale decor with mostly dark color furniture and wall color. They have a semi-open kitchen like a diner, a sushi bar in front of the area. There's a big screen TV hanging on top which is definitely for any bar customers to view whatever sports game it's on while drinking the happy hour price beer. They have the usual selection of domestic and the typical Asian beers. For the happy hour sushi, they have a selected list of sushi rolls and you can get 2 for $7.75. All of the rolls are on the regular menu so I took a glance and compare the prices, trying to make it almost as if it's buy one get one free as I ordered total of 4 rolls, real crab California roll, Philadelphia roll, Philly tempura roll, and Alaska roll. They also had 30% off on specialty roll so I ordered the Cherry Blossom to try out. My girlfriend was intrigued by the vegetarian pho so she ordered that. The waiter was very professional on asking if we would like chopsticks (yes, please) and if we would like the low-sodium soy sauce (yes, to that also) and went to get those for us right away while we wait for the food. The 4 rolls and the pho came out first and the waiter said they are still working on the Cherry Blossom. The rolls are definitely above average in taste and the craftsmanship. The rolls were evenly sized and did not fall apart easily. The cream cheese in the two different Philly rolls was very creamy. The fish does not taste frozen (thank goodness) and pretty fresh. Then the Cherry Blossom came and it was pretty good also. Again, I did not expect myself eating sushi at a Kim Son establishment. The waiter did check up on us to make sure things are OK. Based on the reviews here from last year, they may have paid attention and be more assertive on customer service side of business. Over all, it was definitely a good experience and it's a restaurant I'll keep in mind if I feel like Asian food (Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese or Japanese) without the need to drive to Chinatown as the price is decent and happy hour isn't too bad at all.

I will never go to Kim Son Cafe after the 1 terrible experience I had getting an order delivered. My girlfriend and I were both ecstatic to find a place that serves a variety of Asian cuisine from regular Americanized-Chinese food to sushi to pho, and delivered as well. We got 2 sushi rolls, a pasta dish, and some dumplings, and eagerly waited. 2 HOURS AND 2 PHONE CALLS LATER the delivery guy finally arrived; the sushi had become warm and gross, falling apart as it sat right on top of the hot food the entire time. In the meantime, that hot food had become cold. The flavors of what was actually edible were all gross. I called back a third time and got a refund. I'm sure the food would have at least been average had it got to us at a reasonable time, but the experience and the nasty taste of the food after it sat for over an hour makes it all not matter anyway.