In the last year, I’ve had some very long meals—but with excellent pacing—at many * restaurants that have extensive tasting menus in both America and Europe, as well as Asia. A long tasting menu is more than fine with us as long as there isn’t more than a 5 min or so break between courses (and the courses are sized appropriately, as well). Anything beyond 10 min between courses usually elicits my speaking to a manager.

The worst culprit for timing and overall service this year for us unquestioned was 3* Hajime in Osaka: a true disaster in timing and service if ever there was one. So shocking that it clearly doesn’t deserve 3* as a result. (And yet, the food was absolutely sublime and most worthy of 3*.)

Of course, the biggest disappointment for us for a menu going too quickly was 2* Aragawa in Kobe. I think we may have been done in a about an hour. Talk about totally underwhelming, even if the beef was outstanding.