Sakura Sushi & Grill - Cochrane

I stopped by for a late lunch 35 minutes before the posted closing time. Having been here before, I knew the menu and was ready to order immediately: the Deluxe Bento Box with teriyaki salmon and green tea. It was apparent that the service was not up to par from the start. My tea arrived lukewarm. The server did not set up my place setting....I had to ask her to do this. The miso soup and an appetizer arrived 2 minutes before the bento box even though the soup kettle was only about 15 feet from my table. I would have preferred the soup earlier....and it was hot and tasty! My bento box disappointed. The teriyaki salmon was dry and cool: it tasted as if it be kept in a warmer for some time. The other fish in the deluxe bento box is assorted sashimi. Several pieces looked like they had been hacked with dull knife not at all the kind of presentation one expects of sashimi in a Japanese restaurant. After paying for my lunch, I did ask to speak to a manager about my lunch because I do consider feedback important and my experience was not typical of other reviews. His explanation for the poor service and food was that the staff was very busy at the time of my visit. Not only is this a poor excuse, it simply was not what I observed. There were a couple other customers being served while all the other tables were finishing up. In fact, four of the staff were sitting at a table having their lunch while other staff were preparing for the evening service by sanitizing and setting up empty tables. I've received far more sincere apologizes from fast food outlets! Good restaurants take feedback positively and commit to doing better. Poor restaurants give lame excuses.

I have been a patron of Sakura since they first opened. The food and service are fantastic. I used to give generous tips based on this, but recently I found out that the servers do not actually receive the tips - the owners keep them. Knowing this, I no longer tip at Sakura. I had never heard of servers not receiving tips before - shaking my head in disbelief!

I ordered from this restaurant for the first time and it was a great experience! They are currently only offering curb side pick up, so I phoned in my order and when I arrived at the designated time, I called to let them know I was outside. My order was promptly delivered to my car. The food was fresh, healthy, well presented, and delicious. I was very satisfied with both the service and the quality of the food. I highly recommend this restaurant and appreciate that they cater to vegan and gluten-free diets as well. I will definitely be ordering from them again in the future!

This is an amazing place to enjoy! Staff are always timely, respectful and kind and the food is so delicately presented. There is always a presentation flare to the meal and the sushi is very fresh in our experience. Going anywhere else makes me feel disappointed in comparison! You will enjoy and this is a Cochrane Gem!

Cochrane may be small western town but they have some top shelf sushi and grill fare in Sakura's. Quality rivals high end sushi in any major city, highly recommended.