Personal Review {15 March 2002}:
Niwana has been one of our favorite restaurants close to work for
quite awhile. Very good food, and usually very good service. We
went so often, the owner would come over to talk with us (she was
also a former Californian). A couple weeks ago, we went to Niwana
for dinner. Big mistake. It was just about 5pm on the dot. We
were almost immediately confronted with a horrific smell of pure
strength 'pinesol' after sitting down and ordering. A young
male (American) had brought out a mop and was swabbing the floors
and left the door to the back room open as well. The stench was
terrible. My wife began have breathing problems right away, and
my asthmatic condition starting kicking in a little further into
the meal. We complained to the waiter who then talked to the
guy doing the mopping. His disrepectful response was "Well, that's
what happens when you mop!" At which point I said they
shouldn't be mopping when they have customers in the restaurant.
His next response was "Sorrrry" spoken in a very sarcastic tone.
The smell penetrated our area to such an extent that it virtually
ruined the meal and the experience for the evening. While the
waiter was trying to be helpful, his idea of bringing a scented
candle to the table was not a helpful solution (we asked him not
to bother lighting it). We eventually asked to have our meal
packed up (since we couldn't stay there and endure the smell and
I was definitely having asthmatic problems by then). We took the
remainder of the meal home and finished it there. The waiter was
apologizing again, but I told him we certainly would never come
back for a dinner-time meal if this is what we could expect. We
paid our bill and left to get some fresh air.
I don't want to scare anyone off from ever trying Niwana because
it is a great place to eat. I would advise you to go at lunch
time though, or be prepared to complain or pack up your meal when
you see the mop brigade heading your way. Note also that the same
meal at dinner costs about $4.00 more than at lunch.
Personal Review {19 March 1999}:
Ok. We've definitely found a winner here. We've now been back every Friday
for 3 weeks in a row. Each time we try a different Bento lunch. All have
been great. The only possible exception might be the short ribs which were
a bit grissly and tough to chew. The flavor was good though. The marinated
beef bento was another good choice. With both the short ribs and the marinated
beef bento, a small selection of tempora vegetables is provided. Niwana is
becoming a standard with us.
Personal Review {26 February 1999}:
Excellent choice for a new lunch spot close to JHU and the Space Telescope
Science Institute. Niwana is the new Japanese/Korean restaurant occupying the
location previously housing Guiseppe's (and before that, PizzAppeal). One of
our favorite places in California was a Japanese restaurant; Niwana isn't
quite as good as that, but runs a close second. The atmosphere is much nicer
than the former tennants, but you still have to run the gauntlet of smokers
in the front to get to the non-smoking section...and seeing the bartender
at the counter in front with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth wasn't the
most appealing site upon entering the restaurant. To the left is a Sushi Bar
with counter and tables (of course, if you want to sit there, you will have
to endure the smoke filled room). Unfortunately, while handicap access is
available, the steps to the non-smoking section could prevent easy access for
wheel chairs. Without help, you'd be stuck sitting in the smoking section.
The menu has a pretty good selection of Janpanese and Korean dishes. The
Bento's (box lunches) are served in a nice laquered box with compartments
and are typically about $6-7. You start out with a variety of Kimchee's
(which apparently change from day to day). We had a true Kimchee, a flavored
broccoli, fish steak and pickled cabbage/carrots. Next comes the Miso soup,
followed by your entree. We tried the Tempura Bento and the Teriyaki Chicken
Bento. Both were great. Each had 3 California Rolls (Sushi with crab meat
and avocado wrapped in sticky rice), two vegetable filled deep fried rolls,
a salad with ginger dressing, the main course and a scoop of rice sprinkled
with Sesame seeds. I also tried the ginger tea. Everything was very good.
The only negative feature for this new restaurant was the service, good at
first, but once we started eating, we seldom saw our waiter again; and it was
difficult getting anyone's attention to get our check so we could pay
and get back to work. They also have no take-out menu available as yet. But,
I'm sure these little foibles will work themselves out eventually.
I think Niwana is well worth visiting again to try their varied menu. We've
found a new little nugget here.