wagamama bluewater

Exceptional Service Elevates Delicious Dining Experience

In the sprawling oasis of consumerism that is Bluewater, Wagamama stands out not just for its robust embrace of Asian cuisine, but also for its epic saga of service—ranging from the delightfully attentive to the affectionately indifferent. My recent visit bore witness to this theatrical performance found within its vibrant walls. It’s here that servers like Jonah and Ollie choreograph paths of generosity and warmth across the busy tableau of bustling shoppers and settled diners. Jonah, ever the charmer, waltzed us through menu dilemmas with a twinkle in his eye (or was it his infamous ‘gorgeous eyes’? A moot point). And lest we forget Ollie, whose debut on the service scene showed no signs of rookie chaos, highlighting shades of experienced grace and adaptability.

The ambience, akin to a cinematic premiere with its blend of anticipation and energy, is both inviting and overwhelming—particularly for the waiting capacities often stretched by throngs of patrons eager for their share of katsu curry comfort. Nonetheless, the quality of the dishes managed to edge closer to excellence than mere adequacy, with surprising favorites helped by welcoming staff suggestions—a delicate paean to spicy ramen, perhaps, while seated alongside a remarkably pleasant crew. Though the culinary competition may attract grumbles of inconsistent portions or absent condiments, Wagamama’s undeniable flair for people-watching remains deliciously intact. After all, where else would whispers of dissatisfaction with farmed salmon meet praise sung for a trainee server exemplifying unnerving prowess? It's beautifully chaotic, sporadically befuddling, and steeped in enough flavorful tales to merit, almost effortlessly, another hungry look. — Penelope Savory