We visited the outlet at Dotonbori, next to a Kobe Beef restaurant on a weekend morning.
There was a big and rowdy group queuing up in front of us, and we noted how most of the staffs ( mainly Japanese) frowned when they instructed the...group to proceed to another level, for fear of disturbing the peace and harmony of other diners on the main level.
The disgust for the earlier group probably remained when we were being shown to our table. This was the first time in my so many trips to Japan that I was made to feel unwelcome in a restaurant. The staffs were not being rude, and they were still prompt in taking our orders and serving our needs, but it was apparent from their body language and smirks on their faces that made us felt awkward.
Despite the large crowd, our food arrived quickly. They were delicious. Although some of us wanted to order more, we thought we should probably get out of there asap so as not to further endure the wrath of the staffs.More