"My experience with Waka Mama was mixed. We attended a cooking class, where the change in the menu was not communicated in advance, which left us slightly disappointed. However, Joyce managed to salvage the situation by preparing some truly delightful dishes using the tofu we'd made. Her culinary skills are impressive, and she clearly has a passion for what she does.

That being said, communication post-class was somewhat lacking. It took 11 days to receive the promised recipe, which is highly frustrating.

My next encounter with Waka Mama was when I attempted to book a special dinner for a friend. I contacted Joyce directly to reserve a table on a Tuesday, which was not their usual operating day. She offered to make a special arrangement for us on that date, and we agreed on the time and menu. This arrangement sounded promising, but there was a significant hiccup. The day before our reservation, I initiated contact to confirm the booking when I was told that Tuesday was their day off, I received no prior message to inform me of that change.

In an effort to appease my frustration, Joyce offered a cash coupon for a future visit, but it had to be scheduled for the following week, which didn't align with our plans. She then offered to send a mooncake and flower gift set as a goodwill gesture for my friend’s birthday, requesting a delivery address. Notably, she hadn't mentioned any delivery charges at this point.

Despite my frustration, I didn't want to disappoint my friend, who was expecting the gift set, as I had done previously with the dinner plans. Therefore, I agreed to cover the delivery fee.
Following this, Joyce reiterated that Vemakase was only available from Thursday to Sunday, suggesting that all her regular customers were aware of this policy. It felt as though she was indirectly placing responsibility on me.

Considering that Waka Mama positions itself as a Vegan Omakase (Vemakase) establishment, offering fine dining and private dining experiences at a cost ranging from $138 to $158++ per person, I expected a higher level of service, especially in terms of communication and accountability. I don't believe that expecting clear communication about changes to our agreed-upon plans is unreasonable.

In conclusion, if you're seeking exceptional cuisine, Waka Mama delivers on that front; Joyce is undoubtedly a culinary wizard. However, if you are looking for excellent customer service, it might not meet your expectations.