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Great omakase experience! I treated my boyfriend to an omakase birthday celebration here at I Love Sushi. I wanted to find a place on the eastside for it, as his birthday fell on a Thursday, so wanted something nearby and didn’t wanna deal with traffic in Seattle. Therefore, I Love Sushi had the best reviews for its omakase experience, and after trying it ourselves, it certainly was a memorable one. I made reservations a week prior, which was no problem on the phone. However, when we showed up for our reservation, we had to wait nearly half an hour past our reservation, which was unacceptable. We had to check in with other employees, to ask what the hold up was. Fortunately, our night went up from there. We sat at the chef’s counter, and it was fun, interacting with the sushi chef. We mentioned that we were both doing the 14-piece omakase dinner, so he asked us what we normally like and don’t like. He made sure to accommodate our requests, plus more! The 14-piece omakase was awesome! I would recommend doing it at least once, to really get the full experience of it. We also ordered a sake to go with our meal, which they have much to choose from on the sake menu. But the food was the winner here! We started with miso soup and ended the night with mango mochi, as a complimentary dessert for my boyfriend. We also ordered the Seared Salmon Roll, which is highly recommended for all salmon lovers! But for the omakase meal, we had an appetizer of duck breast with a tempura side and another dish of the most tender, marinaded tuna with a lotus flower. Amazing! And the rest of our omakase with the nigiri pieces, ranged from albacore to TORO and UNI! It was from good to the very best, as the uni was the final piece to our omakase meal. Treat yo’ self, indeed! I’m really glad that we were able to try the omakase here, as it was such a great experience, and sitting at the chef’s counter and getting to know our sushi chef was a time well spent. Food was unforgettable. I would definitely recommend the omakase. But they do have a large standard menu from sushi to hot entrees. I shall visit I Love Sushi again. Located on Lake Bellevue, surrounded by dealerships in the Spring District, you kind of forget about this place. But it made for a fun birthday celebration, despite the delay in our reserved time. If that hadn’t been an issue, this would’ve been a five-star experience.

Sushi Miyazawa – Menu with Prices – 372 Chandler St, Worcester

This place is amazing. It truly is the most authentic sushi restaurant I have been to in New England. To begin, it is located in a nice brick building with parking so you don’t need to search or pay for street parking. The hostess/waitress is very friendly and nice. I appreciate that there is a sign in wait list and you can sit in the indoor tables outside while contemplating what you want to order. This place is also BYOB so remember to bring a nice authentic bottle or cup of Sake or a Asahi beer to pair with the sushi to get the most out of your experience. I ordered the nigiri omakase. It was very good. I was very impressed with the quality and the freshness of the fish. Not only the the sushi chef meticulously craft each delicate piece, he made it into a work of art. The sushi chefs were very nice and authentically Japanese. 5/5 stars in my opinion. You know that it’s an awesome restaurant when you see a waitlist when you walk in the door! I will be coming back very soon! To sum it all up, this place does amazing work. I’ve traveled the world, lived in Japan, NYC, LA and even Boston; I have to say that the quality and taste of this sushi can rival that of a competitive restaurant in Japan and New York. I am also one of the harshest and dreadfully honest critics on Yelp. This establishment has my stamp of approval. P.S.- this is addressing the comment where the sushi chefs do not wear food gloves; ONLY TRUE SUSHI CHEFS DO NOT WEAR FOOD GLOVES! Below is an excerpt from the Guardian: “Sushi is traditionally prepared with bare hands, and good chefs rely on tactile sensation to gauge the quality of the meat – the freshness, the fattiness, the oil content – that they’re cutting and molding into just the right bites” Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/12/why-i-want-my-sushi-prepared-with-bare-hands I, myself, would walk out of a sushi restaurant if the sushi chef wore gloves. It detracts from the connection the chef has with the food he is preparing. It allows him to better understand the quality and texture of the ingredients he is working with- Per the article I cited above. Watch the “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” documentary for your own further edification so that you do not sound foolish making ignorant and silly comments.

Sushi Nakazawa – Menu with Prices – 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington

This was by far the best dinner of my life…well so far. This was not only amazing sushi, but amazing food in general. So I’ve been hearing good things about this place, so I randomly wanted to take my girlfriend out on a weekend she was in the area since she lives out of town and only visits about every other weekend. She’s never had an omakase experience and neither myself. We were both very excited for this experience as I’ve heard it’s probably the best in the area. Boy, my friends were not wrong. So I opted for the sushi counter which is the $150 option and you get to sit right in front of the sushi chefs and watch them prepare each piece of art. I’d honestly say if you don’t go to these places often, and you’re thinking should I do the Dining area option and save $30, DON’T DO IT. You don’t get to see them prepare it and the precision and grace that goes into each piece. Trust me, it’s worth it. I’ll do food, then service. I apologize for the long intro. Every piece was so unique and flavors I’ve never imagine of tasting. I go to a fair amount of restaurants and have tried a lot of food, but to have so many new adventures all in a 2 hour sitting was amazing. I’m pretty sure they change up the menu, but I had 21 pieces along with green tea and mochi ice cream, and opted for the wagyu as well. The notable ones were the King Salmon and Golden Eye Snapper. Maybe I just enjoyed the ones they blow torched because I also liked the wagyu, which they blow torched as well. Although, this does not take away from the rest of the pieces because each were so amazing on its own. Yeah you may have been to Japan and this isn’t as amazing to you, but if you just love food and don’t criticize it so hard to where I’d question if you really do love food, you should go here. 100% you should go here. Now for the service. Definitely not as much to say, but still top notch. Hope you have a bit of upper body strength because you have to stand on a bar ankle high and use your arms on the table to lift yourself up while they push the chair up. That was the first thing that happened and I was like…what is going on. Either way, the biggest thing is that the chefs were super attentive and if I had a question, or anyone else at the table, someone was there to answer it. All the chefs and the waiters knew the menu and what was in it and where it was from, etc. Probably the most informed dinner as well. So please, if you do go, don’t be shy. Ask questions because you will surely be answered right then and there as you are eating. Thank you for those that were working the first shift of the night of August 24, 2019. I really appreciate the staff for a wonderful experience.

Kengo Sushi & Yakitori – Menu with Prices – 38 S St Clair St, Toledo

I have been going to Kengo now for about 2 years, for two Omakase sessions and half a dozen or so other regular dine in occasions. I am from NY, and have eaten a lot of sushi. Kengo is absolutely the best Sushi I have ever had in the Midwest, and is just as good as downtown Manhattan restaurants (if not better). The fish is fresh, generously cut, and the rice is well formed/does not overtake the flavor in any way. The Yakitori menu (Japanese style grill) presents a great variety of options, from shishito peppers to scallops (a must try!) to full squid. To be frank, you could place Kengo in the middle of Midtown Manhattan, and it would be an absolute hit. The Omakase is a multiple course, reservation only meal for ~$85 a head. I would say it is the best way to initially experience the full breadth of what Kengo has to offer. Chef Kengo will prepare some off-menu items for this, and the Omakase selections were different for each time I had it, which offered a unique experience. One time at Kengo, my girlfriend and I met a few business travelers from Denver. One said he had enjoyed Sushi in Japan on multiple occasions, and Kengo was right on par with it. I have since relocated to Ann Arbor from Toledo, but still make the drive down for Kengo. I can’t wait for my next time there!

Sushi Nishi Ya – Menu with Prices – 1712 Victory Blvd, Glendale

Omakasi w/ no regrets. Such an amazing experience. No fake talk, trying to act fancy – simple, sit down, eat, enjoy, eat some more and make plans to come back. Tuna Sushi, Albacore Sushi,Salmon Sushi, Salmon Egg Sushi, Sweet Shrimp Sushi, Uni – Just to name a few – and each one prepared perfectly. Rice was prepared well, great amount of vinegar and you’re told when to use soy sauce (the taste of each piece is so good, you’ll regret taking away from it with soy). The Uni was my absolute favorite- probably some of the best I’ve ever had, and I’m not usually a fan of skin or egg sushi but both were delicious. We were also served three different hand rolls, not as good as the sushi itself but still great with the perfect ratio. The price can get high – but you pay for what you get, you also have the option of ordering yourself at a table but you’d be making a mistake. When it comes to sushi, especially at a place where the chef takes pride in his work – you want to trust the chef.

Muramoto Downtown – Menu with Prices – 108 King St, Madison

I was in town on business and before it got too late, I decided to make a trip to Muramoto. The waitresses were ok. I felt like it was just a group of students needing jobs to fill in the summer. They made the experience feel awkward and even more weird by congregating to chat while missing queues from tables for miscellaneous requests. Aside from this, the superstars of dinner were the sushi chef and his son. I didn’t realize the small dinner plate I ordered was omakase (chef’s choice). It included a roll and five pieces of nigiri for $15. I asked for the tuna roll and was quickly corrected that the chef chose the roll. Thankfully the sushi chef might have heard me because the tuna roll made its way to my plate! The cuts of fish were generous, skillfully selected and cut precisely. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect plate for my undecided palette that night! We chatted a bit about my travels to Shinjuku, Osaka and Kyoto. Throughout the night we shared a couple stories and it really brought me back to Japan. Get to know your sushi chef. If you don’t have any dietary restrictions ask them what is fresh and do everything omakase. Definitely a solid presentation of sushi at Muramoto and will definitely be on my radar when I’m back in town!

Baby Tuna Sushi – Menu with Prices – 23880 Copper Hill Dr, Santa Clarita

Great experience! Firstly, Jimmy is amazing; head sushi chef (owner?). Always welcoming, and ready to supply a dish of his creation without request. This establishment is less crowded and dollar for dollar less expensive then my other 5-star review of Mr. Sushi (excellent as well). I’m always one of 6 couples in the entire restaurant at anytime; sometimes a flurry of customers will penetrate the front doors but I always feel like I’m their only concern. The hour for AYCE sushi is subjective; today we parked at their bar for 2-hours 38-min. Take advantage of their “buy 2 beers get a free pineapple sake” deal, the sake is made in-house. The sushi is fresh and “belly/toro” is par for the course, both salmon and yellowtail. It’s melt in your mouth goodness. I’ll suggest the collar as well, both salmon and yellowtail is included but order in advance because it takes about 10-min. And if your into “heat” ask for their “crazy sauce” which is just pure capsaicin oil (16M scoville units). It’ll kick start any appetite. AYCE sushi for two, with ALL the trimmings, Jimmie’s surprise dishes, 3 beers, 1 large pineapple sake and 1 free small pineapple sake came to $100.08!! Just heed my recommendation and GO! This review is for anybody who wishes to hear my opinion…

Sushi Hana On the Hill – Menu with Prices – 1220 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder

The Good: We went on a rainy Tuesday night and it was very quiet at Sushi Hana on the Hill (I bet it gets busy when the students are in town, and they made lots of sushi for take-out the whole time we were there). We sat at the sushi bar and enjoyed an absolutely delicious meal of sake, sushi and sashimi. The sushi chef, Larry (don’t be fooled by the name, he’s Japanese!) was fantastic and has been practicing sushi for fifteen years! He plated our meal with attention and care — we ordered a lot of food and while we were waiting he sent out the (gluten-free) cucumber roll, which was beautifully rolled, crispy, fresh and a perfect and thoughtful appetizer. Our sushi & sashimi arrived thoughtfully plated as well, perfectly arranged for us to share, and he even placed the heavier fish rolls on my boyfriend’s end of the plate, and the lighter vegetarian rolls on my side. Everything was tightly, perfectly rolled, the fish was fresh, and I don’t know why but their ginger is the best I’ve ever had, we ate all of it!!! I also loved watching the sushi sensei (I think the owner) watch the sushi chef with a hawkeye–he clearly cares and wants everything to be perfect, and it makes a difference! Also, I loved the music (classic, old-school, upbeat hip-hop). The Bad: Our server seemed inexperienced and was pretty awkward but it didn’t detract from our experience too much since we sat at the sushi bar. He brought our bill the second we were finished eating but we still had half a bottle of sake and wanted to relax and watch the chef. The Food: The best meal I’ve ever had on the hill! (And I’ve lived in Boulder almost 30 years and lived on the hill for several) The Service: Inexperienced Overall: Check out Sushi Hana for awesome, authentic sushi, sashimi, nigiri & sake. I think it’s family owned – support small business! Everything was delicious and lovely and I can’t wait to go back.

Sunset Sushi – Menu with Prices – 116 A Spring St, Charleston

Sunset sushi is a small, unassuming shop on Spring Street and what I’d consider one of the hidden gems of Charleston. By day, the restaurant is a Sunrise Bistro breakfast cafe with a few tables and a bar. It’s not a large venue, but you can make a reservation and street parking is available. My husband and I went here for sushi, sake, and ramen on a Saturday night, and Chef Yoshi and his crew were welcoming and fun to talk to. We started out with the Sushi Starter 1, which was 4 pieces of nigiri and a tuna roll. The sushi had authentic wasabi, which has a different “kick” and will clear up any sniffling or sinus congestion you have! If you’re unsure, ask to sample the wasabi first. Sunset Sushi’s menu changes a little each day, depending on what’s fresh and available. I opted for the Lowcountry Boil ramen bowl with shrimp, corn, potatoes, and lemon miso broth. Originally, the bowl contains sausage (like a lowcountry boil), but when I mentioned to leave the sausage out, the chef offered to substitute a whitefish instead, which I appreciated. The lowcountry boil theme of the dish makes it more familiar for Charleston residents- a southern twist on Asian food. This was my first experience with “authentic” ramen, but it was a great combination of flavors and a great value. This night had several firsts for me, but I can say Sunset sushi is a great spot for a night out and a foodie adventure. Chef Yoshi and his crew make you feel like you’re a part of the family. We can’t wait to go back and try more sushi and the other hot dishes, especially in the chillier winter months.

Sushi Time Towa – Menu with Prices – 54 W Montgomery Cross Rd, Savannah

Not bad! Going to add this to the very short list of decent sushi spots in Savannah. I have been here twice and had tasty sushi both times. The sake is hot, the fish tastes great, and the sushi selection is impressive. I just spent over $50 there and did not feel any regret. The sushi rolls are small, though, so I had to add more maki to my order to feel satisfied. The customer service is iffy. The waitresses are extremely nice, but they seem overwhelmed. The first time I went, I was in a large party of about 30 people in the back room. The restaurant only provided two waitresses and they were forgetting orders and mixing up bills all over the place. This place also seems to bring in the sushi chefs’ friends and families to hang out during dinnertime. This second time around, a group came in that was clearly friends (or relatives) of some of the staff. They allowed their small children to sit at the sushi counter and ding the ‘order-up’ bell repeatedly, non-stop. After about 10 minutes of this, the kids got to clicking their chopsticks against the wooden surface of the sushi bar for quite some time. The sushi chefs were distracted, the waitresses were trying to make their way to other customers as children ran around, and it just sort of turned into a noisy daycare center. Besides all that, I was quite happy with the sushi.

Hihimanu Sushi – Menu with Prices – 3040 Waialae Ave A2, Honolulu

“I died and went to heaven.” Well I didn’t die but I did go to sushi heaven. Hihimanu Sushi was 5.5 stars in my opinion. Here’s why: Parking: There are some stalls right in front of the restaurant so it’s very convenient. Since the restaurant doesn’t hold a lot of guests, it was more than enough stalls. Ambiance: Classy yet casual but more upscale so I wouldn’t wear beach attire or anything like that. The restaurant is very clean and tidy. It has about 12 seats at the sushi bar and a small lounge area with small tables. If you sit at the sushi bar, you have to order the omakase (chef’s choice menu) and leave your kids at home unless you plan to order Omakase for them as well. Don’t be late either because he will start the courses without you. Food: Top quality fresh fish with Chef Ray’s twist on flavors that will melt in your mouth. Everything in the Omakase was mouth watering delicious. Chef Ray added his special touch with his homemade salts and sauces. His presentation of each dish was beautiful and IG worthy. He will explain each dish by stating what it is, where it’s from and what sauces or salts were used. No need for soy sauce because he adds a unique flavor to each dish. The Omakase includes other dishes besides fresh nigiri such as lobster, chawanmushi and oysters. Everything is seasonal so it’ll change by the seasons. Restroom: I think the cleanliness of a restroom is a clear indicator of how sanitized a restaurant really is. The restroom here is nice and clean so you can trust that the employees practice good hygiene. Service: The wait staff and chef were all superb. Chef Ray charges $5 for any photos taken of him (as a joke). He has a sense of humor and interacts with his patrons, which makes for a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Price: The price is definitely not cheap. For about 18 courses and 3 beers, it was around $250 per person. Our total bill for 2 people, with tip was around $600. Was it worth it? No sh*t but you might need to save up and go for a nice celebration dinner. Will I be back? Heck yes I will. Hihimanu was a great experience and I highly recommend trying it out! Make reservations on their website. They have a 5:30pm and 8:00pm seating at the bar for Omakase.

Sushi Court – Menu with Prices – 251 Westwood Shopping Center, Fayetteville

I will come again!!! (and that’s saying something since my sushi expectations are high … being from California) I GIVE THE CHEF 5 STARS!!!. The raw salmon roll and spicy tuna roll were amazing! The fish was fresh and delicious although the selection of fish was lacking; But its hard to find a big selection of fish in fayetteville.The portions of fish were small but they were very tasty. I did notice that the raw salmon roll only came in a 6 piece roll instead of the usual 8. I GIVE THE CHEF 5 STARS!!!. The waitress however a sad 2 stars only for bringing the delicious sushi the chef prepared! Her rudeness and lack of patience while we asked about the rolls was unnecessary! I will come again for the sushi and hope for a different waitress.

Ryu Sushi & Teppanyaki – Menu with Prices – 2512 S Val Vista Dr #101, Gilbert

*this review is from March of 2019* somehow it has sat in my drafts this long.. Let me start by “painting a picture” of how my day went before coming to this location.. It’s my birthday – on a Friday – the 1st of the month.. my initial reservation was at another establishment for 12 & I wasn’t able to add 3 more people.. (which was not up to me & had to be done for family reasons..) so I cancel and call three other places.. no luck. I knew my chances of getting a reservation 4 hours before I needed it were slim.. & my birthday is about to be a wreck. I no longer want to celebrate my birthday or go out to eat.. but a friend tells me this location is near her and her family goes often. I take my chances & call Ryu Sushi & Teppanyaki to make a reservation for 15.. first off, Anne was so kind and personable with me while making the reservation! I called just in time to make the reservation. We were seated quickly and we had to wait for a few of our party to arrive but no one gave us a hassle about it. The food was great & decently priced for this kind of establishment. Our chef was super nice & gave us plenty of birthday “shots”! We had children in our party & there were a couple messes that were handled quickly and without attitudes or making us feel bad. Anne really saved my sanity & my birthday.. if you’re reading this, I appreciate you more than you know.