This place was nothing short of incredible. I don't know anywhere else that is doing such innovative and unique omakase. We were considering a few different omakase spots in Boston for our anniversary and I'm really glad we went here instead. The intimate 6-person bar set up allowed conversation to flow and chatting with the chef was a really cool experience. Every bite was SO good and thoughtful. I'm a bit lost for words trying to describe it, and I already want to go back! read more

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Kudos for creativity and the relaxed and intimate ambiance. One issue is that with only one chef (and no assistants) running the whole show, the fish is not cut to order but rather sliced prior to service and left on the counter at room temperature for the entire 2 hr service. This causes the fish to lose some of its pristine texture and moisture and become slightly mealy or mushy (the exception being the fattier fish such as the sanma). I found this distracting and felt it detracted from the overall experience. The sujiko and wagyu were highlights. read more

Solid omakase in the greater Boston and it's for a reasonable price. Why burn your money away at places like Oya when you can come here. Ample off street parking. Chef Mike is a wizard combining unique toppings that work with the fishes. So glad a solid omakase place is somewhere outside of Boston. read more

Akame Nigiri and Sake - Omakase 1 of 2 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Lexington, Massachusetts

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One chef, six seats, that's it. You can hardly call it a restaurant, but Akame Nigiri and Sake is one of the best dining experiences in Boston. And if people ever find out about this place, you will need to make a reservation six months in advance. Michael Monaco is the owner and only employee, though he let me know his brother helps him out sometimes. Before starting a place of his own in 2022, he worked at Jasper White's Summer Shack and more recently at Uni under Ken Oringer and Tony Messina. Raised on the North Shore, he might not be what you expect in a sushi chef, but the man knows his fish which he sources mostly from Japan's Toyosu fish market. Akame is located in Lexington, just off Mass Ave, tucked away in a parking lot in little building that also houses a nail salon and a frozen yogurt shop. But when you walk inside, and sit down at the sushi counter, you might as well be in Tokyo. There are two seatings each night, 6:15 and 8:30, Thursday through Saturday. The cost is $180 for fifteen courses that includes mostly nigiri, but also A5 Wagyu beef and foie gras. (One course was we were served was Berkshire pork dumplings in a spicy broth which was good enough to build a an entire restaurant around.) For an additional $60 you can get sake pairings. That might sound like a splurge, but it is well worth it, and here's why. Most sushi restaurants are going to serve you primarily tuna, yellowtail, and salmon. Even o ya, the venerable Boston sushi mecca, allows those three fish to dominate their omakase. But Chef Michael presents you with truly unique and special fish, perfectly prepared and expertly garnished. I cannot say enough about how great Akame Nigiri and Sake is, but I'm not the only one. Every single one of the sixty-three Open Table reviews is five stars. Google Maps, seventeen reviews, all five stars. Yelp, all five stars. All of them. Every single review. And I agree completely. read more

Akame Nigiri and Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Lexington, Massachusetts

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My Omakase sushi dinner from Akame was the most incredible sushi I've ever had. I discovered Omakase just months ago, and had eaten it only in a place near my house in Florida. So I looked forward to my chance to compare what I've had with the artwork of a different chef. It was amazing. As things turned out, I was the only guest at this six seat restaurant (the chef's counter) that night. Chef Michael explained how all of the fish was flown in from Japan. Evidently, there's an importer that many local sushi establishments use as their source vendor. Each piece of Nigiri was beautiful, and crafted with an expert touch. Everything was both artistically created, and delicious. Omakase is an addictive and expensive style of presentation, and taste. But it is totally worth splurging occasionally when you're looking for a special meal. I can't praise Chef Michael enough for my first meal at Akame, and look forward to my next chance to do it again. read more

If you're in Lexington looking for sushi, you're in for a treat at Akame Nigiri and Sake, which opened about 6 months ago by Chef Mike who was previously at Uni in Back Bay and has since ventured out. Once you're at the six-seat counter, you'll receive his full attention and conversation since it's only him. The establishment is nestled in the center of the town with plenty of parking on the street, side street and back lot (paid parking with app or credit card ends at 8 PM). Push through the door and you're greeted with Chef Mike in a comfortable atmosphere that's not too flashy but more so focused on where everything happens - the sushi counter for an omakase experience. Off the bat, he'll ask you if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions and make accommodations (we had none so we pressed on!). Each piece of nigiri with the fish or seafood was assembled in front of us and was very fresh, ranging from crisp to fatty. The toppings were more on the creative side where some added a welcoming textural crunch to the velvet smoothness of the fish. A few noteworthy combinations were the kinmedai topped with a broccolini floret which balanced out the former's fattiness very well, Maine uni topped with caviar, foie gras sandwiched between a rice crispy (I forgot its marinade) and macadamia nuts and shaved dark chocolate, a few other nigiri topped with pork crackling, ribboned black truffle and yuzu marmalade. The dessert wasn't sweet but more so played with the texture of crunchiness and silkier pudding and engaged the tongue with some tartness from the champagne mango - it was enjoyable and it somewhat reinvigorated more appetite. We requested an encore and were asked what we would like to have, so we asked for an uni handroll and it was great way to end it from a food perspective - handroll filled with Maine uni, caviar and truffle. Closing out the experience was a yuzu-infused sake that was refreshing as it was cleansing. Chef Mike was a blast to talk to, very nice and professional and gave us suggestions for sake - one of them was the more acidic Heaven and Earth which actually paired very well with the later half of the omakase. read more

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Absolutely incredible meal, hidden away behind the main road in Lexington. Two seatings a night, maximum of 6 guests. Be prepared for a journey of unexpected sushi construction, all of which will be delicious. Also be prepared to make friends with your fellow guests. The chef is right behind the counter the whole time, walking us through the meal, explaining his thinking behind his creations, and taking part in the guest conversations. Definitely a place to return to again, and again. Zero hesitation behind leaving a review like this, I look forward to being unable to get a reservation because they're booked up. I don't get how this place isn't on every list. Go here! Have your mind blown! Enjoy! read more

An amazing experience. My wife took me here for my birthday dinner and it was fabulous start to finish. The food was unusual and universally excellent. The chef was friendly, interesting, and highly knowledgeable. There are only six seats, all at the counter, so there were four others sitting by us, which made for a less intimate dining experience, but this was fine. My only slight disappointment was that this was mostly nigiri, I would have enjoyed a more varied set of dishes outside of the world of sushi - but the chef's expertise is in nigiri and it shows in the stellar variety and quality offered. My wife and I shared the sake pairing, which I definitely recommend as well. This place is pricey, but for a special occasion, if you have the means, it can't be beat. read more

Our second time at Akame was just as sensational as the first! At many restaurants, even the best ones, they serve the same dishes over and over. Probably makes most sense economically to do so. But Akame is a much smaller scale intimate dining experience that allows chef/itamae Mike to change the sushi offerings according to what's in season and gives him new opportunities to apply his creative genius. We are so lucky to have a special place like Akame. Looking forward to going again with the changing of the seasons. read more

An incredibly cool Omakase experience. The chef / owner was not your average sushi chef bringing a unique experience that fused ingredients together unlike anything I have ever had. Fantastic meal. And being the only guests in the whole restaurant means you can interact with the chef in a really interacting dinner. Definitely will be back. read more

Wow, wow, wow. Such an incredible experience. Each dish is so unique, the chef was amazing with explaining each dish that he prepares and the dessert was spectacular. Recommending this restaurant to everyone I know! read more

Outstanding sushi. Great combinations of flavor, texture, and presentation.

Fantastic flavors. Relaxed ambience. Great service. Overall we had a terrific experience.

Delicious meal created from a wide variety of sushi. Mike is an engaging chef who takes the time to explain each course. A wonderful experience and we will be back again soon. read more