Came here for a Mother's Day lunch with my family. It was very quiet, which my parents appreciated,…read moreand the overall atmosphere was minimalist, grounded, peaceful, and distinctly Japanese. The decor felt understated and calming, and both the host and server were very kind and welcoming.
Service was definitely on the slower side -- we started the first course around 1pm and dessert wasn't served until about 2:40pm -- but I suppose that's part of the intentional, course-by-course dining experience. We ordered one of the lunch set menus.
A few thoughts on the dishes:
* House made tofu - Delicious. Light, delicate, and creamy, topped with wasabi and soy sauce. 9/10
* Appetizer assortment - A box with four small dishes (Nanohana steeped in dashi, simmered daikon radish, Tai marinated in vinaigrette, tamago). The tamago was less sweet than what you'd usually get at sushi restaurants (just okay for me, 6/10). The daikon was tasty (7.5/10), the fish had good flavor but a firmer texture than I prefer (7/10), and the vegetables were well-prepared (7.5/10). Everything was served room temperature. Overall, the flavors and sauces were very mild and subtle, in line with more traditional Japanese cooking.
* The sashimi dish was fresh and delicious. 9/10
* Pork belly with vegetables - The pork belly was extremely tender and flavorful, and the vegetables were cooked nicely. The sauce was delicious. I almost wished it came with rice, but it was lightly seasoned and balanced as-is. 8/10
* Gindara marinated in miso - Lovely buttery, flaky texture. I've had similar miso black cod dishes elsewhere that were a bit more flavorful, but still very enjoyable. 8/10
* Chawanmushi - Very smooth, custardy texture with hints of citrus/yuzu, crab, and shiso. The crab texture was nice, though I didn't get a ton of crab flavor.
* Octopus - A bit too chewy for my taste, though it paired nicely with the sweetness of the plum. I especially liked the nagaimo (yam) for both flavor and texture. 7.5/10
* Rice with kelp, wasabi cucumber, and simmered baby sardines - The kelp had a great texture and slightly tangy flavor. The wasabi cucumber was a bit too salty for me, even with the rice, but the baby sardines were delicious with just a hint of salt. 8/10
* Miso soup - Nice and light. 8/10
* Dessert (matcha yo-kan) - Green tea jelly with raspberries. Nice texture, though I personally prefer more pudding-like desserts. Not overly sweet, but I'm generally not a fan of beans in desserts. 7.5/10
One especially thoughtful touch: they served dessert to my mom on a special plate with additional Japanese candies and little origami pieces made by the staff. It felt very warm and personal.
Overall, a good experience. They also offer à la carte options in addition to the set menus. The space feels intimate and would probably be best for smaller groups or quieter meals.