Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kin Nori Bar

    4.8 (63 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Kin Nori Bar Photos

    KIN NORI BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Kin Nori Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kwang V.

    Hip, trendy, lovely bar seat at Kin Nori bar. Friendly, attentive, thoughtful service. We paid about $85 for two lunch dishes came with miso soup. Very tasty, quality, fresh fish & rice, but I felt like I'm still hungry after this almost $100 lunch meal & it is just not worth the value unless you are willing to pay more.

    Scallop temaki
    Nina C.

    It was super excited to try this place, came in at 6 PM on a Thursday and you could hear a pin dropping inside with just a few people at the bar and barely any sound on the music. It's set up like an open concept of sushi bar, with seating surrounding the chef and bartenders in the middle. I started with the soba tea, I love the smokiness of it, and it was the perfect size cup. We tried several of the special menu, including the sashimi app which was delicious, and several nigiri. The quality of fish was amazing, but I didn't love how saucy they already were, not only the nigiri but the sushi rolls as well, it seems like they put a bit of soy sauce on the plate before putting down the pieces, and it soaked up into the rice. We tried the scallop hand roll, and it was super yummy, but things started taking a long time to come out, it seems they just had one sushi chef working for the entire bar. everything was still really good but for the price I expected a slightly better experience, at $260 for 2 of us without any alcohol, it could have delivered a little something extra to remember.

    Chef's special
    Aundya A.

    This locally owned gem has quickly become a favorite in Berkeley. With its intimate chef-counter seating, it offers a front-row seat to some of the best sushi in the area. The Chef's Set was a masterclass in balance, but the absolute star was the Seared Toro with Garlic Butter and Ponzu. The richness of the fish paired with the bright citrus was incredible. We also loved the Kumo Roll, which was perfectly baked and topped with a unique mango purée and puffed rice for a great crunch. We washed it all down with a crisp bottle of Dassai 45 and ended on a high note with refreshing yuzu sherbet. It is the perfect spot for anyone who appreciates high-quality fish in a focused, unpretentious setting. The Order: * Dassai 45 Sake * Chef's Set (6pcs Nigiri + Temaki + Snow Crab Miso Soup) * Seared Toro Fatty Tuna (w/ Garlic Butter & Ponzu) * Kumo Roll (Baked Salmon, Blue Crab & Mango Purée) * Assorted Temaki Rolls * Yuzu Sherbet

    Strawberry ice cream and matcha 'affogato' - Pass on this.
    Niki S.

    Go here if you really really really care about the sushi, where the fish is sourced, and the way it's made. Don't go here if you're not a sushi connoisseur and/or you want to be full after spending Lots of money. If you're just as happy to eat sushi at Hapa, Blue Sushi, Go Fish, or Aki, this isn't really a place you need to go. This is one of those places where you will pay a high premium for a small bite of food and you will be expected to savor it. The food itself - excellent. No notes (save for the dessert). The fish melts in your mouth and is absolutely delicious. The rolls are well composed and beautifully presented. I could have eaten 10 of the hand rolls because they were delicious but also small (but I didn't because they are $9+/pp). We ordered the matcha affogato ($14) and it was a miss. The ice cream tasted freezer burned (she literally pulled out of the freezer, pre-scooped) and the matcha was lukewarm and premade. It didn't function as intended since affogato works because of the intense bitterness of espresso. This dessert should have been maybe $7, and even then, I wouldn't tell you to order it. As mentioned in several of the reviews, the service is very slow. We went on a Wednesday night where there were a total of 7-9 diners the entire time we were there, and the food took a While. That's fine. We were there for the conversation and ambiance more than satiating our hunger. What was a little tedious was that we watched the two staff members take at least 3 shots with another couple and barely checked on us if we needed another drink or anything else. Just... weird. The acoustics of the place are not great. It was a mostly empty restaurant and there were moments where it was quite loud (mostly during the aforementioned shot taking). I would not want to be in there on a weekend night where it's full - I think it would be entirely too loud. Overall, worth a visit, but again, only if you really care about fish.

    Temaki Aburi Scallop
    Nancy T.

    I can't praise Kin Nori enough!!! Yes, they have rolls but they excel in elevated sushi. The fish is such great quality and fresh. The mix of garlic butter, ponzu, FRESH WASABI, aburi, tobiko, and caviar keep me coming back. I also love how they cut the fish and their rice ratio I always get whatever they serve with garlic butter & ponzu, the temaki aburi scallop, and the Negitoro Fatty Tuna w/ Fresh Wasabi & Chives. But the amberjack surprised me the most today! It was so sweet and the texture was like ama ebi and a scallop- will be adding it to the rotation.

    Kasia W.

    Really good quality, great atmosphere and service. I do wish they still had the spicy tuna hand roll from the last time I went but still good.

    Umi sushi roll, lychee+ drink

    First time here and absolutely lovedddd this spot. Service was amazing, food and drinks were incredible.

    Umi special roll
    Holly C.

    The sushi here was delicious and beautifully done. I loved the design of the restaurant with the bar surrounding the sushi prep area. The mural was gorgeous although I think that's left over from the previous tenant. Service was super friendly. The chef came over to help us at one point when the server/hostess was busy. About $80 per person with drinks, desserts, and tip. Very reasonable for such high quality food.

    Seared Halibut
    Optimus R.

    Lovely spot, husband wife team work hard. The food is quite tasty. The spices are well used and creative. Temaki are delish, sashimi is good although little too much sauce / spices that it's hard to taste the actual fish. Alcohol list is great with a few Japanese beers and sake. Overall a good spot, albeit pricey with slices of fish that could be a bit more generous. Biggest draw back: it is SLOW. Good things come to those who wait but let's be honest, sometimes wait weighs in on the overall experience. Perhaps one more chef to expedite things?

    Benjamin R.

    Let me start by saying, this place is gorgeous. The aesthetic? Immaculate. Moody lighting, trendy colors, and vibes so good I briefly considered signing a lease and just moving in. It's the kind of spot that makes you want to take pictures of your water glass because everything looks good. Now onto the food. The sushi? Super fresh and plated like it's ready for its close-up on a Netflix food doc. The sashimi was flavorful, though a bit heavy-handed on the seasoning, as if the chef said, "Let's spice things up... literally." And while the sushi was delicious, the slices were so thin I considered offering mine a protein shake. For the prices, I expected at least a sushi grade cut (this was nobu school of cutting sushi). But let's talk service: it was... let's say, "leisurely." You will not be in and out. In fact, bring a book, maybe download a movie or two. I aged like a fine miso, but hey, at least I had time to fully soak in the ambiance and question all my life decisions. All in all, it's a solid spot if you're not in a rush, love aesthetics, and aren't afraid to wait a bit (or a lot) for beauty on a plate.

    Mark F.

    This place is so perfect for that experiential visit for next level food and a great sushi bar atmosphere. This was our first time since the space became Kin Nori, and we were NOT disappointed. They kept the same set up as the previous place, which was a great call. The openness as you walk in, with a perfect bar that allows you your personal experience within that beautiful openness. We caught HH here, and loved it. Some clubby sort of background music provided uplifting energy without interrupting the meal conversation. Great balance. Wife had a wine, I had the Orion rice lager ($8), and we shared a saki bottle ($24), and the three temaki for $8 each. The saki was high quality. Each of the temaki were good in their own way. The yellowtail typically would win for me, but we both agreed the salmon won this food battle. All were excellent though, including the other one, the blue crab. The miso soup was also quite tasty. I was also told by expert sushi wife that this was probably the best sushi she has had in Denver in quite a while. And THAT is definitely a high compliment. The open prep area is great, of course, and the space itself is so inviting. The wasabi is fresh wasabi, and I even could tell the quality difference from other places. And their presentation of each portion of food is immaculate. It looks phenomenal before it actually tastes phenomenal. That would be a great tagline for them, in my opinion. Wassa was our server, and she was on point, very friendly, helpful with our selections, and elevated our experience overall even more. The value from the regular menu to the HH one was a pretty minimal delta to me, but what I WILL tell you is this. I am happy to pay the price if the experience and quality of food surpasses the value of that price. It did, without a doubt. We both walked out very happy, it was incredible sushi, I highly recommend stopping by this place, and see you there...

    Specials
    Sydney F.

    Loved the space and the small menu. They did everything so well. Mainly bar seating, which I love but could be difficult for large groups. We will definitely be back!

    Salmon avocado.
    Hans M.

    The food was amazing! The service outstanding in the ambience great. I have eaten sushi in Japan and all over the world and this is up there top 5. I highly recommend if you love sushi.

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Holly C.
    162
    1064
    1320

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Optimus R.
    59
    422
    761

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hans M.
    194
    5
    1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Phenomenal food and service. Recommend to anyone in the area. The owners are incredible. 10/10.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 2

    3 months ago

    Really good Spicy Salmon Temaki and Umi Roll. I would return again :) The drink I got was a lychee Mule and it was very tasty

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Had the tasting menu which was pricey (but her its Denver). Super duper yummy 20/10 would recommend

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    The owners are so welcoming and the sushi is amazing. The menu is small but that's good because they do it so well!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lucy T.
    939
    14
    46

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark B.
    605
    6
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kin Nori Bar

    You might also consider

    Sushi Den

    Sushi Den

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    7.1 miSouthwest
    $$$

    This is not a review of Sushi Den as a whole, but instead a review of the Chef Table run by chef…read moreYasu Kizaki. The experience truly begins with the reservation, where you are asked a series of questions from your familiarity with sushi, fish preference, appetite level, and so on. This truly is an in-depth questionnaire so that the chef Yasu could source fish from Nagahama fish market for your meal. It's an incredibly personal, curated meal. On the date of, you are led to a private room in the back, Denchu Den, which is a simple, private sushi bar for up to 4 guests. Then, Chef Yasu comes out for a truly intimate experience, one that is extremely rare to come by, even in Japan. It is truly just your party and the chef as he prepares some truly epic bite. And the menu is not set, it really depends on your personal taste, and the food continues basically until you tap out. As such, there is no set price, though typically we run up about $150-200 a person. It's a 2 hour experience during which you get to experience that Japanese hospitality with chef Yasu. We talked with him about his home, learned about his experience in Denver, and he provided some fun facts about sushi and Japanese in culture in general. I cannot praise this truly unique experience enough, and, in fact, we have been back here every single year. The cherry on top is that as you return, Chef Yasu starts to remember your preference and even past conversation. And it does not end there. Based on our conversation where I discussed my next Japan trip, Chef Yasu even took time to send us an email with his recommendations. The Chef Table at Sushi Den is truly a one of a kind experience here in Denver.

    Visited sushi den for the first time on 5/22. Amazing service and outgoing staff! The food was…read moreincredible! We ordered: Edamame Gyoza Tuna roll Hamachi jalapeño sashimi Aburi Sockeye salmon Tekka roll Spider roll (would actually not order this again) New style salmon roll Rainbow roll (loved the selection of fish and not having the California mix in the middle!!) Dessert: lemon crème brûlée and green tea ice cream The interior was very clean but lacking. Tables crammed tightly together, the granite table tops had big chips at the edges. My husband's chair was falling apart and I sat on the booth side and by the end of dinner my back was killing me. I was sunk in a hole so I had to awkwardly sit at the very front edge of the bench seat to be even remotely comfortable. Looking at other chairs around us, they were in no better shape.

    Photos
    Sushi Den - Inside

    Inside

    Sushi Den - Chocolate cake.

    Chocolate cake.

    Sushi Den - Hold steady  @dangit.all

    See all

    Hold steady @dangit.all

    Uchi Denver

    Uchi Denver

    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    3.7 miFive Points, Northwest
    $$$$
    Takes reservations
    Fine dining

    Uchi Denver exceeded every expectation and gave us the best culinary experience I have ever had…read more We came in for our anniversary on our first trip without our kids, and from the moment we arrived the team made us feel genuinely taken care of. Having champagne waiting at the table was such a great touch and set the tone for the night. We went with a chef's choice experience and every course was thoughtful, creative, and incredibly well executed. The surprises throughout the meal and the complimentary dishes made it feel even more special. The wagyu on the hot stone was easily the best thing I have eaten in my 36 years. What really made the night unforgettable was the team. They gifted us a cookbook signed by everyone with a beautiful message, which meant a lot to us. This is a night we will be talking about for a very long time. Thank you to the entire Uchi team for such an incredible experience.

    Uchi is dangerous for people like me…read more Not because of the raw fish. Because the place understands seduction. I've been eating at Uchi since it opened in Denver and today it still carries that same intoxicating balance of precision, warmth, swagger, and restraint. The room itself glows instead of shouts. Wood slats divide the dining room into little private theaters while the sushi counter hums with focused choreography. Expert hands moving constantly. Rice. Fish. Quiet communication. Tiny acts of discipline repeated hundreds of times a night. I sat down intending to have a civilized happy hour. That plan lasted maybe twelve minutes. The kurodai crudo arrived first. Gooseberry, leche de tigre, candied garlic. Bright, sharp, and alive. This is the kind of starter that wakes up your entire palate and you are reminded that you will absolutely be spending more money than originally intended. Next was the bincho temaki: cool albacore, kimchi, avocado, and a vividly garish orange sauce with some heat to keep the richness from becoming too much. Uchi understands something many restaurants don't: luxuriousness needs balance. Fatty fish without acid, spice, crunch, or brightness is palate exhaustion. And then one after another the deliciousness continued: the oysters were cold and perfect with cucumber, calamansi vinegar, and umeboshi. The day boat scallop nigiri nearly stopped time altogether. Just sweet scallops, rice, citrus, a little finishing salt. Incréable. Or whatever the French word is for "I briefly forgot my own name." And somewhere during martini number one, the staff adopted me. Apparently Uchi keeps notes on guests. Mine, I was told, says I'm "nice and a good eater," which may be the most flattering thing anyone has said to me in months. Suddenly more dishes started appearing. Gifted nigiri. Ikura glowing like little amber jewels (my favorite). A ridiculous and completely delicious carrot toro maki with green chili crunch and enough heat underneath the richness to make the whole thing flirt openly with your mouth. At one point the bartenders literally invented a "walu walu shot" on the fly just because the mood had drifted into improvisational chaos. This was somewhere between oyster shooter, seafood dare, and excellent bad decisions. Meanwhile, the guests next to me started talking to me and the entire energy of the evening shifted into communal sushi-bar joy. Suddenly we were all reacting to dishes, laughing, comparing bites, participating in the same ecosystem of salt, fish, alcohol, and temporary human connection. This is the real thing Uchi sells. Not merely sushi. Attention. Rhythm. Atmosphere. Memory. The feeling of being folded into a beautifully functioning machine dedicated entirely to pleasure. And yes, by the end I was emotional enough to remember being 20 years old eating sushi with an older woman named Alana who wore real fur and introduced me to this whole sensual adult world in the first place. That is what a martini and exceptional nigiri will do to a man. The final bill before tip was somehow only $141, which honestly feels mathematically impossible considering I briefly entered a spiritual relationship with the sushi counter. I tipped $50 because at that point we were basically family. Uchi remains one of the sexiest restaurants in Denver. Not performatively sexy. Not influencer sexy. Actually sexy. Confident. Observant. Generous. Precise. And just dangerous enough to make you order one more thing. Amazing dining experience.

    Photos
    Uchi Denver
    Uchi Denver - Spicy Crunchy Tuna

    Spicy Crunchy Tuna

    Uchi Denver - Hot sake.

    See all

    Hot sake.

    Rocky Yama Sushi - Sashimi Dinner

    Rocky Yama Sushi

    4.7(310 reviews)
    4.3 miLincoln Park, Southwest
    $$

    I usually have a magical ability to select a good restaurant by glancing at the facade, but my…read moreinstinct just wasn't sure about this place and I walked past many times without considering it. That was a big mistake. My friend was in the mood for fish and we also wanted to visit a couple of the galleries on Santa Fe Drive, so we took a chance for an early dinner. We were amply rewarded--the food was terrific, the space was comfortable, and the service was efficient and friendly. There's a small sushi bar at the entrance and a large, covered and enclosed patio to the south of the building (warm weather use only). You can't see the main dining room from the street, but it is tucked in the back of the building. The menu is not huge, but there's a good selection of starters/small plates, an interesting selection of entrées, plus fried rice and ramen options. There are multiple vegetarian choices in every part of the menu. The raw menu includes 26 sushi/sashimi choices, 26 regular rolls, eight vegetable rolls, and ten special rolls. Everything we tried was fresh and delicious. The seaweed salad was particularly good. The Unagi (freshwater eel) was extremely tender and flavorful. We also tried the Dragon Roll and the flavor and texture combination was great. Our other nigiri selections were beautifully sliced and at the peak of perfection. The place was totally packed by 6:00 p.m., but the service continued to be attentive and fast. We had a really great time and the bill was very reasonable. Give this place a try!

    This was a great dinner. I appreciated that there were plenty of vegetarian options (and not just…read morebland cucumber rolls)--having a delicious and large tofu roll, large veggie roll, and fresh avocado roll left me full and happy! The service was friendly, and the atmosphere was lovely with outdoor seating and plenty of space on the table and between each party. So glad we tried this place out!

    Photos
    Rocky Yama Sushi
    Rocky Yama Sushi
    Rocky Yama Sushi

    See all

    Nozomi - Some sushi classics and signatures

    Nozomi

    4.6(204 reviews)
    2.1 miNorthwest

    I would recommend making reservations ahead of time, it does get busy in the evenings!…read more Started off with some Miso Soup (ask for some spicy seasoning/togarashi) and the Crispy Spicy Tuna (the rice was indeed crunchy and the Tuna mix had a nice little kick to it, MUST GET***). For our mains, we ordered an assortment of Nigiris (Sake Toro, Whole Scallops/Hotate, Bluefin Toro - MELT IN YOUR MOUTH, Hamachi, all were dressed really well and the size of each fish was generous). Also ordered 2 Tuna Handrolls, the Black Dragon Roll and Den Roll (this one was only okay). Servers were attentive. Seating - Can seat a good amount of people indoors Restrooms - Single Stalls/Clean Parking - Street Parking

    Our party of six adults and two children arrived just after opening at 4:30 p.m., and our…read morereservation for eight was ready to go. Waters and menus, including the happy hour menu, appeared shortly after we were seated. We didn't order everything on the menu, but by the end of the meal it certainly felt like we had! As the food started arriving, the restaurant quickly filled up. By 5 p.m., there was already a line at the door, and soon after, out the door. After sampling most of the dishes we ordered, the reasons seemed obvious. The food was nicely executed, very tasty, and quite reasonably priced, especially the happy hour offerings. Standouts included the Rainbow Roll, Red Dragon Roll, Gyoza, Salmon Sashimi, Chicken Yaki Soba, and cucumber salad. That said, we ended up enjoying just about everything that came to the table, and we'd happily reorder all of it again. Service was friendly and efficient despite the rapidly growing crowd, and dishes arrived at a steady pace throughout the meal. For a party this size, the kitchen handled timing impressively well. Kudos to the kitchen staff and team overall. We're already looking forward to a return visit! Use the itemized list. Capitalize Cucumber Salad. Our party of six adults and two children arrived just after opening at 4:30 p.m., and our reservation for eight was ready to go. Waters and menus, including the happy hour menu, appeared shortly after we were seated. We didn't order everything on the menu, but by the end of the meal it certainly felt like we had! Our order included (HH is for Happy Hour items): HH-Edamame -- $6 HH-Cucumber Salad -- $6 HH-Salmon Maki -- $6 Japanese Soda Strawberry -- $5 HH-House Red Wine -- $6 HH-Hot Sake Jummai Ginjo -- $6 Old Fashioned -- $10 Aviation -- $10 Haku Lychee Martini -- $12 Sake (SA) -- $20 HH-Temaki 3 Roll -- $13.50 Asparagus Tempura Salmon Kinoko Nigiri -- $6.50 Miso Soup -- $7 HH-Spicy Crab Salad -- $6 Crispy Spicy Tuna -- $16 Kobe Wrap (2 pc) -- $11 HH-Vegetable Tempura -- $6 Sake (Nigiri) -- $8 Red Snapper (Nigiri) -- $4.50 Hotate (Nigiri) -- $5.50 Snow Crab Wagyu -- $8.50 Sake Toro (SA) -- $36 Rainbow Roll -- $18.50 Red Dragon Roll -- $18.50 Miso Soup -- $3.50 HH-Shumai -- $6 Vegetable Gyoza (6 pc) -- $9 Gyoza (6 pc) -- $9.50 Chicken Yaki Soba -- $16 Kobe Fried Rice -- $18 Suzuki (Nigiri) -- $4 Bluefin Toro (Nigiri) -- $9 Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita -- $10 Total before tip: $386 As the food started arriving, the restaurant quickly filled up. By 5 p.m., there was already a line at the door, and soon after, out the door. After sampling most of the dishes we ordered, the reasons seemed obvious. The food was nicely executed, very tasty, and quite reasonably priced, especially the happy hour offerings. Standouts included the Rainbow Roll, Red Dragon Roll, Gyoza, Salmon Sashimi, Chicken Yaki Soba, and Cucumber Salad. That said, we ended up enjoying everything that came to the table, and we'd happily reorder all of it again. Service was friendly and efficient despite the rapidly growing crowd, and dishes arrived at a steady pace throughout the meal. For a party this size, the kitchen handled timing impressively well. Kudos to the kitchen staff and team overall. We're already looking forward to a return visit!

    Photos
    Nozomi - Sushi Bar

    Sushi Bar

    Nozomi - Seaweed Salad (~$8)

    Seaweed Salad (~$8)

    Nozomi - Fried Rice

    See all

    Fried Rice

    Tatsu Izakaya - Tantan

    Tatsu Izakaya

    4.5(392 reviews)
    8.3 miUniversity Park, Southeast
    $$

    We had a great meal here and our server was very attentive and nice! The decor in this restaurant…read moreis OnePiece themed but it's not super noticeable, as they have a strong izakaya theme throughout the place. The vibe is fast and loud, but the servers are super efficient and communicative. I really liked the tokidoki roll and hamachikama. Hard to go wrong with those! The hamachi kama was HUGE. They give you the entier collar! I also liked the yaki ika which was very tasty, not rubbery at all. They have a lot of ramen on the menu which was a crowd pleaser for our group. Their edamame is also very spicy and quite good -- not your typical simply salted edamame. One thing I wouldn't order - the kimchi fried rice. One person in our party ordered it but it wasn't really fried rice, just kimchi and meat mixed with steamed white rice.

    Yaki Ika and yes, I did it. I have been eyeing on stopping by at this restaurant for awhile…read morewanting to try it. It was good and glad I did. Commonly called ikayaki and checked off! You can try to park at the free parking, off the street or on the street. It was Sunday 3 pm and parking was no problem. Ambiance. Very Japanese like feeling with knick knacks every where with banners, akachõchin. Sushi bar takes one side and also a small bar to the back. Drink menu featured several imported Japanese bottled beers on top of the common ones at reasonable price. Ended up getting the house salad, chicken yakitori, spicy tonkatsu ramen and yaki ika. All tasted good, no complaints. Spicy tonkatsu ramen had rich broth, chatsu was grilled and plenty. Repeat

    Photos
    Tatsu Izakaya
    Tatsu Izakaya - Luffy roll, Cali roll and I forgot the other one lol

    Luffy roll, Cali roll and I forgot the other one lol

    Tatsu Izakaya - Tatsu Ramen*

    See all

    Tatsu Ramen*

    Kumoya - Salmon, unagi, and needlefish Sashimi. Smeltfish roe

    Kumoya

    4.4(160 reviews)
    2.1 miNorthwest, Highland

    Kimora has the makings of a giant izakaya but somehow sectioned things off to make the back rooms…read morefeel more modern. If that doesn't raise expectations the service is on a whole other level with super knowledgeable staff as if they have been there for a while or even own the places. Its impressive! When you tie service and ambiance that leaves the food. Delicate and flavor forward dishes really play to all levels of the meal. Precisely cut pieces of fish and decorated with spices and sauces for an amazing meal! Highly recommended and an easy decision to return. Make your reservation and get that sushi in your belly!

    I've been to Kumoya twice now, once in 2023 and again recently, and I really wanted to love it. The…read morefood is good, the ambiance is great, and the staff is kind when you interact with them. Unfortunately, both visits had the same issue: very long gaps between dishes. On my most recent visit, we waited nearly 50 minutes between courses and never received the remaining three dishes. We ended up asking for the check instead. What made it more frustrating was the lack of service. No one checked on us, and we had to flag down another staff member just to get the check. Our server never came by. It was also surprising because the restaurant wasn't busy. There were open bar seats and plenty of open tables, so I'd be nervous to see what the experience is like on a busy night. It's disappointing because the food is solid, but the pacing and service make it hard to come back.

    Photos
    Kumoya - The cocktail bar

    The cocktail bar

    Kumoya - Wagyu tartare

    Wagyu tartare

    Kumoya - Booth in the main dining room

    See all

    Booth in the main dining room

    Mizu Izakaya - Breakfast Roll

    Mizu Izakaya

    4.2(882 reviews)
    2.5 miNorthwest, Highland
    $$

    5 star food and service at Mizu Izakaya! Our experience made for a perfect, fun Friday Date night…read more I came for the crispy spicy tuna and it was easily the best I've had. We also really enjoyed the chili wontons, pork belly skewers, and Kobe beef buns - all were super high quality and packed with flavor. We didn't care for the cucumber salad - the large chunks just didn't take on any flavor and felt like eating plain cucumber. The ambiance is very high energy and can be loud (there's a live DJ), but we had a wonderful experience on the patio.

    I stopped by this spot after catching a candlelight orchestra performance nearby and was craving…read moresome sushi--and this place definitely delivered, just not in the way I expected. When I walked in, it felt more like a club than a traditional restaurant. The music was loud, the energy was high, and the crowd was definitely on the younger side. Honestly, I've never really experienced anything quite like it--part restaurant, part nightlife vibe--but it was kind of cool in its own way. I grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered sushi along with a seaweed salad and an Old Fashioned. The food was actually really good--fresh, flavorful, and hit the spot after the show. That said, if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing dinner, this probably isn't your place. But if you're open to a lively atmosphere and something a little different, it's a fun experience. I enjoyed my food, soaked in the vibe, and left glad I gave it a try.

    Photos
    Mizu Izakaya - Sushi bar on left

    Sushi bar on left

    Mizu Izakaya - Crispy Spicy Tuna

    Crispy Spicy Tuna

    Mizu Izakaya - Hot sake.

    See all

    Hot sake.

    Kin Nori Bar - sushi - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...