The vibe is chill. Would recommend the Ishiyaki Wagyu on hot stone! It was tasty and came with a…read moreside of kimchi and string beans. The poke bowl was flavorful but was mainly rice. I wouldn't recommend the Yaki Onigiri, despite reading positive reviews for it. The fried rice was way too heavy and didn't taste good. The greasiness was competing with the strong taste of the salmon. Some servers knew their job well, and greeted us at the door. A newer server wasn't as knowledgeable on gluten free options there and also didn't take away our used appetizer plates before serving us the mains. Not a huge deal, but it does make a difference in your dining experience and how the flow of your meal goes.

"Comforting Bowls and a Cozy Izakaya Feel"…read more Haruki Ramen & Izakaya delivers a warm and inviting ramen experience that feels both relaxed and satisfying. It is the kind of place that works perfectly for a casual date night or a comforting dinner when you are craving something rich and flavorful. We started with the agedashi tofu and Sapporo, which was a great way to ease into the meal. The tofu was lightly crisp on the outside and silky inside, sitting in a savory broth that balanced sweetness and umami nicely. Paired with a cold Sapporo, it set the tone for a solid evening. My girlfriend ordered the spicy tonkotsu ramen, which came out steaming and fragrant. The broth was creamy and pork forward with a steady heat that built gradually without overwhelming the palate. The noodles had a nice chew and the toppings were well portioned. I went with the mazemen, which was bold and satisfying. Rich sauce coating thick noodles, topped with a perfectly jammy egg and fresh scallions for brightness. It was hearty and full of flavor, the kind of dish that leaves you full and content. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and a laid back energy that encourages you to settle in. Service was attentive and friendly without being intrusive. The only reason this lands at four stars instead of five is that while everything was very good, it did not quite reach that unforgettable level. Still, it is a dependable spot for quality ramen in Norwalk.

What a nice surprise! I was craving sushi for my birthday recently, and my husband found Kazu. We…read morespilt the sushi and sashimi platter for 2, which was not only beautiful but really delicious... the fish seemed exceptionally fresh and was had a wonderful fresh taste. Our daughter had the kids bento box which she LOVED. And the waitress couldn't have been more friendly and accommodating. We will definitely be back!

Great service, delicious food. Nice ambience and reasonably priced!…read more Easy parking in the street. I recommend this restaurant!

Came here on Christmas Eve and it was super delicious. I really enjoyed everything that we had. We…read moregot miso soup as an appetizer. Then we got the sticky short ribs as another appetizer and then we shared family style the beef and broccoli, the pad Thai and the sesame chicken. Everything came out super fast for how busy the restaurant was but everything was absolutely delicious. The restaurant does get pretty loud if it's pretty busy, but nothing too crazy and they have a lot of tables for small parties and also large parties The restaurant is very clean and comfortable, and the bathrooms are very spacious as well

I went to a Hunan Taste years ago in Wilton and found it greasy. Today I went to this new(er)…read morelocation in Darien and it was delicious and surprise- not greasy at all! I only got a lunch special of ginger chicken with broccoli. The rice was perfectly cooked and chicken tender - good quality. Sauce actually had a perfectly strong flavor of ginger! The lady working there was so nice- even saw me coming back from the lot and ran out with my takeout bag. I don't return to many, if any, Chinese restaurants, but I will give this one a try for dining in since it is so nice inside!

I grew up going to this restaurant under previous ownership and the food quality was very different…read moreback then. Surprisingly, the atmosphere hasn't changed at all in the twenty years that passed since I last visited the space. I will say the service was fun and attentive.

This place is huge than what I expected. I walked in on a Sunday afternoon and the hostess attended…read moreus after a few mins wait. Most of the tables were empty and that got my eyes rolling. We got the cream cheese dumplings before we got to order the sushi. Then we ordered the basic Alaskan roll. (This was probably the best of all). We got a few speciality rolls as shown in the picture which tasted great but kinda felt too much crunches to go into a sushi deceiving the actual taste of the food. Overall, a nice place to try out.

We went on a Sunday and chose the chef's counter in the tamaki-ya room hidden away in the back. We…read morewere fortunate enough to find Chef Taibe behind the counter on his otherwise night-off. I'm no foodie but I am Chinese/Japanese and can appreciate finer things in life when I see it. This place meet and exceeded my expectations. The wonderful speak-easy tamaki-ya room in the back is warmly lit and held at a nice volume, much quieter than the izakaya bar in the front. For small bites we had the Beet n Hijiki salad (highly recommend!), Agedashi tofu, and Torched Maine uni. For hand-rolls I had the Spanish Mackerel, Hokkaido Scallops, Ocean Trout, BBQ Eal & Foie Gras, and Cucumber ume. My wife had the Maine Uni, Hamachi, and Botan Ebi. Everything was good, but there were quite a few that were very good, and there were two that, for me, were the best that I've ever had in recent memory. For the Spanish Mackerel Chef Taibe put an interesting spin on it by topping it off with a traditional Chinese ginger and scallion garnish used in a tender chicken dish. It works, it balances out the briny taste of Spanish Mackerel... which is great... unless you LOVE the briny, savory, mineral, metallic, umami taste of fresh Spanish Mackerel :) The Hokkaido Scallops was, by quite a large margin, the best scallop dish I've ever had. The tender sweetness of the fresh scallop combined with a brown butter kewpie (how American!) and yuzu tobiko sauce swimmingly. Texture, temperature, taste, all perfect. I like eel and I love Unaju. But by far the biggest surprise was the BBQ Eal & Foie Gras (see pic). This dish alone warrants a culinary course. On the face of it, bbq, eel, foie gras all sets you up for something rich, filling, heavy. But when I bit into the unassuming hand roll, it was the lightest bite of Japanese rice/seafood/seaweed/liver/sauce combo I've ever had. Turns out Chef Taibe prepared the sauce from scratch using five+ different spices, and prepared the foie gras au torchon. I could go on, but suffice to say, this was one of the best bites I've ever had. By contrast, I thought I was going to close out with the cucumber ume roll, but compared to the eel and foie gras, the ume actually felt more overpowering. Perhaps if they cut back on the generous amount of ume paste... (Worthy mention: Chef Taibe presents the nori in a separate envelope. This seemingly simple step is crucial to the taste and mouthfeel of the hand roll. It provides a wonderful fresh crisp crunch to every bite and it does indeed make a difference. He mentioned he sources a special nori but I forgot the details, just know that it's really good) My wife loves uni, and I'll let her describe her experience (which she won't) but it was so good she had to order a second one. As if you need more convincing, we had a great experience and I think you will too. Bravo Chef, well done

We absolutely love Bar Bushido. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the intention behind…read moreeverything -- this isn't just a restaurant, it's a full experience. The cocktail program is seriously one of the best in the area. Creative without being gimmicky, balanced, and clearly inspired by Japanese ingredients and technique. Every drink feels thoughtful and well executed -- the kind of place where you actually want to work your way through the menu. The food is where it really shines. The chef-owner's love of Japanese cuisine comes through in every detail. The yakitori program is outstanding and deeply traditional -- using all parts of the chicken the way it's done in Japan. It's respectful, intentional, and absolutely delicious. You don't often see that level of authenticity and execution locally. The bar bites are some of the best around. The fried chicken sando is one of my personal favorites -- perfectly crispy, juicy, balanced, and craveable. And the ramen? No one can hold a candle to it. The broth is deeply flavorful and layered, the noodles are spot on, and every topping feels purposeful. It's the kind of bowl you think about the next day. Perhaps the best kept secret in all of Norwalk is the back room -- the elegant Temaki-Ya. Tucked away behind an unmarked entrance, this intimate hand-roll bar feels almost like discovering a hidden Japanese speakeasy. The atmosphere is quiet and refined, the kind of place that's perfect for a special date night or a memorable evening with friends. The temaki (hand rolls) are beautifully composed, with thoughtful ingredient combinations that balance texture, flavor, and visual appeal. What makes this place special is the dual experience -- lively izakaya vibes in the front, elegant hand-roll bar in the back -- all tied together by serious culinary skill and genuine hospitality. Norwalk is lucky to have this spot.

ORIGIN: Chef/Owner Jeff Taibe initially opened Taproot in…read moresuburban Bethel with wife Steph Sweeney (Owner/Manager), but found a good percent of their innovation-seeking customers travel from Connecticut's shoreline to visit. After they became aware of the availability of a large space restaurant in the city of Norwalk, the restaurant migrated to its present spot. LOCATION: The restaurant is in a lively location, with a movie theater across the street and a convenient parking lot in the back. ATMOSPHERE: The space, which is divided by walls into three dining areas, has a "shabby chic" aesthetic and is lit by tall and wide paned industrial windows. EXPERIENCE: I've visited for brunch and Happy Hour with friends who live or work in Norwalk. Chef Taibe is creative and skillful, and I'm forever impressed by the dishes he serves. As a result, it comes as no surprise that the restaurant was recognized as best in Fairfield County during the Connecticut Restaurant Association's 2023 Crazies award ceremony. (Chef Taibe was finalist for best chef in all of the state the very same year.) The pimento cheese starter topped with Benton ham jam (happy hour/dinner) and smoked brisket hash (brunch) highlight how Chef Jeff Taibe transforms and elevates common menu items into ones that are memorable and crave-inducing. TIPS: Adding to the menu variety, specials are available between 5-9 pm as follows: Tuesdays: Burger plus Beer combo ($18); Wednesdays: Seafood discounts and specials; Thursdays: Smoked Prime Rib ($65); Fridays: Fossil Farm Game specials. It appears that walk ins are always seated in bar dining area, regardless of whether the central dining area appears free. If you rather not sit on a high top bench or stool, a reservation is recommended. The restaurant is also accessible via a back parking lot entrance.

A fantastic find in SONI. Trendy, warm, and welcoming space. Our party of five was seated right…read moreaway at a great high-top near the bar. Michelle, our server, was excellent--personable, knowledgeable, and attentive. The food was outstanding from start to finish. Highlights included steak tartare, scallop crudo, sardines, and sourdough bread, followed by swordfish, chicken, steak, pasta ragu, and scallops--all delicious. Definitely order the bread!! Amazing experience--we'll definitely be back!

Amazing food! And the portions were generous. For being a…read moreweekday late lunch place was open, no long wait Service was very good. Place was clean and with good lighting. We had the opportunity to thank the chef in person for a great experience

Great service. Walked in and had a seat in 10 seconds. Took my order in under another minute. And…read morehad a drink in hand under 5. Gotta love it when you're on a quick work lunch. Got a custom Lomo with steak and shrimp. And a passionfruit mojito. Also delicious. I'll have to swing by and grab another lunch soon.

Found this restaurant through Instagram. Initial thoughts, cute , intimate, and colorful. We had…read morea reservation and were running late to our surprise the restaurant wasn't super busy on a Friday night. We started off with nachos, great size and flavorful. For our entrees my husband had the steak ordered medium and came out to perfection . I had the chicken and it was also perfect. I look forward to visiting again .

Alma Bistro, Cocina Latina is a Latin fusion restaurant in Norwalk, Connecticut, celebrated for its…read moreflavorful, authentic dishes with a modern twist, blending South American, European, and Asian influences. Popular menu items include birria tacos, octopus, shrimp ceviche, and steak chimichurri. My daughter and I visited here for her birthday, and we both love Latin cuisine. As we walked in, we were greeted warmly and shown to our seats immediately. It was a chilly day, and the restaurant felt cold inside as well. The staff tried to warm things up with space heaters, but they didn't quite do the trick. We ordered empanadas, birria tacos, hanger steak, and sweet plantains with crema and queso fresco. When the dishes arrived, they were lukewarm--a bit disappointing, considering how cold it was outside. The birria tacos were delicious, though again, they could have been hotter. The meat was tender and well-seasoned, but I would have liked it a bit crisper. The hanger steak was tender, and the Pico de Gallo was bursting with flavor, pairing perfectly with the steak. It was nicely seasoned and had a good-sized portion. The empanadas were tasty, with flavorful and plentiful meat. The plantains were extremely delicious. The crema and queso fresco helped bring the whole dish together beautifully. The customer service was friendly, but the food could have been hotter; still, the flavors and seasonings were spot-on.