The food is absolutely of the best quality! Their method and process for preparing and cooking is unparalleled from most anywhere I have seen in the world let alone San Diego. Truly world class! The service was amazing- I am a messy eater and dropped my napkin several times, each time they handed me a new clean napkin. The ambiance is incredible- so intimate. This is an experience! read more

Came here to celebrate a birthday. Timing on a Saturday evening was good enough such that there was a good amount of parking out front when we arrived around 5:10 for our 5:30 reservation. We were first to enter and it was clear immediately that omakase is this restaurants institution; delicate lighting that highlighted the bar that separated diner and chef, clean lines everywhere, and just overall a beautiful place. The theme of Sushi MARU is truly attention to detail, and that extends from arrival, to service, to, of course, the food. Staff were incredibly attentive and easy to talk to, including the chefs. The food, I will comment on just generally as the menu is constantly changing (as is the case with many omakase): each dish was composed of pieces that complemented each other well and created a cohesive flavor pallette. Each nigiri was artfully prepared that emphased the quality and cut of the fish, and were complemented by flavors to further highlight that. The flow of the evening was non-traditional omakase, but it felt perfect. Price ($180pp) is not for the faint of heart, but is cheaper than others I've seen. Would absolutely visit again for a special occasion! read more

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Best omakase experience so far! This was my first private omakase sushi bar, and I really liked how intimate it felt. The food was top tier, and all the sushi tasted fresh. The staff was polite and professional. We did the sake pairing and the "Kid Muryozan" was my favorite. I want to buy a bottle! I was also able to take a lot of pictures and everything tasted as good as it looks. Can't wait to come back read more

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Amazing restaurant with top notch staff curating an unforgettable experience!! Highly recommend! read more

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Very poor service. I had seen the 5 star reviews and was very in the mood for sushi. I had walked about 1.5 miles tonthe restaurant. I did not have a reservation. The restaurant was mostly empty, except for several patrons around the bar. No one greeted me immediately so entered, looking for a place at the bar, the maitre d then approached me, and strongly waved and ushered me back out to the foyer. He whereupon firmly told me it was reservation only, but maybe could.look at something for me. Notably, I was not dressed like a bum, but in a nice shirt, trousers, etc. But I was treated like a homeless man that wandered in. So I left, and you didn't get another paying customer. read more

I had wonderful wonderful experience with sushi Maru and highly highly recommend their omakase! Sushi Maru was so beautiful everything looked clean and new. Chef Maru was so professional and so polite. All the food I had today was super exquisite and delicious. I always wanted to try hairy crab and got to taste in many different ways. I also got to try different fish and they were all so good. I would love to come back. read more

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We went to Sushi Maru for 20-course omakase menu on Valentine's Day, and it did not disappoint. There are 2 seating times, and we chose the 5:30pm seating. Reservation was easy to make and recommended. The restaurant has a classy and relaxed ambiance. Sushi Maru has 14 seats around an L-shaped counter where you watch Chef Maru and his sous chef prepare the courses. The staff is very friendly and made sure our drinks were replenished. The fish and other seafood and vegetables from Chino Farms were extremely fresh and flavorful. I appreciated that there was only a small rice ball with each sushi piece so you taste the fish more than the rice. We've had a few omakase dinners in San Diego, and this rated one of the best we have experienced. read more

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I made a reservation for a sunday when the meters were free. There was lots of parking just outside the restaurant on a sunday. The place was very minimalistic in design but the service was outstanding as they explained each dish, and brought out a piece of the item when they could. The brought out the hairy crab shell and abalone shell and even the trumpet fish. We started off with ankimo (monk fish liver) which was delicate and smooth, like foie gras of the sea. There was an appitizer with hairy crab which i have not had at other places. Next was the sashimi plater it came with hotatte, katuso, chu toro, and braised oyster. The braised oyster was interesting as ive only had it presented raw at other sushi places, it was braised in sake, shoyu, and mirin, which gave it a firmer texture it was much more tasty. I preferred this prepration to the raw. Sushi courses were presented on a black lacquer box which they wiped down between each course. It made the sushi stand out and makes for a beautiful picture. Kasugo (young tai or sea bream) was soft and tender Kama Toro (Oh toro- fatty tuna) from the collar of the tuna Aji (horse mackerel) i liked how it was sliced to make it more tender Nodoguro (black throat sea perch) always delicious Aoyagi (orange clam) very tender and soft, again it was sliced to make it more tender Maguro zuke (marinated tuna) the outside was torched and the block was marinated. Next was the broiled Yagara (trumpet fish) another unique fish that i have not come across in the sushi scene. I used to catch this as a kid. It was very meaty and firm. The chef also brough out another one to show. Very cool. Sushi Saba with a thin layer of kelp on top. Hairy crab with kanimiso (crab liver) on top very light and delicate, the kanimiso gave it a nice flavor. Next was uni we were able to choose between Hokkido or San Diego. They are competely different species so they taste toally different. If you like sweeter choose san diego, if you prefer fisher, stronger tasting then choose Hokkaido. I like them both but just depends on my mood or the season. Torotaku (toro takuan) similar to negi toro where the skin is scrapped to get the fatty mixture of tuna but instead of mixed with green onions, its served with taukan (pickled dikon) so its tasty and also has a nice crunch to it. Very unique and different. Awabi (abalone) it was braised for a long time so it had a nice tender texture and was served with some of the liver on top. bowl of ikura (salmon eggs) and rice. came topped with a little touch of wasabi on top, i would have prefered this as a sushi but there was actually more ikura than if it were sushi so i guess i'll take this one. Kinmedai (golden eye snapper) this is ususally served with the skin torched and served with salt on top. The chef had boiled the skin very quickly and just sliced it, so it was much sweeter than ive had anywhere else. i acutally prefer it this way. Usually i get a smokey flavor this time it tasted sweet. Anago (sea eel) most people in japan prefer Anago while in the US we usually prefer unagi (fresh water eel) its usually fattier and more moist. This anago was very moist and very tender, from tasting this one i can see why this is so popular in Japan. Soup was made with red miso and crab, it was very subtle, ususally red miso is very pungent but i didnt get that, i could barely taste any miso but that was fine, the soup was delicious. The final dessert was fresh fruit, mellon, strawberries, black berries and fig. They were all ripe, tender and sweet. Overall a beautiful meal and great service. What i liked most about this place was some of the unique dishes (hairy crab, kamatoro, yagara, torotaku. awabi) and even if it was the same fish that ive had at other places it was prepared differently (oysters and kinmedai) and gave it a whole differnt flavor profile and experience. You'll have to make reservations for one of their 2 weekday seating or one sunday seating. read more

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My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary and we were not disappointed. Thank you Chef Maru and Karin for an incredible dinner. There were 10-12 seats at the bar so this omakase was a very intimate setting. Every bite was carefully curated and presented by chef Maru. Such an elevated experience! Our favorites from the menu were the rosy sea bass, blue fin tuna, uni hand roll, ikura, and red sea bream. The entire dinner lasted around 2.5 hours (wish it was longer)! read more

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This is one of the most authentic omakase in San Diego. Maru San and his team are passionate to deliver a great dining experience. The decor is simple, yet elegant. He gets all the ingredients fresh from the fish market in Japan. All the utensils are handpicked from Japan. The cooking techniques are well thought out. If you are a sushi lover, this is the place to be! read more

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What an amazing experience! The presentation and service were outstanding, the food was spectacular - loved our visit!

I haven't had much sushi in San Diego but this has to be one of the best sushi and omakase experiences and meals you will ever eat in SD. Chef Maru is an absolute gem of a human being, chef, and curator of all things sushi and fine dining. Yet he is not cocky, he is not stuck up or snobby, and he is not fake. He is the real deal, genuine, humble, joyful, and amazing chef you should and would expect at any restaurant. And not only is theChef absolutely outstanding, but so are his staff. Each and every person makes this experience so much better and incredible that the meal isn't complete without them. All the sushi was incredible. The fish was so tasty, fresh, unique, and delicious, while the rice was perfect in every piece and with every bite. The side dishes were unique, intriguing, and sometimes even mind blowing. Even the most simplest of dishes like the miso soup was beyond anything I found in California and rivals that of the most unique options in Japan. If you are not one to engage with the chefs and staff, if you are not one to appreciate all that goes into this type of meal, from the selection of ingredients to the combination of flavors and the final execution before it is served in front of you and carried into your mouth - then don't bother dining here or anywhere similar. This meal is not complicated or confusing. It is simply true to who and what Maru is meant to be and what Maru is bringing to the San Diego food scene. read more

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My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary dinner and we had a great experience! It is a very intimate sit down around 12 people at the sushi bar. We got their omakase course and Hon Kid Sake which was very light and sweet a great pairing for the meal. The food was well very crafted and prepared like watching an artist at work. All of the fish just melted in my mouth, even some of the ones I thought I wouldn't like I loved. What supprised me the most was how delicious the rosy seabass was, it was soft and tender with alittle bit of a sear. At the end of our meal everyone wished us a happy anniversary and we got some complimentary sake which is shown in the picture. The only downside to dinner was during a part of the meal, was during a section where they brought out crab heads and there was a bug inside. I did not want to make a big deal from it due to their being other diners, and because I wasn't sure what type of bug it was. It wasn't that big of a deal for me but could be for others. read more

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What a great experience Maru is such a great chef and host that makes you feel welcome and appreciated. I had a fun time. read more

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Amazing food! Everything was top notch and served at the perfect temperatures. Each piece of fish and each dish was expertly made with elegance and craft and resulted in such a blend of flavors. The service was very attentive and even noticed that my gf and I were left handed and made the table setting as such. Overall, 10/10 would recommend! read more

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WOW ! One of the best experience I have dining out! We were there for my daughter's birthday but think I enjoyed it more than she did. We went through a wonderful 20 course meal ... each one elevating in taste and texture. Chef Maru was very fun, engaging and of all things a VERY fine host and chef. If you are not shy, kanpay with him and your guests and keep it going, he has one of the best sake pairings that I have had. Also his staff were wonderful and was on top of their game. Definitely one for the books! read more

Delicious Delicious Delicious ! I like the atmosphere and it's like I'm in Japan. Also presentation is awesome! Stuffs are so nice. Polite and kind. I'm really enjoyed the dinner. read more

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Having eaten at nearly every omakase spot in San Diego, my husband and I were pleasantly impressed by our experience at Sushi Maru and now place it amongst our favorites in town! Chef and his team were exceptionally hospitable and attentive, taking the time to converse with us and tell us about each course. We felt that the fish at Maru were of exceptional quality and prepared very well, with the perfect amount of seasoning when needed, making each bite a delight. Hairy crab was heavily featured on the menu at the time we went. Looking forward to returning in the near future! read more

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Complete high quality ingredients, classically trained chef Maru and impeccable service. We have dined here twice now and the consistency, attention to detail is amazing. With only 12-15 seats and two chefs, every guest receives personalized service from chef and wait staff. Without a doubt the most traditional and high quality sushi place in San Diego county that we have been to. We plan on coming here for future celebratory meals. read more

I have enjoyed the proliferation of omakase exclusive Japanese restaurants that have popped up over the past year in the SD area. Surfing Chef Maruyama has branched out from his roots at Taka Sushi to open Sushi MARU on the ground level of the Stanza Little Italy building in the Cortez Hill neighborhood. The sushi bar could seat 10 diners and had two dinner seatings each night from Wednesday to Sunday. Reservations can be made using Tock. Twenty courses plus dessert were served over two plus hours at a cost of $180 per person which was on par with the local competition. My visit occurred within the first week of the grand opening. The bar setup was simple yet elegant like each of the SD omakase experiences I have tried so far. One diner on the opposite end had a few food allergies which made me wonder why he chose omakase for a meal. Nonetheless, Chef Maru-san and his staff made modifications to the offerings that met the customer's dietary restrictions. For the rest of us, the May seasonal menu was presented in this order... * Starter - Japanese cucumber, seaweed, hairy crab, nasturtium * Appetizer - Hokkaido scallop with myoga ginger, firefly squid, Pacific oysters, otoro from behind the gill and chutoro -- Nigiri, part one * Halibut (Hirame) * Bluefin Tuna Belly (Chutoro) * Striped Jack (Shima-aji) * Giant Clam (Mirugai) * Rosy Seabass (Nodoguro) * Bluefin Tuna Back, marinated (Zuke) * Warm Dish - Steamed halibut with hairy crab stock (dashi) -- Nigiri, part two * Flounder Fin (Engawa) * Scallop, konbu-wrapped (Hotate) * Hairy Crab, chopped including the head and brain (Kegani) * Sea Urchin, Hokkaido (Uni) * Spanish Mackerel (Aji) * Seasonal Simmered Dish - Saki and salt stock, carrot, yellow zucchini, turnip, brussels sprouts -- Nigiri, part three * Abalone (Awabi) with liver and saki sauce * Salmon Egg (Ikura) * Red Bream (Kinmedai) * Sea Eel (Anago) * Soup - Hairy crab with red and white miso * Dessert - Panna cotta with blackberry and strawberry The chef noted that hairy crab was in season so he made it a point to present the item in three different preparations. This was my first encounter with Kegani which I appreciated. Nothing on the menu was fried and even the use of a blowtorch to sear some fish was judicious. The other highlights for me were the giant sea clam and konbu-wrapped scallop which each had a clean, simple taste. There was plenty of interaction with the chef as he explained each course as it was presented. I peppered him with some questions like where a particular fish was sourced. All of the vegetables came from Chino Farms as the supplier. At the end of the session, you could re-order any item a la carte if it was still in stock. WIth the quality of the seafood used and the excellent presentation of each course, dinner at Sushi MARU was no doubt a five star experience. read more

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Great omakase experience. Wonderful flavors. Excellent service. Very authentic. We will be back read more

This was such a unique and fantastic experience. Extremely intimate since it is only the sushi counter and the staff were very attentive and social with every guest. This was a ten course omakase experience with a wide variety of fish and sea life. I would not recommend if you are not an adventurous eater but it is worth it if you are. Reservations go quickly since it's a small space and they only do two seatings per night. read more

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I really don't like leaving average or below average reviews on places with good service, but my experience here was lacking. Considering the high cost of dining here a 4-5 star rating is high. I will start by saying that the service was really good (other than the servers rushing to take plates after courses). The head chef is absolutely lovely and his staff is very good at what they do. I do however think there's lots of room for improvement in the whole dining experience. I had high hopes for a great omakase date with my husband as we both love sushi and the experience of a coursed dinner. The nigiri was really small and not what we were used to from many other omakase dinners. The fish was excellent, but the portions were about half the size of standard portions at various other places. Additionally, other omakase restaurants execute dishes with more complexity in their preparation and flavors than Sushi Maru. This felt very beginner level in terms of omakase experiences. Given the price of $400+ for dinner for two I was expecting much much more. Had this been half the cost I still would have been slightly underwhelmed. That said, with some serious reconsiderations of portions, preparation, and intentional service, sushi Maru could be great. read more

One of my favorite omakase sushi joints in San Diego that makes me keep going back over and over again. The restaurant has a simple intimate decor and the service is awesome! The seafood is always fresh and Chef Maru is definitely able to show his mastery of the knife! Sushi Maru is a must for any sushi lover out there! read more

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10/10 for everything. The food. The sake. The service. The ambiance. Chef maru and chef Marcus were amazing. Perfect place to celebrate our anniversary! read more

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What an experience! This was our first time trying Omakase and I didn't know what to expect. Let me tell you from the moment you walk in you feel welcomed and as if you're home! The service is amazing, there were 3 servers and they were all equally attentive and so sweet! Inside is a very small intimate space which makes the expexperience even better! The food no words! Chef Maru is an artist! He is so careful with the food and you can tell how much he cares for the food he presents to us. Every single dish was flavorful and had a story. He explained where everything came from and what to expect when you eat it. If you have never tried Omakase please go here, the staff is amazing, the place is intimate and the food is out of this world! I did not take any pictures because I wanted to be in the moment but trust me please go and try it for yourself you won't be disappointed. read more

Just a note, my wife and I will be going monthly to this place! Here is why, elevated experience but not pretentious. Extremely satisfying experience of quality and tasteful art. Our omakase experience was paired with an amazing bottle of recommended Saki, which is now a favorite - thank you Andrew! :) From the moment we arrived, you feel like a VIP. We came to the early dinner but will opt for the later next time, so we can sit and enjoy a drink afterwards. This place easily rose to the top as our favorite. read more

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Husband and I had a wonderful date night here. All staff were attentive and friendly. Chef Maru is fun and engaging. The 20 course tasting menu was delicious, with nice variety. Thoughtful drink selection of sake, beer, wine, nonalcoholic (no cocktails). Ambiance was tasteful and cozy with beautifully understated design elements. There is plenty of metered street parking right in front of the restaurant (pay lot across the street is much more expensive). Congrats Sushi MARU on one year of business! We very much enjoyed our experience and will happily return again! read more

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Best omakase in SD.. period! Such a warm and delicious experience. I've known Maurusan for 20 years and he just gets better and better. Highly recommend. 6 stars read more

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This omakase was scrumptious!! One of the best we have been to. Highly recommend when in SD! It is definitely a repeat for us for next year! Thanks! read more

Impressive experience dining at Sushi Maru. Chef Maru and team are so hospitable and they make the dining interactive. We both walked away impressed everything. Chef does a wonderful job of explaining each dish. We had 2 courses of Bluefin Tuna prepared completely different (one marinated and the other from the belly). I also haven't had Seabass as a nigiri before. All the fishes are from Japan and the highest quality. We loved how chef brought out a scalesless fish for us to see and also the hairy crab. Chef also uses local ingredients such as Chino Farms. We loved how there's mostly nigiri courses, but there's other dishes as well like soup and rice dish with crab. Ending with a soup (before dessert) is a tradition in Japan, and it was the same with our meal. For dessert there is a panda cotta with fruit. At the end, you have a chance to reorder any courses. There were several I would have wanted but 20 courses is filling. It's an intimate setting with 12 seats. The other guests were also really friendly and it was great meeting them. Definitely 5 stars! I can't think of anything they could have done to make it better. Quality of fishes, preparation, menu, ambiance, staff - everything was perfect. read more

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100/10 experience!!! The intimate setting, the quality of the fish, and the owner and his co-chef were so impressive! If I lived in San Diego I'd go at least once a month. Definitely will have to go back when we take another trip out here! read more

Being a long-time sushi lover, however, it was my first experience with omakase. High quality sushi was the expectation; however, it was way beyond expectations in so many ways. Chef Maru and the staff were very attentive and welcoming. The ambiance is peaceful and makes me feel secluded. The overall dining experience is entertaining and wholesome. We get to learn the source of each ingredient and how it was prepared such that it brings out the natural sweet flavors. That seems to be the focus of Chef Maru has and he takes pride in non-traditional ways of preparing the food. Most of the ingredients were new to me as they came directly from Japan. Even though I have had a lot of sushi, most of the seafood presented were new to me. The taste to each dish was exquisite and delicious! The nigiri just melt in your mouth. The recommended wine pairing was well thought out too; it complimented really well with the courses. Apparently all omakase offers a raw oyster dish, Chef Maru wasn't going to pass it up. He slow-cooked the oysters for several hours and it turned out way better than raw. I was impressed with the prepping method and flavors. I don't think I can name a favorite dish because they were all very very good. I couldn't have asked for a better dining experience!! read more

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Went here for my wife's birthday dinner and it was amazing! When you enter you immediately appreciate the beautiful design that creates a very calm ambience. It's very small so we were all at the sushi bar, which was amazing to see chef Maru make all the dishes and explain as he went along. Every single bite was delicious. The service from all the wait staff was also top tier! We've had omakase at the two 1 star Michelin restaurants that serve it in San Diego, and we both agreed that Sushi Maru was better than either (which were also great, so that's saying something). We would not be surprised if this place eventually gets its own star. read more

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One of ｍy daughter who lives in San Diego made a reservation for Maru during my visit. I went to couple Omakase sushi restaurant in SD but I super recommend Sushi Maru SD. His sushi is amazing. I wish I can go there all the time. Thank you so much for your hospitality and amazing sushi performance. That was my unforgettable moment. Mahalo! 娘の一人がSan Diegoにいるので会いに行った時娘が予約していてくれたのがMARUさんでした。お任せお寿司はSan Diegoでよく行きますが、私の一押しはMARUさんです。MARUさんのお寿司、お料理は素晴らしかった。いつも行かれる距離ならうれしいのに。　温かいおもてなしと素晴らしい寿司パフォーマンス、本当にありがとうございました。忘れられない思い出になりました。マハロ！ read more

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By far best sushi I've had in San Diego to date. Really amazing experience , traditional Edo style sushi with five star service. Could not recommend more highly read more

If I could give more stars, I would! I had such an amazing dining experience with Chef Maru and Chef Marcus - I cannot recommend this omakase enough. We had a 20-course omakase and every single fish and dish we had was amazing. Chef Maru explained the care and preparation that went into each dish, which allowed me to appreciate each one all the more. The fish truly melted in my mouth and I loved everything! The restaurant interior is very elegant, modern, and extremely clean and neat. The staff were all very kind and attentive. They have an eye for detail, right down to them noticing that I am left-handed! The staff started placing items (e.g., sauces, spoons, napkins) on my left side for me, which I truly appreciated. And this was all based on their observation after I placed my chopsticks on my left side! This was my first omakase experience, so I was a bit nervous and wasn't really sure what were the correct social cues (do I eat the dishes right away, or wait for Chef Maru's explanation)? But Chef Marcus made us feel comfortable, and explained that we can do whatever we feel is comfortable for us. He took care in explaining the best way to enjoy each dish. Both Chef Maru and Chef Marcus were extremely personable, and I loved speaking with them during my time at the restaurant. Special thank you to Chef Marcus for taking care of us the entire time (we were seated on his side of the bar). You're amazing! I highly recommend this place! read more

Food was delicious and service was excellent. The chef and all staff were very attentive and interactive with customers. I noticed that they always wipe off the sushi stand after we took each sushi. Also I had some nauseous moment and stayed in the restroom for a while due to alcohol. (Sometimes my stomach can't handle too much food and alcohol all together. Nothing's wrong with their food or alcohol). The moment I went back to my seat and they brought me a cup of hot tea. That was very nice and thoughtful. Really appreciate the details. All their food was delicious. While all other Omakase offers raw oysters, they offered cooked oysters. I like trying different things. Their cooked oysters were so good. I also had Bonito sushi the very first time. It was tender and I was very impressed. Rosy sea bass was also delicious. Their cooked belt fish was pretty special and tasty. We will be back! read more

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What an awesome experience! The whole dinner was just over 2 hours and every single one of the 20 courses was amazing. Maru was fun and is a master. He explained every dish including its origin and tasting notes and hand made everything right in front of us. Every cut of fish was some of the freshest and most flavorful we've ever had and every staff member was knowledgeable and helpful. They noticed I was left handed and started giving me things on my left side, my water cup and sake cup were never empty, and someone came and wiped our sushi box clean after every piece. I'm glad I got our reservation so early because I think it'll be tougher to get as they start to get even busier. Oh he served us real wasabi, which is so rare and really elevates every item! read more

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Another Omakase is now available near Downtown San Diego, bringing their own flair and personality to the rest of the lineup of businesses here! Sushi MARU is unique through the contrast of an intimate dining ambiance and their extroverted and lively interactions. - PARKING - There are a few spots right outside the building, but be mindful of the day you visit as you may need to pay for parking! Be aware of any time limitations as well, as this is almost a 2 hour experience. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - The dimly lit restaurant with just 10 seats at the bar may seem intimidating at first, but you are quickly and warmly welcomed in by all staff members, as well as the chefs that await to serve you. Their warm demeanor and genuine appreciation of your attendance is felt throughout the service, as they ask questions past your enjoyment of each dish. We were congratulated by the staff on our recent engagement, and felt like we were celebrating with friends. - EXPERIENCE - Omakase ($180/per): A pricey meal, but as with any Omakase experience, you are given an intimate experience with the chefs preparing your food right in front of you. They also use the best quality of fish and other ingredients that deem the more expensive price tag worth. The Omakase here at Sushi MARU definitely focuses more on the nigiri courses, as opposed to a variety of cooked/fried/raw dishes that other restaurants do. - OVERALL - If you like a talkative environment, along with nigiri-focused courses, Sushi MARU is an Omakase experience you may want to try! read more