Excellent dining experience in the Mile High City! So happy that Denver's dining scene has been elevated to the level of this type of craftsmanship. Every dish was elegantly explained before eating. Each bite was impeccable. Love the hideaway, speakeasy vibe. If omakase is your thing, definitely recommend giving this a try! read more

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The service was great. I didn't realize the entrance was sort of hidden but we figured it out. Cocktails were incredible - they try different flavor combos you wouldn't expect and you can tell they really know what they're doing. The food was excellent but like some of the prior reviews I must agree that it was missing something for me - I am pescatarian and they swapped out the wagyu for two small pieces of tuna sashimi which doesn't seem very comparable. Flavors of everything were fun and they explain each dish which was very nice. 12 seats only two seatings per night so it's an event. I would go back to try a different menu and more cocktails. The tuna event sounds awesome too. Overall great vibes and everyone was super nice. read more

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My second review on a visit a year later. Did not disappoint. If you have not been here you are missing a truly wonderful experience to expand your palate. read more

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We came here for an omakase to celebrate our anniversary and overall had a memorable experience, especially when it came to service. It was easy to find the entrance since they send clear instructions to follow the alley beforehand. The hostess was friendly, greeted us with a choice of cocktail or mocktail, and even wished us a happy anniversary which was super sweet. :) The bartender was AWESOME!! He also made us a drink to celebrate our anniversary and other guest's birthday which was a lovely and personable touch! I appreciate him checking on everyone throughout the night. I also liked thatthe chefs explained each dish thoughtfully. Their precision and technique incredible! Now for the food...the Four Seasons menu itself felt a bit underwhelming for us. We weren't quite sure what to expect when they described it as a fusion of Western and Japanese flavors. Our favorite course by far was the three types of fatty tuna, which came towards the beginning of the menu. I think that we were hoping the rest of the menu would continue to build from there. We love nigiri and sashimi and wanted move of that. Overall, it was a fun time for an intimate omakase expedience. read more

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Downstairs from Baohouse you'll find Ukiyo. When I was told to go through the alley to a nondescript door I thought that was a bit odd. As soon as you step in our world completely changed. The dining space consists of 12 seats sitting up at a bar aka chef's table. Reminded me a lot of our trip to Japan many moons ago. Chef Paul was super friendly and incredibly down to earth while the entire staff worked feverishly to make sure drinks were filled and drink orders were taken. For season 4 omakase, the flavors were a bit muted and fusion-y. The meal had its high and lower points but nothing disappointed. The fish selection for the nigiri was fantastic as was the A4 Australian beef and A5 wagyu. I'm certainly curious down the road for the tuna event. This is one great experience to experience in Denver! read more

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Wow, what a treat this place is. From start to finish the hospitality and humble talent of this team is unmatched by anything i've yet seen in Denver (and i've been around the block more than once). Right when you walk in the "speakeasy" door behind another restaurant, the hostess Vanessa greets you with a smile and offers you complimentary drinks (one alcoholic, one non.) and walks you down these stairs and straight in the sliding partition entrance to a very small but quaint room with lots of personality and warmth. Once sat at one of the twelve seats you are introduced by the chefs to the team and a brief description of the menu and what inspired its curation. Soon their after Chef Paul and the rest of his team begins to prepare, serve and explain each dish to you as if you were an old friend. The bartenders, Jeremiah and Wolfe are masters at their craft and will occasionally come around with pairings and fun facts about these rare sakes and Japanese whisky's they offer as well as preparing craft cocktails to your exact liking right in front of you. Being from the northeast originally, i have not yet found a restaurant that reminded me of the hidden gems you'll discover wandering around alleys of New York or Boston but that all changed when i discovered Ukiyo. Kudos to the entire team both in the front and back of the restaurant. I'm excited to see what the new menu brings! read more

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A nice experience but not worth the money. This is the exact same price as the far superior Sushi by Scratch. The nigiri courses were tasteless and bland. As we moved through Vietnamese and Lao cuisine , we got better tastes and the candy floss tree for dessert was adorable. read more

Did the Late Night Ngiri recently. It unfortunately did not meet my expectations, and I would give this place a 3 stars. For the $125 per person, I expected more from this place. To start, the atmosphere, staff and service was exceptional. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable of the drinks. I loved the chokaisan sake. It's fruity and the right amount of dryness. Also the lavender fused ginger was a great palette cleanser! Aside from that, my experience was quite disappointing after seeing so much positive reviews. Yes the fish was fresh, but I was not really blown away by each piece. There wasn't anything I found to be special about the Ngiri and the craft. For example, the 18 piece, I only found 2 memorable: Ebi with Tom Yum butter and the Yuzu cannoli. Those were absolutely delicious. However, all the others fell short. It was a nice experience to see the chefs make the Ngiri in front of you, however each Ngiri piece was inconsistent (some rice were loosely packed, fish slice small, etc). For an omakase fine dining place at a whopping $125 per person, I expected more from the attention to detail. Also I think for some of the torched Ngiri (ie A4 ribeye, salmon belly, foi gras) I wish they would make and serve as soon as the piece was done. It seemed the pacing was off (one chef would be done before the other) so by the time those were served it no longer had the flare from the torch. read more

Ukiyo Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Ukiyo Birthday Dinner at Ukiyo -- an unforgettable omakase experience I went to Ukiyo for my birthday, and it was one of the most thoughtful, creative, and memorable dining experiences I've had in Denver. From the moment you sit at the counter, it's clear this is a place where intention matters--every course is carefully composed, beautifully presented, and explained with genuine pride by the chefs. The meal unfolded like a story. It began with playful, almost sculptural bites--delicate textures, clean flavors, and subtle surprises that immediately set the tone. The progression into the raw courses was exceptional: pristine fish, expertly cut, accented just enough to elevate without distracting. Each piece felt balanced and restrained in the best way. One of the highlights was how texture was used throughout the meal--crispy, silky, airy, and rich elements layered together with precision. The warm courses brought depth and comfort, while still staying light and elegant. Nothing felt repetitive; each dish had its own personality. The sake pairings were outstanding and thoughtfully matched, enhancing the food rather than overpowering it. The team took time to explain each pour, which made the experience feel personal and immersive. Dessert was whimsical and refined--beautiful to look at and even better to eat--ending the night on a calm, joyful note rather than something overly sweet or heavy. Ukiyo is intimate, refined, and quietly confident. It's the kind of place where you slow down, pay attention, and really enjoy each moment. Choosing it for my birthday was absolutely the right call, and it's a meal I'll remember for a long time. Highly recommended for a special occasion or anyone who truly loves thoughtful, chef-driven dining. read more

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My husband booked us a reservation at Ukiyo for my birthday back in December and we are still talking about this place! It was hard to get a reservation since it's a 13 seat chefs table omakase restaurant plus their reservations fill up months in advanced but after eating here I can understand why. Chef Paul is in the front interacting with the audience and tells stories with each dish. While we're eating one, he is preparing the next and during our whole 2 hour dining experience, he was there almost the entire time. I was well fed and he kept my attention during the entire time with his stories and even watching the attention to detail as he preps. While I was disappointed they didn't have the tiramisu bonsai for dessert after reading rave reviews about it being the best dessert in Denver, I still left with my stomach and heart feeling full. read more

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Ukiyo was such a treat, we already can't wait to go back. We went here for my fiancés birthday last night and it was amazing and well worth the price. It's definitely more of an experience vs just a dinner. Most plates are prepared in front of you. It's a very intimate dining setting with only 12 seats per seating so it can book up fast. We booked beginning of February for a reservation in mid to late April. The menu changes bi annually so be sure to read the description on their website to make sure you are getting what you want. We did the food for connection. About have the plates were nigiri, and the others were smaller plates/bites. We left very full. Chef Paul explains each dish (where the meat is sourced/ key ingredients) as it's being served. Jeremiah was our very knowledgeable bartender and had great suggestions on cocktails. This place is awesome and I would recommend to anyone for a special occasion! read more

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We made reservations months in advance for an elevated omakase experience in the heart of Denver. Parking is tough, but there's valet available for the other restaurants on Latimer Square (Ukiyo unfortunately does not validate though.) Through an entrance in an alley full of dumpsters, you emerge into an upscale intimate basement space and are warmly greeted with a welcome drink. The chef is from Laos, and the dishes are inspired by his travels all over the world, with strong Mediterranean influences, which were a fun fusion of flavors, as well as southeast Asian techniques and warm childhood memories. Highlights for me were the detailed presentation, creative dishes, incorporation of Lao condimentsn into nigiri, and flavor fusion of olives with chicken and later squid. My only note is that the cook of the sushi rice was a bit coarse for my preference, and the harder texture took away from the buttery experience of the otoro, but it worked really well with the chutoro, which was actually preferable in this context. The best part was watching the bone marrow preparation for the A5 waygu nigiri, and then tasting it! So rich and delicious. A flavor journey with thoughful interludes. The beverage program was also top notch! I was impressed with my tengu cocktail, which was strawberry gin, mizunara, and strawberry sake. The Hungarian dessert wine was also delightful. I would go back to try future menus, and they mentioned there are tuna nights coming up which sounds intriguing! read more

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Multi-course omakase that you don't want to miss! 12 seat chefs counter gets you up close and personal with all the courses. Tons of variety in dishes, and a a wide selection of sake and drinks. Very small and intimate. Absolutely loved this experience and highly recommend! read more

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Got reservations like 2 months in advance. That's what you have to do if you want to eat here. I'm glad I did this once, but not sure I would do it again. It was mostly a great experience with really good food. Chef clearly understands what he's cooking, and he isn't just doing fancy things for no reason. Finding the place and entering had left much to be desired. Alley way with a bunch of dumpsters. Immediately I was thinking that this alone would eliminate a star from my experience. When we entered, everything was super nice. We were welcomed with option of adult or non-alcoholic cocktail. Both were very delicious and impressive. Their bartender is such an expert at mixing drinks and has a good knowledge of sake and japanese whiskey. We were seated in an intimate room that only seats about 10 people surrounding an area where the chefs are preparing each dish. The table settings were simple and nice. Waters are consistently refilled. First dish was a cucumber starter. A light, refreshing course that introduces you to the experience. A nice start. Next was chawanmushi. The cold temperature of the dish muted the flavors, even the ikura was hard to taste. The dashi sauce was tasty, and the most flavorful component. Wish it were served warmer. The wagyu was nice, I wonder how it would have been seared. The clear cracker was super fun, novel, and beautiful. The pouch wasn't the prettiest, but it didn't need to be. So mysterious and fun. The mushrooms inside were treated with butter and tarragon. Love mushrooms and there were 3 kinds. Don't remember what the mushrooms were, but at least 1 was enoki, and none were button. Oysters were clean and nice, one with quail egg on top with japanese flavors, and the other with southeast Asian flavors. Cucumber roll with some sort of treated plum that added sweetness and tartness. Palate cleanser. Seaweed was quite chewy, in not a pleasant way. Hokkaido scallop barbecued with coal. Latin style sauce and foam on top. Honestly, I did not like this because I felt like the scallop was a little ruined. I usually eat these scallops raw or lightly seared, and it's so much better. This one lacked the creamy texture that I love, and the flavor was just sort of smokey. Hirame with latin-style sauce and dried chili threads. Delicious dish, but I got a pin bone in my piece. Quite disappointing, but I looked past it. It happens, but when you pay this much for a meal, it shouldn't happen. Tuna nigiri, featuring akami, chutoro, and otoro. Fish was not highest quality. It was high quality, but not highest. Again, for the price of the meal, I was not impressed. Toppings were fun and original. Negihama handroll was done well. Pure comfort and delicious. Escolar was smoked with mesquite and very tasting with pea tendrils and other ingredients that made it a composed bite with complex flavors and textures. One of the highlights. Yuzu sherbert was simple, and perfect way to transition the tasting to another theme. Jamaican jerk chicken with scotch bonnet glaze was perfection. Juicy chicken, perfect seasoning, and you can taste the allspice and scotch bonnet. One of the best dishes of the night. Tom kha with lobster and truffle ravioli. Didn't care for the truffle ravioli, but the Tom kha and lobster was THE best thing I had of the night. Am I still at an omakase at a placed called ukiyo? It's delicious nonetheless. Lao new years basket was fun and tasty. An homage to chef's heritage. Tasty for sure. Dessert was perfect way to round out the experience. Who doesn't love cotton candy? The chocolate pretzel was basic and delicious. The matching tiramisu was on another level. Substantial, perfect amount of matcha flavor, luscious, and just darn good overall. The highlights were very high. The lows were still decent. I would say this was like 50% japanese omakase and 50% really well done global cuisine tasting. For sure worth trying at least once. The people working there were the best kind of people. read more

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The Nigiri to start to Omakase was actually VERY disappointing. Bland and boring. But the courses following were a lovely blend of Lao and Vietnamese cuisine. NOT worth the price read more

An unforgettable omakase experience. Every course was beautifully presented and thoughtfully curated. The fish was incredibly fresh, and you can truly taste the craftsmanship in every bite. The intimate setting makes it feel extra special. Highly recommend for a refined dining experience. read more

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12/10. I took one of my best friends to Ukiyo as she's an Omakase pro so I knew she'd appreciate this experience. We were greeted by a cute host with a complimentary sake (delicious and such a nice touch). We were seated with only 6 other people so it was intimate and such a fun group. Everything from the lighting and aesthetics to the comfortable bar seats to the attentive staff this place is a win. The food was so good and the drinks were delicious! I'd go here once a week hands down. It's hard to find a place in Denver that has great food, excellent staff and the right ambiance. This place nailed all 3. Thank YOU!! read more

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As much of a cool experience this was, I do have to knock a star down just for my personal opinion on whether the price was worth it or not. Let's start with the positives. Definitely a very cool vibe!! The space is small and intimate, you certainly can chat with strangers in the same group if you're into that! I myself am more of an introvert, so my boyfriend and I kept to ourselves. Next, the service is great, as expected! They're attentive to your needs. We got a free small drink when we first arrived - they had an alcoholic and a non alcoholic option, which worked out great for me. At the end of the meal, they gave us another complimentary drink, because we were there celebrating my birthday! Very sweet. We also noticed that someone in the group had a dietary restriction, and they tried their best to accommodate her - which I can imagine is tricky when there is a set menu. Now for where I took off a star. I think it really just comes down to I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be, given the long reservation list and pricing. I mean, it was definitely a cool experience and I enjoyed my meal. But I don't know that I found the food more mind blowing than other local sushi/asian spots. That's my only gripe - but definitely worth it if you're curious and want it for the exclusive feel of an experience! read more

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This is our second time visiting Ukiyo. The first time we loved every second of it. The chef and staff were very engaged, the dishes were fantastic, and the matcha tiramisu was to die for. The second time recently was lackluster and several of the dishes seemed rushed or as if they weren't planned well. They're changing the menu next year and we hope it's just as good as the first one! read more

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I've been to Ukiyo Omakase twice now, and each visit has been such a memorable experience. The team always finds a way to surprise me with unique, playful flavor combinations that make each course feel special. You can tell a lot of thought went into designing the space--it's not just beautiful, but also cozy and inviting. Even the restroom has great lighting and a stylish touch! One of the highlights for me was the tuna experience. Watching the chef skillfully break down a giant tuna right in front of us was unforgettable--and the tuna itself was incredibly fresh and flavorful. If you're looking for a sushi experience that's thoughtful, exciting, and consistently high-quality, Ukiyo is a must. I'll definitely be back again! read more

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The atmosphere and experience were outstanding, and the food lived up to the same high standard. The chefs and staff delivered incredible service that felt intimate and personal, even in a shared setting. read more

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The chef and hostess were both amazing, the food was delicious, but the bartender came off a bit snooty. However, when I'm spending 300+ for dinner then I am going to enjoy myself. I will chat and laugh with my friends and the other diners and if the bartender has that much of an issue with that then he might want to rethink his professional line of work. Perhaps he's just not a people person, but by far of all the high end whiskey bars we've been too he was the most haughty bartender I have ever experienced. He was knowledgeable and I would still return despite his attitude. read more

First of all, the food was absolutely amazing. Some of the best bites I've had. The progression of tuna nigiri was remarkable. The chefs and bar tenders were knowledgeable and fantastic with explaining everything. Such a memorable and amazing dinner! read more

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A new Omakasa place in Denver, Colorado! The staff is so friendly and so nice. They are very welcoming Service is just wonderful. The chef created an 18 course Omakasa meal, including appetizers, entrées, and a dessert. Each dish has been carefully thought out and provided a unique experience. The chef stated that it took a year for him to create the menu. A new menu will be out in July so it's not a one stop shop. The food is so delicious and the ingredients are very fresh and everything just melts in your mouth! It's a must try if you're looking for new dishes to try in Denver. You have to book in advance because it's only a 12 seater restaurant and they have two times each night. Reserve online on their website. The ambience is very clean and chic Japanese style. They have a variety of Japanese alcohol to pair with each meal. Huge plus is there is a bidet in the bathroom - if you're there you must check out the bathroom hahah It's downstairs the bao brewhouse restaurant . read more

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Hate to give this a 4 star because the experience, food, and people were amazing but have to be realistic when paying this price. Lots of flavors you have never experienced. The hostess, bar server, and chefs were all amazing and knowledgeable. I will post some of my favorite courses, which again were AMAZING. #1 knock is when you walk in Bao Brewhouse is very loud which was a shock. I think putting a door or some type of barrier would be awesome. #2 would just be the alcohol pricing is way over the top. I have drank a good amount of quality sake from bottles for $40-80 at quality places. Here you will be paying $120-$220 and $35-50 for a 5oz pour of the good options. Having a slightly wider range of pricing would be another big upgrade. #3 would be the third nigiri piece was very fishy and didn't taste fresh like every other course. Again amazing experience and I think the food is definitely worth it but I would drink up more before next time! read more

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An amazing night. This isn't just a tasting menu this is an experience. A very personalized omakase experience treating you with favors from all over the world. My favorite was the Caribbean jerk and the tuna sashimi trio. The bonsai tree dessert was amazing as well. Every dish is curated in front of you adding to the experience. read more

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This place opened in April and there was so much hype about it. They only do two dinner times a night, for I believe 5 nights a week with only 12 guests. Getting a Reservation here seemed impossible, but when I was finally able to book one- I had to book two months in advance. When the night finally came I completely spaced on it. So first of the entry way seems a little sketch and kinda hard to find- it's in the ally behind Bao Brewhouse. It's basically the basement of the Bao House. But once you find the black door, you know your at the right place. You are greeted by the host, Vanessa with either a non alcoholic drink or a manhattan sake, which was smooth and light. When we went downstairs to our seats, we were surprised with how cute and intimate the place was. The service was amazing! They were on top of our drinks and clearing our plates. The bartender, Jeremiah was attentive and really wanted to make sure I enjoyed my drink! The chef, Paul is Laos- a lot of the entrees was Laotian inspired infused dishes. They were amazing at explaining everything and giving some history on what inspired the dish. When we first started I was taken back because I thought it was suppose to be omakase sushi but it was a nice 20 course meal to have both hot, cold and raw dishes. I do wish that they had the menu written down for us to refer back to A good variety. But the sushi is probably my favorite bites. Everything was delicious, it either melted in your mouth or was just the perfect bite. The soup wasn't for me- something about a cold soup and not knowing exactly what I was biting into threw me off. My least favorite dishes was the fish, because it was overpowered by fish sauce, the paella with the black ink squid seemed more like a stuffing. The calamari in the paella was too salty. I do like that they change the menu with the season. This was a great experience but it was not worth the price in my opinion- too high. read more

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Went and had a good time. I believe the price is fair, which seems to be issue in many reviews. The atmosphere, interaction and team were all great, my only reason for four stars and not five is the food was not as good as the rest of the experience. In my opinion, at an omakase dinner, the food should lead the way and everything else after that. Food 3.5 everything else 5 read more

This place is next level. The menu is wildly inventive, with every dish bringing something unexpected in the best way. The staff? Incredibly warm, attentive, and truly well-versed. Every detail was spot on--highly recommend! read more

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This is more than a meal, it's an entire experience and it is so so worth the money. The space is hard to find from the alley, but once you're inside you are greeted by the host who offers wine before escorting you to your seat. The space only seats 12 and everyone sits at the bar. The serving experience is unique; the chef and his assistants prep the food in a cafeteria style manner and there is almost no downtime between courses. To serve 18 courses in 2 hours requires planning and they have it down to a science. It's expensive yes, but it is also ALOT of food! You will be stuffed after this much food! The food itself is also unique and not found anywhere else. I love that the chef had a personal connection to each course and shared so much of his life and experiences with us while we ate. 10/10 experience, can't wait to come back!! read more

We had an amazing meal for my husbands birthday at Ukiyo. The space is intimate and beautiful. The food & drinks were all exceptional. Each course better than the next. The standout for me was the Wagyu A5 roll with bone marrow. We will be back! read more

Ukiyo Omakase is tucked away in an alley. It's a little hidden spot but holy hell the Omakase experience here is top-notch and ridiculously good. No menu, they already have all the courses planned out and it's quite the variety. The chef's attention to detail shows in every dish. They served some of the most unique dishes I've ever tasted. Genuine hospitality from the entire staff. The chef took time to chat with and was super personable just adding to the experience. For a genuine unique Omakase experience unlike one you've had before, this is definitely the spot. Its literally a hidden gem worth discovering. Five stars! We will be back soon. read more

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My husband and I went for our anniversary and it was amazing! They went out of their way to make our experiece memorable. We did the saki flight with our meal and our sommelier, Jeremiah, was fantastic and very knowledgeable. The food was diverse and INCREDIBLE . The chef, Paul, explained every course and the food was delicious. It was a truly special experience that I would recommend to anyone. read more

Took my wife here to celebrate her 25th birthday. Such a special dining experience. One of the few 5/5 meals I can report the pleasure of being part of. Absolutely worth the price of admission. The air of exclusivity (they only seat 12 per meal) adds to the ambiance - it wasn't being noise polluted by hundreds of other patrons, the music was nice, and the staff were extremely knowledgable, friendly, and hospitable. We were treated to an 18 course meal, and every single item on their ever-evolving menu was a memorable one. Each course paired and contrasted well with the rest. The menu was timed and delivered in a narrative fashion - there was a cadence, and intentionality behind everything they did. From the complimentary drink upon entering, and descending into the hidden room, to the A5 wagyu plus A5 toro dish, that I'm still daydreaming about. Chef Jose was especially wonderful - we struck up a conversation about Ratatouille, and have become friends outside the kitchen. Cannot wait to return! read more

Ok, I'll first start by saying that this isn't the first place I've been to that styles itself with this sort of service. I'm comparing it to Sushi by Scratch in LA. While it's a tough act to follow, there is a strong basis for comparison. The meal started off well enough. There are a few courses before you begin the nigiri bites. The nigiri bites were good but not very creative or unique fish selections. The main fish course was ok. The final course before desert was a crispy rice dish with tube calamari and olives that was honestly just not good at all. Perhaps, their patrons are simply too polite to be honest with them about this. At this point in the meal, we paid and left rather than stay for desert. It was easier to pretend we had to leave suddenly than explain why we didn't like the food. I'm sorry and I understand that reviews such as this aren't great but it's an honest review. If it causes a course correction, then great. I wouldn't bother going back personally though. read more

Wonderful omakase experience in downtown Denver! Ukiyo really nails it with a wonderfully intimate dining experience. Two hours where you just get to sit back, relax and enjoy a beautifully curated multi-course dinner. From the fun of finding the restaurant through a discreet back-alley entrance to getting greeted warmly with option of NA or cocktail as you're taken downstairs to an intimate dining space - the guest experience is so well thought out and executed. The interiors are beautifully simple and refined. The staff are experts at what they do. The beverage manager was well versed in the beverage menu and although not a Japanese whiskey drinker- it was a joy to hear him speak and learn about the whiskeys with other guests. Chef had an impressive coursed dinner. Loved hearing the process and details behind what we were seeing and devouring. There was many moments of silence! That good! I loved the unique spins and unexpected flavor twists throughout dinner. I left fully stuffed! Even the Japanese toilet in the WR is a pleasant feature! Look forward to future visits! read more

Chef Paul has really brought the beginning of something new to Denver. As a CO native, our food scene has always been sad, but places like this give me hope! Presentation was top notch, 18 courses at a perfect pacing, service was almost Michelin star. Cozy place and even the bathroom was impressive. Menu is heavily seafood reliant, a bold choice for a landlocked state, but you can taste all the work and creativity put into this food. I know this place will be a hot ticket for years to come :) read more

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Food was amazing, the staff was attentive and super nice. Full experience was top notch! I will be back with friends