Is it possible to give this 10 stars? Because that was my experience on MOTHER'S DAY. First time coming here and it's been on my Yelp list for so long that I'm so happy I made myself the time to come here with a cousin! I made reservations about 2 weeks in advanced for 12pm and we lucked out with NJ weather and sat outside on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Because it was Mother's Day, they had 2 set omakase experiences to choose from. We decided to splurge and did the chef tasting. I couldn't even tell you everything I put in my mouth, but just know everything was SO fresh that the fish melted in your mouth. The owner Jo Jo came out to greet us, explained the menu to us, and even acknowledged the fact that the music outdoors was way too loud and he turned it down. He was extremely friendly and personable along with the rest of the waitstaff. The service could not have been any better. The sushi was SO fresh I literally could've eaten 50 more pieces if I didn't do dinner that night. I'm so happy that I was able to experience the tasting menu and told my husband we have to come back. The setting was intimate and small and it just had such a good vibe. Being outdoors on a beautiful day was a nice surprise. I can't say enough nice things about this place and the staff and the FOOD. I highly recommend Butterfish. Just make the reservation. You won't regret it. read more

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The omakase experience is a must here. Forget ordering separate rolls, this is what they are known for. BYO so don't forget to bring a bottle of your favorite wine. The menu has been curated by Michelin star chefs, and the food reflected that. Expertly crafted rolls and flawless execution, you won't be disappointed. Service was spectacular. They asked at first if there were any allergies and from the on plate after plate of deliciousness. Their servers explained every roll and its ingredients. My favorite was a foie gras roll. I know... sounds weird right but this was an absolute banger. Dessert? Went for a black seasame Gelato and boy it was an absolute closer to a phenomenal meal. Trendy and hip, this place is perfect for a date night. read more

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Beautiful place, as soon as I got there I was impressed with the decor and how the ambiance made us feel welcoming!!! Service was on point, they did explain everything when serving the food. Sushi was impeccable!!!! Everything fresh, tasty and memorable, can't wait to come back!!! We did the premium menu if I am not mistaken, and is totally worth it!!! For desert they did a complimentary gelato chef selection that was the cherry on top on our experience, thank you for everything! read more

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Very popular and on many "Best of" sushi lists so you MUST make reservations weeks in advance. We saw a "walk-in" turned away on a busy Friday night. It's on a hard to park side street but a public garage is only 1 block away. BYOB. As tiny as this restaurant it is huge on staff\service and has a great vibe. Staff is very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. Their specialty is Omakase ( chef's choice) sushi dinners. We all had the premium which had a three Apps, two handrolls, and 12 pieces of sushi. Very filling. I highly recommend the miso glazed black cod which is amazing. Cooked to perfection. Delicate yet full of flavor. Between the food, presentation, and stellar service... If you're a real "sushi-head" or want a place to start out with truly fresh, authentic sushi, then this is the place. read more

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Came on NYE and had their omakase experience menu. This really made the ordering process easy and allowed us to try a variety of menu items. Food was absolutely amazing, every dish paired nicely. They also allow BYOB. The only downsides I found was: Extremely small restaurant with tables very close to each other. Payment and tip on handheld device, selected 20% tip but device charged 22% anyways.. not sure if this is a scam but there was no way to change or revert the charge and it did not show the total you were paying until after the charge went through on the card. (Also no receipt) read more

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Ok may have to review again to give it another 5 stars 5 does not seem enough From the minute you walk in this small but stunning place you are treated like family The owner knew it was my birthday and greeted me right away I guess my family told him The staff came over and explained everything I don't know what to say about the food words don't do it justice It is a must go for any foodie don't go for the sushi go for the ambience and experience I only wish I could go every week read more

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Butterfish delivers luxury in the most effortless way. From the moment you arrive, the energy is refined, intimate, and perfectly curated. The service is polished yet warm, making you feel both indulged and at ease. The food is unforgettable, beautifully executed, bold in flavor, and meant to be savored. Every dish feels intentional, elevated, and indulgent without trying too hard. A special thank you to Danny, whose impeccable service, attentiveness, and grace elevated the entire evening, and to Jojo, the General Manager, for running such a seamless, world-class operation. It shows in every detail. Butterfish isn't just a place to dine, it's a destination. If you appreciate exceptional cuisine, elevated ambiance, and true hospitality, this is where you belong. read more

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Found a hidden gem. We made reservations in this cozy restaurant where the menu is curated by Michelin Starred chefs. The minute we stepped through their doors, we were warmly greeted by the entire staff. Upon being seated right away, we noticed the intimate atmosphere. They maximize every square space of it. Upon perusal we all decided on "The One" omakase. This omakase consisted of 2 appetizers, an eight (8) piece tray of incredible sushi, and two hand rolls. Everything was made to perfection. One of the highlights was the appetizer, Butterfish Spoon, which has three different fishes paired with a ponzu drizzle on a delicate wafer bowl. Outrageously delicious. This appetizer was not part of their "The One." Their menu and service were top notch. They constantly came over to ensure you had everything and ensured your cups were always filled. I highly recommend. read more

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I treated myself to Butterfish Sushi in Rutherford, New Jersey, and let me tell you... this place is a dream. From the moment I walked in, the energy was perfect. The food? Impeccable. The mocktails? Chef's kiss. The vibe? So warm and welcoming. Shoutout to JoJo -- my new best friend (he just doesn't know it yet) -- and Danielle, who was incredibly sweet and made me feel so at home. The entire staff was amazing. This experience was amazing amazing amazing amazing (yes, four times!) -- and I will absolutely be back. If you're ever in the area (or even if you're not), do yourself a favor and GO. Thank me later. read more

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My wife and I had made reservations at Butterfish after hearing all of the uproar. When we walked in, the host generously offered to take our wine and keep it cold while we waited for our table to be setup. After seeing the menu in person, we wish we brought airplane bottles to try their cocktails. They look delicious. We reviewed our options and went for the tasting menu to let the chef do his thing. It also comes with soda, bottled and sparkling water . We ordered 2 additional starters, edamame and Salmon Burrata. Those arrived with our first course of the tasting menu. Overall, The staff provided great service, but the tasting menu didn't do anything for us. We felt the main courses were average. I'd maybe try again, but I would bring airplane bottles and not get the tasting menu. read more

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We heard about this new spot on social media and since my boyfriend and I love an omakase, we had to check it out. It's BYOB, but we ordered the non alcoholic beverages and just bought some nips of tequila and vodka to mix in. Worked great and they were very generous pours of the various non alcoholic cocktails. The omakase was ok. I much prefer a piece by piece approach as opposed to getting 4-5 pieces in one go. It also felt repetitive with not much difference between the various pieces we had. Still a good spot to go to if you have a hankering for omakase. read more

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Ambiance Butterfish 's ambience is very nice. It's a small roughly seats 20 people inside along with a few tables outside as well . The interior is decorated with murals the most notable one being the geisha head on the wall and a ninja towards the bathroom along with other smaller ones scattered throughout the restaurant. This place is definitely a great intimate date night place for sure . The music is great ( mix of hip hop/ rnb) along with mood lightning as well. Service The service was excellent I'd have to say from the moment we checked in to the start of dinner service. Everything was well prepared and explained to all of us as it was brought to the table. Food As for the food, I ordered a mocktail ( Japanese Cherry Blossom) loved it the lychee flavor super refreshing . For the table we ordered ( Tuna Avocado Tartare) loved the freshness of both ingredients, and the ( White Truffle Scallop Carpaccio ) also fresh with a little bit of zest/kick at the end. We also tried the (Maine oysters on the half shell) the sauce it was prepared in was a nice accompaniment. Then the host also gave us seared salmon belly hand rolls topped with caviar on the house for my birthday dinner ( it was the most delicious bite of the night I'd have to say. For the main course I did ( The Premium) omakase experience. Priced at $99.00 it did not disappoint. It was 12 nigiri , 2 hand rolls and 3 appetizers. Everything was very fresh and well prepared . Safe to say I walked away full for sure . Cons As someone who takes their sushi seriously having been to every single omakase centered restaurant in New Jersey and a seasoned veteran in NYC omakases there were a few things that I wasn't a fan of . - The Shari aka sushi rice tasted like the chef just used plain white rice. No hint of preparation. Usually with shari preparation, you can taste a hint of vinegar but here at butterfish no taste at all. - I'm not a fan of omakases that do double of the same ingredients. ( i.e. 2 salmon 2 tuna etcc) there's so many different kinds of fish that the chef can use like Mackerel, Ikura, Suzuki, Kinmedai etcc. Especially if the price is $99.00. You should be able to offer other cuts instead of doubling up if that makes sense. - Salmon and Burrata don't belong on a sushi restaurant menu personally. Do they taste good together? sure it taste good I'm not disagreeing but this is a sushi restaurant not a fusion place like pasta ramen . In conclusion, Butterfish is the Sugarfish of New Jersey . It's a low cost, low pressure environment for people who want to try omakase but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a true NYC omakase or intimidated by one but are looking for a step up from the usual California/ Spicy Tuna/ Yummy Yummy rolls. Lastly, I just want to say that the host of the restaurant really made my experience a standout for sure . I truly have to commend him on his dedication and customer service. Thank you for making my birthday dinner great! read more

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Wow!! That could be the whole review and it would perfectly encapsulate the entire experience. Butterfish is a seemingly regular sushi restaurant on the exterior, typical Japanese influenced interior. It is a small venue with metered parking nearby, a parking garage around the corner, & even some free parking if you're willing to walk a bit further away. This place is BYOB, but they do have a partnership with a venue very nearby which will deliver whatever you're looking for without any markup, they just ask that you tip their delivery person. It's also by Reservation only!! Now for the sushi....Incredible, Amazing, Perfection!! Declaring it the #1 sushi place in all of NJ was what my friends and I were saying before we were even done with the experience. We all did the Omakase Experience: The Signature. We all added Seared Salmon Belly, & had the Salmon Burrata appetizer to share. Everything was fresh, everything had a wonderful presentation, we could not get enough. A wonderful experience from start to finish. Marilyn was our server, she was fun and funny. She made everything clear with what we were getting. They serve the "experience" orders in courses, so it came out to 5-courses across your 90 minute sitting. At the end we discussed going nearby for some additional drinks and Marilyn recommended a place, & even called over so that they would stay open a bit later for us. I have a follow up review about that place after this one. If you Love real/true Sushi (Nigiri) and Sashimi then this is the experience for you. I cannot wait to go back again!! Grades: EVERYTHING: A++ read more

Butterfish Sushi - Omakase Experience: The Signature - Appetizer (Course 1) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

Butterfish is an incredible sushi restaurant. For the quality, service and the price, they are phenomenal. I've been here 4x, I believe and each time it's better than the last. The ambiance is small and intimate and wouldn't be good for large groups. It is BYOB and street parking. Definitely go. read more

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Been here a couple of times now, once with my wife and another time with friends. Gotta say, the service is excellent every time. Host and servers are really friendly and welcoming. It's omakase and the food is amazing!! Somehow the experience gets better and better every time I visit. There is no parking lot but street parking is available and fairly easy to find. The place is also smaller which I don't mind. It is BYOB. Easy five stars and I'll definitely be back! read more

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Hands down the best omakase in NJ! We usually travel to Manhattan for our omakase fix, but this tiny gem on a side street in Rutherford of all places is worth staying on this side of the Hudson. The service is amazing and the quality of the fish just as good as some of the high end places in the city. We opted for the chefs tasting menu for $150. It includes choice of a sashimi style appetizer, followed by a trio of house special starts, all cold, two raw. The star was actually the cucumber salad-delish. Then the pieces are served in groups of five. There are two deconstructed hand rolls served in between and then gelato for dessert. It's a ridiculous amount of food but such a nice way to test this place out. You can choose for less elaborate omakase options and there is an a la carte option. Make a Resy and go. Doubt you'll be disappointed. read more

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The service here was unbelievable! They explain the whole menu to you, continue to check up on you, and explain the food as it comes out. The fish was all super fresh. We ordered à la carte and we were pleased. The blue crab hand roll was a favorite of our group! It was a great food experience. read more

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My cousin told me that Butterfish had opened recently in the area, and I was in the mood for sushi, so we headed over after our movie date and subsequent HMart shopping trip. We arrived around about 5:15pm on a Saturday and nabbed a seat outside. If you're a walk-in, they do have 3 tables outside that are first come first served. It was a lovely day, so we didn't mind sitting outside. We both had the Signature Omakase that comes with 2 apps, 12 pices of sushi and 2 handrolls. I also ordered a scallop-uni handroll on the side because I really wanted uni. The sushi was fresh and tasty, and I enjoyed the handrolls. It's not the best omakase that I've ever had, but it was very solid for the price point. Service was great and super friendly. We felt very well taken care of. read more

This restaurant specializes in authentic Japanese sushi and chef-selected dishes. The dining environment is small and exquisite, emphasizing detail and quality, making it perfect for diners who love classic Japanese cuisine and appreciate fresh ingredients and flavor. Due to its popularity, reservations are usually required in advance, as seating is limited and highly sought after. It is undoubtedly an underrated gem of Japanese cuisine in New Jersey, offering high-quality Japanese food without having to travel to Manhattan, and is well worth a try for anyone who appreciates refined Japanese dining. read more

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We have been wanting to try this place for a long time and so glad we finally did. Thorough review below but summary is: 10/10 would recommend for both extremely fresh fish & incredible service. The Manager JoJo welcomed us into the restaurant and was super friendly and apologetic because we had to wait a few mins for our reservation. We didn't mind because there are only 12 tables and it was Mother's day. Every appetizer we tried was super thoughtfully crafted and really delicious. If you like spice then the wasabi tuna app is perfect, if you don't like wasabi maybe go with the crispy cucumbers or the tuna spoons. After the appetizers we basically did the Signature option and first came the scallop, salmon and yellowtail. All extremely fresh and they said the fish is flown in daily from Japan and the salmon is flown in daily from Norway! Then we had a Tuna handroll that was super fresh and a perfect bite, if you like tuna you'll love this and the next course which was a flight of 3 different cuts of Tuna. Insanely good. The last bite is the blue crab hand roll which was a perfect light way to end it, this was my wife's favorite bite actually. If you like Gelato I would recommend the pistachio over the chocolate for sure. Overall the service was awesome they were super attentive and professional which was a really nice NYC feel without having to go into the city. This would be a perfect way to introduce someone to Omakase with some less intimidating cuts of fish and without sitting at a bar scene in front of the chef. Couldn't recommend enough and will definitely be back! read more

Butterfish Sushi - Blue Crab Handroll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

So I'm doing a take out review as I've never eaten at the place. Take out is some of the best take out sushi I've ever had, certainly better than in-person experiences at other sushi restaurants in the area. From the pick up ambiance looks nice and quaint, which is why reservations fills up fast. Looking forward to dining in as the drinks look amazing but have always had wonderful take out experiences. read more

Butterfish Sushi - Take home sushi box. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

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Absolutely amazing sushi restaurant in Rutherford! I came here for the first time and I'll definitely be back. The food was amazing, my favorites being the salmon burrata, white truffle scallops, oysters, Wagyu grab hand roll and cod fish. But you honestly can't go wrong with whatever you order! Service is also amazing! This place is BYO but they have the cutest mocktails you can order too. read more

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Returned for another fabulous meal tonight. Ordered the black miso cod and I must say that I love this dish at Nobu but Butterfish in my opinion is a step up. JoJo offered us gelatos which were delicious. Staff always professional. I cannot recommend enough. read more

Amazing! Cute space (but very loud). Very friendly service. Food came out super fast (too fast, no breaks in between, we finished our multi course tasting menu in one hour). BYOB. We enjoyed the $150 premium tasting menu. Fish was super fresh and tasty. Amazing experience. Will absolutely go back. read more

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Butterfish exceeded expectations! Cozy NYC-style vibe, incredibly fresh food, and beautiful presentation. Jojo and the team were fantastic--attentive, thoughtful, and even brought out extra dishes for us to try. The tasting menu and signature omakase were both excellent. A truly wonderful dining experience--we'll definitely be back! read more

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ButterFish is the BEST new sushi restaurant in NJ!! Perfect for date night or dinner with friends, dining options include a la carte all the way to the full omakase experience. Go BIG and get the Chef's Tasting! Pro Tip: Ask about their Secret Handroll Flight (you'll thank us later!!) JoJo and the his team took the best care of us and we can't wait to return!! Feel free to checkout our full experience here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG6lLOBx1Kq/?igsh=bXFlem0xZDlnejgy read more

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I have never been to an Omakase that my husband and I couldn't finish because we were full... Butterfish does this! The food and service were exceptional. Cute little spot with a parking garage close by. Would definitely come back! Also, go Big with the ultimate omakase experience, you won't regret it. BYOB! read more

Butterfish Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

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Tried Butterfish for the first time and I can confidently say: this place is next-level. From start to finish, the entire experience was flawless. The ambiance is calm, stylish, and welcoming. It's perfect for a relaxing night out or a special occasion. But let's talk about the sushi... wow. Every bite was perfection. The fish was incredibly fresh, expertly sliced, and beautifully presented. You can taste the quality and care in every piece. The service was top-tier - friendly, knowledgeable, and never rushed. You can tell the staff takes pride in what they do, and they're passionate about sharing it with guests. Butterfish just set the bar very high. If you love sushi (or want to know what truly great sushi tastes like), this is your spot. I already can't wait to come back. read more

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Came here on a Friday for nice catch up date with a friend. We did the experience and it was an experience. Service was pretty good and they were definitely busy. Food was solid, but eventually things started tasting the same. Good value. Worth checking out! read more

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Had such a great experience dining here. The ambiance is so cozy and private, it really elevated the whole dining experience. It's so nice that they offer a few different options of omakase at different price points as well as an a la cart menu. Our dinner was delicious and our server was great. We ordered the signature which included 2 apps (edamame & sashimi), 12 sushi (2 of each: salmon, yellow tail, scallop, tuna, albacore & toro) and 2 hand rolls (toro & blue crab). We also ordered the salmon burrata & Uni sushi. Looking forward to being back soon! read more

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Superb. Exemplary. Otherworldly. Breathtaking. Divine. Order Omakase and sit back and enjoy the trip. read more

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Positives: Amazingly fresh sushi. You can taste the difference! Friendly and attentive service. Nice dining area, good for dates or outings with friends or family. Some minor issues: There's no sushi bar with sushi chefs. All the dishes are prepared in the kitchen. It's nice to see sushi chefs preparing sushi, but can overlook this because the fish is so dang fresh. Apparently they are shipped directly from Japan 6 days a week. The menu does not include rolls and no creative mash up rolls either. They can turn a hand roll into a roll if you ask, but I don't recommend this. The rice to sushi ratio was off. There was a mouthful of rice to get through to taste the fish. For some reason, the rice didn't have the same texture as the rice used in nigiri. The rice used in the roll seemed but more dense and too sticky. So there could be a bit of consistency issue with rice or just too much rice in a roll. I enjoyed everything we ordered. I especially loved the yellowtail. Also enjoyed the foie gras with unagi. The richness of foie gras perfectly complements unagi. I tried unagi sushi without foie gras and I much prefer it with. The one dish I would not order again is the sushi spoon appetizer. It seemed as it was premade and was sitting in the fridge for a while before service. The mashed tuna inside was way too cold. Also wasn't too crazy about the crab hand roll, but that's personal preference. The tables are a little too close together for a Jersey restaurant, but you can pretend you're in the city. Finally found my go to sushi place in Jersey! read more

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Solid food. Everything tasted fresh and was yummy. Prices are reasonable too for the quality of the food. The decoration is pretty amazing. Everything seemed custom made, including the furniture. read more

What an omakase experience!! Butterfish recently opened in Rutherford off of Park Ave and this was such a memorable time! I did the Premium Omakase option and it was the perfect amount of food and I was so full by the end but powered through haha. The fish was indeed so buttery and just melts in your mouth! The toro was my favorite hands down. The restaurant is small but so moody and quaint - It added onto the experience. The service was also so great! I highly recommend Butterfish for a conveniently priced omakase course. read more

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Everything was very good. Friendly greeting at the door, knowledgeable and attentive service and a solid sushi experience. For me though it's a 4 not 5 star restaurant. While all of the courses were good to very good, we felt that the flavor was lacking in some of the pieces and we felt that the fish at Cobra Tea in W Caldwell and Sushi by Sea in Ridgefield and Shumi in Leonia or Ridgefield are just a step above. If we lived closer we'd likely return but we'll stick with Cobra Tea. read more

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Second visit to this charming restaurant in Rutherford. Fantastic meal and service at this small venue with a lively vibe. Fish is flown in daily from Japan except the salmon which comes from Norway. The fish is amazing. Flavors, texture and presentation are nothing less than outstanding. Marilyn our server was friendly and helpful with the menu and advice. read more

Butterfish Sushi - Nigiri sushi Seared salmon belly, wagyu, tuna, seared toro - Sushi Bars Near Me - Rutherford, New Jersey

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4.5 stars!!! One of the best places for sushi in North Jersey. I came in here for one of their omakase experience and already I cannot wait to come back for more. My mouth still waters thinking about their toro rolls and sushi pieces. All the sushi and hand rolls were absolutely delicious and tasted very fresh. Their omakase experience menus are very reasonable and well worth the price. The servers are very timely and attentive to make sure you get your plates taken away immediately and have the next course offered. Basically almost everything is raw in the menu (don't expect to have cooked food options). Restaurant inside is sort of small and cozy, but it's a very nice restaurant. The vibes are very cozy but some tables can feel very cramped due to the small space. No alcohol but they have mocktails and they allow BYOB. They even offer $2 off mocktail if you bring your own airplane bottle which we will definitely do next time!! Not quite 5 stars because the service when we were first seated was slacking a little. Half the restaurant was empty but they chose to seat us very close to another party while other tables that could've spaced us out better were open the entirety of our dinner. The server did offer to move after we were already settled in but I think this could've and should've been managed better from the beginning. They also forgot to offer us water, ginger, and wasabi and we had to ask for it after our appetizer courses and when the main course arrived. Afterwards, they were really attentive but I was just a little disappointed at the initial experience, especially since they seem pretty appropriately staffed with different servers approaching us. Overall the food is absolutely delicious and I will be coming back!! read more

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I came here for my birthday and had an amazing meal! The service was extraordinary. Our server went above and beyond to make our night memorable. The restaurant is tiny and it was impossible to get reservations! The omakase is table-only. There is no external facing sushi bar. We both did the premium omakase for $98 and were completely full. The sushi quality is amazing! They fly in fish from Japan every day. BYOB. Great food. Great service. Would love to be back! read more

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I came here tonight with my best friend to celebrate my 30th birthday, and it was such a special experience. Huge thank you to Danielle and the rest of the staff for making the night feel so memorable. The staff was incredibly attentive and kind from start to finish. We did the omakase experience, which included three appetizers, twelve pieces of sushi, and two hand rolls. Everything was beautifully paced, and we were also constantly topped off with hot tea, which added to the relaxed, thoughtful flow of the meal. The food itself was outstanding. The combination of textures and flavors was so well balanced that every bite felt intentional and carefully curated. You could really tell how much thought went into each dish, and it made the entire experience feel elevated. This was my first time here, and it was the perfect way to ring in my 30th birthday. I would absolutely come back again and highly recommend it. Thank you again to the whole team for such a wonderful birthday dinner. read more

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Sushi was super fresh. This is a mush try in the neighborhood. Everything was delicious. Also it's BYOB! The service was super quick and amazing. We have no complaints. Our server was very bubbly and super nice. And the interior was decorated super cute. Highly recommend this sushi place to anyone in the Jersey area read more