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The food here is excellent I would recommend getting the all you can eat and dinner menu is better the service is very nice all the servers are very kind. And the seats are nice and comfortable and the ambiance is cozy.
Had a great lunch at East Izakaya. We arrived right when they opened without reservations and were seated immediately. The restaurant is modern and clean. The staff were kind and helpful, and I love that you can order the all-you-can-eat from a tablet, so convenient. The only downside is that you can't really customize the dishes. The shaggy dog roll and crabmeat tempura roll were my favorites. We'll definitely be back.
First time here and we were so confused at first. You can order individual items off the menu as a main dinner or you can get the all-you-can eat style for roughly the same price. They have robots bringing you food from the kitchen which was totally new for us as well. Our actual waitress was warm and accommodating as well as our host who did their best to explain how everything works at the establishment. The sushi and other items we tried (got the all-you-can eat) were all fantastic! It was a nice restaurant and not too crowded.
Such a great experience. Took my son here during spring break. They have a separate tablet for gluten free items. Small portions but they bring out many dishes. The food was so good. My personal favorite was the Japanese rice and the spring roll. We will definitely be back.
What a great experience! I've driven past here, dozens of times and always wondered about it. The food was delicious in the service was fantastic! We definitely recommend.
Super busy place even with reservations. We waited 10-15 mins to be seated. One side of the restaurant is for AYCE and the other is a-la-carte. When seated, the server came by and explained how to use the ordering machine. Your selections don't actual go through until the server processes them. She was great and funny; we enjoyed her down-to-earth personality. The manager was very nice as well and came over to check on us too. I wish I remembered their names!! You can't beat AYCE! We were a glutton for new foods and wanted to try something from every section. It didn't happen because we were so full. We should've skipped the second round of raw oysters (extra charge) and hand rolls (meh). It's been over a month since we went and I have not craved any sushi yet. Im sure we will be back again with our kids.
The dining area and overall atmosphere is very clean and modern. Lots of exciting decor is strewn throughout and one dining room has an indoor fire pit. Our server was helpful and explained the service model to us well enough. I will say if you go with a large group (our party was 6 people) be prepared for the experience to take a long time. We were still encouraged to order as much as we wanted but each round of food took a considerable amount of time getting to our table. One round of orders never came and our server explained someone may have picked it up. She had to send the order in again for us. Depending on where you sit, you may have your food brought out by a robot. Our kids liked the robot and you can even ask the server to have the robot come over for a photo. For an all you can eat place, the food was excellent quality. Be sure to read the menu carefully because some menu items are one per order. We paid for the lunch menu which has limited options compared to the dinner menu. We still felt like we had plenty of options to pick from and everything was delicious. I would like to come back with a smaller party and try the dinner menu next.
One of the best sushi experiences I've ever had. Tasty, fresh. Fantastic variety. Bonus points for the fun robot delivery.
An Unassuming Gem: Where Asian Fusion and Impeccable Sushi Collide Tucked away within the charming and slightly bohemian confines of the Village Gate, my expectations were a blank slate. I had heard murmurs of a notable sushi spot, but the specific location--a hub of artisanal creativity and repurposed industrial charm--left me wondering what kind of dining experience awaited. Was it to be a trendy, minimalist bar? A cozy, family-run nook? The mystery was part of the allure. Stepping inside, any lingering uncertainty evaporated the moment we were seated. The ambiance struck a perfect balance: it was vibrant and buzzing with the happy hum of conversation, yet intimately arranged so that our table felt like our own private corner of the culinary world. The Village Gate, with its unique character, proved to be the ideal backdrop. It provided a sense of discovery, as if we had chanced upon a secret that the neighborhood regulars had been wisely keeping to themselves. The menu, a tempting tapestry of Asian fusion, presented the delightful agony of choice. We navigated its pages with a strategy of mixing the familiar with the adventurous. And then the food began to arrive. Let's start with the warm-up act: the miso soup. In many restaurants, this is a mere preamble, a salty, steaming placeholder before the main event. Not here. This was a broth with a story. Deeply umami-rich, it had a complex, almost smoky undertone that spoke of a carefully tended dashi. The silky tofu and wispy ribbons of seaweed were perfectly tender, but it was the soul of the soup itself that was truly remarkable. It was a humble, comforting masterpiece that set a powerful tone for the meal to come. Then came the showstopper from the small plates section: the octopus. Served as a appetizer, it was a dish that immediately commanded attention and unimaginable tenderness. This was no rubbery, chewy cephalopod; It was fresh, allowing the natural sweetness of the octopus to shine through while being enhanced by a subtle, savory. A truly delicious and memorable start. But the main attraction was, of course, the sushi. As the platter was set before us, the first thing that struck me was the vibrant, jewel-like quality of the fish. The ruby-red of the tuna, the delicate pink of the salmon, --each piece looked like a work of art. And the taste? It unequivocally confirmed what the eyes had already seen: absolute freshness. The fish was cool, clean-tasting, and possessed that sublime, almost creamy texture that only the highest-quality, well-handled seafood can achieve. The rice, so often an afterthought, was a star in its own right. It was seasoned with a perfect balance of vinegar, sugar, and salt, each grain distinct yet clinging together in a tender, pillowy mound. The warmth of the rice against the cool fish created a harmonious temperature contrast that is the hallmark of expertly crafted sushi. We sampled a range specialty rolls. Each bite was a burst of flavor and texture. The salmon sashimi dissolved on the palate, leaving a rich, oceanic essence. The ubtly sweet and incredibly smooth. The fusion elements in some of the rolls were clever and respectful, adding a pop of flavor or a delightful crunch without ever overwhelming the primary ingredient--the pristine fish. From the first sip of miso to the final, satisfying piece of sushi, the meal was, in a word, perfect. It was one of those rare dining experiences where there is no critique to be levied, no "it was good, but..." The location was ideal, the service attentive without being intrusive, and the food was executed at a level that far exceeded our hopeful, yet uncertain, expectations. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a destination. A place where the creative energy of the Village Gate seeps into the kitchen, resulting in a dining experience that is both exciting and profoundly satisfying. I came in not knowing what to expect, and I left already planning my next visit. An unequivocal five-star triumph.
Incredible! Very busy so would definitely recommend making a reservation. We did a la carte and it was plenty of food- the portions are much larger than they look on the menu. Beautiful space with a great menu- we would definitely come back!
Absolutely love it here! They have the best AYCE deal. The sushi and everything else is so fresh. They also come around with fresh skewers of meat and additionally serve food on robots for quicker service. The space itself is upscale looking. My only warning is that it is very easy to order too much--pace yourselves!
I was so excited when East Izakaya announced they were coming to Rochester. I made a reservation for my friends and I. There is plenty of parking. East Izakaya is beautifully decorated. The attention to details is amazing. The space is huge and there are private rooms. We ordered the all you can eat menu via an iPad. Then the server comes once we place the order and the food comes out pretty quickly. The sushi is so good and fresh. There is something for everyone. My non sushi eating friends ordered, ramen, fried rice, soups and so on. They even have people come around with skewers of meat. Sometimes the food comes via the robot! It's a fun experience. It's about $43 a person for dinner and it is so worth it. I highly recommend coming to East Izakaya for the best sushi experience.
24 days ago
This is actually a very difficult, updated review for East Izakaya. We visited a few months ago and did not have a good experience, coming back 3 months later to see if there has been any improvement; we once again left disappointed. The past couple times we've visited, we've noticed what we loved about the restaurant has changed. For instance, our beloved torched sushi has gone downhill. For starters, the rice ball that forms the piece of nigiri has doubled/tripled in size. Not only has it increased dramatically, but they're also shaped sporadically. The same type of fish is sliced in different sizes and the ratio of rice to fish is completely off. The sushi is doused in sauce, and the rice was mushy and under-seasoned. The sashimi that I recall being presented beautifully, is now a clumsy mess and poorly put together with little care. Also to add, the yellowtail sashimi still has its bloodline attached which should have been trimmed off or at least trimmed off more. Serving this fish with too much of its bloodline intact put a gamey and iron after taste in our mouths which wasn't pleasant. After selecting one of my favourite items, the Chilean Seabass; a message popped up saying it's sold out. We then learn it's permanently discontinued and the reason being was, it wasn't a popular item, and the restaurant was losing money by not selling it. I suspect it's rather the opposite and it's a very popular item but the profit-yield for keeping it on the menu did not make the restaurant as much money so they got rid of it. The last time we wrote off as a fluke, but this time marks the second time we've left disappointed. The same issues from a few months ago, still are issues this time. I'm not sure if there's a change in ownership, management or most likely sushi chef(s). The sushi served is very novice-level and low-skilled in every aspect. From the cutting of the fish, the prep and the presentation were all something I wouldn't expect from a $44/person all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant. It's worth noting the front of staff here are phenomenal. From Melissa, Linda, Leah, the food runners (Nassir/Naz) are just great. Our issue falls with the sushi quality itself. It's hard to say, but I believe this will be the final time we dine at East Izakaya. read more
1 day ago
4 days ago
The food here is excellent I would recommend getting the all you can eat and dinner menu is better the service is very nice all the servers are very kind. And the seats are nice and comfortable and the ambiance is cozy. read more
2 months ago
Had a great lunch at East Izakaya. We arrived right when they opened without reservations and were seated immediately. The restaurant is modern and clean. The staff were kind and helpful, and I love that you can order the all-you-can-eat from a tablet, so convenient. The only downside is that you can't really customize the dishes. The shaggy dog roll and crabmeat tempura roll were my favorites. We'll definitely be back. read more
First time here and we were so confused at first. You can order individual items off the menu as a main dinner or you can get the all-you-can eat style for roughly the same price. They have robots bringing you food from the kitchen which was totally new for us as well. Our actual waitress was warm and accommodating as well as our host who did their best to explain how everything works at the establishment. The sushi and other items we tried (got the all-you-can eat) were all fantastic! It was a nice restaurant and not too crowded. read more
Such a great experience. Took my son here during spring break. They have a separate tablet for gluten free items. Small portions but they bring out many dishes. The food was so good. My personal favorite was the Japanese rice and the spring roll. We will definitely be back. read more
Super busy place even with reservations. We waited 10-15 mins to be seated. One side of the restaurant is for AYCE and the other is a-la-carte. When seated, the server came by and explained how to use the ordering machine. Your selections don't actual go through until the server processes them. She was great and funny; we enjoyed her down-to-earth personality. The manager was very nice as well and came over to check on us too. I wish I remembered their names!! You can't beat AYCE! We were a glutton for new foods and wanted to try something from every section. It didn't happen because we were so full. We should've skipped the second round of raw oysters (extra charge) and hand rolls (meh). It's been over a month since we went and I have not craved any sushi yet. Im sure we will be back again with our kids. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
The dining area and overall atmosphere is very clean and modern. Lots of exciting decor is strewn throughout and one dining room has an indoor fire pit. Our server was helpful and explained the service model to us well enough. I will say if you go with a large group (our party was 6 people) be prepared for the experience to take a long time. We were still encouraged to order as much as we wanted but each round of food took a considerable amount of time getting to our table. One round of orders never came and our server explained someone may have picked it up. She had to send the order in again for us. Depending on where you sit, you may have your food brought out by a robot. Our kids liked the robot and you can even ask the server to have the robot come over for a photo. For an all you can eat place, the food was excellent quality. Be sure to read the menu carefully because some menu items are one per order. We paid for the lunch menu which has limited options compared to the dinner menu. We still felt like we had plenty of options to pick from and everything was delicious. I would like to come back with a smaller party and try the dinner menu next. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
An Unassuming Gem: Where Asian Fusion and Impeccable Sushi Collide Tucked away within the charming and slightly bohemian confines of the Village Gate, my expectations were a blank slate. I had heard murmurs of a notable sushi spot, but the specific location--a hub of artisanal creativity and repurposed industrial charm--left me wondering what kind of dining experience awaited. Was it to be a trendy, minimalist bar? A cozy, family-run nook? The mystery was part of the allure. Stepping inside, any lingering uncertainty evaporated the moment we were seated. The ambiance struck a perfect balance: it was vibrant and buzzing with the happy hum of conversation, yet intimately arranged so that our table felt like our own private corner of the culinary world. The Village Gate, with its unique character, proved to be the ideal backdrop. It provided a sense of discovery, as if we had chanced upon a secret that the neighborhood regulars had been wisely keeping to themselves. The menu, a tempting tapestry of Asian fusion, presented the delightful agony of choice. We navigated its pages with a strategy of mixing the familiar with the adventurous. And then the food began to arrive. Let's start with the warm-up act: the miso soup. In many restaurants, this is a mere preamble, a salty, steaming placeholder before the main event. Not here. This was a broth with a story. Deeply umami-rich, it had a complex, almost smoky undertone that spoke of a carefully tended dashi. The silky tofu and wispy ribbons of seaweed were perfectly tender, but it was the soul of the soup itself that was truly remarkable. It was a humble, comforting masterpiece that set a powerful tone for the meal to come. Then came the showstopper from the small plates section: the octopus. Served as a appetizer, it was a dish that immediately commanded attention and unimaginable tenderness. This was no rubbery, chewy cephalopod; It was fresh, allowing the natural sweetness of the octopus to shine through while being enhanced by a subtle, savory. A truly delicious and memorable start. But the main attraction was, of course, the sushi. As the platter was set before us, the first thing that struck me was the vibrant, jewel-like quality of the fish. The ruby-red of the tuna, the delicate pink of the salmon, --each piece looked like a work of art. And the taste? It unequivocally confirmed what the eyes had already seen: absolute freshness. The fish was cool, clean-tasting, and possessed that sublime, almost creamy texture that only the highest-quality, well-handled seafood can achieve. The rice, so often an afterthought, was a star in its own right. It was seasoned with a perfect balance of vinegar, sugar, and salt, each grain distinct yet clinging together in a tender, pillowy mound. The warmth of the rice against the cool fish created a harmonious temperature contrast that is the hallmark of expertly crafted sushi. We sampled a range specialty rolls. Each bite was a burst of flavor and texture. The salmon sashimi dissolved on the palate, leaving a rich, oceanic essence. The ubtly sweet and incredibly smooth. The fusion elements in some of the rolls were clever and respectful, adding a pop of flavor or a delightful crunch without ever overwhelming the primary ingredient--the pristine fish. From the first sip of miso to the final, satisfying piece of sushi, the meal was, in a word, perfect. It was one of those rare dining experiences where there is no critique to be levied, no "it was good, but..." The location was ideal, the service attentive without being intrusive, and the food was executed at a level that far exceeded our hopeful, yet uncertain, expectations. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a destination. A place where the creative energy of the Village Gate seeps into the kitchen, resulting in a dining experience that is both exciting and profoundly satisfying. I came in not knowing what to expect, and I left already planning my next visit. An unequivocal five-star triumph. read more
3 months ago
Incredible! Very busy so would definitely recommend making a reservation. We did a la carte and it was plenty of food- the portions are much larger than they look on the menu. Beautiful space with a great menu- we would definitely come back! read more
Absolutely love it here! They have the best AYCE deal. The sushi and everything else is so fresh. They also come around with fresh skewers of meat and additionally serve food on robots for quicker service. The space itself is upscale looking. My only warning is that it is very easy to order too much--pace yourselves! read more
I was so excited when East Izakaya announced they were coming to Rochester. I made a reservation for my friends and I. There is plenty of parking. East Izakaya is beautifully decorated. The attention to details is amazing. The space is huge and there are private rooms. We ordered the all you can eat menu via an iPad. Then the server comes once we place the order and the food comes out pretty quickly. The sushi is so good and fresh. There is something for everyone. My non sushi eating friends ordered, ramen, fried rice, soups and so on. They even have people come around with skewers of meat. Sometimes the food comes via the robot! It's a fun experience. It's about $43 a person for dinner and it is so worth it. I highly recommend coming to East Izakaya for the best sushi experience. read more
The place looks like it belongs in Vegas. I love the atmosphere here. The food is delicious and the service is amazing. Our server Kyla was on top of it! The kitty robots who deliver food are so fun and cute. Make sure you're hungry if you go here. The all-you-can-eat is an experience for sure. read more
Yummy all you can eat! It's worth the drive from ROC! Mt family of 6 were very hungry so this good food good service was perfect! The time from ordering to the food being delivered was quick in the beginning but slowed down as the restaurant started to fill up. They only drop back is they only had one iPad for ordering We will definitely come back!!! read more
8 months ago
I am a fan of East Izakaya in Niagara Falls, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they opened one in Rochester. It's an all you can eat spot, but you can still order a la carte should you wish. I would probably opt in for the AYCE as it's reasonably priced in my opinion (for today's standards). It's $40.99 on weekdays and $42.99 on weekends. The atmosphere is upscale and modern. The booth seating is comfortable. The fire pit in the middle of the dining room is visually appealing, but makes the atmosphere a little too warm for my liking. East offers a wide selection of food ordered via tablets. A little difficult and overwhelming to navigate but efficient and convenient since there are pictures and descriptions of items. I can see how this interface could be challenging for the elderly. The food is very good overall. Sashimi slices are generously portioned and presented nicely over a bed of ice. The rolls are neatly put together, without being overly "rice-y". The variety is outstanding and you other non-sushi options like, soups, salads, tempura, stir fry dishes and even yakitori. They have a Brazilian-style grilled meat offering (they call it yakitori) with a sign that you can flip over to indicate if you want more or not. Servers will come by with skewered meats, tofu, veggies and pineapples. This is actually one of my favorite parts of the restaurant. All this tasty and well-presented food (non-buffet style) for only $42.99 in an upscale dining environment is a no brainer for me. East Izakaya is a welcomed addition to the food scene in Rochester. I would think it's hard for other Japanese / Asian restaurants in the area to compete. read more
Decided to have a birthday date night here. It was a Monday night and we did have a reservation. We were promptly greeted and seated but there did appear to be a few empty tables around. I definitely still advice getting a reservation. You can opt to eat a la carte or "all you can eat". We opted for all you can eat. The menu is on an ipad which was explained and easy to use. However, once you make your choices, your server has to submit the order to the kitchen. This process is a bit clunky. While our server was attentive, it was almost too much. I'd much rather be able to submit the orders ourselves. I'd also suggest doing 3-4 items at a time. Or, it gets overwhelming. The kitchen was very fast and our table quickly got crowded. The selection of items is vast and the presentation was beautiful. There is soup, salad, sushi, sashimi, ramen, hot options, and a few dessert items. There is also a robot that did sing happy birthday with the staff! One negative is the bathroom. It was clean, but the individual stalls are on the smaller size and they have a large toilet paper dispenser on the wall which made it even harder to navigate. The 1 larger handicapped stall was out of service. It's definitely a nice spot for a special occasion, date night, friend night etc. read more
We got party platter #2 as takeout and I felt we got a lot of sushi for the price, very worth it! I appreciated being able to pick the nigiri, maki, and signature rolls, as some other sushi restaurants have set party platters. The nigiri was well portioned in size and the rolls were all tasty and fresh. I especially liked the spicy red tuna maki. I noticed that the avocado to fish ratio in some Maki rolls were a bit off, but I didn't mind since I love avocado too. We also got seaweed salad and cucumber salad - both delicious as well! read more
4 months ago
The food was delicious! I enjoyed the shrimp tempura rolls a lot and ended up getting more. The service was very kind and friendly! I loved the way the restaurant was layed out and the atmosphere was chill :) read more
I can't say enough about the all you can eat scene here. The prices vary by day and mealtime (lunch vs dinner), and are very comparable to other AYCE sushi places. But the portions are SO generous and the options are incredible. Tataki beef at a sushi joint? Hell yeah. The vibe is clean, modern, open. I love it. Watch for the friendly robots with their turn signals, food deliveries, and happy birthday singing! Staff is super friendly and (mostly) attentive. My only minor complaint is that it seems harder to flag down a server the longer you're there, but there are enough people working that it's usually not to big of an issue. This is our new go-to place!! read more
9 months ago
11 months ago
7 months ago
2 years ago
3rd time here since our first visit in December. Excellent as usual. On a very busy Saturday they were able to get us in without reservations. Food was exceptional. Service was very good. read more
1 year ago
I would describe East Izakaya as a place where you would go to celebrate occasions. The price is on the higher end in terms of AYCE here in Rochester and it being worth it depends on the person, but I would rather pay the dinner price instead of the lunch here as the lunch limits your selection quite a bit. Will also add here that drinks are extra and not included in the AYCE pricing. The quality here differs from time to time but usually it's great. Not really a fan of the chinese options here but anything sushi related is really good. All the appetizers are solid, and the specialty rolls and handrolls are very delicious. The sashimi here is, I say the best in Rochester. Served on a bed of ice really makes it that step better. Even the food that the servers walk around table to table is pretty good. The food can sporadically come at different times depending on if it's busy or not so be a bit careful with that. Always enjoy coming here, but like to switch it up with 'Sushi585' for bang for buck, which doesn't limit your lunch options heavily. read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
Everything we tried was delicious, off the top of my head-- fruit sushi rolls, dumpling soup, steak teriyaki, salmon, sea bass, hand rolls, sushi, scallops, eggplant, grilled pineapple. Mixed fruit was mediocre (I know it's not a fruit restaurant - just used it as a palate cleanser). The salmon in the hand roll was cut weirdly, so it was stringy(?) Steak and eggplant orders were inconsistent (first was great, with a generous portion, second was overdone on the steak, underdone on the eggplant, with half the portion). It was also kind of annoying to have the server release the order each time you entered it in the iPad, but I understand why they'd have it that way. Restaurant was trendy; they've clearly done a lot of work since it was City Tavern. People came by regularly to clear plates, and it was nice that there were little samples being offered throughout the meal (grilled shrimp, grilled pineapple, Brussels sprouts). Would have rated a 4.5 if that was an option. Will definitely return to try poke bowls, ramen, and more sushi! read more
23 days ago
6 months ago
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