This is our family's gold standard by which all other sushi restaurants are judged! It has been in operation for at least 30 years, and so popular that it doesn't take reservations: First come, first served; give your cell phone number to the hostess and cross the street to the bar while you wait for your table. Although it seats about forty between the tables, sushi bar, and regular bar, the lines are modern and bright: It doesn't take too many people to make very noisy inside. The food is fantastic, with many selections not found elsewhere: Surf clam, gitana (black cod), uni, and something identified as, "foie gras of the sea". Amaebi/sweet shrimp, available seasonally, as it is February 2025. Street parking only. read more

We decided to have a dinner at Kuni after hearing good things from friends one night when we were over on Lexington for work reasons. I ordered what I thought could have been an obscene amount of food only to receive extremely tiny portions. I ordered tako-su and a special of the same sort made of jelly fish which I had never had and was exited to try. I believe I also ordered a simple tuna roll thankfully or I may have starved like my friends. My friends both ordered the seafood tempura thinking this would be the size of a meal or at least include rice. Everything I ordered was about 3-4 bites of food, the sushi was 6 very tiny pieces. The sushi was good and if I ever went back I'd order more. The jelly fish was crunchy and interesting and I ordered it for the experience so I enjoyed it. I love octopus but this was the toughest most horribly overcooked octopus I've ever had. I forced some of it down but had to spit out two pieces of it because they were completely inedible octopus flavored rubber. My friends were extremely disappointed in their "meals" that consisted of a single tempura shrimp, a single tempura squid and a single tempura scallop. They left hangry. The drinks were good and seemingly normal portions. I don't know what the draw of this place is but I'd be willing to try it again to see if I just experienced an off day and a lack of appropriate expectations regarding price vs portions. read more

Kuni's - Tough octopus - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Think of mean girls movie. That's certainly what you will get coming to Kunis for dinner. The door greeter was also the waitress. Her snobby arrogance was off the charts. I understand people have "bad days", so I double checked the yelp reviews. Several reviews from years ago sadly confirm this is standard for their customer service. She pointed for us to move over into the tiny corner while she hand picked people ( who had clearly ) entered after us. No reservations or list. The blonde bartender wasn't friendly either. Having a recent ankle injury, I needed to sit down. Two people left the bar, but the bartender snapped telling us other people were waiting. No offer on a beverage, not even a water . After we finally asked twice about the table that remained obviously available, she sat us there. After at least an entire hour, she had left one table open ( where ultimately we sat down) My date reluctantly had to ask her politely twice as it became more and more obvious to us. Several others have complained about unprofessional attitude and clearly lacking personality . Lost our business that's for certain! Recommendation: Order takeout read more

Kuni's - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Found this little gem during a quick weekend visit to Buffalo. Set in a really quaint neighborhood. Service was fantastic and the lots of great authentic options on the menu. The grilled octopus is a 'must try' Couldn't believe we found Yellowtail Collar in Buffalo of all places, and it was cooked to perfection. The rolls and nigiri were all great too. Will definitely visit again! read more

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First time back since Kuni san left. I have seen different reviews so not sure what to expect. The weather was not great and it was late, they were not busy, no wait, we got in right away, sitting at the sushi bar. We ordered some of the usual items. Ika Natto still is delicious, so is the seafood tempura (but somehow this dish looked smaller?) we also ordered the sashimi combo and the salmon collar to share. All food tasted great. Service was also very good, very attentive. For saki, we tried the strawberry cloudy saki, it was nice and sweet, like the rice wine my grandmother made. It was a comfort dinner, in a nice quite place. I definitely will come back. read more

Kuni's - Ika Natto with qual egg. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Honestly i never write reviews but this place having almost 5 stars is so misleading. I'm a big sushi gal, this was the small sushi combo... $40 & I waited over 45 min. All of the fish were extremely subpar. I would rather get sushi from wegmans & spend 1/4 of the price than order from here again. The spicy tuna roll was okay, just absolutely not what i was expecting read more

Kuni's - Small Sushi Combo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

We went for our anniversary dinner with a couple of friends 2 summers ago. It was a Thursday night in July and my husband had to go there in person (around 7pm) to put our name down for a table. Luckily, our friends live down the street so we just had some wine and chit chatted until they called around 7:40ish. I'd only been to Kuni's once and it was more than 12 years ago so I don't remember much other than how expensive it was (at least I thought it was for someone in their mid 20s). I still think it's expensive now even though I was in my late 30s this time, but we were able to order whatever we wanted and tried a ton of stuff, including various sushi and apps as well as some entrees. The most memorable dish was the wasabi pork shumai - we must have reordered it 4 times. But pretty much everything was delicious. The biggest problem we had was with the service. The waitress we had had some major attitude. She was super snooty and made us feel like we weren't good enough to be there. Our friends bent over backwards to be super nice to her but she was still b*tchy. We've been to actual fancy restaurants all around the world including Michelin 3 stars and have never been made to feel that way. So, 2 whole stars off for that. I hear the place is now under new ownership. Not sure if we would go back any time soon. Perhaps we would if that mean girl waitress is no longer there. read more

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Sushi was amazing as always, hostess always gives great recommendations and service is great too. Really recommend trying their starters as they are fresh, infact everything is fresh here great dinner on a work day! Place is always busy so have some time set aside to wait for table. Intimate setting, perfect for 2 people. read more

Kuni's - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Best sushi in Buffalo. Always great service. Sashimi 21 is our favorite. Love sitting outside in the summer.

My recent visit to Kuni's restaurant was quite inspirational. I'd like to organize 'making sushi fun night' more often. Yes! Let's make Japanese food and then let's go to Japan to enjoy a real thing. Kuni Sato is our local celebrity chef. I was surprised to see him, because the rumor was that he sold his business and moved back to Japan. My food was good. The miso soup came shortly after ordering it. Its temperature was perfect. I could dig in immediately and it was pleasantly delicious. Shrimp shumai were also delightful. I didn't taste it, but my companions had smiley faces. The Small Sushi Combo (Chef's Choice Combination) came nicely presented. It looked like a lot of food and it was. Bite after bite I enjoyed everything. However, nothing surprised me unfortunately. The mackerel was delicious, but salmon could have been much better. The tuna roll felt like a filler. I thought the wasabi was too spicy and soy sauce too salty... hahaha... Anyway, I would totally come back and eat more of their food. No doubt. The place is nice, cozy and our server was unexpectedly good. They don't take reservations and our waiting time was forty five minutes for three people. I noticed, they send everyone to the bar on the opposite side of the street to get a drink while waiting. The restaurant is located in a cute area. I wished they would suggest going for a walk or point of interest rather than the bar. Maybe garden walk ideas? Just saying...;) read more

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Love, love, love this place! The first time I came here it was packed and there was a 2 hour wait! There is a 1.5 hour dining limit so they can get people in and out but wow, the food is amazing here! I came with my friend and ordered a few rolls. The ingredients tasted super fresh and authentic. The spicy tuna roll was a little different. My waitress told me they use sriracha instead of spicy mayo. It was a little too spicy for my liking so I don't think I will be ordering that again. This place is really small so it isn't suitable for bigger groups. Most tables seat only 2 people and there is also a bar. During the warmer season, there are also a few tables outside! Parking on the street is also easy. I would return! :) read more

The restaurant is on the small side, so it gets packed quickly. I recommend going earlier to get a table before the dinner rush. One of the most authentic sushi restaurants there is in Buffalo area. Their other food items are just as good. I highly recommend trying this place out! read more

Kuni's - a plate of sushi on a table - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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I must admit. It's been years since I've been to Kuni's. I visited several times when working downtown, early on at their original Elmwood location. Actually my very first visit was with a colleague who was here from Japan. He conversed with the chef, who I later realized was the owner, and did all the ordering. It was my first exposure to really good sushi. So here we are years later. We were in the area and decided to grab take out. The spicy tuna was outstanding. No skimping on the very fresh and tasty tuna and not overpowered by the rice. I enjoyed my 'go to' eel also but not as much as the tuna. We also ordered veggie tempura which might have lost some of its crunch during transport. The sushi was definitely the star of the dinner. Not sure what took me so long but I'll be back again. 2022-22 read more

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I've been going to Kuni's since he first came to buffalo and had a little spot in the basement of the Guaranty building downtown. It was a real treat to sushi on my lunch break since I worked downtown. Fast forward 30 years and Kuni is still going strong. I can't even find the words to describe the magical deliciousness of the food I was so lucky to taste tonight. Sure, there were a couple underwhelming dishes but overall the meal was spectacular. I tried a few of the specials but the regular menu items were the most satisfying. The seaweed salad has to be from heaven it was so delicious. The service was super, sat at the bar and enjoyed every minute of my stay. read more

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What a great sushi restaurant. I had dinner there this week and the sashimi was so fresh and delicious. The black cod Sushi, which I have never found in another sushi restaurant before, was amazing. The service at Kuni is really outstanding. I don't get up to Buffalo often, but this will be a "must go" stop next time I'm in town. read more

Haven't been to Kuni's in a while, but recently had a chance to enjoy some sushi and sashimi at the bar. The quality of the fish and rolls here are hard to beat. The focus is on the cut of the fish and the freshness of it and all the dishes really accentuate it. I had the ginger/mackerel combo, the spicy tuna and the Nuta which were fresh shrimp, mackerel, octopus and scallions finished with a vinegared miso. I had that along with some hot tea and miso soup and the entire meal was phenomonal. Service at the bar was great and the ambiance of the place is trendy, fun, clean and intimate. Highly recommend coming here for sushi! read more

Kuni's - Mustard with raw fish - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Title: A Disappointing Decline Review: I used to love Kunis when it was owned by Kuni himself, but since his return to Japan two years ago, the quality has plummeted. Our recent visit was nothing short of disastrous. The baby octopus was tough, not charred well, and completely unseasoned. The soy-marinated baby squid was an absolutely unpalatable dish. We requested a fruity, cloudy sake and were inexplicably served a strawberry sake that tasted like a milkshake--definitely not a good match for sushi. Although they eventually brought us a different sake, we were still charged for the strawberry one. With a bill of $177, this was the worst meal we've had in Buffalo. Having dined here in 2023 which was the beginning of the downfall, we were shocked to see how much the place has declined. Avoid Kunis at all costs. read more

Sometimes overpriced but usually worth it. Don't order a sushi plate; order a la carte. Great staff, great creative appetizers. One of my fave places in Buffalo. read more

Kunis is top notch in buffalo sushi - but these days you can get comparable quality fish pieces at several places in buffalo, and maybe for less money.... But Kuni's is ALWAYS guaranteed to be great, and have a menu full of specials that you can get nowhere else. read more

Kuni's - Large Sushi Combo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

After months of ordering take outs, I finally ended up in a Buffalo restaurant for dine-in. The outdoor seating was well spaced and sanitized. All the wait staff were wearing masks and I felt safe eating there. The place itself has been on my list for a while because of its eclectic sushi offerings (even for vegetarians). I shared vegetable tempura as an appetizer with my friend and got shiitake mushroom roll, avocado roll and Inari for my entree (believe me, there were more vegetarian options to choose from which was very inviting). The tempura was fried to perfect crispiness and had a variety of vegetables like mushrooms, peppers and some Japanese vegetable that we didn't know the name of but tasted good. At first, I wasn't sure if I ordered enough for my entree but looking at the 6 piece of each roll, I was more than satisfied about the portions. They had subtle yet a fresh taste which was paired perfectly with the soy sauce and wasabi. The inari is a sweet tofu pocket and almost felt like a nice dessert after the rolls. My friend was quite happy with her Japanese slaw too and we both left quite satisfied and glad that we could finally make this reunion happen in a sweet place! read more

Kuni's - Vegetable tempura - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Small restaurant, almost feels exclusive! Managed to get in during this year's blizzard! Food was fantastic - very fresh! Lots of opportunity to try new things if you're looking to! We had the sea urchin, baby octopus and jellyfish to name a few. I did order the vegetable gyoza and it was too "fishy/seaweed" for me. I also had the pork which was good but the shining star was the dipping sauce. A excellent wine selection - rose was delicious! Their specialty cocktails were great too, I tried some of the ginger old fashion and it was very well crafted! read more

I have been going here for years and the past few times have been terrible. This evening particularly stands out. To start, we ordered the vegetable tempura, it is one of my favorites. No issues there. The sushi rolls were bad. My partner and I ordered the following rolls; salmon, yellowtail, scallop avocado, eel avocado, amberjack and scallion. The rice was under cooked, every bite had crunchy/chew pieces of rice in it and it was unseasoned. EVERY roll ended up with scallion in it. Only one roll, the amber jack and scallion, was supposed to. It completely overpowered the other fish. On top of this, the amount of fish in each roll was pathetic and they were poorly rolled. Kuni's historically had quality, traditional, small rolls and killer sushi pieces. This wasn't remotely close. read more

I finally made the trip over to Kuni's and was super excited to try it. My date and I came here for our anniversary. We got to the restaurant right before they opened and they were already a few people lined up outside. Luckily we snagged a table right away since this place is pretty tiny. The menu consists of sushi and small plates mostly. We started off with cocktails and mine was a combination of sake and a Japanese beer. Yum! Next we ordered two appetizers, shumai and crispy octopus. I was very disappointed in the appetizers. The shumai was IDENTICAL to the brand in the frozen section of wegmans, definitely not fresh or authentic. The octopus was way over cooked. Some pieces were crispy and some chewy which was odd. We also got the mackerel to share and were expecting and entree for the price of $13 we paid and it came out as only 2 little pieces, nothing on the side, yikes! Onto the sushi, my date and I each ordered a sampler that came with 7 sushi and 1 roll. It chef's choice so we decided to try it out. The fish tasted very fresh and they gave you a good amount of fish-to-rice ratio. Overall, I was disappointed in the appetizers and other dishes but the sushi fish tasted nice and fresh but it was not anything that blew me out of the park. I don't think this place is worth the steep wait time. I would maybe come back for the sushi and a drink but everything else I would steer clear from. read more

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Disappointing sushi. I expected better service and better sushi. Especially at Lexington village, which seems to look like a hub for good food. My partner and I stood awkwardly waiting for a hostess to seat us at an empty table. A worker glanced at us, but said nothing. Poor communication is worth docking off one star. The same worker was as negligent when she was a waitress too. She was more interested in currying favor with the middle aged and older customers because the table of another young couple got the same treatment as us. My date and I had the ankimo special and the sashimi special. The ankimo pate special stood out the most: It was rich and creamy, and indeed lived up to its title of the foie gras of the sea. The sashimi special was disappointing. The sauce tasted like pico de gallo, which I wouldn't expect at a sushi restaurant. The rolls were mediocre, and Kuni didn't have any special rolls like the rainbow roll or caterpillar roll. Those rolls are found at every other sushi restaurant, so I don't know why Kuni's wouldn't sell it. Another thing that stood out was Kuni's selling shumai. Shumai is Cantonese food. Japanese people have it too thanks to globalization, but it's spelled Shaomai. This shumai on the menu is a red flag if Kuni's is truly a Japanese owned restaurant. Kuni's doesn't take reservations. I guess they are in no need of more customers given that Kuni's was already full at six thirty. But the space in Kuni's is tiny. Expect to wait if you come during peak dinner hours. The only other upside is that Kuni's sushi is not expensive. Four to seven dollars for sushi? Yes please. But I'd rather pay more than be subject to middling sushi and bad service. read more

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UPDATE: Congratulations to Kuni on his retirement--what a jewel he has left for us in Buffalo! Thank you, Kuni, for decades of world-class sushi. I recently had a meal prepared by the new owner of Kuni's, and it was very good. I was assured this new chef was trained by Kuni himself, and it shows. He has kept the menu much the same at this point. I will certainly return to see how his talents develop. read more

I honestly love Kuni's. It almost feels to cool there to be Buffalo. It's giving Williamsburg for sure lol Such fresh, vibrant flavors. Very creative menu while still keeping things traditional and consistent. It's tiny, you've been warned. Go alone and sit at the bar or go with someone you really, really like. Y'all are gonna get close lol. I do think the dimly lit, small space lends to the vibe and makes things feel so warm and romantic. Especially on a cold night. I'll love this place forever and keep coming back. They are perfect. read more

Kuni's - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Love it at Kunis. Great food and nice atmosphere. We find great options at Kuni and a reliable experience of delicious flavors.

This place is tiny. For background: I am not tiny. I am a curvy woman with big hips. Dining in this restaurant gave me anxiety. The service was good. The food was okay. But being stuffed into what could essentially be a carry-out restaurant's waiting area for a nice meal is not my idea of a good time. I ordered scallop sushi, salmon & avocado sushi, panko crusted pork and miso soup. The sushi rolls are very affordable, but you only get 6 very small rolls for each order. The panko crusted pork was a big disappointment, as it had no flavor or seasoning, just a crunch. Additionally, it was overcooked. The sauce it came with was flavorful, but a meat dish shouldn't rely on its dipping sauce for salvation. The miso soup was tasty but honestly it's kind of hard to eff that up. The server was friendly throughout our visit, though she could have afforded to remove dishes from our table as we were finished with them. By the end of our meal, we had stacked plates everywhere when it would have been nice to enjoy a less cluttered dining affair. People waiting for tables crowded around our table and made us feel rushed. I hate that. Overall, a very tiny restaurant with tiny portions. Good service. Good quality food. But not my ideal dining experience. read more

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Long time Kuni's patron. The sushi pieces are excellent! Steak salad very good. the sushi rolls are fair and small. the tempura and the gyoza are not very good since the transfer of ownership. Had the tempura last night, batter doesn't look like tempura batter and was very greasy, vegetables used were pretty tasteless. They used to use broccoli and sweet potato - more interesting. Last time I had the tofu gyoza, there was no tofu in it, just seaweed. Other time having it, dumpling was hallow. Service very good. read more

In a few words: fresh, simple, and delicious. I've heard lots of talk circulating about how Kuni's is the best in Buffalo, and my boyfriend wanted sushi for his birthday so I suggested we try here! They have a pretty wide selection of sushi but you won't find rolls you find other places; anything fried or tossed in sauce is a no-go here. Personally, I like that because to me it means they focus on quality and precision of flavor. We ordered a handful of rolls: spicy tuna, salmon, yellowfin, shiitake mushroom, and an inside-out scallop with avocado. I had the spicy tuna and salmon rolls and they were both pretty tasty. The salmon was so fresh and I've never had a spicy tuna roll like the one I had tonight; the sauce they infused into the roll was so flavorful. I wasn't truly blown away by either but they were really good. The prices aren't bad for the quality of the sushi. The restaurant itself is very small so we opted for takeout. The staff was a little stand-offish but that's okay, we all have our days! I'll definitely be trying here again for more of their sushi and some of their great appetizers. read more

Kuni's - A whole lotta sushi! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Traditional sushi and Japanese food from the one and only Kuni! Dan and I go here before Christmas every year for dinner then go across the street for a Tom & Jerry drink! We shared traditional sushi rolls- scallop & avocado, spicy tuna, avocado, and a Cali roll. We also shared this seafood pot that was a treat with: scallops, crab legs, large muscles, big shrimp. The sauce/ broth this seafood dream was in made the dish! It was a light garlic ginger sauce. This was so tasty I saved it to dip my sushi in it lol. Trust me you would of done the same. Kuni the owner knows how to create top notch traditional Japanese dishes and sushi. Dan and always look forward to going here for a date night. If a table isn't ready right away, we chillax by the cool Japanese garden and fountain. It is worth the wait.. read more

Overpriced. Was good when Kuni owned it and actually better when it was on Elmwood. Used to go there weekly. Service is terrible. The girls are snotty read more

My favorite restaurant in Buffalo. My partner and I go here at least once a month, and while you can't make reservations and there is limited seating it is WORTH IT!!! Excellent food and service, I'm always excited to go to Kuni's. The interior space is very cute as well, it's cozy and clean. read more

With 4.4 stars on its Google review, my significant other and I went with high expectations with it being one of the highest rated sushi places in Buffalo. However, when we received our order, the food was unfortunately subpar. The miso soup was extremely salty and little to no tofu or other ingredients inside, so much to the point we had to add water. The soba noodle salad looked amazing until tasting it to find that it was very under-seasoned despite the fresh ingredients. The other items we ordered were relatively better yet still not up to the standard expected of one of the better sushi spots in Buffalo. The 21 sashimi did not seem too fresh and did not sit well in our stomachs for a while after too. One of the most disappointing things about this experience however was the service. Our server was very short with us and did not show timeliness in our request for additional ginger as well. She also grabbed the check out of my significant other's hand and seemed to be much ruder to us compared to other tables. Overall, while the environment was nice, that was the only redeeming part of eating here. I would not return again. read more

Kuni's - 21 Sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Fast, friendly service, which was great because I had a small window of time in which to eat. At first my scallop and avocado roll seemed on the stingy side, but I think it's just how it was cut. The pieces were skinny but tall. Great flavor. They have Koshu plum wine for $8 a glass. I think it was less expensive at Tokyo Shanghai, but can't remember. It was a generous pour. The restaurant is very small, but cozy. It's past Elmwood just before Ashland Avenue instead of Lexington at Elmwood, which threw me off because I could have sworn I saw it before, but I found parking and the restaurant easily enough. It's not my favorite sushi restaurant in Elmwood Village of the 3 I've tried so far, but it's quite good. read more

Kuni's - A generous pour of plum wine - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Not your typical sushi menu, but you can ask for an old favorite and they will make it. They have a lot of unique dishes I've not seen before and your typical rolls. I asked for a rainbow roll of menu and they made it no questions asked. The fish quality was amazing. We also got a pork dish that was phenomenal. Service was fast and friendly. read more

Best sushi and sashimi in Buffalo- always fresh and delicious. Seating in the restaurant is very limited but they also do a great job with takeout. Parking is on the street. read more

Outdoor seating was darling, streetside on a nice mild sunny day. An acquaintance who spent a lot of time in Japan highly recommended Kuni's for its authenticity. The soups and wasabi shumai were delicious. If you desire sushi that is truly authentic, as well as fresh , you would be delighted to dine here. The sushi is smaller, rolled with seaweed , and without the surplus of sometimes more Americanized sushi, which I love as well! ( I.e. crunch, sauce , specialty rolls) am by no means an expert in this subject! I encourage all diners to give Kunis a try try see for yourself! read more

Kuni's - wasabi shumai - Sushi Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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What a little gem! Tucked away in a small residential area in Buffalo, Kuni is one of the finest foods Buffalo has to offer. Here are some pros and cons: Pros: + a great variety of authentic Japanese food + excellent selection of sake and whiskey + Great ambience + excellent service and staff + affordable prices Cons: - no reservation - does not have a full bar - tight seating - off the street parking read more

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Get the sushi, but nothing else. My wife and I had heard about Kuni's for years and having just moved to the neighborhood thought we'd give it a try. Her tuna roll was fine, just fine, a slight cut above what you'd get at Wegmans. I made the mistake of getting a Japanese fish fry with Japanese slaw and each was about as "Japanese" as I am (I'm Scottish). The fish fry was about one third the size as you'd get at a dive bar, with absolutely none of the flavor. It was bland and tasteless. The "Japanese cole slaw" was shredded cabbage - that's it, no flavor at all let alone Japanese flavor. The waitress brought our main courses and then our appetizers about 15 minutes later - the apps included soba noodles that tasted like nothing, and we also had two cocktails that tasted like nothing. After dropping close to $200 for bland, uninspired food and pretty poor service we crossed the street for chocolate martinis at The Place (go there!). Maybe the sushi or sashimi is great, but we both left bitterly disappointed and totally unimpressed. Sorry. read more