I was surprisingly pleased with my early weekday (sushi) lunch in this stand-alone restaurant, with an unassuming and barely distinctive exterior. As the attentive server escorted me to the 7-seat sushi bar (photo) - I found the interior was also minimally decorated, but good news! the giant TV was only visible from a private side area. I was presented a menu without photos, of which I always approve, but on the other hand, waribashi and paper napkins are their standard for lunch. Although the sushi selections were not that extensive, I was able to order a couple of rolls and a few nigiri, as usual, following a satisfying soup. The plating of the main was simple and unadorned, (photo) but competent, with excellent wasabi. I won't say freshly ground today, because I didn't watch the personable chef grind it right in front of me. But very good, and extremely spicy. The nigiri was good, with the sweetened tamago clearly rolled, not "egg cake"/frittata and the ikura and hamachi both very fresh. Also, individual nigiri had a small dab of wasabi under the fish, a step often omitted by chefs here in the Capital Region. The only mistake on the plate was the unagi - charred carbon black edges during reheating, and unfortunately, the chef still served them. Both maki were much smaller than I normally expect, but very well done. The spicy hamachi was surprisingly very spicy, and the pleasant unagi cucumber satisfied. Overall, I was happy with my lunch, and I will most definitely return soon. 2019 06 28. S 16. read more

Mari's Japanese Cuisine - Japanese Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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It pains me to have to downgrade for my updated review. The pattern I've noticed with Mari's is that meals are largely not fully fleshed out and they made me want to not get them again. The nabeyaki is the most recent examine. A single shrimp tempura on a saucer with udon? All other similar venues I've dined at serve two or three, if not more, pieces of tempura to go with udon. The katsu is another example where the perfectly cooked katsu goes nowhere because there's only a pinch of cabbage and shredded carrots you go with it, and similar venues offer a complete, well-thought-out, satisfying meal experience that have included accompaniments like different pickles and korotke. I give props to them for their agedashi tofu and mixed tempura, but their Rainbow roll got me flabbergasted because it was so basic and not unexciting to look at and eat. I hope they continue to improve and adapt. read more

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We ordered $60 worth of food! And it was horrible! The chefs special which is 13.50 had mostly rolls that had rice and cucumber... and whatever pieces had tuna had a horrible after taste. The rainbow roll was so salty! The tempura roll had so much rice. It was like chewing rice flavored gum! This was the worst sushi I have ever had. I just can't get over how a chefs special is just rice and cucumber! Should've went to my regular spot Mizu! read more

This review is for a GrubHub delivery order. Ordered one appetizer of veggie tempura, one spicy crab salad. One dragon roll and two Chirashi meals. The veggie tempura consisted of six aneamically small pieces of vegetables he size of most tempura appetizer servings I've had at other places. Crab salad has too much mayonaisse and not enough crab or spice. The dragon roll had overly ripe avocadoes on top and the rice on the outside of the roll fell apart when picked up. The Chirashi bowls: they forgot to serve with ginger. Four of the eight pieces of scattered "fish" consisted of two fake crab sticks and two sad tamago omelets. The tamago was sad because the layers were loose and fell apart when picked up, as if made by an amateur chef. One was served with an ok miso soup, the other with a house salad with an intolerable excuse for ginger dressing. The Chirashi bowls, for two small ill prepared tamago, two fish sticks, two I hope it was tuna, one white fish and one overcooked shrimp, along with rice and soup or salad, were $22 a piece. The total miserable meal was a little over $80 dollars. Embarrassing to call this sushi. Mari's should be ashamed they let this out the door. read more

A lunch menu full of kitchen cooked items should have lead me elsewhere. I didn't take the clue that maybe sushi wasn't their specialty. The fish in my maki was room temperature, making me wonder if during the quiet time I visited this place the fish was being stored properly. The rice surrounding the roll felt and tasted like overcooked steamed rice, not proper sushi rice. The overall flavors of a very standard roll also fell flat. My soup was luke warm, and in a handroll I found an unpleasant surprise of all the wasabi (they likely intended to use to keep the fish in place in the roll) was in a ball toward the bottom. read more

My FAVORITE restaurant!!! So gooood. The location doesn't reflect how GOOD the food is but i would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND going here. My family and I have been going here for years. Prices are totally reasonable and DELICIOUS. The woman that works here is the sweetest and the survice is so fast. I'm greeted with a smile and such an amazing atmosphere every single time. Their gyoza and miso soup is to die for. Any sushi on the menu is extraordinary. read more

This is literally the worst food i've ever had and it smells and feels disgusting and not fresh or even real at all. The tuna is spongey and the yellowtail smells foul. If McDonald's had a sushi menu this would be the McSushi meal. read more

Mari's Japanese Cuisine - Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Schenectady, New York

It's been a while since someone's reviewed this place, so I'm thinking it's improved over the last year and a half. I went to Mari's for the first time on a Friday night in a snowstorm and the place was still pretty full. Our waitress was very attentive. You have to try the wasabi shumai, they're fantastically spicy! They use real wasabi, and it is *potent.* I used about half as much wasabi as I do when I get the bright green stuff at other places. Our sushi came quickly, and it was as good as places I've been to on Long Island. The spicy tuna was a lot spicier than others I've had in the past, and the eel was cooked just right. Mari herself came around to each table to say hi and thanks for coming. The prices were good, the food was better. I'll definitely be back. read more

This unassuming little sushi joint is a lovely little surprise for the area. The staff is friendly, the food is good, and the prices are reasonable. While the exterior still has the shape and feel of the former Post Office which resided there, the interior could use a little sprucing up. It actually reminds me of the many family sushi places we frequented in San Francisco. Good stuff. read more

I've only been here once, but I was not impressed by the sushi. The tuna was light pink, not red. I know what I want my toro to look like. Mari was sweet. read more

Tried this place for the first time and it was a horrible experience. I got spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, and California rolls. They were very salty and the tuna tasted weird. I got charged extra for a tiny container of spicy mayo that wasn't even enough for half the rolls I ordered. Also, their price to quantity ratio is way off because there's definitely no quality in their rolls. $11 for 4 pieces of sushi? That's crazy! Never going back to this place. read more

My fiancé and I have come here a few times, most recently for our anniversary last week. Each time we've come we've had excellent food made with fresh fish. We've had the same waitress each time and she's absolutely delightful. I can't speak for any other stuff, but I was very impressed with how knowledgeable, courteous and friendly this woman is. Menu items are original- try the eggplant with sweet miso sauce! And sushi is tight and beautifully presented. Overall, this place earns the 5 stars! We'll be back in soon. read more

The food is probably the most authentic tasting Japanese food in Albany, the service is amazing, the food is fabulous, and everything tastes fresh. I would eat here forever if I could. Definitely worth trying. read more

So it was a month back and I went for a sushi lunch (the place had been recommended by colleagues). It's the kind of place where you hope the food is good because the restaurant from the outside looks like it rolled off a trailer park and it wasn't much prettier on the inside. But anyway I'd like to be able to review the food but, alas, I cannot. The hostess abruptly informed us that they had stopped serving lunch at 2pm. I look down at my watch which tells me that it's 1:40pm. "But it's not even 2," I stammer. "Kitchen is closed." So we leave. So no Mari's for me as I vow not to return. From the other reviews it doesn't look like I missed much but if you say you're open only until 2, it's poor service to send hungry people on their way if they come twenty minutes before. read more

I love this place and I don't determine a restaurant based on its location or exterior... it's what's inside that counts! The food is fresh and delicious. The service is gracious. The prices are reasonable. What more do you want? read more

I've been going to Mari's off and on for about 4 years now since they moved to Schenectady. The first year or so I went there the quality of the sushi / food was excellent. Unfortunately, and I am not sure what happened - the past 3 or 4 times I've been there the sushi has been pretty bad. My girlfriend ordered tuna nigiri style and it smelt bad (always a sign of bad fish), the same night I ordered a maki roll and it was falling apart badly and didn't even appear like the chef had cared about the plating. The service has always been very good at Mari's though, but unfortunately if you're going for sushi, this is not the best place in the area (I'd go to Saso's in Albany). read more

Nice people, great food. The salmon box lunch is a favorite. If you are feeling ambitious the double tuna inside out roll will make you wonder why you haven't heard of this place sooner. I did notice someone gave them a one star for refusing service after closing to prep for dinner. I hope they give them a second chance because the food is terrific and small businesses that are privately owned tend to have their quirks. read more

I have to say I was very surprised at the reviews. I've always enjoyed Mari's and think the quality of the food and sushi is top notch. I went for the 3-4-5 last time (sushi platter for 2) and could not have been happier. I have tried Salmon teriyaki and absolutely love their yaki udon. Mari is a gracious host and Jiro is an amazing sushi chef. I want some yellow tail and scallion right now!!!! read more

My wife and I stopped at Mari's for our "date night". I had the Spicy Fish Don which was absolutely amazing. It had just the right amount of kick. My wife loves that they now offer a similar dish Spicy Tuna Don (just pieces of Tuna instead of 3 different types of fish). She had the salad and the homemade ginger dressing as a starter. We also had a Henry roll in addition to our entrees which was very good. For dessert you absolutely have to try the Chocolate Mousse. So rich and smooth with delicious flakes of chocolate. Not in the greatest location but definitely worth a visit for good Sushi in a family friendly environment. read more

I've been here on countless occasions, for birthday parties, high school reunions, dates, and family get togethers -- and it's been a hit every time. The service is friendly and the food is delicious and flavored the way I trust. Their homemade ginger salad dressing, blended with sweet and savory soy sauce, carrots, onions, ginger, and celery, keeps me ordering the salad every time. read more

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Not great, but not bad either. I enjoyed the sushi and never got sick from it. The edamame was good, but it is hard to screw that one up. I think the highlight of the night was the flaming ice cream. Something about fire on your ice cream just kind of made me happy inside. In case you haven't seen it before. The put a rum sauce over the ice cream and then light it in front of you. If you a re a pyro with a sweet tooth, check it out. Otherwise, its a good place to eat reasonably good Japanese food near Union College. read more

Our friends took us here for a special dinner. They had the sushi sashimi combo and I had the udon soup. All of the dinners were excellent. The portions were huge, and the fish was very fresh. We also had appetizers: wasabi shumai, tempura and seaweed salad. Everything was delicious, the service was friendly, efficient and attentive. We are from the Pacific Northwest and found our meal to be as good as any we have had at our favorite local Japanese restaurant. Mari and her husband greeted us warmly. Their restaurant is comfortable and very clean. read more

Terrible service, food was ok but I've had better Udon and the sushi was fresh but portion was small, won't be returning for lunch again.

This Japanese restaurant located in a quiet corner of Schenectady provides reasonable Japanese food. The restaurant is family run and they do a decent job with their food. I ordered some sushi and tempura. While the food wasn't great, it was certainly satisfying. While I wouldn't go out of my way to order food from Mari's, it is certainly a nice place for locals to get their fix of Japanese cuisine. read more

I've been here many times. I usually go Monday's when I want sushi. The chef is pleasant, the food is good, but the size of the sushi is small. I find that the value is less than my favorites, but it is a viable contender. In all, it's a pleasant, enjoyable place that's a little hard edged with service. read more

What a very pleasant surprise Mari's was. As someone of Japanese background, my family truly enjoyed our meal here. It's simple and uncomplicated good eats, which is exactly what AUTHENTIC Japanese cuisine is. I always like to order a variety of things and take home what I don't finish. We ordered the sukiyaki, ramen, tonkatsu (pork katsu), and an assortment of sushi. We enjoyed everything and the salad that comes with the meal was amazing as well. The young lady helping us was incredibly nice and courteous. read more

Mari's is my favorite Japanese restaurant. I've been going there for 20 years. It is a comfortable, friendly, neighborhood restaurant. Their salad is the best. The ginger dressing is just marvelous, and ask them to add a little avocado! Yum! The miso soup is to die for, the Shumai is delectable, and the California Roll is grea. I usually get the Chicken Teriyaki. read more

Mari's is a peaceful, delightful, independently owned little restaurant with delicious food. Without fail, my out of town family members always request to come here when they are planning a visit with us. The service is consistently attentive and friendly, the sushi is fresh and the meals are perfect. Note that many of the reviews listed under Mari's are actually for another restaurant near Mohawk Commons. Mari's is on VanVranken near Union College. Enjoy the real thing at Mari's ! read more

Off the beaten path for sure this is a hidden jewel. Lunch boxes are a great value. There is a reason this place is always packed for lunch, the food is authentic and awesome. The service can be slow but it's worth the wait. I have eaten here many times and the food is always outstanding. read more

I've been a fan of Mari's ever since I got to town many months back. Having been a long time sushi afficiondao from the San Franciso Bay Area, I can say without question that the quality, value and consistency is as good as it gets. I really enjoy the family who run the place, as well as the rest of the staff. They know how to keep their staff and customers happy - I keep going back for more! read more

I hadn't been here for several years and my boyfriend and I were looking for someplace different for dinner without driving all the way to Albany so we thought we'd give it a try. Basically the food was small portions for a not so small price ($15.95 for 9 pieces of sashimi!). The rice was just plain white rice, not seasoned with rice vinegar as is usual for sushi rice. The fish was not the freshest either. I've definitely had better! read more

Mari's Katsu and sushi are the best in the area. I wish meals came with both soup and salad, miso doesn't cost that much more to include it. I am crazy about their Japanese salad dressing! The waitstaff was wonderful! Hope little gems like this stay around for a long time! read more