We chose it because it's one of Chef Morimoto's restaurants, and as an Iron Chef fan, it was worth checking out. We were seated at the sushi bar, which ended up being one of the best parts of the night. We got to watch the sushi chefs prepare dishes up close and even chat with them a bit, which made the experience feel more personal and fun. I would recommend requesting this if you are a party of one or two. The restaurant itself has a very clean, sleek look, with mostly white decor. It feels modern and upscale without being cold. The space is large enough that it doesn't feel crowded, but still intimate enough for a nice dinner. Our server was fantastic and gave great recommendations for cocktails, sake, and dishes. I tried a sake flight and ended up not enjoying it, and he kindly brought me something else with no issue and didn't charge for the flight, which I really appreciated. The sushi was fresh, and every dish we had was seasoned perfectly. They have seasonal tasting menus if you are more adventurous. The dishes are beautifully plated. Overall, this was a great experience and I'd definitely recommend Morimoto for a higher-end dinner in Philly, especially if you're a fan of TV chefs or just want a memorable sushi experience. read more

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The food here was absolutely... acceptable. I had sushi and my husband had katsu and both were certainly in the upper 50th percentile of Japanese food we'd ever had. That being said, it was expensive for what it was. We came in a large group, some of them being particularly excited that they offered gluten free ramen. However, I don't think any of us expected to pay what we did. Philly is a city with SO many food options, so if I want good food at a cheaper price, I think I'd pass on Morimoto again. Side note. Very interesting lighting fixtures at the tables. read more

Love this place for sushi in Philly. Even got to see Morimoto! The toro here is amazing along with other sushi options. The hot stone wagyu is also another favorite. The cocktails are all very good and the omakase is well worth the price in quality and quantity of food you get. The atmosphere and vibe is very modern while operating as a sushi restaurant. The staff is very knowledgeable and attentive and nice. read more

It was absolutely worth it! Our server was so attentive and the food was sublime! I highly suggest the seasonal chefs choice and the spicy tuna crispy rice app at the bare minimum! I have watched chef Morimoto on food network since I was a kid and I think what the team at Morimoto provided to us for last nights dinner would have made him proud. read more

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We had a phenomenal experience at Morimoto to celebrate my dad's retirement! The interior is stunning and definitely nicer/more unique than the Vegas location I've visited. We ordered the morimoto ramen soup, wagyu beef udon, black cod miso, koji salmon, wasabi fried rice, tuna roll, and chef's combination of sushi. I admit that the morimoto ramen soup completely missed the mark for me, the broth was so bland and it essentially tasted like noodles and boiled chicken in water. However, everything else was delicious. My mom's wagyu beef udon was very flavorful and the wagyu was amazing. It was a bit too heavy and salty for her though. My dad and brother enjoyed their black cod miso and koji salmon (~10 oz). The chef's sushi collection came with two rolls and 10 pieces of sashimi. The seasoned rice in the rolls definitely sets the sushi apart from your usual sushi rolls. The wasabi fried rice was also very unique and a decent portion size given that it's only a side dish. There is a faint wasabi taste that wasn't overpowering or too spicy. For dessert, we ordered the fiery chocolate and sorbet trio (raspberry, strawberry guava, and coconut). The fiery chocolate was essentially a flourless chocolate cake with a chocolate shell that they poured rum over that had been lit on fire, so it was quite a show! Overall, we had a great time at Morimoto and the service was flawless! I would just not recommend ordering the morimoto ramen soup, but otherwise everything was amazing and it was worth the trip! read more

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I'd like to start by saying that the customer service here was phenomenal. Our waitress was very professional and made sure we were comfortable throughout the meal. She also took the time to explain the menu thoroughly so we knew exactly what we were ordering. The hot stone wagyu was delicious and well worth the price. It was also a fun experience since you get to cook it yourself. The wagyu was very tender and flavorful. We also ordered a few sushi rolls on the side, which were very fresh and enjoyable. Unfortunately, our main entrees, the beef udon and the wagyu pot, were supposed to be the highlight of the night but ended up being a disappointment. Both dishes were extremely salty, to the point where they became difficult to eat. Because of this, I would give this place a 3 out of 5. read more

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Counter-style omakase restaurants are almost never baby-friendly. As an alternative, my husband took me and baby to Morimoto to celebrate my birthday. The omakase tasting menu isn't the same as a traditional omakase, but Stephen Starr restaurants will always welcome and accommodate families with children without compromising the dining experience. We were seated in a spacious booth with plenty of room to tuck our foldable stroller neatly under the table and set the baby's bassinet comfortably beside me. While baby slept, my husband and I enjoyed the eight-course omakase tasting menu. Morimoto's culinary approach leans heavily toward Japanese-American fusion. I knew the tasting menu would not be as satisfying as a traditional omakase experience and had come to terms with it. Morimoto's style closely resembles Uchi's (the Texas-based Japanese restaurant chain now in Center City), though slightly dated. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time. Service was attentive and the food was good. We left with our bellies FULL. Baby-friendly fine-dining spots are a rare gem in this city--and let's be honest, the sanity of parents with small kids depend on them. It's nice to know, we can always count on Stephen Starr. read more

I finally got to experience Morimoto for my birthday! The space itself is beautiful with a futuristic vibe, flows forms and cool lighting. The service by Johnson was amazing and he was really attentive. The food was really good. I ordered oysters that were sublime and some of the seasonal sushi iñofferings. Standouts was the amberjack, big eyed , baby octopus, scallop and uni. All were fresh and good! I did order the wagyu noodles to take home and that was good as well. I was just underwhelmed with the spicy tuna roll but Johnson took care of that. The chocolate flame dessert es good but the ice cream tasted like gas. Over walk a lovely birthday experience! Thank you! read more

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A cool and innovative spot with good Japanese fusion. Morimoto is great for a night out or special occasion. I don't think anything that I had was especially innovative or mind blowing, it was a solid meal without fresh fish. However, one dish that should not be missed is the Hoku Hoku potato side. They're little fried balls of the creamiest mashed potatoes and come with a delicious yuzu aioli. Not super Japanese, but absolutely incredible. While I don't think I would pick morimoto again myself, I would happily return with others who want to try it. read more

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First off the aesthetic and ambience of the restaurant it's fabulous. The lights slowly change colors throughout the night, but in a way that it's not distracting or takes away from the experience of what you're eating. Everything we had was extremely flavorful, but the star of the show was definitely the Wagyu beef udon. Sushi was fresh and the crab fried rice. I had an extremely rich and strong crab flavor. read more

We were impressed w all the food and drinks. Sierra took great care of us but also helped us relax and enjoy our evening. Truly delicious and lovely for our Seattle based family. read more

You won't regret dining at Morimoto! First, the space is so unique and thoughtfully designed. We were told by our server that the designers wanted a lot of visual movement and to make everything feel fluid, which they certainly achieved. Our server was also super knowledgable about the menu, and everything she recommended ended up being our favorite dishes! Because we had a large party (8 people), we got a ton of appetizers to share. Some stand-outs from that list were the Hamachi Ponzu, the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, and the Hot Stone Wagyu. A few people at our table got Omakase and enjoyed it, but I stuck with the apps and an entree, Wagyu Beef Udon, which was SO good! From the kind, knowledgable service, to the delicious meals, I can't recommend Morimoto enough! read more

My husband and I went to Morimoto for my birthday dinner, it's been on my list for awhile now and did not disappoint. The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. Service was QUICK! Once our order was in food and/or a drink was on its way out shortly after. We ordered off the regular menu and all was delicious. We actually ended up ordering seconds of a few items. We want to try the omakase menu next time! Overall great experience and not as expensive as you'd think! read more

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GET TO MORIMOTO! The food is amazing. The Koji Salmon is a "food memory" for me. The flavors are top notch and the food is plated with such attention to detail. My favorites? The Koji Salmon, the Otoro Nigiri (torched), and the Bell Pepper, Avocado, and Asparagus roll. Morimoto is service excellence model. They are attentive and quite knowledgeable of the menu. It's a nice split of service between the sushi chefs (if you order sushi items) and the servers bringing food from the kitchen. Fun fact! They overheard me saying that I had been living in Philadelphia for a year and they gave me a mini dessert to celebrate. I am a huge fan. It's an interesting vibe. The lighting and décor is really cool. There's a statue of something in the front of the restaurant...I'm not quite sure what it is. But it's cool! lol There's traditional seating as well as seating at the sushi counter. At the counter you can see the sushi chefs making a variety of cold and hot dishes. I'd recommend the sushi counter if you go. Morimoto is expensive. No way around it. It's possibly slightly overpriced. BUT I've gone several times and will continue to be a regular. There are seasonal offerings which make it exciting to get back. It is absolutely an experience. Morimoto is a traditional Japanese restaurant with some "American" influence. The Nigiri menu provides opportunities to learn about different meats. Masaharu Morimoto's inspiration for the restaurant and partnership with Steven Starr is also a cool opportunity for learning. read more

My review for this place is going to be simple and sweet: YES, YES, and YES. Also, our server Johnson was a delight! If you haven't been here, please go. Because just YES. read more

Morimoto - Chocolate Kinako Mousse CakeChocolate - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I stopped by Morimoto the weekend of the Philly marathon. I was able to make a reservation the same week I found out the restaurant was located in Philly. Morimoto is a short walk from most downtown accommodations and easy to find. The outside of the restaurant is unique, but surprisingly modest compared to the interesting interior. I had a seat at the sushi counter and my order was promptly taken. I ordered a spicy tuna roll, maguro, o-toro, big eyed mackerel, and sake nigiri. The spicy tuna roll was surprisingly underwhelming. Very mild and lacking anything to make it stand out from other sushi restaurants. The rice could have been better prepared, but overall it was decent. The nigiri were all excellent, but truth be told I expected a bit of elevation given the restaurant's namesake. I've been to other high caliber sushi restaurants and the nigiri have slight unique elements added to up the flavors. I had the miso custard dessert, which honestly lacked flavor development. The like jello was mild, the miso nearly undetectable, and the gingered pear was very mild. While there could have been more flavor, it was overall a decent dessert. read more

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Everytime I'm in Philly, I always have dinner here. The restaurant is beautiful and the service always top notch! The sushi is always fresh and great specials. Its not only sushi but art. Its not cheap but definately worth it. Had the hamachi tatare, black cod miso, spicy tuna hand roll, bunch of other rolls, and nigri. The drinks were good too! read more

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We had such a great dinner at Morimoto. We started with the hot stone Wagyu -- it was incredible. The beef practically melted in your mouth, and cooking it on the hot stone right at our table made it such a fun experience. We also ordered the spicy tuna crispy rice -- so good! The tuna was fresh and had just the right amount of heat, perfectly balanced with the crispy rice. My husband had a Japanese beer and my 11-year-old son got a mocktail called the Mandarin Ginger, which he said was really tasty. For our main entrée, we got the crab fried rice with the broth on the side (which we were glad we did, since the broth was pretty spicy). The rice came out piping hot, perfectly seasoned, and packed with generous chunks of king crab. The broth had some imitation crab, and overall, the dish was delicious. We also tried three sushi rolls -- shrimp tempura, California, and eel & avocado. The shrimp tempura roll was nice and crispy, though it came with green beans, which we didn't love. The California roll was honestly one of the best we've ever had -- made with real crab and plenty of it -- and the eel and avocado roll was excellent too. For dessert, we got the fiery flourless chocolate cake. The presentation was amazing -- they pour flaming rum over a chocolate dome, which melts to reveal a hidden layer of miso caramel ice cream. Underneath was rich chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, caramelized bananas, and a crunchy graham cracker crust. It was delicious! The restaurant itself is beautiful, with lighting that changes colors throughout the meal. Service was friendly, professional, and attentive. Overall, we had a fantastic experience at Morimoto and would highly recommend it! read more

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Food: Loved the chirashi bowl, toro tartare, and the yellowtail rolls were also good. The mocktails were just ok, nothing to write home about to be honest. Service: Our waiter was so nice and very attentive. He explained the menu very well. Ambiance: Was a nice modern vibe, the only thing that threw us off was the lamp that was bolted to the middle of the table, kind of hard to maneuver around if you have multiple dishes especially sitting on a 2 person table read more

Ambiance is nice but food is trash. Way overpriced for mediocre food. Don't get the wagyu, it's frozen and it can taste the iron. Service was good though read more

The ambiance and service were good. I ordered the curry chicken katsu and other family members ordered omakase and a wagyu beef udon. I and two other people thought our foods were good, but too salty, which sort of affected the experience. The more I ate my curry, the saltier it got, and I found myself eating a lot of the rice and drinking a lot of water. I wasn't a huge fan of the pickles, as they were not crunchy, as I think a crunchy texture would've made the dish better. Didn't try the sushi/sashimi, but my husband said it was good. If they laid off the salt a little, I'd make another visit, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to dine here again. read more

Morimoto - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I decided to celebrate my husband's birthday at Morimoto and was not disappointed! I scheduled omakase and was very impressed! As my husband stated "that was the best one in a while" and he is very picky! I loved everything, every dish was impressive, very creative and flavorful. Service was impeccable! Thank you very much and one day we'll stop by for casual dinner. read more

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The staff is extremely nice, the ambiance is unique and feels modern. The food is honestly really good. We ordered the hamachi tartare to start then the yellowtail rice bowl and koji salmon. The hamachi tartare was a great starter! The crispy nori chips worked well with the hamachi when you put all of the elements together, it really set the expectations for the other dishes. The yellowtail rice bowl was half cooked tableside by our waitress and mixed together. We were given ample amounts of sauce to add should we need it. It was rich, but also savory from all of the mixed elements. I could definitely see this being worth the price! The salmon was on another level. I didn't know salmon could be so rich and the japanese mustard cut through it well, providing a balance. With the white rice, it became a completely balanced meal. The fish were just beyond any other fish dishes I've had and different from other cuisines that featured fish too. It's pretty much in its own category in my mind and I'd definitely come back just to eat it again. read more

Morimoto - Hamachi tartare - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This is definitely a place for a special occasion or when you want to impress that someone special . The decor is beautiful but simple . Valet parking right in-front . Service was good and we were told about the specials and given recommendations. I absolutely loved this place ! Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious ! I mean finger licking good !!!! Portions are small individual servings so if you have a group you would definitely order more than one or two plates . I was with my daughter and granddaughter and we doubled everything we ordered . I could have kissed chef the food was amazing we ordered the carpaccio , wagyu dumplings which were by far the best I've ever eaten ! , hot stone wagyu, crab fried rice that had big chunks of crab , and a few rolls. For desert we ordered the chefs desert , mochi and the sorbet . The food was served relatively quickly oh and how can I forget to mention the cocktails Devine !!!! If you're in town visiting or live here and looking for a good place to eat don't pass on this place it's a must try !!!! read more

Morimoto - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We came here for our anniversary dinner with a reservation on Sunday night. We ordered the following: 1. Rock shrimp tempura: this is a bite-sized crispy popcorn shrimp covered in a sweet & spicy gochujang aioli sauce. It was absolutely delicious and addictive. 2. Chef's combination: the sushi was fresh and melted in my mouth. The rice was well made and shaped. The best sushi I've had since coming back from Japan. 3. Sukiyaki udon: the Wagyu was tender. Udon had a nice bite to it. However, the sukiyaki sauce was too salty for my taste even though I loved the flavor. Ambience was elevated, modern-themed with dimmed lights. The service was top-notched. Our server was friendly and attentive. The person who brought our food to our table always took the time to explain each dish and its main ingredients. We also received a complimentary dessert to celebrate our anniversary. We absolutely loved the food and whole experience here! read more

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A futuristic Japanese spot . Great ambience amazing very good vibes . Service was a vibe . Food was good . Highly recommend if you love omakase style tasting . read more

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Went here with my mom for a special occasion (we don't see each other often). We are fans of Iron Chef and were so excited to see he had a restaurant in Philadelphia. We shared a Soju carafe and it was so tasty! Our server at the sushi bar brought us out a few to try before deciding on one, and of course we both like the same one. Loved the eel and fatty tuna especially! The Black Cod Miso was melt in your mouth and so rich and good. I would love to come back in again when I'm back in Philly. read more

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Morimoto is for those special occasions --the anniversaries, birthdays, promotions, and date night (ladies hint to your partner this is where you want to go ;I enjoyed a first date here). This spot is easier to miss from the outside than you would think. Once you walk in, you're greeted by lime green and white decor, very swanky. This is NOT the place to penny pinch---order several dishes for the table and enjoy! For the table we got Toro Tartare (very fresh), Rock shrimp tempura (better than your classic tempura), and the $75 chefs combination sushi (nice sample of different fresh sushi and very filling. Definitely had a food baby by the time I left, so be like me and wear a flowy outfit that isn't clingy. Service was good, as expected. Most recently, I went to the bar area upstairs for a birthday post-celebration after party instead of the main dining area. It was smaller and more intimate. We brought a large party and although slow, they accommodated us. Great spot for more laidback vibes and to hang out with friends. read more

Pretty decent food, pricey, but the quality and ingredients are all there. We got the hot stone A5 japanese wagyu and the chef's sashimi. Portion sizes were small but expected to be. Definitely get a second dinner in chinatown after! The tenderness of the steak and the sushi was unmatched though so definitely have to try at least once. Service was great, and the overall bar counter + other seating vibes was pretty solid. read more

Morimoto - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We were sat promptly with a 8:45 reservation! Our server was wonderful and very helpful with any questions we had. This was our first time dining here and when you walk in the ambiance and build out of the restaurant is modern, sheek and relaxing. Our server explained it's supposed to be like under the water and the lights on the tables are squids. Everything we ordered was cooked and prepared excellent! The seasonal sashimi platter was the highlight and the waygu stone appetizer melted in your mouth! We will definitely return when we are back in the city read more

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The first time I ever came here was for my 21st birthday with my family years ago, and it's just as wonderful as I remembered it! Came here with my cousin this time, and we had a blast with the omakase pairing. I also had the sake pairing while my cousin chose the wine pairing. We really shelled out for a celebration -- go big or go home! As the omakase always changes, it's hard to compare experiences. 8 delicious courses, and exquisitely plated works of art. It was a great way to experience different food and drink pairings! Our server was also fantastic and explained everything very clearly and kindly. Never made us feel rushed. They even printed out our menus for us! Unfortunately, 8 shots of sake with limited food portions compromised my memory facilities. So, the tipsy dummy that I was, I totally forgot my envelope when we left, but at least my cousin remembered theirs. The only detractable feature is the lighting and space design. I think there needs to be more acoustic dampening as the sound really travels in the open concept dining room. And the lighting isn't great. Photos turned out really dark, and needed tons of brushing up to post clearly -- so if you're a yelper, grammer, or whatever, be prepared to do some legwork. The dimness of the room made the culinary plating a little harder to see and appreciate in person. That aside, we had a great time otherwise. Would be happy to go back again for another special occasion! read more

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T Morimoto's is a 5-star sushi experience. From the moment you enter the restaurant and encounter a decor taking you beneath the sea to the prompt friendly and very accommodating service you'll know you chose the right place to eat. Sushi that's been elevated in presentation and flavor, Wagyu steaks cooked to perfection. We started with two different toro shashimi: Oh-toro and chu-toro enjoying the different fat contents in a compare contrast tasting Uni (urchin) and Unagi (fresh water eel) Maguro The Wagyu tartar topped with premium caviar was amazing and we ended up ordering a half ounce side of just the caviar. Creamy melt in your mouth caviar. If you don't like caviar and you like sushi, you haven't tried quality caviar We wrapped up the experience with a A5 Olive Wagyu steak. Melt in your mouth burst if Japanese meat perfection. read more

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Disappointing. I've been to the Morimoto in New York and Hawaii years ago. Both times were great. The food wasn't great this time. The oysters were so fishy tasting and the things they put on top didn't really go with the oysters. The hamachi ponzu was delicious! Tuna pizza lacked flavor. The toro tartare was so bad! It tasted extremely fishy. The spicy tuna roll was delicious as well. I would say half the things we ordered were good but the other half was not. I was so excited to come here too.. read more

Went to Morimoto for my 5 year anniversary and it was nothing less than pleasant and amazing! We had Andrew as our server and he exceeded all my expectations. We sat at the sushi bar and got the omakase (which is a taste of all the dishes and chef selection) which was different than a lot of other omakase's we went to. All other omakase's were just nigiri after nigiri, but this one you have a little bit of everything and I enjoyed that so much more. The fish was extremely fresh and each dish that was presented to you was explained in great detail. We also upgraded the wagyu steak to the Japanese Wagyu for $55 more... and you can tell the difference between the two steaks. Definitely worth the upgrade!!! The vibes were there, the ambiance was there, and it was overall a great experience! read more

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Amazing food, great service and ambience. Sushi's were amazing, Ordered the ponzu appetiser and the carpaccio, they were too good. You can do a bunch of sushi's and sashimi's and skip the mains all together. The Udon noodles were a bit salty. Overall great experience ! read more

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Almost felt compelled to stop in and check out the spot when I was in Philadelphia and had at least one night free to choose which restaurant to go to. I would say it lived up to my expectations, but it also didn't surpass them. I loved our server and all the food was really great. The most exciting part about the restaurant honestly is the interior and the visuals that accompany the meal in my opinion. read more

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An unforgettable experience! I came here to try the omakase and got the drink pairing to go with it. I came in with no expectations but this food experience has forever changed my outlook on dining experiences. It really did deliver on all three of Yelp's criteria of food, service, and ambiance. Every course was great but the egg custard really stood out to me. It was so hot and comforting. The nigiri here felt very fresh and melted in my mouth. The fish course was so tender, I wish I had more cubes of it. I've never had panna cotta before and this won't be my last! It was so light - a nice way to end the meal. I left satisfied but not overly stuffed which was great to continue the night out drinking. The service was spectacular! All the servers were knowable on every dish and drink I had as well as the regular menu. The design of the place is fun with the colors and soft shapes carried throughout the space. Looking forward to coming back and trying some dishes on the regular menu! read more

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I was on foot from my hotel and it was quite hot. It took me a while to find the restaurant. The entrance was not obvious. Lots of young staff. I sat at the sushi bar and with the sound, it was difficult to hear most staff but my server. I asked one lady who appeared to be Hispanic behind the sushi bar some questions. I don't think she knew the answers and was hard to hear. I had sushi and oysters. Very good. I had been at Morimoto's other restaurants. read more

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Amazing. We found a table for two on Friday night. Upon waiting for our table, we were offered to sit upstairs in the lounge. The lounge had a bar and menus. The bartenders were so sweet, they welcomed us in and offered us drinks. Love the interior, I feel like I am at one of those restaurants surrounded by an aquarium even though that isn't the case. We were escorted downstairs when our table was ready. Our server was Shirley and I could not have asked for a nicer server. She was so sweet and knowledgeable and hard working. My favorite item on the menu is the Hamachi Ponzu. The crispy tuna appetizer is an excellent choice for someone who doesn't want something TOO fishy. The Yasai Ramen was pretty good as well, it had a variety of vegetables in it. The eggplant piece in it had the perfect bite. Tuna pizza is a show stopper, what a creative recipe. It was tuna sashimi on a crisp tortilla with cilantro, serrano chili, olives and anchovy aioli. I took some home and enjoyed it the next day. We also got the Maki Nigir $125 which came with quite a bit of sushi/sashimi. I wonder if we ordered separately or not if it would be a better route. Depends on the crowd. There was a sweet sushi made of shrimp puree...not sure what it is called but glad to have experienced it. For dessert, we had the Tamari Chocolate Mousse. It was divine! If you're not a fan of sesame flavors, I would steer away. I have no negative comment, Iron Chef worthy! read more

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Finally got to try the famous Morimoto! Their interior is so cool, modern and somewhat pretty exotic, which is really cool. I came here as a big group, so got to try different dishes. Their otoro sushi literally just melted in my mouth, soba was good, and I liked my chirashi. Wagyu steak was really really good, it came with different condiments, but I didn't feel like dip my steak in any sauce as it was good as it is. Just thinking about it, I'm drooling. Their service was good, but I wasn't impressed. I felt like their service could be better for such an expensive restaurant like this! read more

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