My wife and I had a night free in Portland and wanted to have a wonderful dinner. This was our first omakase experience and chef Keegan and the whole crew made it an experience we will never forget. Every bite was delicious, the fish was incredible, and the overall attention to detail was some of the best I've seen. If you're looking for an unforgettable omakase experience, this is the spot. read more

Nimblefish - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

As others have stated, This is not a true omakase experience. Everyone at the bar seated at different times so the chefs are all busy preparing different courses or different people. So if you are expecting a true Omakase experience, you will be disappointed. The staff had very very limited knowledge when it came to their alcohol products and had no recommendations other than "this is what most people order". If you're going to try this restaurant, I would suggest sitting at a table and just doing it al a carte. Don't waste the extra money thinking you're gonna get an Omakase classic experience. This place might have been the best that Portland had to offer a few years ago, but that is definitely no longer. read more

Had a great dinner at Nimblefish. We sat on the Ala Cart side. If I could do it again, I'd probably sit on their other side and try that out. Nimblefish has a very intimate setting. I felt the server guy checked in way too much, which didn't give me and my dining partner time to converse without interruption. $300 later and I felt like I still needed to go somewhere and eat dinner. Maybe it's just me or maybe they're not that great. I'm sure there are better, more affordable sushi places. read more

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Nimblefish offers a sophisticated, intimate setting that is ideal for a quiet business dinner or a date. The atmosphere is excellent, and the space itself is arguably the restaurant's strongest asset. However, the overall Omakase experience fell short of the high expectations set by the concept. I was particularly curious about their "aged" sushi, but there was almost no explanation regarding the techniques or the aging process--the fish were presented by name only. While the Edomae-style approach aims to eliminate the need for extra soy sauce, I personally found that several pieces would have benefited from a touch of it to truly bring out the flavor. Additionally, the initial pieces of nigiri were served with noticeably warm shari, which I found distracting from the balance of the dish. The service, while polite, lacked the attention to detail one might expect at this price point. For instance, there was no storage provided for bags or coats, which is a missed opportunity for guest comfort. The beverage program also feels quite limited. Options for those who do not drink are virtually non-existent, and for those who do, I would love to see a broader selection of sake available by the glass. Offering more variety by the glass would allow couples to enjoy different pairings, which would greatly enhance the overall dining experience. I see great potential here given the lovely space, but I hope to see more thoughtfulness in both the culinary execution and guest comfort to truly elevate the experience to match the caliber of the setting. read more

First time having Omakase and though the idea of it seems interesting, I don't think it was worth it. The chef was doing his best to be interactive but having been a Thursday dinner with only two groups, it felt a bit awkward. The food was very ok to me, the fish were definitely all fresh but nothing really grabbed my attention and made me like the price was worth it. The servers other than the main chef were constantly hovering and made sure we moved on through each dish which was nice. Overall I personally wouldn't go again, but I'm sure someone else could definitely enjoy the experience more than me! read more

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Nimblefish, in the heart of Portland, Oregon, is a place where the sea speaks clearly and kindly through rice, vinegar, and immaculate knife work. I have eaten sushi in a few fine establishments, in cities that glitter and in alleyways that hum, and while this may not be the single greatest omakase of my life, it sits among the saints. There were seven of us, and we occupied nearly the whole of the sushi bar. It felt conspiratorial, reverent. We were pilgrims and the altar was hip-high and lacquered. From the first starter to the final spoonful of sorbet, the experience unfolded with the precision of a pocket watch and the warmth of a handwritten letter. The chef, a man who treats fish with the seriousness most reserve for funerals or first love, spoke to us not just of what we were eating but why. This fish came from Hokkaido. That one from the California coast. The trout, rainbow and shimmering, was a particular surprise, new to me, and now unforgettable. Another chef talked about his rice like a poet would talk about meter. The host, too, guided us gently through the meal with enthusiasm and knowledge, like a teacher who remembers what it's like to be young and curious. The structure of the meal was intelligent and satisfying. Thirteen bites of sushi, each different, each deliberate. Soup that quieted the mind. Egg custard that felt like an apology from the universe for all the things that have gone wrong. The sorbet was a gentle goodbye, a kiss on the forehead. The whiskey and sake list is the kind of thing that could cause trouble in the best possible way. We tasted a few and they were each better than the last, the way good short stories are. If you find yourself there, let yourself be led. Trust them. It took two hours and not a second of it dragged. We laughed and whispered and stared up at our planks like children watching snow fall. The bill, at around $165 per person, felt less like a transaction and more like a tithe. If you're interested, and you should be, book ahead. There are few seats and many seekers. Nimblefish is not just a restaurant. It is a gentle argument for precision, quality and beauty in a world that too often forgets to offer any. read more

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Nimblefish is my favorite place for omakase in town! It's perfect for date night or any special occasion. The setting is super intimate, but I love being able to sit at the bar and see the pros at work. The sushi chefs were also super friendly and chatty! I love Nimblefish for the quality of everything. Everything is paired so nicely whether it be with a sauce, seared, topped with someone, etc. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I actually enjoyed the fish that I wouldn't usually gravitate to, the best. Once years and years ago, I had a sardine nigiri that blew my mind, it was delicious. For the quality of everything, taste, and ambiance, it's definitely worth the tasting menu price! read more

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You ever go to a restaurant, and it just is consistently better every time you go? That's the experience I always have when going to Nimblefish. It was my girlfriends first time here and of course I had to let her know we got to do omakase style and our chef absolutely KILLED IT!!!! Every single bite just melted in your mouth and the flavors of each fish was just so perfect that you just wish you can stay the whole day there and keep eating. The service is always friendly and top notch. Waters are always filled, and they check in with you the right amount of times during your meal to make sure everything is good. I love the vibes, I love the food, I love the service. You absolutely get your moneys worth at this place. read more

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The experience was honestly so fun, educational, and delicious! I made reservations for my partner and I's anniversary at the A La Carte Counter and the experience was treated with such care. Each piece of fish that was from the Chef's Choice was more flavorful with each bite. The chef made everything so gorgeous and with such precision. The sun of the afternoon seeping into the evening made our clean and quaint seating arrangement at the bar comfortable and cozy. We couldn't have asked for a more lovely anniversary experience! read more

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Nimblefish offers, in my opinion, the closest approximation to traditional Japanese dining in Portland. The nigiri was exceptional -- fresh, tender, and beautifully prepared. Unfortunately, a neighboring customers' loud, flirtatious energy detracted from the otherwise refined environment. With the minimalist, delicate portions, I did leave feeling slightly unsatisfied, reinforcing that this is more of a special occasion destination than a regular spot. I'm grateful to have tried it and crossed it off my list, even if it may not enter my usual rotation. read more

Amazing experience. Edomae-style sushi is hard to find in general, and trying it at a place that specializes in it was a treat. The omakase is on the affordable side, and each course was fantastic. Every bite was simple but elegant, and the cured fish, particularly the mackerel, was divine. I have to say the tamago was the sleeper hit. I wasn't expecting much from it, but I knew I had to order it when I saw it in an Eater video on Nimblefish--best bite of the night! The sake pairing was alright, probably wouldn't do it again. Ordered a few things a la carte, like the A5, but the omakase was definitely the highlight and was sufficient food portion-wise. Nice, clean interior with expectedly good service! read more

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There are a few things I appreciate about my dining experience at Nimblefish. 1) the food is in every way as traditional Japanese as you can expect outside of Japan. No creativity because classic Japanese cuisine has been perfected. I like traditional Japanese food and generally prefer sushi. Restaurants but do not have specialty roll. In fact, any sushi restaurant that has a page full of creative rules is usually a hard NO for me. 2) the quality of the fish was good to excellent. 3) the non-sushi courses were pretty much textbook perfect Why not give stars? In reality, my dining experience was pretty average and I really should've left two or three stars, but I think that is a bit harsh to do and I usually like to give the benefit of the doubt. Here are the negatives at least for me this evening 1) it's a long experience. Unless you have an exciting date, you want to spend 2 1/2 hours getting to know the whole dining experience is slow. I have a strong belief that all restaurant owners and chefs should be forced to have the full dining experience just like the customers do on a regular basis to understand what the eating experience and the food is like. This should include every course they serve. This evening, I was dining alone and the truth is I was dying of boredom. There were six people eating what would've been the second serving of the evening. The majority of early diners were leaving as our dinner began. There were two people to my right and three people to my left and I was seated at the corner. All six of the customers were seated together in the corner of the restaurant which made the restaurant feel very empty. What the chef explains What is being served in a very simple way there is very little back-and-forth conversation and unless you bring someone to socialize with it's a lonely, dining experience. I don't drink alcohol, but I suppose if I was drunk, the whole experience may have been a little more palatable 2) well there was nothing wrong with the food and overall everything was good by Japanese sushi bar standards. I think you could only rate the food and experience as being average. By American standards, the restaurant is good to excellent but I think a lot of people don't appreciate traditional Japanese food and are looking for mayonnaise rolls and for those this restaurant will be disappointing. 3) the tasting menu a.k.a. Omakase was in my opinion simply too long. It included too much nigiri so everyone ends up eating quite a bit of rice Eight pieces of nigiri would be about right. This evening I think I had 18. To me an Omakase menu should be the best they can offer not everything they have in the kitchen. I think if the restaurant was full or if I brought an exciting date, the meal would've been perceived quite differently. It was just one of those off nights where I don't think anyone really thought the dinner was particularly good or memorable, which is a shame. While the chef and staff are inherently talented the personality of the restaurant lacks a bit of panache. It seems like the Omakase experience is sort of what the restaurant expects you to order even though it's really too much food and too long of a dining experience for me and I'm guessing for others as well. It would've been much better if I had ordered ala carte. By reading the other reviews, obviously many people had very good experiences, but there were some that were disappointed either for small details or some had the overall experience I did. I wish the dinner was memorable, especially after spending $150 For food without any alcohol. It was not. Having travel to Japan almost all Japanese restaurants in the United States have become a bit of a letdown. In conclusion, I would also like to point out that I am extremely picky about food being correct. Pulling off a top-notch dining experience is not easy. Buying import fish from Japan sometimes it's not enough read more

Average in every way, we're sorry to say. Came in from Philly, excited to have our first dinner in Portland here, but the quality of foods and service were not up to standard. Service is rote as the vibe. Standout is the chef, and how personable and welcoming he was. Overall, does not warrant the price point. Disappointing and in no way fine dining. read more

Nimblefish - average and sense-less - Sushi Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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It is an amazing experience when you have dinner at Nimblefish. We were one of four couples who sat at the bar to enjoy Omakase, so it was a very intimate evening. Each dish was served one by one and each party is told what we are eating as it's served to us. The attention to detail is what makes this place special. They have a special process of washing their rice and brush a homemade soy/sake mix onto most pieces of fish. Not to mention we tried fish we've never had before because of their fresh global shipments. It's very pricey to eat here but worth every dollar. read more

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Especially expensive tasting menu $$$$ Especially tasty tasting menu ~ generally it is expected that higher priced sushi bars have fresh fish. The fish at Nimble not only are fresh, but unique catches not readily seen anywhere else. Very limited chef's bar top seating ~ watch them prepare each serving and personally share the origin and preparation. Intimate decor & setting, almost too quiet. No lounge or bar area. Strictly for sushi lovers. A special treat for a special occasion. read more

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We did a la carte because the next omakase seating was about 2.5 hours later and we didn't want to wait. I left thinking maybe the omakase would have been much better. ??? I wouldn't know until I try. The various blue fin tuna sashimi and nigiri I had was good. One of my hand rolls was good but not memorable. The rest was underwhelming. It was disappointing for all the hype I've heard about this place. Their menu is strictly sushi, nigiri, hand rolls, and bowls. There is not any appetizers like salads or hot food items. We were not offered any dessert selections. read more

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I have put in a lot of contemplation before writing this. I want to acknowledge and support the success of local businesses while also remain truthful to my opinion. I am going to keep my review organized by a few categories. Fundamentals: Most importantly, know what to expect for an omakase style dining experience. This place has very limited seats - secure them via reservations. And the chef decides what is served to you in a procession of food. I think it was around 13 pieces of sushi/nigiri/sashimi combo, plus some veggie appetizer, soup, and a light dessert. You pay a flat fee (in Spring 2025 the cost is $125/person), plus any drinks and additional special orders you want, and, obviously, tips as well. Ingredients: 1. The website says their fish is bought via their dealer, flown in from Japan and the staff picks it up at the airport. That is interesting to me in several ways. First, they are trying to give you a more authentic Japanese taste. Second, it has an impact on cost. Unsure if higher or lower, but I am guessing probably cheaper/fresher than buying similar grade Japanese fish from U.S. dealers, but more expensive than the fish used in ordinary sushi spots here. Third, perhaps the quality difference is not that big, considering the quality of, say, Alaskan harvests are pretty good, too. But, again, it provides a more Japanese taste. 2. Some ingredients are local, such as eggs. They do not use Japanese raw-eating safe eggs. Ambiance: 1. The space is quite industrial minimal, has a long wrap-around wood counter with about a dozen seats total. You sit down, watch the staff work, and eat as each piece is prepared and presented to you. 2. The bathroom is ok. In my opinion, it could be a bit better. It is a dual-function space with a slatted wooden wall that stores a bunch of stuff and the furnace/water heater stuff as well. I have some hygiene concerns over that semi-open space and sure hope it was fully separated away from the bathroom germs that fly around freely with every flush. The faucet is kinda getting faulty. When I went in it was trickling, I tried to turn it off entirely and was able to do so by putting it quite meticulously at a perfect spot - I can see how it was not fully shut by another less careful user cos it's not very easy to perfectly do so. 3. There were a few small fruit flies around and I saw one land on a sauce. I told them and they took it to the side to deal with it. I wish they could have done it in open sight, and I also hope they worked on killing the remaining bugs. They didn't. But overall not a big deal, just a small annoyance for a fancy dining experience. Service: Well, honestly, while it's acceptable, I do believe this part could use some improvement. At the minimum price of $300 (price +20% tip) for a couple, I'd expect flawless service. Also, there really weren't many seats to attend to. 1. Yet, our water and tea were not attended nearly enough. There were times that we were so thirsty we had to ask for them. That is quite disappointing. 2. There were also no hot towels to begin with to sensitize the hands. Using the bathroom to wash off is your best bet if you are a hand sushi eater. 3. I think it's fair to let the patrons know that do not expect a lot of fun interactions with the chefs. The two when we were there were very quiet and did not have much to say beyond telling each couple of patrons the make of each piece being served to them. I was very into the immersive experience and did not use my phone at all to take photos. But several couples were taking photos of everything. One couple turned around and tried to take a photo with a chef and was politely told he would prefer to not be on social media - which is totally fine and understandable. Do note and respect the personal preference there. When asked questions, the chefs of course would answer them, albeit briefly. Overall, it did not feel like they were the extroverted personality types that seek to engage in conversations. I find it particularly hard to decipher any person that had deep furrows between their brows and no smiles - it makes me feel they are upset/angry/stressed/intense... This might just be me though, I am sure some people just have those furrows from habit, but for me it's a mental block to overcome. I had to keep telling myself they were most likely not mad at the moment they were with me, they were just working. So, mentally prepare yourselves accordingly. Value: This is solely dependent on the patrons' expectations. If you know what you are getting into it's probably not a big deal in terms of cost, and you will have to decide if the food meets your expectations. For those who are more concerned about budget, this is probably not the most suitable place as it starts at a bare minimum of $300/couple, and could go up to $400-500 easily if you order alcoholic drinks and extra pieces. Overall: I hope things keep getting better there and every patron gets a great experience. read more

What an incredibly intimate dining experience this was. No matter your thoughts on the food and price, you have to admit that you feel pretty exclusive to be eating among the 12 other people in the restaurant. You also pretty much have your own private sushi chef who is knowledgeable, attentive, and an absolute artist. I came with a group of 4, the seating was a little bit awkward with a group all sitting together but they planned it so we had to corner of the bar so we could see each other at least. We ordered the 13 plate omikase and it was the perfect amount of food. All of the different types of fish, with incredible flavor combinations and fresh ingredients made it into an absolute culinary experience. The only reason for the 1 star deduction was simply because of the price. I know with inflation that prices went up but it does feel like a very pricey night out at the end of your meal and I wouldn't have thought it was worth it if we had gone with the non-premium omikase. Would I come back? Probably not. Would I refer it to my friends, absolutely! read more

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Stopped by after our flight coming into Portland. Great sushi that set the bar high for the rest of the trip!! The chef is truly a master of his art. It was a very intimate dinner and very informative on each piece. The sushi does have some time in between each piece but worth the wait. I truly enjoyed every bite and the sake was incredible as well. read more

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4.75 stars. An edomae-style omakase that resonates similarly to the intimate Okamase Yume in Chicago, IL, Nimblefish intermingles local seafood with excellent selections across the globe. This experience included seafood endemic to Oregon such as two dishes featuring shrimp from Coos Bay as well as an assortment of global experiences. For example, your journey may involve smoked mackerel from the waters of Norway or perhaps striped jack outside a tiny province in Japan. You'll definitely enjoy some of the best sushi rice I've ever eaten in a Stateside sushi restaurant. The rice here is sourced from a northeastern province in Japan, and it's stunningly clear that sourcing and preparation are taken very seriously at Nimblefish. I've seen a few reviews that have complained about price which is odd to me. This was one of the more reasonably priced omakase experiences I have had in the States and doubled as one that was certainly well above standard. I thought that was another reason Nimblefish is excellent. I will note, however, that drink pairings outside of sake tend to be expensive. Everyone who worked here was fantastic. Our sushi chef certainly added value to our experience as he thoroughly explained each of the dishes and even spent some time speaking about why they use different Japanese knives, how they clean certain seafood, and other interesting items that increased our relative knowledge base during our dinner. Obviously, there are plenty of wonderful options for sushi within Portland for omakase but I would note that this experience is worth your time. read more

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Make a reservation for a 2-3hr experience 2 starter dishes, 11 nigiris, soup, and dessert included in the $95 Omakase Set. Can make additional requests at the end for more nigiris!Lots of street parking. Absolutely loved the private 12-seater bar top setup with dim lighting. Starters: + Seared soy Smoked mackerel w daikon, ponzu, and Japanese mustard: one of my tops for the night, smokiness was perfect w the finely grated daikon (9/10) + Red Crab, pickled veggies: (7.5/10) Nigiris: + Botan Ebi: fresh, and prepped on the spot (8.5/10) + Blue fin off shoulder: melts right away (8.8/10) + Sea bream: a soft crunch (8/10) + Rainbow Trout w kelp and sesame seeds: very unique w the thin kelp layer and sesame seeds for nuttiness (9/10) + Horse Mackerel: had the most bite to it (8.7/10) + Dungeness crab: chilled w strong wasabi kick (8/10) + Medium fat Chu Toro: not the fattiest, but had the most chew (8/10) + Konoshiro: another unique fish for me! Saltiness and rougher skin cuts through (7.5/10) + Shima-Aji Striped Jack: a clean crunch (8.8/10) + Scallop w yuzu, kelp salt and seasalt: thinner, but large scallop wraps the rice (9.2/10) + Tuna Belly Toro finisher: soft crunch (9.2/10) Cut roll: + Seasoned and marinated gourd: sweet! (9.4/10) Extra requests: + Tamago ($2.5): a must get to end the meal. Can choose to get it as is or w rice. Super soft, creamy and sweet (9.5/10) Soup & Dessert: + Broth from white fish w ebi head: similar to miso soup w tofu, scallions, and the fishy broth but lighter. Enjoyed picking at the ebi head to have w the soup (7.3/10) + Yuzu strawberry sorbet: not too strong or heavy but a light, sweet dessert (8.3/10) Overall, the private environment, detailed descriptions from the chef, and unique fish cuts stood out to me. Sadly, I felt the waiter wasn't very attentive to my party, and only checked in on us once. Also didn't realize green tea costs $3, whereas it's usually complimentary. read more

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My wife and I had an absolutely incredible experience here. The sushi was incredibly fresh, and probably the best sushi I've had outside of Japan, ever. The service and Ambiance is intimate and the chef walks you through each piece he prepares. read more

Excellent, best I've had and definitely left full. Ambiance is slightly odd but just keep the focus on the chef's counter. Great saki as well. read more

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As a reservation-only establishment, be sure you make one before planning to go here! The inside of the restaurant is very intimate, with only twelve seats around the kitchen, where you can watch the chefs at work all throughout your meal. Not only is it just about the food, but it's about the experience and art of the cuisine. My boyfriend and I did the premium omakase set and thought that it was overall, okay. The dining experience itself was great. The staff was polite, the ambiance was upscale (as the other guests dining with us were very polite) and service didn't take very long for 2 chefs with 12 guests. We received the 13-course meal, complete with appetizers, plenty of nigiri, and dessert. All of the dishes were so unique and were inspired by many local ingredients, which I loved. Although the portions are small (as expected), you will definitely be full after the meal from the many courses. The reason why I'm deducting a star is that, for the price, you can find other, better omakase experiences in Portland that are better quality, more authentic, with the same bar experience (although maybe not as exclusive, if that's what you're into). Although the chef was very skilled and kind, when I saw that he was just wearing a band t-shirt and jeans, it took away from the experience and authenticity a bit (I know, it's picky of me T.T). Although I wouldn't come back here if I wanted really good omakase, if there were a special occasion or a day where I wanted to give someone to a high-scale, exclusive experience, this would be a great place! read more

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The food was great, except I'm not a fan of wasabi, and it was on each piece. The staff was super attentive and I loved listening to the descriptions that were given about each dish. I would like to come here again read more

It makes sense that Nimblefish is rated very high: fresh fish (from Japan, Spain, Alaska and local), a good progression of Edomae style sushi is presented with the right proportion of fish over rice, with a detailed explanation of where the fish came from. I loved the fresh fish and that is one of the reasons why you want to come here. Two major issues: 1) The rice. It was dry and because it came from the same pot, that aspect permeated the experience. 2) Some fish were sliced at an irregular angle (see photos) ---indicative of an untrained chef, specifically not a Japan trained chef. There were a few plates that were extraordinarily fresh and good, the temperature correct and the knowledge of the chef about the fish first rate. The tamago was good if a bit much sweeter than expected. All in all it was a good omakase experience for very fresh fish. Finally a miso soup was served followed by a ginger and lemon sherbet capped the omakase and of I went into a Portland foggy evening sated and thinking of my next meal here. End of Yelp. read more

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The food and service are excellent. Very intimate omakase experience with the chefs explaining each piece as it was served. About a dozen or so seats at the bar we were seated at. read more

Pretty place, they import all the fish from japans fish markets. It's an intimate setting, there isn't a lot of space. The person who served us was friendly and knowledgeable. I still feel it was very overpriced. read more

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Good quality of the food. Not very cozy, and terrible expensive: tiny amount quantity.

Incredible! Absolutely every bite was epic. The restaurant is small and intimate. Very expensive but easily worth the price for a special occasion meal. read more

I was gifted a credit to a nice dinner out and wanted somewhere that would be a unique experience. After searching Yelp and asking around, I settled on Nimblefish! Currently they're serving an omakase tasting menu only, at $85 pp, with the option to purchase beverages and additional sushi. Reservations required. While this meal is essentially 13 bites of food plus miso soup and dessert, it is absolutely delicious and an experience worth having. Eating food in this slow, mindful way makes you feel more full than scarfing something down - but still, don't expect to leave stuffed as it's only 11 nigiri. Sitting at the 12-person bar, directly in front of your chef as they prepare each bite and tell you where the fish is from and how they prepare it, is such a treat. The wine and sake we were served were perfect pairings. It was the best sake I've ever had. A well-chosen beverage menu. Each piece of sushi was perfect. Great rice, great pieces of fish, minimal but impactful toppings. Even sushi I'm not a fan of (like octopus), I have to admit was well-prepared. Real wasabi, which was less spicy than I thought it would be, and real ginger, which was spicier. Fun facts: 1. Nimblefish has their own sushi broker in Japan who overnights the best fish to them, for the staff to pick up at the airport before each night's dinner. Yes, the package has gotten lost at the fault of the airline! 2. Sushi is presented differently if you're left handed, so that you can pick it up easily with your chopsticks. 3. They say it takes 10 years to become an okay sushi chef. Then another 10 years to master the craft - and, yes, it's a craft and not an art form because there are certain rules one must follow. This is fine dining, folks! I love all-you-can-eat sushi with crazy toppings and wild names as much as the next person, but this meal was truly an experience I was glad to have. Now I'm browsing flights to Japan so I can continue my sushi-loving journey! read more

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Intimate dining experience and high quality fish, but I feel like there was not enough food for the price. I was expecting more than just 11 pieces of nigiri for $95 per person. We even paid extra for more nigiri after, so we could try fish not offered in the main tasting. The omakase itself is simple, no-frills, with a great view of the chef(s) as they prep, and good pacing. read more

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This was the worst part of my trip to Portland. My partner and I love sushi and try to do one omakase in every city we visit - I wish we would have skipped Nimblefish. We were seated at 8:30 and everyone at the counter was seated at different times meaning different food is being prepared and presented to each guest at different times. This is the first time I've seen this for a counter omakase. Because of this, the chefs were very busy and non-interactive with guests. By our 4th nigiri the chef stopped explaining to us what we were eating, this upset my boyfriend as he was genuinely interested in learning about what kind of fish were being presented. When it came to drinks our waitress was terrible. We had a glass of unfiltered sake and when asked for another, we were told they ran out. Okay, no problem. We asked what might have a similar palette and she answered with "I don't know". Um, ok. Then we asked if we could just get a bottle to simplify things and asked if there were any on the sweeter side. Her response, "I'm not sure". At this point we're pretty frustrated as this was supposed to be an experience and while not posh - at 125 a head, it's still pretty expensive and a level of professionalism was expected. We asked to speak with a manager and 10 minutes later he arrives and before we can even get a sentence out he cuts me off with a defense tone and tells me what I'm saying isn't true because his staff doesn't do that. I told him this is no way to speak to guests if you wont speak in a respectful tone, I won't be arguing with you in front of other guests/staff. I was simply hoping to voice my concerns about my experience and provide insight into what I felt like went wrong. This manager should not be in the service industry if his idea of resolution is to argue with customers and be combative. This was the first time I've ever gotten up from a meal and a 0/10 experience for the worst omakase we've done thus far. read more

My party originally made the reservation months ago, adding a note about some party members having celiac disease. We were contacted two hours before our reservation, on the same day, and informed they cannot compromise their quality by accommodating diners with celiac disease. That's your policy? Fine! I'm really glad you have now added it in print at some point since the reservation was made, so no one else will make the mistake of thinking they might be able to eat here if they have celiac disease, which they used to accommodate. What's less fine is that the news was (1) accompanied by an incredibly condescending note about how "soy is an essential part of Japanese cooking that can't be replaced to replicate accurate flavors" (okay, I guess all the Japanese food I've eaten as a celiac has been inauthentic? And I guess the food you used to serve to celiacs was inauthentic? Thanks for informing me!); (2) delivered an entire two hours before our reservation was set to start. Sorry to bother you by forcing you to even look at the words "gluten" or "celiac," I guess. I would do literally anything to not have this autoimmune disease. I'd spend an obscene amount of money to be able to eat like a normal person again. It's just insulting to be cancelled on like this and not only told that your needs can't be accommodated (which, again, is fine), but made to feel -- at the last minute, when you've been looking forward to the meal for months -- as if your request is somehow debasing their culinary art. read more

While there is a long group table for larger 10+ parties, the best seat in the house is at the L-shaped sushi bar where all the magic happens. I had dinner before my flight back to the Bay Area at 5:15 pm on a Saturday so the bar wasn't busy. There were only two other parties--a couple enjoying a nice, early sushi dinner and two women who were clearly having a fun time. I was solo and on her bottom of the L table with my own dedicated sushi chef. The hanging lights above the bar looked to be this cool driftwood then fabricated into stylized mood lights. The music was a light deep house-like vibe but not overwhelming. Ordering really only involved what to drink as the main attraction was Omakase. I loved the slow and methodical experience. The quality was top notch and the you must try the A5 wagyu nigiri and of course the o-toro nigiri. Check out my photos...unfortunately I didn't capture all the types of fish but each was awesome! read more

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Great omakase for the price! Great omakase overall. They did this savory custard soup deal that was super next level. All the fish was perfect as well. read more

Omakase sounds like oh my gosh, which reflects the reaction you will have at this wonderful establishment. Make sure you reserve a spot here because they only seat 12 people maximum. The ambiance settles you in with some chill hip hop vibes from A Tribe Called Quest to J. Cole to Jay-Z to Lupe Fiasco. It's the right kind of smooth beats to that serves as the train tracks to this ride of a meal. In this way, the omakase began with some appetizers, which were some vegetables of some sort. It was the right kind of flavor to start the journey towards the fish, which is why I came to nimblefish. The selection of fish ranges from Japan to Spain to California. All of them were different whether it was barracuda to tuna to mollusk. The variety and order in which they came was delightful and thoughtful. I also thought each nigiri provided something unique to the table. Furthermore, the chef gave you details about the preparation and origin of the fish. It was masterful. Lastly, you end with soup and dessert, which was a nice Amen to the meal. It was absolutely delightful. The only feedback that I would encourage would be a higher quality cup for both water and whiskey. It felt a little flimsy, so I was careful to not squeeze to hard for fear of breaking the cup. This is very minor and preferential, so it did not impact the grading of this review. If you have some extra cash and availability, this is a place to check out. read more

Stopped by here last weekend to try their omakase. Really enjoyed the experience overall. Food: Delicious edomae style omakase sushi, with several little plates of sides/apps/sashimi. Some of the pieces were a little salty, and some I felt could've had a better brush of soy on top, and one roll where the rice was stuck on the outside. Quality is excellent though for fish, the edomae curing process I could taste between each bite. Dining experience: They didn't serve oshibori's there, I was expecting it because the overall website I was expecting a little more traditional omakase in that sense. But no biggie. I still ate with my fingers and wiped on my napkin. Service was on top of drinks and refills, loved their little cups and glasses. Ambience is pretty dark inside. It was difficult to get good photos, I switched from flash to no flash. I hate using flash indoors, so that's something I wish was brighter so I could really see the true color of the fish and capture more vibrant photos. Really LOVED the strawberry yuzu ice sorbet, I believe that's what it was. I could honestly eat a whole gallon hahaha!! Wine/sake/drink options: Good variety to choose from. I actually love when I'm recommended a pairing to go with food, but with the knowledge I have already, I stuck with a rose and sake for my drink, as well as their green tea and water. I tried my cousins Japanese beer, I'm not a beer person but it actually tasted really good and I can see it tasting amazing with the sushi. Price point: I think the price point was perfect. Really enjoyed the local omakase here, chef did an amazing job overall. We did the omakase upgrade and also added a handroll and extra piece at the end. The handroll really made it the icing in the experience. It was like putting a beautiful finale to the experience. Parking: Ample street parking, easy to find. Location: Tucked away in a cozy neighborhood area amongst other local spots. Really loved it overall, I would definitely come back again, more of an earlier visit so I can get better lighting! Thanks for a delicious visit! ! Otsukaresama desu ka! read more

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Old school traditional Japanese sushi. No rolls. No seaweed salad. Drinks are served neat or on ice. Nigiri is properly small, with genuinely good rice--which is not something easy to find in Portland. The tiniest dab of wasabi is under the middle of each piece in a manner to highlight the flavor of the fish and never to spotlight the wasabi. The fish is as good as it comes. Serviceware is lovely and lowkey. Omakase is varied and excellent. I particularly enjoyed the pike mackerel, the medium toro, and the fish roe but all was fine. This is a remarkable place as only restaurants dedicated to the purity of ingredients attempt such an approach. That said, this place is definitely not for everyone. If you like rolls packed with crispy tempura, rich, fatty additions such as avocado, and so on, you will most likely be disappointed. If you want large portions, you will be disappointed. But if you are after something else--an understanding of fish and rice--this is as good as PDX can offer. And oh--the miso, served at the end of the omakase--a platonic realization. It's dashi base is made from solid block bonito shaved in house. It is an umami bomb with 10,000 feet of depth. Most likely, once you have it, you will discover how only poor forgeries of miso have been foisted on you for your entire life. read more

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We visited Nimblefish in Portland on a recommendation from a friend. Reservations are required at this 12 seat intimate establishment. We began our meal with two appetizers before being taken on an 11 course omakase menu of carefully curated pieces of nigiri. Following the omakase tasting menu we were offered an ala carte menu featuring other items such as uni, A5 wagyu, and tamago. Each piece of nigiri was prepared in front of us and presented by the chef with an explanation of the name and origin of the fish. The courses were paced well to give us enough time to savor the fish but ultimately want more. My favorite item was the tamago (egg) that was an omelette delicately prepared to created layers of egg that resulted in a silky texture and slightly sweet taste. My favorite item from the nigiri course was the o-toro that melted in my mouth. The dining experience was definitely 5 stars and worth a visit. Unfortunately, due to the intimate nature of the restaurant some of the other guests can be a mixed bag and we were unlucky enough to sit next to a couple who were getting quite handsy during dinner. Aside from that I hope to come back one day and try everything all over again. read more

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