I've had this spot saved in my bookmarks for so long, I'm so excited I finally got to come here!!…read moreReservations are easy and they allow cancellations for at least 4 hours before without a fee. But who cares about that right? Let's get to the food. Everything on the menu sounded and looked delicious but we were most intrigued by the kaisendon and the hitsumabushi. The Mentaiko spaghetti as well -- which was unlike any other Mentaiko spaghetti I've had before ! Everything was so delicious, fresh, and full of umami. Our favorite dish was definitely the hitsumabushi, which you can enjoy 4 different ways. Staff are all so kind and sweet and explains everything to you thoroughly. 10/10 recommend and 10/10 will come back!

Came here to celebrate my birthday with family. Giving this a 4.5 and looking forward to coming…read moreback again! Really liked the mushroom salad. It had lots of lotus chips and greens...delicious! We also got the assorted tempura which was good - the dipping was came out very warm - so it was a nice addition on a windy cold day. The sabazushi was a bit too fishy for me. We tried both the Eel and the wagyu bowl sets between 4 people. I liked the wagyu more than the eel but mixing it was a bit rough. I'd recommend mixing the egg yolk with the rice and then adding the wagyu pieces back in. The service was well timed for our food and things came 1 after another. Unfortunately, they sold out of the matcha mochi the day we went so we opted for the mango parfait instead. It tasted ok but I would have rather had the mochi instead.

The space is beautiful! I felt like I was in Vegas and not in Montclair NJ. There is a parking…read morestructure right across from the restaurant and it's also located steps away from Bloomfield Ave and the center of montclair. We visited for the start of their brunch menu and everything was absolutely excellent. Great service! And oh the food -- the stand outs were definitely the sushi, particularly anything that had the A5 wagyu. The hot bibimbap like A5 Wagyu was incredible! The lobster roll was a little too heavy on the mayo. If you like onions the miso French onion soup was delicious. But honestly could not go wrong with any of thing in their menu.

Finally was able to get around to trying Chef Morimoto's New Jersey venture. On arrival, We did…read morehave a reservation and we were seated immediately upon arrival. The Space: gorgeous space inside. Very modern looking, clean and inviting space. Service: excellent service, from the front of house, to our server, to all the other staff, everyone was attentive and knew the dishes inside and out. Drinks: I had the Tokyo smoke, which was a solid Smokey whiskey sour, was very delicious. My wife had the sake verra matcha, which she also loved it was like a refreshing take on an espresso martini with matcha instead. Would definitely recommend. Food: Toro tartare - small starter, excellent taste, the dashi it was sitting in was very delicious, really enjoyed the crunch with the caviar. Overall solid dish Surf and turf roll: really delicious roll, they blowtorch the roll in front of you. Has so much flavor and the meat just melts in your mouth. Main dish: my wife and I opted for the special Which was a marinated coulotte cut of beef, cooked to perfection, was the perfect mix of sweet and savory, the pickled ginger and wasabi added such a great element to the dish. Sides: if my mother made broccoli like this, I probably would not have been so picky growing up, would absolutely recommend. And I cannot say enough about the 100 layer potato gratin, must try. Dessert: we tried the tiramisu, unfortunately I think this is skippable. Not enough coffee flavor, just have had better. Overall great experience, it is definitely on the expensive side, the food and service were great, cannot say that I would do the tiramisu again though. Otherwise, would recommend for a special event or special dinner for sure!

Nami Nori in Montclair was such a great experience from start to finish. Walking in, the ambience…read moreimmediately stood out, the space has a picturesque Japanese aesthetic that feels both modern and calming. It's the kind of place that feels thoughtfully designed without trying too hard. Our waiter was incredibly welcoming and friendly, which set a great tone for the meal. For drinks, we ordered the Raspberry Moon and a matcha latte. Both were colorful, well-presented, and really tasty, a nice way to start the meal. The food itself was an experience. We ordered the temaki set and got to learn how to assemble our own hand rolls, which made the meal interactive and fun. The sushi arrived in a beautiful presentation and everything tasted fresh and high quality. Overall, it was a memorable dining experience with great service, creative drinks, and delicious food. Definitely a spot worth checking out in Montclair.

Hand roll heaven! I booked this spot for a weekday birthday dinner for my friend for 7 people (5…read moreadults + my two kids, 9 and 11) on OpenTable. The reservation required a credit card but I was able to mention a birthday. We were seated right away at a nice window table with a bench, which made it easy to fit everyone. We ordered a bunch of small plates and not a single miss: Tuna Crudo -- fresh, simple, and kid-approved Japanese Potato Salad with Ikura -- lightly creamy with a salty, briny pop Asari Clam Soup -- loaded with clams, miso; buttery and comforting Furikake Cottage Fries -- hot, round crispy ridges with a ketchup-y dip, very snackable for everyone Spicy Tuna Dip -- gone in about 60 seconds For the temaki (hand rolls), they recommend 5 per person. They do something a little different and honestly pretty fun. The fillings come out on flat sticks in a wooden holder (kinda like a taco stand), and you get boxes of nori (seaweed sheets) on the side. You slide the filling onto the seaweed yourself and eat it right away, so everything stays nice and crisp. It's a little DIY, but in a good way. While they offer 3 Temaki preselected sets, you can also order a la carte. I went with the Signature Set (tuna poke, XO scallop, coconut shrimp, salmon serrano, cucumber black sesame) and was really happy with it. We also got also got 2 sets of California rolls for the girls. My brother's Everything Bagel hand roll was a fun surprise. It tasted just like one. We finished with the Lemon Curd Churros- fresh, hot, and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The curd was a little on the firm side, but still good. Everyone left full and delighted. NOTES/TIPS: **BYOB, Wheelchair-accessible. Clean bathrooms. Modern vibes. **Entire menu is gluten-free **Vegan options available if you ask, plus a strong plant-based roll selection **Plan for ~5 hand rolls per person (including the kids) **Several parking decks a block or two away

We have been dining here for over 15 years!!! NEVER EVER DISAPPOINTED!!!! The owner is a sweetheart…read moreand the Sushi Chefs are NUMBER one!! The employees are friendly and care taking!!! Excellent cleaning in the food preparation!!!!! If I could rate a 10 this is the place!!

Came to Aozara last Saturday to meet up with some friends for lunch and didn't take a single…read morepicture :( We were seated quickly along the left wall which had tables. The other side of the restaurant had these big white booths which were pretty cool. I ordered the Spicy Scallop Roll and Sexy Girl Roll for myself. We all ordered on the provided menu sheet and were able to check off the items we each wanted. Because we got there so early, the food came out fast. I LOVED my scallop roll and plant to come back here just for that. Aozara is located on Bloomfield Ave right across from the Wellmont. I'll be honest, I go to the Wellmont for shows at least once a month and had never been here before but I plan to come back now that I know the food and service are good. It's BYOB - so make sure to bring your fave wine with you!

Wabi Sabi by far is one of the best sushi restaurants in New Jersey!…read more As a restaurant owner myself, I know how much work goes on behind the scenes to create a great dining experience -- and this sushi spot is doing it right. The fish was incredibly fresh, the rolls were well balanced, and everything came out looking as good as it tasted. What stood out to me most was the consistency and attention to detail. The staff was friendly, service flowed smoothly, and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. It's always nice to support places that clearly care about their craft. If you love good sushi, this restaurant is absolutely worth a visit. I'm already looking forward to coming back.

If you are a true sushi purist, you know that the best experiences often hide behind the most…read moreunassuming storefronts. This place is the definition of a hidden gem--a masterclass in traditional sushi sitting quietly on a culinary wasteland of a street. The commitment to quality here is staggering. This isn't your standard neighborhood joint slinging spicy mayo rolls; the seafood here boasts absolute freshness, with rare fish flown in weekly directly from Japan. You will find cuts here that are nearly impossible to source at standard sushi restaurants, elevating the experience to something you'd typically only find at an exclusive omakase counter. Let's talk about the tuna. The vast majority of sushi spots try to pass off cheap, frozen yellowfin as a premium offering. Not here. They source incredibly high-quality Spanish Bluefin--the exact same caliber of fish utilized by Michelin-starred establishments. What truly sets them apart is their ability to offer the complete trinity of bluefin cuts: the deep, ruby-red lean akami, the perfectly marbled chu-toro, and the rich, melt-in-your-mouth o-toro. The menu reads like a love letter to the ocean. Finding high-grade yellowtail belly can be a challenge, but here, it is a staple of exceptional quality. For those with an adventurous and educated palate, the chefs regularly feature incredibly hard-to-find selections like itoyori (golden threadfin bream), mejina (opaleye), and a luxuriously rich fatty bonito. The uni deserves its own paragraph. Sea urchin can be a gamble at lesser restaurants, but here it is pristine. On any given night, you might be lucky enough to find both creamy California uni and the briny, delicate Hokkaido uni available for side-by-side comparison. Another testament to their traditional approach and culinary respect is how they utilize the week's fresh catch to craft a warm, incredibly tasty fish head soup. It is a deeply comforting, umami-rich broth that extracts every ounce of flavor from the premium seafood they bring in, showcasing a level of authenticity you rarely see anymore. While the menu does offer French-inspired dishes and various hot kitchen items, let me be clear: you are here for the sushi. The hot food isn't bad by any means, but if you truly want a culinary experience, do not waste precious stomach space on it. You are here for the raw fish. The singular exception to this rule is the pork gyoza--they are remarkably juicy and absolutely worth the order. Do not skip dessert. In many sushi restaurants, desserts are an afterthought, but here they are top-notch and entirely homemade. The Japanese flan is impossibly silky and decadent. However, the true star is the crème brûlée cheesecake--it is remarkably smooth, slicing effortlessly at the touch of a fork, with a deeply satisfying flavor profile that entirely avoids being overly sweet. I have to address the elephant in the neighborhood: this place absolutely destroys Morimoto down the street. Morimoto has become a tourist trap resting on a recognizable name, employing inexperienced chefs to cater to the sheep-like masses who prioritize a flashy dining room over authentic taste. If you actually understand and respect true sushi, you skip the theatrical nonsense down the street and come here. Let's also be brutally honest about the price point: excellence comes at a premium. This is an uncompromising, high-end culinary experience, and the bill reflects the quality of ingredients flown in from Japan. If you are a bargain hunter, looking for cheap eats, or aren't willing to pay for top-tier craftsmanship, save your time and look elsewhere. This establishment is for serious diners who understand the value of good sushi and aren't just looking for a good enough "AYCE" experience.

Amazing customer service and cozy atmosphere! I had the pork katsu sando and enjoyed it.read more

Sando Cafe is a small spot with about four tables and a bit of counter seating -- likely better…read moresuited for takeout than dining in. Service was very friendly and attentive. They even have cute little buttons on the tables you can press to buzz for service, which was a nice touch. My daughter had the Ebi Udon soup and I ordered the Katsudon. Everything tasted fine. The issue wasn't flavor -- it was how filling the meals were. Both dishes felt light for dinner. The Katsudon was mostly white rice (probably three-quarters of the bowl) with pork cutlet on top. It was tasty, but halfway through I felt like I was just eating rice. They do have a restroom in the back for customers, and there's no credit card fee (yaay). Overall, decent food and very nice service -- just better suited for a light lunch than a full dinner before a show.

Came here on a Tuesday night with some friends. The restaurant was very empty, but they did have a…read morelot of takeout orders ready. We were able to be seated right away and the person who greeted us was incredibly kind to us. The restaurant is fairly spacious. They have lots of tables and some booths. As we were looking through their very large menu to the side, what to order, the waiter brought an appetizer on the house, which I believe was some kind of tempura fish, which was pretty good! We ordered four rolls and one miso soup. I do have to say that other places give you the miso soup when you order more than one roll, so it was different that we had to order it separately and pay for it separately, but I understand that restaurants are different. We got the Montclair, the Caldwell, the salmon avocado, and their Hawaiian roll. The one that truly stood out to me was the Hawaiian roll, it had kiwi and mango on top which made for a delicious combination and very refreshing. The other three rolls were OK, nothing outstanding. That miso was a bit sweet, which was different for me. At the end of our meal, they gave us orange slices and they were actually delicious! It was a cute surprise and truly showed the vibe of the people who run this place. Overall, the bill came around $50ish which was incredibly cheap for all four rolls and the soup. I definitely would come here again to get the Hawaiian roll and maybe try out some other stuff!

Is this the best sushi in NJ? No, but you get a friendly staff , great selection of apps and rolls,…read moresome unique menu items like sushi pizza and fried banana on sushi (digimon roll), but the number one selling point for me is the prive point. For how expensive everything is nowadays, they keep it affordable hell without it feeling like budget sushi. All the fish tasted fresh, no complaints here

We normally do takeout, which is both amazing and quality and quantity as well as service! It's no…read morewonder this neighborhood staple is so popular and busy all the time! They know what they're doing in terms of having the freshest sushi and sashimi around. We like sitting outdoors and great weather so it's great that they have outdoor tables. On a recent weekday, I met my folks who regularly dine in, for lunch and sat in the back room, which is quieter, and we had a number of specials from their lunch menu, which has great options at very affordable prices. I've orders the Sushi platter for two as takeaway for parties and it's always a hit in quality as well as amount to share. Highly recommended!

Loved Sushi Koshi! Fish was fresh and portion and quality justify the price. Space was limited, but…read morecozy, and staff went above and beyond to be welcoming. We came closer to closing time, but staff didn't rush us. Watching roll & Soho roll was our favs. For sure coming back!

Worth the drive!!!! Loved the pancakes and Bao. Nice meeting the owner, Yu!!!…read more Will be back.

FYI - posting this a few months late (was in the drafts)…read more I really enjoyed my first dinner at Kurobuta with a friend! We shared some small plates and tried to get a good feel for the menu. Higher end vibe with some cool fusion elements to the options available - it's clear ingredients are high quality and presentation is very important to them. Even the drinks have fun little lights in them! Service was very kind and attentive but also lets you take your time - which is lovely! We had reservations which I don't think was necessary on a weeknight, but would recommend it for weekends. They mark your reserved table with a cute sign! Overall prices were a bit high for the portions but I understand it's likely for quality. Be prepared to spend if you're hungry!

Quality food! It is on the pricey side but the food did not disappoint!…read more Service could have been a bit better, however, I would still recommend! The food is absolutely worth it. Presentation was amazing! It was a whole vibe!

Journeying from Brooklyn, NY to Montclair on a Friday to see a comedy show at the Wellmont Theater,…read moremy husband and I were set on a classic-feeling date night spot to match the energy of the evening. I made a reservation at Pastaramen after seeing all the good reviews. The verdict? It's a fun spot, but the food was okay. Nothing really wowed me, and I felt like both the dishes and the service leaned a bit too pretentious for the level of quality and flavor we were actually served. Was the décor lovely and eccentric? Yes. Were the food options fun and dynamic? Sure. But the final experience was just... okay. I don't feel the need to return. Definitely a cool concept overall, though the experience didn't fully land for me.