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I've been meaning to try this place since I saw it on the Top 100 Yelp restaurants. I had high standards and unfortunately this place did not met my expectations. Reservations are highly recommended, which can only be done through calling. We got seated right at our reservation time but the omakase experience itself felt extremely rushed... The full omakase menu comes with 3 small appetizers, 10 nigiri pieces, 1 hand roll, miso soup, and mochi ice cream. Out of all the pieces, the best quality ones were the shima-aji and scallops. These 2 were AMAZING. As for the other pieces, the fish quality was good but not up to par. Total for 2 was $231 before tip. Parking - There is a garage for parking, which can be validated at the restaurant!
Some omakase experiences can be showy and over the top. But at Otaru, you trade that in for an authentic and beautifully crafted food experience. Each bite is so unique and flavorful and powerful. Definitely recommend pairing it with sake. We also enjoyed the special of the wagyu dumpling which included every texture and amazing flavor. Wow. The atmosphere seemed exclusive but not stuffy. Quiet but not serious. Great spot for an intimate evening of delightful dining!
Food and service was amazing! Very small place. Only the sushi bar with maybe 4-5 tables. Definitely make a reservation. Seems like the omakase is the norm to order. Every thing was explained and so delectable. Reasonably priced at $108/person. They also validate parking at the Temple Street garage.
Food: Honestly, we had a really great Omakase experience here - props to New Haven and props to Otaru for bringing great variety and fresh sushi to New Haven, CT! Service: our Sushi chef and wait staff were also great. Ambiance: The restaurant itself is very small and has limited seating at the sushi bar so make sure to reserve in advance for a nice and intimate experience.
Omakase at Otaru is one of our favorite destinations for a date night. We recently went to Sushi Noz and while it was excellent it reminded us how lucky we are to have Otaru so close to home. The chef at Otaru travels to NYC weekly to select the best fish from the same markets and has experience in many of the same kitchens. If Michelin ever comes to New Haven they would surely get a star or two. It's easy to overlook this unassuming restaurant from the outside but it's truly a hidden gem. The omakase changes with the seasons always highlighting the best seafood available. No matter what they serve you can be sure that it will be tasty and creative. I highly recommend reserving a seat at the sushi bar so you can see the team work their magic up close.
Absolutely terrible rude hostess denied me the opportunity to patronize this restaurant. I was highly disappointed after fighting traffic from HPN airport and stopping downtown New Haven to charge my vehicle. I ventured past homeless camps being set up right outside the front door to find the door locked at 5:30 pm. I didn't give up I bravely waited until the chef saw me and sent the hostess to the door. the place had four customers dining in. I asked if I could make a reservation or dine in while my car was charging. The nasty tempered hostess angrily replied there is a $40 minimu. I said that was fine with me and I even said I have cash so that's no problem. I felt the need to show her my hospital id and shared I work 2 blocks away at the hospital. She said maybe you should go next door to Pho they have cheaper menu. I was appalled but did so and spent $85 there but really was pissed that this happened. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE give them your business knowing they treat customers this way. I do t know if they own both businesses but it left an awful impression.
I wanted to go eat here since it was voted in the top 100 of sushi restaurants on Yelp! Well, it was closed for vacation while I was in New Haven so I didn't get to try it out! I'm so sad! Hopefully, my son will get accepted into Yale and I'll be back!
Phenomenal omakase in downtown New Haven! The exterior of the restaurant is not the nicest as it is situated under a large parking garage, and the restaurant itself is quite small - the bar seats 9 and there are only a few tables. I was blown away by the omakase! There were some classic nigiri flavors (toro, scallop, ikura), but most of the nigiri had a delightfully creative flare which I loved! Some highlights for me were the amberjack topped with salsa (so bright and refreshing - reminiscent of ceviche/Latin American flavors), salmon topped with chili oil and scallions (heavy Chinese flavors), shrimp with garlic butter (reminiscent of French flavors), and the fried maitake with truffle and dried uni. The fish were super fresh and the ingredients from the rice to the wasabi were so high quality. Overall a fantastic experience from start to finish. It is very apparent that the chef cares a lot about the quality of the food and the customers' experience. I can't wait to return!
Very good omakase for a reasonable price (108 per person) given all the dishes you get! Started off with oyster topped with caviar and uni and then had a few sashimi dishes followed by nigiri topped with excellent flavors (like scallop with smoked sea salt). Then ended with a hand roll, miso soup, some cake and amazing black sesame mochi ice cream. This is a small place so call ahead - I was able to get a reservation for 2 at 7:30 on a Saturday when I called at noon. The bar was packed with people doing omakase and the other seating was at 5:30. They have a nice list of sake and wine and offer to validate parking in the Temple garage which is great!
When you're the married Dad (or at least this one) of an active 9 year old living around Hartford, you don't often find yourself in New Haven in the evenings. So when I am in New Haven in the evening, I try to bundle a few visits. I had a dinner event in New Haven tonight, but I paced myself, and saved a bunch for leftovers, because I really wanted to try Otaru for sushi. I understand Otaru's primary sushi gig is a $98 per person (for a limited number of people each night) tasting menu that I hear is well worth it if you're a sushi fan. But did you know? They also fill a certain number of to go orders. Around 4:30, as I was driving to New Haven, I tried to order a few pieces of sushi and sashimi for 5:15, but I was told 6:30 was the earliest time. Since that conflicted with my event, I opted for 7:30 and Otaru graciously squeezed me in for that slot. Since I had already eaten, I was just looking to sample the legendary Otaru 5 Yelp Star sushi skill set. I selected: (1) Ikura sushi (salmon roe); (2) scallop sashimi; (3) Blue Fin Tuna sushi; (4) Shima aji sushi (Striped Jack); and (5) Unagi sushi (eel). I can't pretend to be the most knowledgeable sushi eater, but I thought everything was elegantly prepared (even for takeout), fresh tasting and very satisfying. The salmon roe sprayed delicious bursts of salty juice as I gently closed my teeth. The tuna and striped jack sushi were both well seasoned, as they do in great sushi bars, and required no extra sauce. The eel sushi was pleasingly sweet. The scallop sashimi was very good too. One of these days, my wife and I will make it for the tasting menu, but this was a great way to see first hand what these great Otaru reviews were all about. Five Stars
My review is for their takeout service via self-pickup during the pandemic. I wished I knew about this restaurant sooner! I would've loved to dine-in and experience their omakase. I called at 4:10pm but their line was busy so I kept trying till I got through. I think I had to make two calls. They asked what time I want to pickup which is a really good sign that they care about their food. My order was ready when I got there. They aren't doing dine-in service so instead, they had a table with hand sanitizer in front of their door. A sweet lady came out when she saw me and asked if I was there to pickup. I told her my name and she went to get my order. You pay when you get your order so they will ask you for payment when you get there. Everything was done quickly and efficiently. I ordered their sushi dinner for $58 that includes 9 piece sushi, 1 sushi roll, a miso soup and a seaweed salad. The sushi roll was tuna which was refreshing. Actually the tuna sushi roll and miso soup were standard. I'm not a food expert but I like to think the seaweed salad was freshly made. The typical seaweed salad is sweet and soggy (in a good way) but theirs is less sweet and fluffy. Basically, they didn't drown their seaweed salad in sauce. The highlight was definitely the 9 piece sushi. I don't know if their variety changes and I can't remember all the ones that were in mine. I can say that the stand out pieces were the o toro, chu toro, scallop, uni and shrimp. They also included dessert? I believe it was a piece of castella egg but I didn't taste any egg so it could be sponge cake. It was a bit bitter and dry. For the price and quality of sushi, Otaru is amazing! I would definitely come back to enjoy their sushi dinner again and try their other items. Keep up the great work!
This was a great experience! My parents are picky with seafood, and Otaru exceeded their expectations. Our favorites included the salmon sashimi, amberjack with salsa, and mushroom tempura. The quality of the seafood was stellar, and the restaurant added their own twist to each dish. I also love that their menu rotates based on what is seasonal. The portions and # of courses were generous, and guests will leave with full hearts and bellies. I highly recommend.
6 months ago
I've had the pleasure of dining here multiple times. The quality, freshness, and service is consistent and unmatched. It truly is a wonderful atmosphere and well worth the price. I've experienced other omakases in CT and I can wholeheartedly say this is the best one I've had to date! read more
3 months ago
A true high-end omakase in a humble space under the parking lots of downtown New Haven. Who would've thunk it?! $105 for 3 small places, 10 pieces sushi, a handroll, miso soup, castella (not tamago), and black sesame ice cream. The preparation was creative, though sometimes a little contrived. Scallops, excellent with smoked sea salt. Fish (forget which) with a spicy tomato salsa, interesting! Tempura maitaki, cool! Probably didn't need truffle salt... Closing with o-toro, awesome! It didn't really need Osetra caviar or gold leaf... Fish quality is commesurate with price. Once inside, it feels like an oasis. Reservations are recommended. read more
2 years ago
I've been meaning to try this place since I saw it on the Top 100 Yelp restaurants. I had high standards and unfortunately this place did not met my expectations. Reservations are highly recommended, which can only be done through calling. We got seated right at our reservation time but the omakase experience itself felt extremely rushed... The full omakase menu comes with 3 small appetizers, 10 nigiri pieces, 1 hand roll, miso soup, and mochi ice cream. Out of all the pieces, the best quality ones were the shima-aji and scallops. These 2 were AMAZING. As for the other pieces, the fish quality was good but not up to par. Total for 2 was $231 before tip. Parking - There is a garage for parking, which can be validated at the restaurant! read more
Some omakase experiences can be showy and over the top. But at Otaru, you trade that in for an authentic and beautifully crafted food experience. Each bite is so unique and flavorful and powerful. Definitely recommend pairing it with sake. We also enjoyed the special of the wagyu dumpling which included every texture and amazing flavor. Wow. The atmosphere seemed exclusive but not stuffy. Quiet but not serious. Great spot for an intimate evening of delightful dining! read more
2 years ago
Food and service was amazing! Very small place. Only the sushi bar with maybe 4-5 tables. Definitely make a reservation. Seems like the omakase is the norm to order. Every thing was explained and so delectable. Reasonably priced at $108/person. They also validate parking at the Temple Street garage. read more
Food: Honestly, we had a really great Omakase experience here - props to New Haven and props to Otaru for bringing great variety and fresh sushi to New Haven, CT! Service: our Sushi chef and wait staff were also great. Ambiance: The restaurant itself is very small and has limited seating at the sushi bar so make sure to reserve in advance for a nice and intimate experience. read more
10 months ago
Overall Poor choice! Very bad customer service. Too expensive over priced. Bad service door locked read more
Omakase at Otaru is one of our favorite destinations for a date night. We recently went to Sushi Noz and while it was excellent it reminded us how lucky we are to have Otaru so close to home. The chef at Otaru travels to NYC weekly to select the best fish from the same markets and has experience in many of the same kitchens. If Michelin ever comes to New Haven they would surely get a star or two. It's easy to overlook this unassuming restaurant from the outside but it's truly a hidden gem. The omakase changes with the seasons always highlighting the best seafood available. No matter what they serve you can be sure that it will be tasty and creative. I highly recommend reserving a seat at the sushi bar so you can see the team work their magic up close. read more
11 months ago
Absolutely terrible rude hostess denied me the opportunity to patronize this restaurant. I was highly disappointed after fighting traffic from HPN airport and stopping downtown New Haven to charge my vehicle. I ventured past homeless camps being set up right outside the front door to find the door locked at 5:30 pm. I didn't give up I bravely waited until the chef saw me and sent the hostess to the door. the place had four customers dining in. I asked if I could make a reservation or dine in while my car was charging. The nasty tempered hostess angrily replied there is a $40 minimu. I said that was fine with me and I even said I have cash so that's no problem. I felt the need to show her my hospital id and shared I work 2 blocks away at the hospital. She said maybe you should go next door to Pho they have cheaper menu. I was appalled but did so and spent $85 there but really was pissed that this happened. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE give them your business knowing they treat customers this way. I do t know if they own both businesses but it left an awful impression. read more
I wanted to go eat here since it was voted in the top 100 of sushi restaurants on Yelp! Well, it was closed for vacation while I was in New Haven so I didn't get to try it out! I'm so sad! Hopefully, my son will get accepted into Yale and I'll be back! read more
2 years ago
Phenomenal omakase in downtown New Haven! The exterior of the restaurant is not the nicest as it is situated under a large parking garage, and the restaurant itself is quite small - the bar seats 9 and there are only a few tables. I was blown away by the omakase! There were some classic nigiri flavors (toro, scallop, ikura), but most of the nigiri had a delightfully creative flare which I loved! Some highlights for me were the amberjack topped with salsa (so bright and refreshing - reminiscent of ceviche/Latin American flavors), salmon topped with chili oil and scallions (heavy Chinese flavors), shrimp with garlic butter (reminiscent of French flavors), and the fried maitake with truffle and dried uni. The fish were super fresh and the ingredients from the rice to the wasabi were so high quality. Overall a fantastic experience from start to finish. It is very apparent that the chef cares a lot about the quality of the food and the customers' experience. I can't wait to return! read more
Very good omakase for a reasonable price (108 per person) given all the dishes you get! Started off with oyster topped with caviar and uni and then had a few sashimi dishes followed by nigiri topped with excellent flavors (like scallop with smoked sea salt). Then ended with a hand roll, miso soup, some cake and amazing black sesame mochi ice cream. This is a small place so call ahead - I was able to get a reservation for 2 at 7:30 on a Saturday when I called at noon. The bar was packed with people doing omakase and the other seating was at 5:30. They have a nice list of sake and wine and offer to validate parking in the Temple garage which is great! read more
When you're the married Dad (or at least this one) of an active 9 year old living around Hartford, you don't often find yourself in New Haven in the evenings. So when I am in New Haven in the evening, I try to bundle a few visits. I had a dinner event in New Haven tonight, but I paced myself, and saved a bunch for leftovers, because I really wanted to try Otaru for sushi. I understand Otaru's primary sushi gig is a $98 per person (for a limited number of people each night) tasting menu that I hear is well worth it if you're a sushi fan. But did you know? They also fill a certain number of to go orders. Around 4:30, as I was driving to New Haven, I tried to order a few pieces of sushi and sashimi for 5:15, but I was told 6:30 was the earliest time. Since that conflicted with my event, I opted for 7:30 and Otaru graciously squeezed me in for that slot. Since I had already eaten, I was just looking to sample the legendary Otaru 5 Yelp Star sushi skill set. I selected: (1) Ikura sushi (salmon roe); (2) scallop sashimi; (3) Blue Fin Tuna sushi; (4) Shima aji sushi (Striped Jack); and (5) Unagi sushi (eel). I can't pretend to be the most knowledgeable sushi eater, but I thought everything was elegantly prepared (even for takeout), fresh tasting and very satisfying. The salmon roe sprayed delicious bursts of salty juice as I gently closed my teeth. The tuna and striped jack sushi were both well seasoned, as they do in great sushi bars, and required no extra sauce. The eel sushi was pleasingly sweet. The scallop sashimi was very good too. One of these days, my wife and I will make it for the tasting menu, but this was a great way to see first hand what these great Otaru reviews were all about. Five Stars read more
My review is for their takeout service via self-pickup during the pandemic. I wished I knew about this restaurant sooner! I would've loved to dine-in and experience their omakase. I called at 4:10pm but their line was busy so I kept trying till I got through. I think I had to make two calls. They asked what time I want to pickup which is a really good sign that they care about their food. My order was ready when I got there. They aren't doing dine-in service so instead, they had a table with hand sanitizer in front of their door. A sweet lady came out when she saw me and asked if I was there to pickup. I told her my name and she went to get my order. You pay when you get your order so they will ask you for payment when you get there. Everything was done quickly and efficiently. I ordered their sushi dinner for $58 that includes 9 piece sushi, 1 sushi roll, a miso soup and a seaweed salad. The sushi roll was tuna which was refreshing. Actually the tuna sushi roll and miso soup were standard. I'm not a food expert but I like to think the seaweed salad was freshly made. The typical seaweed salad is sweet and soggy (in a good way) but theirs is less sweet and fluffy. Basically, they didn't drown their seaweed salad in sauce. The highlight was definitely the 9 piece sushi. I don't know if their variety changes and I can't remember all the ones that were in mine. I can say that the stand out pieces were the o toro, chu toro, scallop, uni and shrimp. They also included dessert? I believe it was a piece of castella egg but I didn't taste any egg so it could be sponge cake. It was a bit bitter and dry. For the price and quality of sushi, Otaru is amazing! I would definitely come back to enjoy their sushi dinner again and try their other items. Keep up the great work! read more
4 years ago
This was a great experience! My parents are picky with seafood, and Otaru exceeded their expectations. Our favorites included the salmon sashimi, amberjack with salsa, and mushroom tempura. The quality of the seafood was stellar, and the restaurant added their own twist to each dish. I also love that their menu rotates based on what is seasonal. The portions and # of courses were generous, and guests will leave with full hearts and bellies. I highly recommend. read more
5 years ago
Otaru doesn't just serve up the best sushi in Connecticut, they are the best restaurant in the state and it's not particularly close. My wife and I will use any excuse to make a reservation here for a special event. Birthday--Otaru! Promotion--Otaru! Dog's Quinceannerra--that's right, Otaru! Each dish is passionately thought through so that the flavors work together harmoniously and their creative menu offers enough of the familiar and the surprising to delight us every time we go (I mean, where else do leave absolutely raving about a mushroom?). To get the full Otaru experience, you have to do the full Omakase--it's pricy for this area, but an absolute steal when you consider similar experiences in NYC or Boston. Finally, I want to note that Chef Sunny and his wife Kathy are brilliant and warm people. They do a good job remembering names and making you feel special on return trips. 6 out of 5 stars! read more
Otaru was simply the best sushi experience I've had. Even comparing this to New York sushi, this place is on a different level. My partner and I made reservations since we were visiting New Haven for the day to explore the art. We finished early at the museum so we hoped they could sit us early. This was easily done with no problem whatsoever! My partner and I did the 16 course omakase meal priced at $98 per person. Our server was SO kind. Her positive energy and genuine smile never stopped while we were there. She was super attentive and made sure of any allergies and dislikes were reported so they could customize the meal to our liking. The sushi chefs here are truly sushi artists. Each bite was layered with flavor and made with such care by our sushi chef. The technique and movements our sushi chef made was simply mesmerizing. It was truly an honor seeing him work. My personal favorites were the scallop and the uni! The scallop was sweet and the accents added only further enhanced the sweetest of the scallop. The uni was so fresh and we were given such a generous portion of it. My partner is a HUGE sucker for anything tuna and he reports that this is the best tuna he has had. It was fatty and luxurious. Special shoutout to the garlic butter shrimp sushi! It had so many steps to prepare it - even using the blow torch - and you can tell in the taste how much care was put in. Overall, this omakase place is easily the best I have had from all over. The pricing, the quality, the service, and the taste is what will bring me back and stay loyal patrons of this establish forever! Excellent experience I believe all should try! read more
4 years ago
Honestly didn't want to get my hopes up for this place because I just had a life changing experience at O Ya and consider myself pretty picky when it comes to food quality/flavors. Surely this place must be overrated?? But chef rocked our world with an incredible omakase experience. Truly exceptional quality. Chef has an incredible palate - everything was so tasty. A perfect balance of experimental flavors and traditional sushi. Loved the laid back ambiance. Sake list was awesome. Service was courteous and friendly. I can't wait to come back again and again. What a gem! Highly recommend. read more
4 years ago
After spending the day having fun in New Haven we were CRAVING some sushi We stopped by the top rated spot, Otaru for some rolls. This place has the highest 5 star ratio on Yelp we've ever seen. We were in the mood for some classic rolls but this place is known for their out of this world omakase. After loving all of the rolls we had we made a point to stop back here to try out their omakase for ourselves!! read more
Sushi and experience couldn't have been better. This place is a true diamond. They made us feel more than special for my dads birthday and even after living in nyc for a handful of years this is a once and a lifetime experience. The sushi was out of this world, we did the full omakase and loved every bite. The service was amazing and we are so glad we tried it. Thank you so much! read more
4 years ago
I randomly search Top 10 best omakase in New Haven and this was one of them. They only accept reservations via call. Hard to get them answer the phone. I tried 8 times on different days and finally. It's a tiny place with 10 seating at bar counter and dine in probably 4-5 tables. Started off with 3 small plates and 10 sushi, including hand roll, miso soup, egg custard dessert and mochi ice cream for ending. 2 pax with $27 yuzi 300ml sake cost $295 including tips and tax. Personally I feel price is on a high side if I compare the standard against the one I had in NYC. No doubt the sashimi like sea urchin and blue tuna were fresh with high quality. I would recommend if you want to attempt omakase. read more
3 years ago
Really great Japanese food! Sushi and Sashimi along with assorted appetizers. This is very high quality Japanese food and expensive. They require a $40 minimum per person. We had a great dinner and will happily go back! The service is polite, friendly and fast. The ambiance is minimalistic and pleasant. read more
4 years ago
The food and service were phenomenal. These people take pride in their business. We did the 16 course meal for I think $108 a person which was totally worth it. Every single bite was to die for. We sat right at the sushi bar and watched as they carefully prepared each dish. It was a very personal experience. This is absolutely a hidden gem and one of the best dinners I have had in the area. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
10/10 would come back and recommend. Did the omakase at the sushi bar and was well engaged by the sushi chefs. Friendly staff, excellent service, and MOST IMPORTANTLY the sushi was decadent with explosions of flavors and wonderful textures. Solidly impressed. Can't even fit all the wonderful dishes but they were beautiful! read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
Finally went in for omakase! The sushi bar is set up with clear dividers, which probably don't do much in terms of limiting aerosol spread, but it does reduce the noise level of conversations so you don't feel compelled to engage with the people sitting right next to you. Otaru has superb nigiri sushi with a vast range of flavor and texture. I highly recommend the house hot sake which is delightful and complements the sushi perfectly. The horse mackerel and wagyu beef are exceptional standouts both in taste and presentation. This is also the only place I've ever had cubed (versus thin slices of) ginger, which is perfect at cleansing the palate in between each course. Amusingly, the perfect-sized portions of nigiri sushi are followed up with a relatively massive bowl of miso soup! Service is great, and we will be back! read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
Amazing sushi place in New Haven. When you make reservations, you have to eat the omakase. Every sushi pieces were fresh and very interesting combinations of just the perfect amount of toppings. I'd highly recommend this place for great sushi in New Haven. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
I stumbled upon Otaru after searching for omakase in central CT. The reservation process was extremely easy and seamless. Everyone in my party had the 16-course omakase and we all left super satisfied. I think Otaru is even better than some of the NYC omakase spots I've been to. Highly recommend this place to anyone who wants affordable yet good quality sushi! read more
3 years ago
We did the omakase tasting menu for my birthday treat and it exceeded expectations! This is THE BEST SUSHI I have ever had (compared to Hawaii, San Francisco, NYC). Hands down. After 5 years of disappointing sushi in CT- I am beyond thrilled that we are fortunate enough that the best sushi happens to be in our backyard. We sat at the bar. They have Covid Plexiglass barriers between customers and the bar as well as between each 2 seats at the bar. My favorite was the maitaki mushroom tempura but also the bluefin tuna, the japanese snapper-- it was all soo good. Service was excellent. Cant wait to be back. read more
3 years ago
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More info about Otaru Sushi Bar
21 Temple St
New Haven, CT 06510
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(203) 891-6632
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http://www.sushiotaruct.com
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