The Papa Umi is an extraordinary place - and you would expect this kind of concept in one of the capital cities of the world, but not in Koblenz and Neuwied. We discovered this gem a few years ago when they initially opened in Neuwied - in a - you would not believe it - former McDonald's ;-)
Let me say this very frankly: the sushi is delicious - if you compare it to the sushi places in the area. The presentation is immaculate, or better: impressive. Every larger plate is a piece of art - and if you take someone who loves sushi and has never been, they will be genuinely impressed.
In all honesty: It does wear a bit off if you go again and again - and it's a bit of a show they present there. So if you compared the sushi to the Nobu or other places that stand for real sushi excellence, it would not stand up. Then, of course, it does not have Nobu prices ;-) It's far from any AYCE place and possibly more expensive than any other sushi place in the area - but the experience is definitely worth it.
I just randomly checked some comments, the good, the bad, the ugly: I have been sure a dozen or more times, and the quality and service were consistent. It definitely is not the best sushi I ever had, but I always had a good time - and even more so when I took people who have never been.
The alternative is the Ichiban - a more traditional un-trendy place.
Why five stars then? Now, if you are curious enough about my "rating scheme," here's "the moment of truth. I am a music photographer who travels the world with the worlds greatest musical talents (Michael Jackson, AC/DC, Rolling Stones or Rammstein, to name a few) for almost 40 years. When being asked "where do you live," I tended to ask "in hotels." At my peak, I "shot" 250 shows a year. Will say: been there, saw and tasted it, and a lot, as I may say and much to the dismay of my doctor who is in my back to lose a few pounds. Quite a few, as I may add, which is why my wife and I walk ten thousand steps per day, where- and whenever we can - and explore a lot of new exciting places - places you may oversee when just driving by.
While I love to share my experience with others, I am sometimes shocked by how people use their "power of the word" to down-rate amazing places. Mostly they do because of minor incidents (in my all time favorite restaurant Le Petit Four on Sunset Plaza the owner was even called a racist as he refused to toast the (free) bread in his packed restaurant - they simply do not offer toasted bread, as no French place does, as I may add). Or I just read "Chicken piccata so over-salted I hope the dog enjoys the leftovers tomorrow, I brought home most of the dish." Did they speak to their service? How could the restaurant learn that something was wrong when patrons even have their leftovers boxed to take home? As a dog owner, I want to take the writer and shake him or her really bad and say "you give over-salted food to your dog? Anyone with a bit of brain understands this is a horrible idea... I hope you agree.
So If I had a say on this portal, I would offer to see the ratings of my friends. So I would see what the ratings were by like-minded people. Sadly, I have no say. I try not to compare apples with oranges. A place like this does not compare to "The Ritz." At first, I assume that a restaurant is clean, they do not greet you with a gun - and they deliver whatever they promise. I do not give stars for things that are expected. In my rating scheme, three or more stars are awarded if they exceeded my expectation. Four, if I am sure I will come back. To achieve five stars, I must be willing to take a detour of thirty minutes or more to go again. As I went back again and again and it is, in fact, a 30 min detour over any place next to my German home, it must be five stars.
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