We decided to take a little break during our NY to RI road trip this past weekend, and stumbled upon Pokemoto in the adorable town of Middletown, Connecticut! Pokemoto is the next incarnation of a long line of Hawaiian poke-style restaurants that bring flavorful, healthy rice bowls and salads topped with sushi style fish to the masses.
I have to say that besides Providence's Hometown Poke, Pokemoto might be my second favorite poke spot ever! You'll have to be "in the know" to find it, though. Even though there's a sign outside on the bustling street, it's nestled inside of this little indoor "mall", which houses a handful of cute local shops and even a coffee cafe. They were doing a holiday "sip n' shop" when we visited, so the place was quite lively with pre-December shoppers! However, the crowds didn't deter us, and we actually found the restaurant to be a calm oasis from the craziness outside. The dining area is immaculately clean, with shiny floors, plenty of seating, and aesthetically pleasing decorations. They also have a spotless bathroom, which was much appreciated after our long drive. I could see myself hanging out here and staying awhile to snack on some poke and just chill out.
As for the food, it was a cut above your average poke shop, and the selection of toppings for bowls was impressive! They have the usual protein suspects: sushi tuna and sushi salmon, shrimp, grilled chicken, and tofu, but the "boringness" ends there! They have about 12 sauces, many which are made in-house. I really liked the "creamy miso" sauce - it was flavorful and packed a punch! Top your creation with everything from sliced mango to furikake seasoning (a Japanese sweet-salty spice that you won't want to miss), and you have the perfect healthful snack or lunch!
I love when a restaurant offers a great Yelp perk, and Pokemoto sure does! Check in on the app, and you'll get a free serving of their Pineapple Dole Whip! It tastes just like the kind you'd get in Disney world - fruity and luscious soft serve that'll make you yearn for a tropical vacay! Don't miss out on this when you visit!
The service was excellent! Our "pokerista" (it's a thing) was friendly and outgoing, and offered awesome recommendations and even let us sample some of the sauces before we decided which one to go with. I really appreciated the extra level of hospitality! I can't wait to come back next time we pass through Middletown. read more