Sayori really impressed us initially when they first opened - amazing fish & delicious sushi rolls in a trendy, classy space with a cool moving ocean mural in the main dining area.
The place is very spacious and versatile, as it is great for groups and families, solo eats at the bar, and is intimate and romantic enough for a couples night out.
They have fatty tuna & filet mignon rolls which set them apart from other options in the area as more upscale (matches the classy vibe!), so not surprisingly the average price is also higher than competing sushi restaurants in the area.
The restaurant's layout was initially disorienting on our first visit. Upon entering, there wasn't a designated host stand or anyone to greet us. It wasn't immediately clear whether to head straight towards the bar area or turn right into the dining room. Due to the way the space is sectioned off, it felt a bit like a game of peek-a-boo when one of the staff members was trying to approach and guide us.
Despite the upscale atmosphere, some of the staff members, might have possibly been the managers or owners, were dressed pretty casually, which seemed out of place. Similarly, the service, while perfectly acceptable, lacked the polish you would expect from a higher-end establishment. So there was a bit of a mixed messaging that makes me unsure if they're trying to aim for upscale or more casual.
Like I alluded to earlier, we were initially blown away by the quality of the sushi on our initial visit. Their house special rolls and sushi appetizers were bursting with flavor and creativity. In comparison, even classic favorites like the salmon avocado roll seemed a bit bland. After that first experience, I was so impressed that I was ready to declare it the best sushi restaurant in Connecticut.
The quality unfortunately wasn't consistent across our visits. The fatty tuna, which was a star during our first experience, was not as stellar on later visits. It lacked the vibrant color and melt-in-your-mouth texture that had initially impressed us so much. This inconsistency made us feel like the overall quality can vary depending on the day.
While it's been admittedly a few months since our last visit, I sincerely hope they've addressed some of the kinks we encountered. Their menu's creativity and focus on higher-end ingredients are exciting, and I wish them continued success in refining their execution! I would love to return for another try in the near future and experience the full potential of what they have to offer.
By the way, it's time to retire that grand opening sign out front! read more