This is not a review of Sushi Den as a whole, but instead a review of the Chef Table run by chef…read moreYasu Kizaki. The experience truly begins with the reservation, where you are asked a series of questions from your familiarity with sushi, fish preference, appetite level, and so on. This truly is an in-depth questionnaire so that the chef Yasu could source fish from Nagahama fish market for your meal. It's an incredibly personal, curated meal. On the date of, you are led to a private room in the back, Denchu Den, which is a simple, private sushi bar for up to 4 guests. Then, Chef Yasu comes out for a truly intimate experience, one that is extremely rare to come by, even in Japan. It is truly just your party and the chef as he prepares some truly epic bite. And the menu is not set, it really depends on your personal taste, and the food continues basically until you tap out. As such, there is no set price, though typically we run up about $150-200 a person. It's a 2 hour experience during which you get to experience that Japanese hospitality with chef Yasu. We talked with him about his home, learned about his experience in Denver, and he provided some fun facts about sushi and Japanese in culture in general. I cannot praise this truly unique experience enough, and, in fact, we have been back here every single year. The cherry on top is that as you return, Chef Yasu starts to remember your preference and even past conversation. And it does not end there. Based on our conversation where I discussed my next Japan trip, Chef Yasu even took time to send us an email with his recommendations. The Chef Table at Sushi Den is truly a one of a kind experience here in Denver.

The appetizers and sushi we got were definitely good, but some of the fish was a bit too fishy for…read morehow fresh it's supposed to be, the wagyu was chewier than it should've been, and the ambience felt less warm and welcoming than other restaurants of this refinement. What we ordered: Wagyu kushiyaki - flavor and char was great, but had to chew a good amount more than you would want with wagyu. The little side of truffle mashed potatoes is amazing. Toro nigiri - on the "fresh from Japan" menu. Kinda fell flat - not bad, but didn't have much of that melt your mouth, buttery flavor. Mikan himachi nigiri - on the "fresh from Japan" menu. This was the nigiri that was fishier than expected. Deluxe sushi platter - great option to get more food for your buck. 4 nigiri, 6 sashimi, 2 hand rolls, and 1 california roll. Salad + miso soup.

This is my Japanese comfort restaurant…read more One of the hidden gems of Denver, Domo is a Japanese restaurant that has been around for a long time serving home-style tradional Japanese meals. You won't find fancy sushi here or fusion cooking here, but rather tasty home cooked style classic Japanese dishes. Dishes like Japanese curry, oyakodon, and other donburi and noodle dishes. Having been here multiple times, I cannot recommend this place enough for a homey style meal. No joke, each meal here makes you feel warm inside, like a good home cooked meal. It's comparable to many meals I've had traveling through out real Japan. The flavors are simple, but each dish is well prepared while emphasizing conform over fancy preparation. You just cannot go wrong with any dish here, though I'm partial to the donburi, the green tea soba, and the hot pot. And if the meal is not enough, there is a beautiful garden to enjoy. If you catch it at the right time, the cherry blossom in the spring is beautiful and transport you right to Japan. Overall, Domo is a place that I'm always down to visit. It's warm, comfy, and nostalgic, and I just know I'll miss it when it's gone.

Domo was such a unique and memorable experience. We had dinner in the restaurant's beautiful garden…read moresanctuary, which felt peaceful and charming--and seeing the cats roaming around made it even more special. The service was pretty good. We were seated right away and given plenty of time to take in the restaurant's history and look through the menu. Our food came out quickly, and the staff was always nearby if we needed anything. We started with the cucumber salad and shrimp shumai. The cucumber salad was refreshing, but the shrimp shumai had a strong fishy smell and taste that didn't seem very fresh--I couldn't eat more than one. For my entrée, I ordered the nabeyaki soup with ramen noodles and chicken, and it was excellent. The soy-based broth was rich and flavorful without being too salty, and the ramen noodles were cooked perfectly--tender with just the right amount of bite. Overall, Domo offers a really special atmosphere and a memorable dining experience. I wouldn't recommend the shrimp shumai, but I'd definitely come back to try another ramen flavor, and to see the cats again.

This is one of my most often returned to restaurant in the Lohi area. Amazing food, great happy…read morehour, and delicious drinks. The vibe here is of a japanese izakaya, though not a super traditional one, with sake bombs and everything. That said, the food is definitely on the pricier side, though extremely delicious. My typical go to is on of the salad. Now salads typically are not standout at most restaurants, but the ones at Kawa Ni just hits different. Both the red cabbage and pear salad and the brocolli salad are delicious and the portion is massive, easily enough for a table of 4 to share. For apps and shareable entrees, you can't go wrong here. The build your own tuna temaki hand rolls can easily be shared and the tuna is so fresh and well seasoned. The szechuan dumplings are delicious, as is the curry onigiri and the bao bun. The Dan Dan noodle, kimchi Carbonara, and their tonkotsu ramen are also amazing, and, with the exception of the tonkotsu ramen, can easily be shared. I would highly recommend other seasonal dishes as well, such as the coconut swordfish or chicken katsu parm. However, one of my absolute favorite dish here is the ochazuke. It's basically grilled fish over rice in a warm green tea dashi. It's so comforting, especially on a cold night, and a dish that I return to time and time again. Overall, Kawa Ni is an amazing japanese restaurant. Come for the food and just make sure you get a sake bomb and ask for the gong when you do.

Kawa Ni, I love you! Friendly server, great energy inside and on the patio, fab food. Best for…read moregroups that like to share. Had to order the broccoli again, but the red cabbage and pear salad is even better. Loved the red curry coconut onigiri, miso salmon over rice, and cold sesame noodles. Every dish is a winner. Please open a location in Arizona!

Yaki Ika and yes, I did it. I have been eyeing on stopping by at this restaurant for awhile…read morewanting to try it. It was good and glad I did. Commonly called ikayaki and checked off! You can try to park at the free parking, off the street or on the street. It was Sunday 3 pm and parking was no problem. Ambiance. Very Japanese like feeling with knick knacks every where with banners, akachõchin. Sushi bar takes one side and also a small bar to the back. Drink menu featured several imported Japanese bottled beers on top of the common ones at reasonable price. Ended up getting the house salad, chicken yakitori, spicy tonkatsu ramen and yaki ika. All tasted good, no complaints. Spicy tonkatsu ramen had rich broth, chatsu was grilled and plenty. Repeat

Tatsu Izakaya is the kind of place you go when you want Japanese food that feels intentional…read morewithout being precious about it. The menu leans classic izakaya--small plates meant for sharing--but everything comes out with care and confidence. Skewers are grilled properly, not rushed, with just enough char to matter. The ramen is rich without being heavy, and the broth tastes like someone actually paid attention to it for hours. Even the simpler dishes feel deliberate, which isn't always the case with izakaya-style menus. The atmosphere hits a nice balance: lively without being chaotic, cozy without feeling cramped. It works just as well for a casual dinner as it does for lingering over drinks. Speaking of drinks, the sake and Japanese whiskey selection is thoughtful and well-paired to the food. Tatsu doesn't try to reinvent Japanese cuisine--it just executes it well.

5 star food and service at Mizu Izakaya! Our experience made for a perfect, fun Friday Date night…read more I came for the crispy spicy tuna and it was easily the best I've had. We also really enjoyed the chili wontons, pork belly skewers, and Kobe beef buns - all were super high quality and packed with flavor. We didn't care for the cucumber salad - the large chunks just didn't take on any flavor and felt like eating plain cucumber. The ambiance is very high energy and can be loud (there's a live DJ), but we had a wonderful experience on the patio.

I stopped by this spot after catching a candlelight orchestra performance nearby and was craving…read moresome sushi--and this place definitely delivered, just not in the way I expected. When I walked in, it felt more like a club than a traditional restaurant. The music was loud, the energy was high, and the crowd was definitely on the younger side. Honestly, I've never really experienced anything quite like it--part restaurant, part nightlife vibe--but it was kind of cool in its own way. I grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered sushi along with a seaweed salad and an Old Fashioned. The food was actually really good--fresh, flavorful, and hit the spot after the show. That said, if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing dinner, this probably isn't your place. But if you're open to a lively atmosphere and something a little different, it's a fun experience. I enjoyed my food, soaked in the vibe, and left glad I gave it a try.

Kimora has the makings of a giant izakaya but somehow sectioned things off to make the back rooms…read morefeel more modern. If that doesn't raise expectations the service is on a whole other level with super knowledgeable staff as if they have been there for a while or even own the places. Its impressive! When you tie service and ambiance that leaves the food. Delicate and flavor forward dishes really play to all levels of the meal. Precisely cut pieces of fish and decorated with spices and sauces for an amazing meal! Highly recommended and an easy decision to return. Make your reservation and get that sushi in your belly!

I've been to Kumoya twice now, once in 2023 and again recently, and I really wanted to love it. The…read morefood is good, the ambiance is great, and the staff is kind when you interact with them. Unfortunately, both visits had the same issue: very long gaps between dishes. On my most recent visit, we waited nearly 50 minutes between courses and never received the remaining three dishes. We ended up asking for the check instead. What made it more frustrating was the lack of service. No one checked on us, and we had to flag down another staff member just to get the check. Our server never came by. It was also surprising because the restaurant wasn't busy. There were open bar seats and plenty of open tables, so I'd be nervous to see what the experience is like on a busy night. It's disappointing because the food is solid, but the pacing and service make it hard to come back.

Uchi Denver exceeded every expectation and gave us the best culinary experience I have ever had…read more We came in for our anniversary on our first trip without our kids, and from the moment we arrived the team made us feel genuinely taken care of. Having champagne waiting at the table was such a great touch and set the tone for the night. We went with a chef's choice experience and every course was thoughtful, creative, and incredibly well executed. The surprises throughout the meal and the complimentary dishes made it feel even more special. The wagyu on the hot stone was easily the best thing I have eaten in my 36 years. What really made the night unforgettable was the team. They gifted us a cookbook signed by everyone with a beautiful message, which meant a lot to us. This is a night we will be talking about for a very long time. Thank you to the entire Uchi team for such an incredible experience.

Uchi was the perfect place for an intimate birthday dinner. The atmosphere is elevated, and the…read moreservice was attentive throughout the entire meal. We had the somakase, and every dish seemed better than the last. The hama chili and walu walu were phenomenal. From the quality of the food to the overall experience, this was easily one of the best meals I've had in Denver. A must try for anyone who appreciates exceptional sushi, great service, and an experience that feels special from beginning to end.

The food was great! They had some classics and some very unique dishes. It was fun to try a bit of…read moreboth. They had the best tuna crispy rice. The service was good the server was patient and kind The ambiance was bustling at dinner on a Friday night. Fun place!

Absolutely love this place! Came here as a party of two on a…read moreweeknight, which was lucky because we didn't have a reservation and if it was just a little busier, we wouldn't have been sat at all. We got a cute high top table by the window, their seating is comfortable, even the hightop chairs have backs. The drinks here are delicious, I got the lychee margarita and it was perfect, not too sweet and comes with a real lychee on a skewer, which is a lovely pairing. To eat, I got my favorite aburi tuna, which I always make sure to try if a place has them. It was so good, I love the seared flavor and the fish was so fresh, the texture was perfect. We also got the fried rice, it is served with the staff, mixing the yolk of an egg into the dish at the table in front of you. This made it so rich and delicious, and felt like a show. I was really impressed by the rice itself too, nothing simple about it. The flavors were so dynamic, and everything was cooked to perfection. We also had the black miso cod, this might have been the highlight dish. It was so tender and supple, melting at the touch of a fork and even better in your mouth. The flavors were unbelievable, and it leaves you wanting more. The area is pretty central to wash park, a quick five or 10 minute walk over to Broadway after dinner is easy and accessible too. Totally will be back

My all time favorite happy hour spot - it's not one you want to miss! And to note, they are a…read moreMichelin rated restaurant! Make sure you book a reservation before hand to secure a spot! Yes, you need a reservation for happy hour! Their happy hour deal is 5 delicious hand rolls for $28! Other happy hour deals I also get along with the hand rolls is the simple nigiri set. What makes their fish so amazing is that they get their fish from Japan! This place is so good we come here at least once a month for their happy hour!

Edamame: 7/10 Chicken kaarage: 6/10…read moreKabocha tempura: 10/10 kids 5 roll set Crab: 1/10 Negihama: 2/10 Red shrimp: 1/10 Negitoro: 2/10 Salmon: 7/10 Salmon oshizushi: torched, pressed, fatty 6/10 Saba oshizushi: 7/10 Temaki: Temaki of the day: aged toro, torched, 5/10 Unagi: 8/10 Cucumber: 7/10 Ikura scallop: 6/10 Scallop spicy: 6/10 Shrimp: 1/10, did not expect it to be cooked shrimp Bluefin tsukami: 6/10 Ikura uni: 7/10 Kurodai: 6/10 Taemeshi: 6/10 Most of their menu is cooked or torched; not many raw options

Tidbit! If your dining partner is beef-over-fish, Kin Nori has them covered with wagyu options…read morethroughout the menu. Book it for a date night on Tennyson. Honestly every bite across the nigiri and small plates earns its place. The fish is clean and fresh in that way where it just melts. And the drinks hold their own, not an afterthought. The room was quiet when we went, but the warmth was immediate. It was just one chef and our server who knew the menu like a friend's kitchen, so the whole thing felt somewhere between neighborhood gem and special occasion. Kin Nori may be my new favorite sushi spot in Denver, edging out some heavy competition. If you've been sleeping on Tennyson Street for sushi, wake up.

It was super excited to try this place, came in at 6 PM on a Thursday and you could hear a pin…read moredropping inside with just a few people at the bar and barely any sound on the music. It's set up like an open concept of sushi bar, with seating surrounding the chef and bartenders in the middle. I started with the soba tea, I love the smokiness of it, and it was the perfect size cup. We tried several of the special menu, including the sashimi app which was delicious, and several nigiri. The quality of fish was amazing, but I didn't love how saucy they already were, not only the nigiri but the sushi rolls as well, it seems like they put a bit of soy sauce on the plate before putting down the pieces, and it soaked up into the rice. We tried the scallop hand roll, and it was super yummy, but things started taking a long time to come out, it seems they just had one sushi chef working for the entire bar. everything was still really good but for the price I expected a slightly better experience, at $260 for 2 of us without any alcohol, it could have delivered a little something extra to remember.