Umami has been a bi weekly rotation in my household! I've brought my family, visiting friends, and coworkers and all of them have left full and happy excited to return! I highly recommend a reservation as they do not take many walk ins, especially for big parties and definitely take advantage of their happy hour menu (5-6pm). Their HH menu allows you to try some of their most popular bites for a fraction of the cost! Items that we ALWAYS order are the karaage, stir fried udon wit shrimp tempura, at least 3 skewers, the lychee martinis, Takoyaki, and some variation of toro. We try to mix in others every time and have never had a bad bite! Servers are always so kind to us and can't wait until my next visit! Hopefully it's soon! read more

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Umami is a great spot for happy hour, dinner, and even late night happy hour on the weekends! We had dinner there the other week and everything was so flavorful and the moody lighting was a whole vibe. We ordered basically half the food menu along with several drinks and I enjoyed everything we got, especially the shareable small plates and the robatayaki skewers! Our friends who came back from Japan earlier that week gave it their stamp of approval so you know it's good! read more

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The vibes at the restaurant are amazing. Dry martini was absolutely 'umami,' and chirashi bowl was amazingly fresh. The service was pretty good. My only issue with the service was that the brought me the incorrect drink while we were waiting for a table, but they corrected and brought the correct drink over. What's nice is that they take drink orders for you while you wait (even if you're standing and not sitting at the bar). The hostess was extremely friendly and personable. When we were sat at our table there was cold air blowing and we asked to be sat at a different table without the air blowing constantly. They accommodated us which was great. The food was absolutely amazing and super fresh. Unfortunately, as you can see from the photos, the lighting is not that great with regard to taking photos. It is very red everywhere and I think they could soften that a little in my opinion so people can take clear photos of their amazing food. read more

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Oh man, I'm not gonna lie, Umami is probably hands down one of my favorite spots for sushi, ramen, and gyoza. I went here with one of my good friends who came to visit me from the city and we enjoyed literally everything about this place. At first I was a little sketched out because you have to go up a couple flights of stairs. I was confused like... are we even in the right spot? But yes, you just keep walking up the stairs and eventually you pop out into the restaurant. And once you walk in you're like okay yeah this is a whole vibe. They have a DJ playing in the back and if you sit at the bar in front of the grill it's super fun. I got to watch them grill the skewers, dip the skewers, make the sushi... all of it. That alone made the experience so cool. We started with drinks and got lychee martinis and OMG we could not stop drinking them. When we order food we like to try a bunch of different things so we went in. We got edamame, gyoza, miso soup, and the fried chicken. I wasn't really a fan of the fried chicken because it tasted like chicken thigh meat and I'm just not a dark-meat girl, but the gyoza was amazing. I've never seen it made like that. It came out pan-seared and fried in a way where it was connected so you had to break it apart. The edamame was great too. We also got ramen. I wasn't a huge fan because it tasted a little burnt to me, but my friend loved hers so that might just be a me thing. Then we saw people ordering these stuffed sushi triangles, asked about them, and found out it was from the secret menu. So of course we got one. It was filled with spicy tuna and pretty good overall. We tried different skewers too - shrimp, steak, salmon, and chicken - and they were all amazing. The glaze they use is crazy good. Sweet, tangy, a little like sweet and sour but better. And shoutout to our server Dominique because she was bomb. She had us laughing the whole night and explained everything on the menu perfectly, especially the things we had no idea about. Overall this is definitely a go-to spot whether I'm with friends, by myself, or on a date night. Total vibe from start to finish. read more

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I highly recommend making reservations, as this place gets busy. Also, give yourself extra time to find parking, as many spaces are reserved for residents. The entrance can be a little tricky to find. Once you find the door, just keep going up a couple of flights of dark stairs. When you arrive at the top, you'll find the lively bar and a great setup. We got a table near a window and arrived just in time for happy hour. We tried almost every dish on that menu and loved it all. We then ordered a delicious mix of skewers, sushi, and torched salmon. The staff were super friendly. This place is highly recommended. read more

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Where do I start? Such a unique little place! I'll admit, as I was walking up the stairs, I wondered if I was even in the right spot--but as soon as I reached the top, I was greeted by the most welcoming host. You could immediately feel the energy and liveliness in the air. Once we were seated, our server was right there with menus, ready to take our drink order. She immediately asked about allergies and knew exactly what I could eat being gluten-free. She even reminded my dinner partner that one of the dishes he ordered wouldn't be shareable with me--which I thought was incredibly kind and conscientious. The service and ambiance? Top notch. Now, the food and drinks--OMG. I didn't try any of the sake (even though they have a huge sake menu), but I could tell if I'd wanted to explore it, they would've happily walked me through each one. There was plenty of food for sharing, and every single piece of fish I tried was fresh, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. Don't sleep on the bacon-wrapped quail eggs. I really appreciated how thoughtful they were about my allergy, and between the amazing service, lively atmosphere, and incredible food, I'll definitely be back. The whole experience was so good, I'm already planning my next reservation. read more

Umami - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Went here on a date and it was wonderful! The restaurant is on the third floor with an unassuming entrance but it's tucked away behind the Corner Cantina. Once you get into the restaurant, it's a nice little spot. They even have floor seating in a nook but I think those you have to reserve much ahead of time. We tried a little of everything. The staff was very attentive and regularly checked on us. Skewers - the shrimp is good but there's only one piece per order which is steep. The salmon was rlly good though and we got two of them, each has 4 pieces on it. The wagyu was good but not particularly special. They are all dipped in this pork sauce so I think they're all about the same flavor and depends on what medium you prefer. Also, everything is dipped in the same sauce so the skewers aren't a good option if you have a shrimp allergy. We got the sashimi plate which came with two pieces of each fish which was perfect for us to sample a little of everything. Once we tried a bit of everything, it helped us decide what we wanted in a handroll. The handroll had a good amount of fish as well as the amount of rice was good and seasoned with furikake. Hands down our favorite one was this seared salmon with miso paste that they apparently have on their secret menu. We ordered several of these. We also got the takoyaki which was yummy with no chewy bits inside which happens sometimes and can give me the ick. But this one was gloriously absent of chewiness and was just yummy. The matcha creme brulee was good, nothing in particular to write home about just a lot of matcha cream once you break through the sugar shell. Overall, quite an enjoyable and yummy meal. We came to dinner after we already ate less than 3 hours previously so we didn't think we would get much, especially knowing that it was a pricy place. However, we did end up eating a lot more than we expected because it was so yummy. Would definitely return for the seared salmon and maybe a handroll, I think the sashimi plate was good to have the first time just to try everything but would skip on a return visit since it is so pricy and so we can just eat our faves. read more

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We celebrated my birthday dinner at Umami, and it was absolutely perfect. They seated us in the tatami room, which is ideal for a larger dinner party and made the night feel extra special and intimate. Reservations do book out quickly, so I definitely recommend booking in advance. Every single dish and drink we ordered was outstanding, truly no misses. The atmosphere and flavors reminded me so much of restaurants in Tokyo, which made the experience even better. Everyone in our group had an amazing time, and the staff surprised us with complimentary birthday sake shots, which was such a fun and thoughtful touch. Overall, Umami is 100% worth the hype and a must-visit for a special occasion. read more

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We make it a point to come here a few times a year. Staff is always amazing. Music and atmosphere are great. Food is always delicious! Never any complaints. read more

If I could have packed this lil spot up and taken it back to Charlotte with me I would have. Umami was the absolute highlight of my quick trip to Pittsburgh last weekend. I came off of the recommendation of a good friend and it did not disappoint. I came alone on a busy Friday and asked to sit at the bar, and it was packed in there. The host was SO kind to literally grab a stool from who knows where and squeeze me in at the bar. Truly so kind and so appreciated. I was perfectly happy to sit elbow to elbow with some really nice folks at the bar. Someone gave me some recommendations on food and the bartender was amazing too! For drinks, I ordered the "old osaka" which is their take on an old fashioned with tori whisky, china china and shiso honey. This drink was phenomenal!!! So flavor forward, but so well balanced. I also tried one of their rare liquors called "cor cor red" it's an Okinawa molasses rum and it was pretty dang strong and tasty. I had to try it because it's something I've never seen on a menu. The drinks were amazing and so was the food!!! For food I ordered spicy pickled cucumbers, and these skewers: wagyu beef, brussel sprouts and shisito peppers. They were all delicious! The absolute STAR OF THE SHOW though, was the "takoyaki" which are fried octopus balls. My goodness! These were so good I almost ordered a second helping. Seriously delicious! My entree was the gyudon which is a beef rice bowl and it was also really good!! The funny thing is I ate ALL of this food, all of it. I can't express enough how fun of a culinary experience this was. From great food and drinks to awesome service and ambiance. This was truly a dinner to remember and I'll visit this place every time I'm in Pittsburgh!!! Truly a 5 star experience! read more

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Everything was amazing from the food to the friendly, attentive service to the atmosphere. read more

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I wanna say first and foremost Ben was a really lovely server, he was super accommodating and careful about my mother's annoying gluten intolerance and he made gentle conversation and even treated us to a bit of the house hibiscus-infused sake as we checked out! Thank you Ben! Secondly, obviously the food is expensive, I knew what I was going into when I was going here. It's not a restaurant where I am eating with a budget savings in mind, so I more so care about for that price am I getting good quality food? And fuck yeah that sashimi platter rocked, the fish melted in my mouth. The miso salmon roll that they had as a happy hour appetizer, man that salmon was so tender! I loved it! I will use this restaurant as an example to my horrible picky eater girlfriend whom I love that raw fish is actually pretty good. read more

I really enjoyed my experience at Umami from the food to the drinks, everything was on point. I started with the Snow Angel sake, which was light, smooth, and very easy to sip. For sushi, we tried the fatty tuna, lean tuna sashimi, salmon, octopus, and tuna nigiri all fresh and flavorful. The miso ramen was comforting and delicious, and the market-price fish of the day, branzino, came out perfectly crispy with a house chimichurri that tied it all together beautifully. The skewers were easily a highlight the wagyu practically melted in my mouth, and the chicken skin had that perfect crispy bite. Drinks were strong and well-made, and our bartender was fantastic. The only downside was the wait. Even with a reservation, we had to wait about 30-45 minutes before being seated, which was a little confusing. Still, once we sat down, the quality of the food and drinks made the night well worth it. read more

Umami - Whole Branzino Robatayaki - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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If you're looking for a spot that's actually worth the money... Umami Japanese Restaurant did NOT disappoint. We ordered a mix of everything Blood orange Pork Chop, nigiri, chirashi, pork belly & chicken thigh skewers and cocktails‍ every single plate was top tier! The flavors were super fresh, well-balanced, & you can tell they really care about quality. The pork chop was juicy with that perfect char on a bed of funnel & pear shreds. The chirashi bowl was BEAUTIFUL, fresh cuts of fish, generous portions, and just overall chef's kiss Even the smaller bites like nigiri were done perfectly. Cocktails were just as good (and fun names too ). Everything came out looking like a full experience, not just a meal. Not to mention the dj was Total was about $220 for everything we got, and honestly... worth it! If you're debating it: YES, go! This is one of those places where you leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit. Follow me on TikTok to see more reviews on Umami: @ Lala.Miyagi & @ Taste.It.Lala read more

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First of all, I got a little lost. So when you see round corner cantina, along 38th street is a side door that opens up to two more doors and you go up the one that is straight through. After two dark flights of steps, you reach the cutely decorated restaurant. The cuts of fish were thick and the yaki udon was yummy. You might not get full and spend $50 so come ready to spend $$. read more

Umami - Yaki Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Came back again during the evening. This restaurant does not have many seats so it's quite hard to make reservations. You have to check at least a week before the actual meal. The meal was delicious as usual. The lighting is so red that you can't appreciate the natural look of the plates. But I guess they are going for a pub vibe. The servers are so busy and are not given enough time to take care of you. I feel the quality of service doesn't align with the price point they've set. read more

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Again, a fabulous night at Umami! I hope they never leave this spot. The food is delicious and spot on always but the room on the third floor is absolutely perfect. It's like a speakeasy of fantastic delicious food and cocktails with a staff that is always attentive and friendly. This is why we go back regularly. Well done once again! read more

Celebrated an anniversary and got savory pancakes and miso ramen! So very good. Even got a glass of Cava to celebrate! Love this place read more

Umami - Miso Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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My favorite happy hour for good bites! The servers are so kind and guide you through the menu. Such a cool vibe to get drinks with bites with friends. Will always be back for more! read more

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Had a great time coming here on a Thursday! Was able to get a table for two with no problem earlier in the day. Our server was amazing and the food was so good. Really enjoyed being back here! read more

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If you're coming to yelp to see if this spot is worth the hype, it is. Nicer date night that won't hurt your wallet. Quality is great and the vibes are super Lawrenceville. If you're front Pittsburgh or familiar with the area you'll know what that means Again it's a highly recommended date night/sit down, do not take out. Go and experience it and enjoy the atmosphere All the food we had was cooked perfectly and had great umami. I do wish I ordered the Chirashi Bowl. saw a lot of those placed read more

Umami - Tonkotsu Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Easily Lawrenceville's most fun after hours restaurant! The restaurant had a DJ last Friday night playing soulful and melodic house beats and the food came out lightning fast. The ambiance is unmatched here. It's such a fun and youthful vibe. They've really upped their late night game!Make sure to order the ikura nigiri with the quail egg! :)) read more

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This is a really moody, dimly-lit, cool vibe in Pittsburgh. We love small plates, and this a strong recommendation for something unique in the area. Ordered: Nigiri Plate 9/10 Rayu Cucumbers 8/10 Salmon and Pork Belly Robatayaki 7/10 Karaage 9/10 Pork Gyoza 10/10 The sea bream and scallop on the nigiri plate were definite standouts. Really clean, fresh, and sweet. The karaage needs mentioned if you're craving a good piece of fried chicken. It will definitely scratch that itch. The pork gyoza is a must order. This is a substantial portion with perfectly tender dumplings and a huge crispy bite on top, served with a sauce that really packs a punch. Service was quick with orders as they came out, and they were great with recommendations. I would recommend this on the vibe alone, but the food really delivered here too - with portions much larger than they would appear. read more

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Umami is the only izakaya type place in Pittsburgh, which grants it an irreplaceable spot in my heart as I can't really find the same vibes/food else where. However, I rarely come here because the food just doesn't really stand out. It's like it has all the things you'd want but taste wise feels too white washed. The food and drinks are also overpriced. I really don't think food-wise, it's any different from a cheaper and more casual Japanese/sushi restaurant. I'd only recommend it for those looking for this type of ambiance. Drinks are slightly better and I remember them having a selection of Asian inspired cocktails. However, none of them really stand out considering the price and quality. Service was friendly and fast though. read more

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I came here with my family and the experience is pretty good. Their specials are definitely worth it so ask your server about them. The wait time wasn't too bad. It is definitely a nice place to go with friends to chat. The place has a dim feeling to it at night and mainly use red lights in the seating area. This place is also a bit pricey. read more

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One of my favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh! Been here several times and have left very full and happy every single time. Ambiance (especially at night, when they turn the red lights on) makes it feel like a trendy Japanese bar, and they always play great music. Service is exceptional -- servers are always very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They change up the menu pretty often to honor what's seasonal, so it's never a bad time to go back. My go-tos are any of the skewers and handrolls. The skewers are a must try -- the meat is always very flavorful and juicy. Their sushi is always fresh. Their cocktails are also fantastic (the ones I've tried are on the sweeter side, which is ideal for me because I love my drinks sweeter) and have very unique Japanese-inspired flavors. Definitely recommend making a reservation for this place because it gets really packed! read more

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Such a great spot! It has the ambiance of a chic sushi spot that you'd find in NYC or LA, and the food definitely matches up with some of the better spots I've tried in those cities. We loved everything we ordered, especially the sushi - I only wish they had more sushi on their menu, because we tried (and loved) it all in just one visit. The drinks were good too, and like I mentioned before, it has a very "vibey" atmosphere that makes it perfect for a date night or night out. I can't wait to come back! read more

I'm not very familiar with Japanese cuisine, so I came here with the hopes of stepping out of my comfort zone- and I did! We started with the pork belly robatayaki, which was yummy. I really enjoyed the meat but I'm not used to just getting a skewer of meat with nothing else to balance flavors. I'd still get it again though. We also had the takoyaki, which are fried balls with octopus in the center. Those were fantastic! I would definitely recommend trying those. Finally, for my meal, I ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen. This was jam-packed with flavor. They also had two special rolls the last time I went with chu-toro, spicy salmon, and jalapeño. They were actually insane. This restaurant really knows it's sashimi and nigiri. I love the hamachi hand roll and nigiri as well which easily rivals any in the city. read more

Shrink-flation on the rice in the beef rice bowl and really oily, but overall dj was good this time and the usual good service

Went right at 5 when they opened and got a spot at the bar for myself. Definitely make a reservation if you aren't coming right at 5 and have multiple people. Service was attentive and friendly. Drinks, sushi, udon noodles and dessert were all delicious. The ambiance and being 2 flights up just makes the whole vibe super cool and cozy. Can't wait to be back! read more

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It was great time. Awesome atmosphere. The skewers were great. I tried one of every skewers waygu was awesome. I also had the the sushi which I found to be some of the highest quality sushi in the city and I've eaten. read more

Super neat experience. The sushi/sashimi options are fresh as heck, and the daily specials are unique and worth the adventure. The ramen and the yaki udon were wonderful staples as a safe bet if you don't know what else to get. Kind of small restaurant, but sitting at the kitchen bar is a super enjoyable experience in my opinion-- kind staff was mindful of a sesame allergy, attentive to detail as well. So worth the stop in such a unique place. read more

For my first visit I liked it well enough. To be fair it was a rainy and cold evening and I made the last minute decision to give it a try. Finding the entrance was pretty easy - there was a sign above the doorway but when you step inside it feels like you're in an apartment building with a door to your left that's locked and a door straight ahead which I eventually found out that you walk through there and up 2 flights of stairs to the restaurant in the 3rd floor. I sat at the bar and ordered my food. Bartender very nice and helpful. The music was a bit loud for me. The food was good -- chicken thigh pieces on a skewer were really tender with great flavor (hence the empty plate in attached photo ;-), pork gyoza had the perfect chewiness with yummy filling, and udon noodle bowl was good but I should have removed some of the spicy seasoning - little too much for my tastebuds. The food was good and presented nicely but the overall experience was kind of average. I'll give it another try during better weather and sit in the dining room next time and we'll see how it goes. read more

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We had a kitchen bar reservation for 7pm on a Friday and were seated exactly on time. Our waitress was super friendly & kind, patient and attentive. We loved our seat right in front of the grill as it was warm in an otherwise chilly room and we watched as they grilled, rolled and plated foods. We loved the dimly lit atmosphere and the DJ was a highlight. The music was fun without positioning itself as the focal point, but I caught myself grooving along all dinner. Now for the food -- Chirashi bowl (sub egg for scallop) - the tuna, scallop and octopi were our favorite bites Karaage - amazing crunch, tender chicken. Good size portion to share for 2! Grilled Trumpets - yummy, would likely not order again since there was so much else to try (3 pc). Salmon Skewer - Delicious! A fatty and flavorful bite of salmon (4 pc). Pork Gyoza - Comes as an amazing sand dollar- fried together dish. We loved the presentation and crispy bits between the gyoza. Sauce was flavorful and balanced the pork well. Plus- they had a great Asahi 0.0% nonalcoholic beer. One of my favorite nonalcoholic that I've tried! read more

Umami - Chirashi Bowl - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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HIDDEN gem in Lawrenceville, serving fresh sushi and Japanese inspired cuisine. but literally, this place is so difficult to find. It is on the corner of the street, on the second or third floor of the building, with no visible signage or directions. The restaurant sign is not in English. Inside, the accessibility is a challenge and all the tables are high tops. Once you find the restaurant, it is lively, decorated well and has an open kitchen concept! They really transport you to a Japanese style Izakaya with bright red lanterns lining the side of the walls and colorful artwork. The food is expensive!! And the quality is great. I ordered raw salmon, fatty tuna and sea bream! I was disappointed to find fish scales in my sashimi, given the high ratings and price of the food. You can order sushi by the piece, sashimi or hand roll! There are fun bbq skewers to order, hot apps, noodles and rice bowls too! The service was okay! Loud, bustling environment. Could not hear the waitress at times, esp when she was explaining the specials. Food took a hot minute to come out. Parking is difficult on a narrow street. Willing to come back for the vibes!! tldr food 3.75/5 service 4/4 ambiance 4/5 read more

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This place is worth the hype!! We tried to go and the wait was long so we made reservations for the next weekend and it was phenomenal. The vibe and environment was super fun kind of like a speakeasy restaurant bar. If you're a martini fan, The umami martini was YUM I loved it. All the food was so good we can't wait to go back. The skewers are a good app. Definitely try the chawanmushi as an app to share. The udon noodles were really tasty and a good portion too!! read more

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So you'll have to excuse me, I don't remember the name of the dishes or drinks we tried but I enjoyed most of them while others were too salty etc (will hold harmless since I forget). I've been wanting to try here for years but always forget to reserve and you absolutely need to, space is so limited (and crammed in my opinion). It has a few floors to the place and has nice dim lighting and fun, casual atmosphere, I also love the decor! Please refer to my photos to speak for most of my review. I do want to note that their menu changes, including the drinks, so the drinks I seen on here ahead of time were long gone such as the pop rocks one etc. It is a lively place and sorta mid-age crowd which is cool. I do feel some of the items are overpriced and not met for their worth while others are. It is costly but worth a visit for special occasions. As far as "authentic" I feel maybe close as you'll get to what I had in Japan, in the area anyway, but I wouldn't say perfect. I think it's a nice place but the hype/return isn't matching entirely to what I expected. read more

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Umami is hidden in a little corner and located upstairs. It has a nice ambiance with dim lighting and orange neon lights surrounding the windows and nice beats playing. The decor was also very nice. The place is very small but provides a variety of Japanese foods from sashimi and nigiri to roboyak and gyudon. I got the nigiri plate which came with 6 pieces. All the seafood in the nigiri plate was fresh, and the fish melted on my mouth. My only complaint is that they added a tamago nigiri, which only left us with only 5 pieces with fish/seafood on them. I also got some robatayaki, which all came with only one skewer. I got the prime strip steak, chicken skin, and king trumpet mushroom. The prime steak was a little more cooked than I liked, but it was still good and came with three cubes on a stick. The chicken skin came with two on one stick and was crispy. It went well with the the king trumpet mushroom, which came with four pieces on a stick. I also ordered a drink, the Creme on Chrome. The drink was okay, not too sweet and had a coconut taste. I tried the gyudon, which was pretty good. It had a lot of meat and an egg on top, and when mixed, it provided a creamy texture to the dish. The host was super nice, but our server forgot us halfway through. We also ordered two extra prime strop steak robatayaki, but it did not go through. Overall, I really like the ambiance of the restaurant, and I think it is one of my favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh. read more

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Savory, Fresh, Fun, and Delicious Japanese Dishes I like to come her during what is perhaps, the most authentically delicious happy hour in the city. If I'm having sushi, then it's yellow fin, along with any other types, and I've had enough sushi to tell how fresh it is or not. All of the sushi I've had at Umami sports freshness. The dumplings, skewers, and other apps always feel perfectly prepared, and hit the spot for a good snack. I'd recommend getting a reservation for anything in the evening, and definitely for dinner on the weekend, as they're usually packed on weekend evenings, very packed because the food is so good. One of the entertaining things about the restaurant is that the food is brought as it's made, which makes it fun to order a number of things. The sake selection is good, and they also have a full bar, so it's possible to get what I like, and to try new things. I suggest getting a bunch of things, but definitely the yellow fin and enjoy the low-lit New York-esque, cool part of East Village atmosphere that feel's like your in a very cool film where the main characters are doing everything right, to have an amazing night after superb food and cool vibes. read more

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Too dark , too loud, sushi were ok It was really heard to find an entrance. Not impressed honestly read more