Neat name, nice service, needs polish Came here for some lunch, opted to try this place that was off the main foodie scene and see how they fare. Our server was very courteous and professional, but not around a lot. The tables had an ordering qr code but it was a little tricky to put in items. She eventually took our order and the pace of food was very quick. We got a lot of bites from this place. The best would be the skewers. Beef was tender and seasoned well, the chicken thigh was perfectly cooked and had a light sauce applied to give it a bit more umami. The sausage skewer was the weakest bite out of the skewers, but only because it had flavor but not as much as the other two. Next best was the karrage chicken. Crispy and moist chicken with a mayo dipping sauce. I don't recall the flavors of the dripping sauce because it was pretty much kewpie mayo with stuff added and the stuff could not overpower the mayo. So the chicken was good, not the sauce. The cucumber salad was light and refreshing. A nice reprieve from the grease of the chicken. The yakitori was the weakest bite. Octopus was overcooked, the bonito was surprisingly weak in fishy or smoky flavors, and the drizzle of eel sauce and kewpie mayo added nothing to the flavor. The inside was creamy, but that was the only positive.we did try the sushi, but it was removed from the bill so I'm not including it in my review. For 68 bucks, the quality for the price was not quite in sync. It's not bad, but pricy for what you get. It's not a place I would seek out, but it's got a fun name. read more

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Excellent from start to finish. We tried a bunch of items off the menu to share. Miso soup, pork belly, chicken, tofu, tomato, edemame, yaki sobi beef & shrimp with glass of Japanese plum wine. Great service, nice atmosphere inside , Minor complaint pork belly was a bit over cooked. Should be crisp edge with super melt in your mouth middle. Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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Wabi Sabi was a surprising find! My friend and I were looking for food on a Thursday night after 9PM. Most places were closing, but saw that Wabi Sabi was open until midnight. So happy we decided to try it! The restaurant had great lighting and cute decor. We decided to sit at the bar which was empty. I ordered a mocktail called Ginger Dawn, which was a lemon, ginger and honey drink. It was so yummy and perfectly balanced. My friend ordered a Whiskey Sour off the late night happy hour menu and he said it was good. As for food, it was so tasty and just got better with every bite. I ordered the okoyadon rice bowl which was chicken, egg and scallions over rice. It was so delicious. It was very hot when it first came out but once it cooled down a little bit, the flavor was amazing. My friend got yakiudon noodles with beef and the flavor was great. We ordered the spring rolls off the happy hour menu. I've had better spring rolls elsewhere, but it was nice to have on the happy hour menu. For dessert, we ordered the lychee sherbet and the sweet potato cheesecake. I loved the lychee sherbet...powerful flavor and I couldn't stop eating it. The sweet potato cheesecake had good flavor if you really like sweet potato, but I thought it was a little dry. I would absolutely come back and try other dishes and drinks. Also the bartender, Sarah, was so lovely, made us feel welcomed and I loved her vibe. read more

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Great little place on S. Main St. has reasonable street and off-street parking. The flavors are great, and it has a very good vibe. They created one of those small Japanese-style rooms in the middle, and the bar is always busy. read more

I've loved every visit at Wabi Sabi since they've opened, I can't believe I haven't left a review yet! My go to's are always the FD potatoes, the takoyaki, and any of the skewers. I've never been a mushroom girl until I've had their mushroom skewers. I can never help myself and order 5 or 6. When it comes to drinks, I love their entire menu. I typically go with the no need for uber: a mocktail that's the perfect shout of sweetness. I really appreciate all the love and artistry that goes into every aspect of this restaurant. Can't wait to go back! read more

Wabi Sabi - Private dining area - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Stumbled upon their late night happy hour. The vibe was dim lit & overall a nice atmosphere. We had the spring rolls which while they were freshly prepared I wasn't a huge fan of the mushroom inside. We didn't finish those. FD potatoes were uniquely fried with a nice crunchy exterior. Perfect to share & munch on. They have a green chili oil which tasted very grassy. I wasn't a huge fan. I'd probably never return but it's good to try once. read more

Wabi Sabi - FD Potatoes - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Love everything about this spot! Our group of 3 sat at the bar and enjoyed some amazing cocktails with dinner. The bartenders are super nice with great energy and solid recommendations. The vibe here is super cute. Food is great. Service is outstanding. Definition of a 5 star establishment in every way. read more

I was skeptical to visit Wabi Sabi after seeing such mixed reviews online. Luckily, I didn't experience any issues with service that I kept seeing. In fact, the service I received was excellent. My server was very attentive and even offered me and my friend free tea! In terms of ambience, the atmosphere was great. Dim inside lighting with plenty of natural light. I came during the day, but I imagine it'd feel more intimate when it's darker out. The food was good but a little too pricey in my opinion. I enjoyed the takoyaki, but it tasted like any other restaurant's. The Ushi Don came with three skewers and a lot of rice (along with some toppings). The chicken was delicious. The beef was a little tough. The entire dish was also not as hot as I was expecting it to be, while the takoyaki was definitely fresh and almost burned my mouth because I was impatient! There was also complimentary miso soup, which I appreciated, as it wasn't listed on the menu. If I came back, I would skip the beef skewers and maybe try a cocktail. read more

Wabi Sabi - Beef and Chicken Ushi Don - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Lovely little restaurant that is super romantic. Low key lantern lights, chill music, extremely clean-- this is a great date place! They have robata grilled meats, hand rolls, various rice bowls-- all perfectly cooked. The drink menu is amusingly almost twice as extensive as the food menu, but has some pretty amazing combinations and off-menu special mixes. This is the first truly Japanese restaurant that I've seen in Connecticut, much less Hartford. Truly a nice gem, but if you're hungry, be prepared to spend. Portions are on the smaller size and it adds up! Staff is very attentive and you won't be neglected. read more

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I was blessed enough to have met Gao at wabi sabi for my fiancés birthday. I had planned for 17 of us to check this place out since it's new. They had their soft opening about a month ago. I was skeptical to try it out since the beginning will have some technical minor issues, but based on the photos from IG I wanted to give it a try. The drinks at this location were very presentable and yummy. Even the names of the beverages were very eye catchy. Let's start off by saying, this is place serves Asian tapas. It's not a place you come to eat until you are full unless you have no problem ordering a bunch of stuff. I wish I have taken more photos, but the guys at the table so not wait for photos. They just dive right in. There's a bunch of different things you can order from, apps, skewers, sushi, rice, noodle, it's all finger food. If started off rough in the beginning with getting the drink orders out, but it was a Friday night. It's going to be busy. The owner came out with some mochi desserts and a cake for my fiance for his birthday! He def made this experience great for us and we left happy! He is extremely nice and wants to turn this place into something in west Hartford. The restaurant is the old pho 135 on Main Street, glad it's not there anymore-wasn't a big fan of it. I love supporting new businesses and seeing new Asian places pop up in CT. Check this place out and if you meet Gao, let him know Anny sent yall! We will be back again; probably not with a big group but def for drinks!! read more

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I've been meaning to dine at Wabi Sabi since I heard about their opening and finally got the opportunity tonight. I didn't know what to expect but I was very pleasantly surprised by my whole dining experience at this restaurant. Upon entering the space is stylishly decorated, well-lit (very warm dim overhead lamps and a backlit wall), clean and had a relaxing izakaya vibe. Service was extremely prompt and very attentive-- the complimentary tea served was perfect for the cold weather and our waitress helped answer any questions we had about the food. We both ordered rice bowls and shared a takoyaki appetizer-- the takoyaki was warm, flavorful and fluffy on the inside; my unagi don tasted simple but comforting and paired well with the togarashi provided on the table. Only thing I would say is that they could have been more generous with the avocado and unagi for the amount of rice you get but I finished my bowl pretty satisfied. Overall I was happy with my experience at this new restaurant and I look forward to trying their cocktails in the future-- all the specialty cocktails on the menu looked really yummy. Definitely recommend giving this restaurant a try. read more

Wabi Sabi - Unagi don, takoyaki, and miso soup - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

The service was excellent, the environment was cozy and calm, (although I expected to hear Japanese music but didn't) we got different tastes of sushi's and fried balls of something :) the food taste was good, the taste was not the best but it felt to be healthy. The soup was great though. I will return to taste more items of the menu. read more

Wabi Sabi - Salmon Sashimi Red Clam Sashimi Scallop Sashimi - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Came for dinner and decided to sit at the bar for happy hour. What a treat chatting it up with Liam, a talented and friendly bartender. Food. Atmosphere. Quality. All outstanding! read more

The food is good, but the protein portions are too small compared to the amount of rice in their bowls. There's probably like 3-4 cups of rice, with a little bit of protein in each rice bowl. Considering the price that doesn't feel right. read more

Have been wanting to try this since it opened, so my fiancé and I finally went this evening. Decor was minimalistic but very clean and sleek, I really liked it. The music was mostly like indie folk music from the last 10-15 years which added really nicely to the atmosphere, especially for date night. The service wasn't anything special. They didn't go above and Beyond to help us and never filled our water glasses, and our waiter got switched midway through and they didn't explain why. On to the food. I'll start with my least favorite part. I got the kushi don with chicken and beef. The meat was delicious, but served on skewers, which looked fun, but was actually really annoying when I wanted to mix it in to my bowl and had to individually pull all the meat off the skewers. The bowl was pretty simple otherwise, and while I did like the furikake seasoning on top, I wish it had more of a sauce, like even if they drizzled more of the meat sauce onto the bowl, it would have been tastier. My fiancé got the chicken curry, which we both thought was very delicious, and I wish I had gotten that as my main. My favorite part of the meal was definitely the small plates. We got a salmon avocado hand roll and the potatoes. The hand roll was perfectly fresh, though I wish they had a maki option, because hand rolls are just hard to eat. The potatoes were the BEST potatoes I have ever had. They were so nice and crispy, and the sauce they were in was like crackers. We were concerned at first because we didn't realize the sauce was mostly pooled at the bottom, but once we found it, and we're dipping the potatoes in it, we were very happy. Overall, I was impressed, and we will most likely be returning, and maybe getting multiple orders of those crack potatoes. read more

Went back and they have improved the portion size of the yakitori. Still on the pricey side for what it is, but good overall and would now recommend. read more

Food was great! No bartender available initially but then we didn't want an alcoholic beverage. I've already gone back and ordered take out. Bonus was meeting Jason Ritter and David Del Rio there. read more

I tried this place last night and it was amazing. The food was well prepared and flavorful. The service was welcoming and courteous. The ambiance was clean and pleasant. Went back the next day with family read more

I think the overall ambiance was great. Custom Service front of house needs a tremendous amount of training. Never once did our server check on us and the food was delivered abruptly. I ordered a green tea and was given a black tea. When finish. I had to wave the server down and it took our server an extra 15 minutes to bring our check. The chicken meatballs weren't seasoned as well as the steak scares were very tough. Both hand rolls and sashimi were underwhelming and both had strange texture. I think the sticky rice was not correctly cooked making the hand rolls and sashimi fall apart. Such a shame. Had very high expectations. read more

Japanese cocktail and small plate spot with delicious food The place had just opened when I came here for lunch with my mom, so keep that in mind when reading this review... The space is pretty barebones, our server was socially awkward, and the dishes are pretty pricey for their size, but our food itself was fantastic. The menu is comprised of a bunch of small plates, all of which only come with one single serving. For example, if you order a chicken skewer be aware that you will only get one tiny skewer (even though it costs ~5$) They also have an extensive cocktail menu, but we did not get a drink since we came at lunch-time read more

New Japanese restaurant! Only place in the area to enjoy skewers, rice bowls, and drinks. For skewers, chicken gizzard, pork belly, beef are my favorites. Can't go wrong with fried rice or yakisoba. Drinks look pretty, since I don't drink, mocktails is the way to go, plus my toddler can have a sip. Low key and chill vibe to hang by the bar area. There's a private dining room too which could be nice for special occasions. Being in west Hartford where parking is hard to find, glad there's a free side parking lot for customers if there's no street parking in the front. read more

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I have been here a few times now, and it is always a great time. The space is a little small, but very welcoming with super friendly staff. The mixed drinks are delicious and thoughtfully crafted. I recommend going for their happy hour! read more

Small plates, good service. I ordered the noodles and chicken on a stick. Nice atmosphere. read more

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Went with some friends after making a reservation online. Newly opened Japanese restaurant in Weat Hartford, a welcome addition to the Asian food scene here. We tried multiple appetizers - the potato dish definitely stood out as being crispy and flavorful. Although they don't have a large selection of fish, the product is quality. Everything we tried tasted fresh and flavorful. I thought all the skewers and raw fish dishes were delicious. The cooked food such as noodles were less stand out. They have happy hour every day. It is not advertised well but is at the bottom of the menu. read more

Let me start by saying I have eaten here several times and the food was very good. The service was very good as well. However, my last outing was a disaster. It was not a good sign that place was busier than usual and the amount of staff seemed a bit light. Initial ordering was fine and the drinks were timely and delicious. But then....the food came out in dribs and drabs. Some didn't even show up. The food was definitely not on point with past visits. It was barely warm, the order was not correct and some food took so long to show up I grabbed the check and bailed. I know the waitresses were trying but the kitchen was struggling. Had the food at least been hot it may have made up a little bit. Its worth a try for sure but less busy times probably ensure a better experience. read more

The food was fantastic, and I enjoyed my meal. The cocktails were amazing. I'm giving it 4 stars because of the service. It seemed like there was only one waiter around, which led to long wait times. My friend's drink was forgotten and took forever to arrive, though the staff did offer a discount as compensation, which we appreciated. Despite the service hiccup, I'd consider returning for the great food and drinks. read more

It is best for a light snack or a full meal. Whenever we are in the area Wabi is always on our go to list!!

I was super excited to try this new Japanese restaurant. I went on a Friday night and there was a short wait (~10 minutes). The food and drinks were all delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed them! We ordered a bunch of different rolls and the lychee martini. The food came out quick and the service was friendly. One thing to note is that I am not the biggest fan of the scanning a QR code to order. Having the service be a bit more attentive could help a bit more (ex. wanting to ask questions about the menu before ordering). Would definitely recommend and will be back!! read more

Wabi Sabi - bacon wrapped chicken skewers, edamame - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Food was delicious and unusual. Portions were not generous though. Pretty inside- lovely ambience. Service was just meh. Waitress was lovely but didn't provide great advice on ordering. My dish never came; they forgot. I under ordered and When a restaurant forgets to put your dish in or bring it out to you, I would've expected some kind of a remedy. As a new restaurant , I just felt they didn't make a super effort that it mattered a lot that we were there if that makes sense. No one really checked on us. Reading all the reviews it seems our experience was not typical though. ‍ Update: management offered me a discount to entice me to return . Will try. read more

Wabi Ssabi isn't a place one visits just for a clean, flavorful meal or a dazzling cocktail (or mocktail). Wabi Sabi is one of those rare restaurants that delivers an immersive experience. With a screened off middle room that filters and diffuses the light from outside, hand crafted playlists of mellow, fresh international music, and a warm, textured, harmonious interior, the space itself is transportive. Little touches like the perfectly crisscrossing strings of flags and the artisanal paper lanterns, traditional Japanese wood menus and other art pieces on the walls, and fresh table flowers show the intentionality and high end design choices that went into the space. The interior is appreciative rather than appropriative of Japanese culture and for me that is an important distinction. But forget all that. I went there to eat Japanese food and be spoiled with craft cocktails. And boy was I. Here are my unfiltered thoughts on this little gem in West Hartford. Food: I had the tomato skewers, bean curd skewers, king oyster mushroom skewers, miso soup, and vegetable fried rice.If I hadn't had a flight to catch at BDL, I'd have tried yet more options. I work with oyster mushrooms weekly and am a bit of a snob about mushrooms in general (for some people it's steak, for me it's 'shrooms). These ones were delightful. Cut, sauced and grilled to perfection. Three bites of delight. The tomato skewer was an unexpected delight: fresh and bursting with flavor. The bean curd skewer balanced sweet and salty with a firm texture and a sauce that grilled up into a glaze. I had to try the miso soup because that is not only my favorite soup, it is also one of my favorite foods in general. I appreciated the portion size- it was satisfying and that silky salty warmth one expects from miso, but not so much soup as to make me too full for cocktails and fried rice. I like a white rice fried rice. This one was that. Simple, fresh, showcasing broccoli and onion. Nostalgic. I could have eaten a lot more of it but I had already had all those skewers (note: cannot speak to the egg as I have an egg allergy so the chef accommodated by leaving it off). I'd go here just for the food-- and no, I'm not attaching pictures of what I ate because it vanished before I thought of pulling out my camera. But, I did not stop with food. I also had to try the cocktails. And, as someone who generally prefers to be the designated driver (though not today), I wanted to try the mocktails too. I don't know where he learned his stuff but the bartender is an artist. I've never had such creative and refined cocktails outside major cities like NYC, Berlin, London, etc. The gin shiso sour was made with a vegan foam (and not aquafava; hallelujah!) it was like drinking a lemony cloud. The milk punch? Unreal. I won't try to describe it. Just get it. I always judge a place based on its version of the old fashioned. In this case: smooth, refined, very creative, the words "hot damn" came out of my mouth for the first time since the 'oughts. If you do not consume alcohol, Wabi Sabi gives you so many different options to be absolutely indulged. Cloud shatter? Mila sour? These are mocktails that you'll not find anywhere else. I would drink a cloud shatter daily if given the opportunity- that dash of nutmeg on top. 10/10. Overall, I appreciated the ambiance: intimate, chill music, unique interior design features with textures, woods, and Japanese art... and it was the cleanest restaurant I've ever been in. More than that, though, I appreciated being able to eat a meal I'd normally have to go into the city for, just outside of Blue Back Square in West Hartford. Do yourself a favor and grab a drink (or a few) and some skewers, hand rolls, or other meals or snacks here. I feel it is the kind of place that would lend itself well to a business lunch, celebratory drinks and dinner, and/or a delicious night out with family and friends. read more

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The ambiance was amazing, very relaxing and cheerful. My host was a very kind and well spoken young man. I'm taking a single star off my review because the portions were relatively small. read more

Our group of six felt special being given a private room. The staff were amazing and let me just say that eating here brings back wonderful moments of eating in Japan. I plan to bring my family here to try the other meals in their menu! read more

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The drinks are amazing...wtf drink, and the She's so Bourbon Sour (not on the menu...but ask Andy)...the potatoes...gyoza...everything...so delicuous...great atmosphere and service! We'll be back soon!!! read more

Wabi Sabi - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

The food here is fantastic, and the inside is also a really cool vibe. Quick service and a very unique menu. I would highly recommend!

Have been very much looking forward to opening of Wabi Sabi, and it did not disappoint. Staff was attentive and respectful. Presentation of drinks and foods were lovely. Flavors of cocktails well balanced, cannot wait to try them all. Every food item was well seasoned and delicious. Highly recommend hand rolls and Karage chicken. I could tell a lot of care was put into the decor, cocktails, and food. Will absolutely be coming back. read more

Very good Service and A delightful staff. Me and my partner Had Several drinks, each which has a very nice and refreshing taste to them, and the Bartender was very nice. The ambience at night is very mellow and its aesthetic to the cuisine is very accurate and comforting. read more

Wabi Sabi - Mika sour and Kuridashi Highball - Asian Fusion Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Overall, I personally find that their food was okay/mediocre, but they are so pricy for the portion sizes. Handrolls are very tiny/thin. Their Kaisen Don is not even close to what you would get in Japan or NYC. It's more like fast food poke bowl. Though servers were kind and attentive. read more

I was really excited when I saw wabi sabi was about to open. My first experience wasn't the best. The food was delicious, but portions are extremely small. Also, we didn't know if we should seat ourselves or wait for someone to seat us. When you walk in, you can see diners but there is a big wall blocking view of the rest of the restaurant. This needs to be addressed so guests understand what the protocol to seating is. If there is a big wall when I walk in, I would assume you would have someone attending the front end. We finally were seated after flagging down a server. Our main dish never arrived and eventually took almost 90 minutes to arrive on a quiet Tuesday night. I would like to see this restaurant succeed but they have to make adjustments to their service approach. Maybe better for pickup than dining in. I hope to return to a better experience next time. read more

Trying out this new Japanese restaurant near Blue Back...really impressed by the decor and ambiance! Similar vibe to the izakaya places I have been in Japan. Overall I enjoyed everything I tried on the menu, especially the skewers and the fried rice!! Forgot to take pics of all the cocktails I tried...Shochu Sour was my favorite!! read more

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Great food different type of sushi place! The happy hour is awesome get the shrimp tempura! The bartender was delightful so informative on the food! We will keep going back fr sure! read more