erika lee
Google
Might be some of the higher qualities of sashimi/sushi we've enjoyed in the U.S. For this price, it's actually not too bad. We definitely left with a full tummy and I'd like to say me with a full heart of gratitude that we have something like this in around Columbus <3 on this side of town too!!
We came for our 10th anniversary, as our work schedules cancelled our original plans to celebrate. It was a last minute booking for a Friday night, and the counter seats were no longer an option but I was happy to still get a table.
We were seated in the corner at the front of the restaurant, adjacent to another two top table. This arrangement actually is where I deducted stars (otherwise, it would have been a five star experience for me); as the two tables that are 'somewhat' spread apart, aren't as apart as one would like for privacy. It seems they opted to give more space at the opposing ends of each table for service/entry, so the two tables are maybe 12" apart? It was quite distracting for me, as I felt like I was dining with the couple next to us. Unfortunately, because there is a lot of 'down time' where you're just waiting for the next course, I tried my best but it was difficult not to 'hear' what was happening next to us...
My husband opted for the tour, while I chose the premium tour with sake flight, and we added one of the weekly specials: Karatsuki Hotate (scallop :d yummy!!). I accidentally ordered one for each of us, as I didn't know it would be like 8 slices of scallops and we could have shared it... oh well, it was delicious!!! The first course Inada - young yellowtail atop sunomono, Asian greens, and radish was DELIGHTFULLY REFRESHING and set the stage for the many courses to come. Notably, the freshwater eel from Korea was a wonderful surprise! The squid nigiri was also very pleasant: tender, but a little spring to the texture and not tough like some common grade.
Out of all the tasty bites, the least favorite of ours would have to be the handroll. Snowcrab and scallop handroll that could have been tasty, but the seaweed for the handroll was a bit soggy for my taste, as I like my seaweed with some crunch and not stale like that (either wet or dried crunchy wakame, not like in between: not crunchy but also not dry.... OMG IS THIS WHERE I CAN USE MOIST?!?!! ^_^") Okay, sorry... I must also commend their choice of sake for the flight as well as the creativity for the first sake: elevating the nigori and make it into a mojito (nigori uses rice that is not as polished, so it comes out a little cloudy and sweet). I usually don't like nigori as it's too sweet for me... but in this mojito format, I COULD ENJOY MANY!!! :d Also, the flight is totally worth it; I cannot comment on how they pair with the nigiri/dishes much, but I can say that they are all reputable/above average sake.
This is not a place for a picky eater. It's also not a place for a conservative eater. I felt bad (again, tried not to eavesdrop but...) because the young lady next to me skipped (and spit out) a few of these 'not economy' foods, which seems wasteful (not just for the food, but AT THIS PRICE!!!). The young man also commented that he enjoys dunking sushi into soy sauce; you are not provided soy sauce here because they are assuming the chef is preparing each plate as it should be. Perhaps if one asked, they wouldn't be denied (but maybe the side eye treatment? LOL)... Anyway, to each their own (and sorry I was nosey!); but all in all, I'm glad that we have something like this here now. For the price and experience, I might opt for the counter (or just come with more than one person), and would definitely recommend the premium tour just because you're already here: juSt do it!
I read another comment/review that the dishes are the same and that's not how omakase is omakase... uhm, I don't think it's possible for the same night that every table has something different. It makes sense that the servers explain what the items are and it happens to be the same across the whole restaurant that same night.