Sado

First time going to Sado last week for date night, and we were seriously impressed! The food was absolutely amazing! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Big shoutout to James and Elise for making the experience even better. They were super friendly, great to talk to, and really knew the menu inside and out. They even surprised us with a complimentary dish and drink, which was such a nice touch. Definitely planning to come back again soon!

Had a great date night at Sado!! It’s the perfect intimate setting with melt in your mouth, amazing food. We opted for the crab rangoons, gyoza and brussel sprouts for appetizers. For ours mains, my husband and I split (pictured in order) the crying tiger roll (hamachi), shibo maki (salmon), akami maki (tuna) and Nikkei maki rolls (salmon). My favorite by far was the Nikkei maki, while my husband’s favorite was the crying tiger. Our server was super knowledgeable and explained the fusion & inspiration behind each dish. Would 100% recommend for anyone trying to expand their food horizons. Next time, we will come back for the omakase experience!! *small note: auto gratuity of 20% is added for all party sizes*

My daughter took me here for Mother's Day and I don't like raw fish but I ate bluefin tuna nigiri at this restaurant because I just had to try bluefin after watching the series Wicked Tuna. It was outstanding! The sushi chef served it to us both fresh/raw and then a seared version and I am surprised at myself to say that the fresh/raw version was melt in your mouth absolutely delicious. We ordered three other rolls that were excellent but after eating that bluefin tuna, there was no comparison. Unfortunately, we did not get a picture of the Bluefin nagiri because we ate it too quickly. I would eat here every night if I could afford it. I highly...and I mean HIGHLY... recommend this restaurant if you are a lover of all things sushi. They even have a flight of their various Sake wines... novel and delicious. Don't miss this restaurant if you ever come to St Louis.

A hidden gem! The wait staff is highly knowledgeable and have really good recommendations. I usually prefer nigiri but the sashimi stood out! Miso salad was really good. The mushroom bun was also one of the highlights! Definitely worth a stop.

The staff was very friendly. We stopped in on vacation with no reservation, but they were able to get us in. The food was mouth-watering. You should definitely try the wagyu hot rock at least once. Everything was so fresh and artful created. They described each item as it came out. They even made recommendations based on your likes and preferences.

A gem of a sushi place nestled in the Hill. The service was great, and our waitress had excellent recommendations and made sure we ordered the right amount of dishes. Everything was superbly presented and crafted. I've only been once but enjoyed every dish. The only thing I didn't love as much as I thought I would was the hamachi kama, which was over garnished in my opinion. I like a simpler hamachi kama that let's the fish stand out more without other distracting flavors, but it was still good and cooked excellently.

Fantastic cutlery. Same owner as indo but I felt like there was a lot more variety in sado’s options. Wow this was just breathtaking. This was my first chawanmushi and it had crab omfg. Pork belly bun and mushroom bun had very distinct sauces but were both so so good and tender. All the fish was super fresh and prepped perfectly. Black tea kanpachi was paired with blood oranges and it was kind of weird but also awesome. THE PUMPKIN omg another favorite. Amazing textures and the curry was something else. Sea bass presentation was funny but once it goes in your mouth, it’s over. Ohhhhh my god miso sea bass.

AMAZING food and incredible service. Jeff, our server, was very friendly and welcoming. He took his time walking us through the menu and answering all of our questions. The sushi here is next level and unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else. My wife and I cannot stop talking about our experience here! We will definitely be back!

I'm going to kick this off with please know the establishment gets very loud when busy. The acoustics are not great and anyone with hearing sensitivities should simply be aware. Ok, now that my PSA is said you must go. I had no idea that they had option to do a tasting menu. We simply gave our bartender James, a budget and he planned everything from there. It was immaculate. We wanted to try it all and he gave us the full experience with an 11 course experience. I'm not going to break it all down, but the stars of the show were: - miso ginger salad - it is one of the best salads I've found in a long time, plenty of veggies and amazing flavor and textures across the board. - Isaan Hamachi - I would fight someone for the coconut sauce in this. It was so good I nearly cried. - Japanese Pumpkin - this is one of my staples at Sado and a regular choice for me if you're looking for a vegetarian dish or non-fish item. We tried 8 types of nigiri total, they were all great but some standouts included: - scallop - salmon with Thai basil - tuna - a vegetarian eggplant option Dessert is worth it, the couple next to us said they were regulars and didn't even know they had dessert which seems like a massive missed opportunity on their part! I believe they have an in house pastry chef and the sticky toffy pudding was so dang good but my personal favorite was the pistachio ice cream. Overall, this is a hit spot and it's worth all the hype. If you ever get the chance to sit at the bar, have James plan the entire menu and start with a glass of vino verde.

Went here a week ago for my birthday. Traditionally, I will take myself out to someplace. I've been dying to experience as a treat to myself for my birthday, and Sato did not disappoint. Had an amazing seat at the sushi bar to watch the chefs, prepare, my servers were gracious, kind, and very attentive. The food was unbelievable. Exactly what you would expect from a restaurant named number one in the St. Louis area by P-D food critic, Ian Froeb . It is one of the best meals that I have had in a long, long time. The Nigiri and Makimono sections are wide ranging and so good. But I was also really impressed by the variety of hot and cold tastings as well. The calamari salad was one of my favorites. I would suspect the majority of people in this country think calamari is only prepared fried, but this was so freaking good. I could not have had a better way to celebrate my birthday. If you enjoy sushi, this has to be on your list at some point.

We had to reserve a month in advance to get a table here for 2 and the only time available was 9pm. I'm not much of a sushi snob but I know enough not to expect good things from sushi one has in the evening; in my experience the fish is freshest and best tasting earlier in the day. I decided to hold off my judgement and give it a try. Service was quick, we were seated immediately on arrival and our server did not rush us into placing any orders allowing us to settle down comfortably. They made different suggestions and were quite knowledgeable about the fish (note the suggestions were about flavor and they weren't just recommending the most expensive items on the menu). In addition, this place has an omakase experience that is catered to your budget (that experience will have to wait for a future visit). For 2 people without drinks we ordered a starter of crab rangoon, 2 makimono rolls, and 6 pieces of nigiri for a bill of $120. Not bad compared to other high end sushi places I've been to. I would have preferred a quieter ambiance and there was a group of loud patrons that was disturbing. Without them I think this place gives intimate enough vibes for a date or even a high end business meeting. On to the food. Crab rangoon is absolutely my least favorite starter, but my partner wanted it and I tend to humor others.... it was a slam dunk! Crisped to perfection with a sweet creamy filling, it didn't feel overpowering at all (a usual complaint of mine). Tuna and salmon are always my go to for comparing between different restaurants. I am also a fan of more basic sushi; let the fish flavor come through and stop adding shit like mayo, sriracha, sugar or cream cheese! If you are like me, Sado will not disappoint. For the rolls we went with the Shibo Maki and Akami Maki. The cilantro dressing was just what the tuna needed and the pieces have a hefty helping of fish. The salmon had a citrusy sauce that was delectable with a nice pop from the tobiko. We were already full from the rolls but really wanted to try the nigiri so we went with Sake, Maguro and Aburi Toro. My impression after those is... whatever you order here, it will be good! Partner is not a fan of raw fish but loved the nigiri! Perhaps because my expectations were low for 9pm sushi, but I could not find anything to fault this restaurant on. I'm guilty of avoiding 5 star reviews but I really could not give this place anything less than 5/5

Fantastic cutlery. Same owner as indo but I felt like there was a lot more variety in sado's options. Wow this was just breathtaking. This was my first chawanmushi and it had crab omfg. Pork belly bun and mushroom bun had very distinct sauces but were both so so good and tender. All the fish was super fresh and prepped perfectly. Black tea kanpachi was paired with blood oranges and it was kind of weird but also awesome. THE PUMPKIN omg another favorite. Amazing textures and the curry was something else. Sea bass presentation was funny but once it goes in your mouth, it's over. Ohhhhh my god miso sea bass.

Sado wins again. I loved my first time so much, that I had to come back several weeks later. We came here for a galentines get together and it was a perfect celebration of a love for good food. The last time I came I ubered, and this time I drove. Parking can be hard to find since it's street parking- I recommend giving yourself some time before your reservation to find a spot. I arrived early and sat at the bar. I ordered a glass of wine and was seated quickly after. We put our order in (lots of different types of food to share- the only way to do it) and loved everything we got! Gyoza, 3 rolls, steamed bun, rolls, sashimi, nigiri- all had us wanting more. The flavor fusions of all of the fish is incredible. Dessert was wonderful as well. Such a treat.

Overall food failed to live up to expectations. Takes itself too seriously with dark, intense atmosphere. We had no reservations so arrived at 4:45 which was perfect. Warning they keep the door locked until 5:00 sharp (why?) so dress accordingly. The sashimi itself was fresh, delicious and worth the price of admission. Beautiful presentation and good service. However, the chefs consistently overwhelmed the star fish with strong flavors. Overpowering vinegar in the sushi rice, by the time we had eaten through a few Nigiris my mouth was puckering. Truffle and garlic bombs screamed against the fish. My roll was drowned in sugar sauce and I couldn't taste anything else. I came away disappointed, dreaming of what could be (2/5). It would be simple to elevate this to five stars with some restraint and brighter, fresher, and subtler flavors. For now I would pass. Salad was excellent (5/5) and drinks were decent too (5/5).

Some of the freshest sushi in the city! Such a vibey date spot and incredible service. The drink menu is amazing as well. Love this spot!

My wife and I went here for our anniversary dinner and we were beyond impressed. We have always heard raving reviews so we thought coming here for a special occasion was the right time! We ordered two Maki Rolls, Gyoza, Seaweed Salad, Crispy Vegan Fried Rice and the Pork Belly Steamed Bun. The food was delivered one by one as it came out of the kitchen and that allowed us to really enjoy each dish individually. The flavors capsulated a unique Asian vibe that made you want to eat more. The service was impeccable and we were waited on by a multitude of hosts that did an excellent job. The ambiance was great, as it gave off a romantic lighting appeal. Next time our plan is to order more rolls than appetizers. I definitely recommend this restaurant!

Decided on Sado after another local place we started at was closed due to a menu change. Still want to try it but so glad we ended up at Sado! Reservations are recommended but since it was a last-minute choice, we didn't go that route. It was a little odd at first since there a 25-to-30-minute wait and there wasn't a lot of room. We made it work and I was leery about the hostess in the beginning since it seemed she told in the other walkins something a little diffferent then she told us. She turned it around with some engaging questions and chat while we waited. We ended up with seats at the bar where Natasha and Evelyn took care of us. They were FABULOUS! Interactions can make or break a dining experience and they were both such an asset! Natasha helped with drink selections and reviewed the menu with us. It is a lot to take in but we kept up till the last selections we needed to make. First drink Hikari, super tasty and not too strong. I love tequila! Second cocktail was the Chop Shop that has Hibiscus infused rum, that was very refreshing. We placed our food order and they brought each item out either in a specified order or when it was ready but however the decision was made it was a nice flow. Nippon Tartar - a squeeze of lime, served with sesame chips, so fresh and flavorful Gyoza - I was a little nervous as I typically don't care for chicken Gyoza and these were chicken and pork, but these were packed with flavor! The sauce was perfect, and the lace thing was so eye catching Crab Rangoon - these were ok to me, I have had them in the egg roll shape and it seems to much filling for me. They were the only thing I didn't love Brussels Sprouts - Best Brussels Sprouts I have ever had, loved the sesame seeds and the spicy Gochujang sauce was perfect Acorn Squash - light and airy with a miso caramel sauce that was amazing Shibo Maki - first time for this and I enjoyed it, never had salmon belly but I liked it Madai Nigiri - yum! Benitoro Nigiri = so good, more salmon belly Tempura Maki - tempura roll at another level. I forget the dipping sauce they named but it was super good. The meal wasn't cheap, but we came home with a few leftovers and had a really great experience. I will want to go back sooner rather than later

Do yourself a favor and make a reservation here as soon as possible. The food is delicious, the ambience is released and cool and trendy, the service is friendly and efficient. We tried a little of everything, starting with gyoza, salmon aguachile, Brussels sprouts, spicy tuna and nigiri. Everything was delicious! I can't wait to go back.

Service was great, aesthetic was gorgeous, food was very good but in my opinion, overpriced. We tried the bao buns and several rolls. All delicious, however the price point was just too steep. That was a one and done for us. If you go, be sure to make reservations!

Second time coming to Sado and it blew my mind yet again! The vibes are immaculate and our server and the rest of the staff were so attentive and kind. For drinks, my partner and I enjoyed the blanc Negroni and as a Negroni loved, this was such a fun take on a classic drink. I had the Kappa's Dance and all the flavors blended beautifully! For food, we devoured the happy hour menu. We ordered some rolls and I ordered a piece of each of the sashimi. I'm glad we waited on ordering more because their secret burger was MASSIVE! I have not had a burger this delicious and unique in such a long time. I don't even like pickles and the pickles on this worked. Definitely coming back and leaving room for more secret burger :3

I've waited months to write this review, almost a year probably lol. I was at the sushi bar at Sado on the 2nd day of opening, disappointed I couldn't score a reservation on the grand opening haha. Just shows how passionate I am about sushi. With that being said, bold AF to open a sushi spot in the Hill. It's the best sushi in Missouri and it's priced accordingly. This is not a cheap spot but if you order properly, don't go super hungry or try their social hour, you'll be good. The food here is excellent and you'll be rewarded handsomely if you venture outside of sushi rolls and brussel sprouts. Try something new! And as always, pro tip, the fried twinkie is STRAIGHT MONEY. On the secret menu, shhhhhhhh!!!

Service at Sado was exceptional. Our waiter checked on us numerous times throughout the night to explain some recommendations, see how we were doing, and to check if we wanted to order more dishes. He also gave us a complimentary dessert, which was great. Would recommend ordering a decent selection of small plates to try in order to have the best experience. We started with the Chawanmushi which was amazing. The dish includes a dashi custard and a nice umami broth that is loaded with flavor. It was unlike anything I've ever tried. The Japanese pumpkin was also delicious and the green curry was rich. The nigiri here was out of this world and melted in your mouth. Definitely try a couple pieces off the fish market menu, as those are more limited time options. The rolls we got were great and I'd definitely get Old Yokai Maki and Crying Tiger again. Hands down best sushi in STL.

Discovered this hidden gem from TikTok and it certainly didn't disappoint. Hands down the best sushi in St. Louis. We lucked out that there were seats at the bar since we didn't have reservations. Then we started off with their signature cocktails I had the dirty martini and my bestie had the pico sour both were delicious. We ended up deciding on the tasting menu, we gave them our budget and they took it from there. I will say the sushi roll with the crab was to die for. Everything was super fresh and very flavorful. Overall, I would highly recommend the food, service and ambiance were amazing. I will definitely be going back

Horrible service. I would not go back. The food was good, but not exceptional. And I feel the pricing was very high for the experience. To many eating options then to waste your time here.

Picture this: you go to the hill, craving italian and you stumble upon an unassuming, contemporary grey building simply marked "sado." You decide to book it, only to find in a community inundated with familiar italian favorites, you step across the ocean to a seafood oasis of Japanese inspiration and culture. Trust me, Sado may not be italian, but it is still at the top of best restaurants on the hill. The menu is seafood focused with an emphasis or nigiri and sashimi. But, they also have other offerings we decided to indulge in. As always, we had to nab some rangoons. The thin wontons are rolled up like egg rolls which is the first time I've ever seen this presentation. This presentation allowed for even distribution of the filling, and a fuller rangoon. Plus, the house-made sweet and sour was superb. It seems like it is honey based. It is so fire, sweet, tangy, a little salty. I could honestly drink it. The edamame was amazing, too. Warm, crunchy and an amazing opener. The salt and crispy garlic are the perfect pairings for the fresh edamame. Additionally, we rolled with the secret burger(only 2/night are served) and a sushi roll with tuna and tempura shrimp. I am not a sushi fan. But, wow, this was amazing. I am converted. Give me all of the sushi. This stuff was magical. The burger is the star, though. House-made bun, slaw, pickles, and burger sauce. 8 oz wagyu and short rib blend fried and breaded in panko. Dripping in fat, the panko delicately maintained its integrity and crunchiness. The burger was beautiful. It melts in your mouth. The bun is incredible. I could have eaten 30 of those buns with that burger sauce. The pickles and onions added great acidity. Truly one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. A magical experience. For the cocktails? Airplane mode and garden party. The consensus? Airplane mode was spectacular and garden party was passable. Garden party was milky from the matcha, and I really did enjoy the texture. It was a bit on the sweet side and the flower did interfere with the drinking experience for me. But, airplane mode was great. An amaro forward cocktail that remains balanced was just what I needed. It was robust, bitter, but still light. A delight to drink! Our server was incredible. The hospitality was great. Their name was Evelyn or Elizabeth (my apologies for forgetting, I know it began with an E). In any case, they gave us an in depth run down or the menu, offered recommendations, were insanely courteous, and the pace was great with our dishes. All in all, the dining experience at Sado is one of the best overall experiences we have had in St. Louis. Well done, can't wait to get back!

Forgot to review when I celebrated my birthday here last summer - WOW. Probably the best dining experience I've had in STL, and I've lived here 15+ years. We sat at the sushi counter and loved the experience. I noticed 1 thing go awry while I was there, and the team went over-the-top to "make it right" which was pretty impressive. I couldn't even tell you all the food we ate - because we just went mostly with what was recommended by the staff, and it was phenomenal. More than anything, I noticed that while this is probably a special occasion spot for most, the vibe was FUN at the sushi counter.

Sado is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis, and is my go-to fancy sushi spot. This time was my first time at the sushi bar - we really enjoyed watching all the dishes come out and admired all the work of the sushi chefs. Amazing experience as always at Sado. Tried: Isaan Hamachi, Pork Belly Bao Bun, Tempura Eggplant, Benitoro Sashimi, Old Yokai Maki Roll Loved: every single food item we had, nothing was short of perfection for me. One item that surprised me was pork belly bao bun. The bao bun was perfect, and the pork belly flavor was so good. As usual, my favorite is the Isaan Hamachi - feels like a unique ceviche but with large pieces of hamachi. The service overall is always amazing, but it was especially great sitting at the sushi bar. The sushi bar is tucked away in its own room, and is simple but quieter than being in the larger rooms in the restaurant. Nick, the owner, introduced himself and the other chefs and explained our dishes when we received each one.

Located at the center of the Hill, Sado is a beautiful, modern space serving Japanese cuisine. Starting the point when we walked in, we admired the attentive services from the host and our waiter. Sado attempts to replicate a high-end Japanese restaurant. It has a wide menu of sushi, rolls and hot entrees. They served very nice cuts of fish such as masu and bluefin toro. Here are our recommendations of the menu: 1) Masu sashimi is our favorite. It tastes like salmon but much more fatty and delicious. I could eat two orders of these. 2) Chawamushi is a gentle egg custard with delicious broth and lots of ingredients. It is very light but holds so much flavors. Bravo! 3) Shibo maki is delicious, with salmon belly, salmon roes and lemon zest. It's our favorite roll. 3) We are disappointed with Tiger Cry roll. The roll is dressed strongly with Thai chili spices. As a sushi connoisseur, we feel the strong flavors completely cover the fresh flavor of the sashimi. We dislike this item. 4) The poke bowl has lots of fish but seems overseasoned with sauce. Overall, here is my conclusion of Sado: Ambience 5 stars Fish / menu 4 stars Execution 3 stars

This spot was highly recommended my our friend, and it lived up to its hype. The complimentary smoked salmon nigiri from the sushi chef was amazing: slight sweetness and smokey. Salmon aguachile: The salmon was really good with the puffed rice. The apple pieces added a nice sweetness within the cucumber aguachile. Despite the strange green looking liquid, the aguachile broth itself was refreshing and tasty. Black tea kanpachi: The broth flavor was super strong. I suppose it's the black tea cured amberjack in more black tea ponzu that are the culprits. It was a tad too strong for my taste, but our local friend whom recommended this loves this dish. The secret burger (aka wagyu burger): This was delicious even though it was super duper messy to consume. The wagyu was so juicy and fatty. The flavorful aioli added to the existing fats -- yum. Our friend said the kitchen only makes a limited number of this so order up while supplies last. If you order this, it will be a good filler and make you full at the end of the meal. Akami maki: This was the most unique item we've experienced. The tuna was good. I didn't realize there was fatty and lean tuna. Whoops. There was also Thai chili within the roll that gave it a little kick. All this sat upon a green sauce (tamarind cilantro sauce). The hubs loved this roll the best; I had the polar opposite opinion (I didn't like the kick to this -- haha). Shibo maki: Salmon belly and avocado. Yum. The ikura (salmon caviar) provided a nice popping texture. I love all things salmon so this roll was the perfect pick. Spicy tuna maki: The yellowfin tuna was super refined. There was a nice lingering spice on your tongue afterwards. The tobiko (flying fish roe) added a nice texture. This roll was good but pretty average overall compared to the others. Interesting fact: One of the sushi chef said that their favorite fish to work with was the mackerel. Yes, there's that recognizable blue toned one. But he pointed out two other types: One of which was Spanish and maybe the other was Yuzu which is Japanese. Sado is a great restaurant if you're looking for something more fine dining. It was about $80 per person with what we ordered including the automatic 20% gratuity.

We had a birthday dinner at sado and opted for the omakase . The service and food/beverages were very good . We definitely got excellent food and well worth the money we paid for . That being said , the nigiri we received was very similar in tastes. I could tell it was great quality and well made , just very similar in flavors. There wasn't a sequence or theme. I have been to several omakase restaurants and they have a sequence to the meal with warm and cold courses. For a very expensive dinner , I would expect some more thought and sequence in the food . Despite the tasty meal we ended up feeling slightly let down. Next time I'll eat here, I'll maybe skip the omakase .

Sado provides a refined take on Japanese cuisine in St. Louis, with an emphasis on quality and presentation. The sushi and sashimi are fresh and beautifully prepared, showcasing the chef's attention to detail. The menu also offers a variety of hot dishes, giving diners plenty of options to explore. The ambiance is calm and sophisticated, making it an ideal location for a quiet dinner or special occasion. While the pricing reflects the high quality, the experience is worth it for those who appreciate fine Japanese dining. The wagyu hot rock was my favorite, it was 3oz A5 Wagyu beef seared with Ishiyaki stone. Hands down my favorite restaurant in St. Louis!!

Sado presents an inviting and refreshing experience from start to finish. I came here with my girlfriend for a date night, and we decided to go for the omakase menu option. What a splendid thing!! Our server Isaac was attentive, personable and very helpful in helping us guide our journey through the kitchen's offerings. And what delicious dishes do they have! oh my godddds bro everything was so layered and complex from drinks to tempura to nigiri to maki to the freaking SALAD it was banger after banger after banger it's not a cheap place but I don't care!! You get what you pay for!! Holy moly please try this out if you want life-changing sushi

Absolutely incredible. Food (gyoza, brussel sprouts (favorite of the night), various rolls and nigiri) was absolutely incredible. The drink we got (Chop Shop) was so delicious. My partner and I went for our anniversary and Sado not only had a cute sign at our table saying happy anniversary, but they also gifted us an anniversary dish that they had previously recommended. It was divine, so delicious and filling. Our only issue was not being able to finish eating a roll! The ambiance was also incredible, super cute and feels like a hole-in-the-wall spot. It was so special that I didn't take any pictures and just wanted to enjoy the vibes! The gyoza was very unique and it paid off, delicious is an understatement. The brussel sprouts were the favorite of the night, I won't try and describe them. Just try them ASAP. The Sake (King Salmon) nigiri was notably magical. *Magical*. This was our first time here but we will most definitely be coming back!

We waited for a while before we were seated - seemed like they were definitely reservation forward, and they were busy so it made sense. Eventually we were sat at the bar. Typically bar seating feels tight and small but this had plenty of space to move, and didn't feel crowded at all. We were served by Evelyn and Natasha, they were amazing! They gave recommendations and were attentive and friendly. They explained everything in detail. The food was absolutely amazing, this is my new favorite overall restaurant. We loved that the food runners described each dish in detail again as they laid the food down. It was pricey but very well worth it in our eyes. Will be back and bring friends! Can't wait to share this place with others.

So delicious, can't go wrong with anything on the menu. We got at least 8 things and they were all amazing. Love how they have vegan/vegetarian options and sustainable fish options. Staff was very nice and even left a little note on the table for an anniversary celebration. I would go back 100%

The food was really ok. Not great, not special or memorable. And the dining experience was lacking.

If you enjoyed Indo in Tower Grove, you won't be disappointed at Sado. Must-visit spot for sushi lovers! Make sure to reserve a table, as it gets really busy. Cannot go wrong with any of the freshest sashimis. Maki rolls are exceptional, and the shrimp tempura is out of this world. Don't miss out on the baos, Hamachi Kama, and Brussels sprouts. Parking can be tricky, so allow extra time. The service and atmosphere is always top-notch! Nick - can we please bring the shrimp toast over?!

In the middle of dinner I paused to thank the food gods for blessing me this evening. I ate 3 rolls and was immediately depressed because I didn't want my experience to end. Okay now that I got that out of the way... story time. My friend and I went here to celebrate my birthday/reunion haven't seen each other in a while. All the things! Every staff member we encountered greeted us like we were VIP, our waiter thoroughly explained the menu to us since it was our first time and always made sure our glasses were never empty. We sat at the sushi bar which made me feel like I was watching a cooking show and I was a judge. If that were the case I would've re-enacted Oprah, "you get a michelin star, you get a michelin star!" after every dish I tried, to each chef. Order * edamame * old yaki maki * shibo maki Bonus * blue fin nigiri * brussels sprouts What a great extension of my birthday. This so easily became one of my favorite restaurants even after it was so hyped up from my co workers. I now understand. The fish just melt in your mouth and there's so much texture in each roll where you really have to eat slowly to get the full experience and appreciate it more. A lot of love goes into each dish prepared and I could taste it. When I got home and did my skin care routine, I didn't brush my teeth right away because I wanted dinner to linger just a little bit longer in my mouth.

The service provided by Bridget was excellent, and made our night. We opted for the "tasting menu", then gave her some pointers about our preferences (also a budget), and she took care of the rest. Her recommendations were on point and the dishes super tasty and great quality. Cocktails were also well made and balanced. I wasn't sure if I was going to be full at the end but I was satisfied and pleased with the whole experience. I could tell you all we got but I think it really depends on your personal preferences so go, try different things and wash it down with a tasty drink. Enjoy the ambiance, feels upscale but cozy. Sado lived up to the hype.

I had such a lovely first time experience at Sado! Brought my partner for his birthday. As soon as we entered, staff was kind and welcoming. They showed us around and took us to our reserved table right away. Also note that I had to change my reservation beforehand, so I emailed them and they responded within an hour. Magical. Anyway, the ambiance was great - dim lighting but bright enough to see the very calming color scheme and decor. I liked the way the seating was set up because I did not feel too close to other parties. Our server was so nice, professional and knowledgeable. They helped us navigate the menu and ordering and even sent a little birthday dish to my partner. The food was outstanding even as a vegetarian. I was nervous I wouldn't have many options, and I certainly did not have as many options as my meat-eating friends but I really enjoyed all the veggie dishes I tried. The Japanese pumpkin curry dish was outstanding and very filling. The vegetable maki was pretty basic but yummy. My favorite was the eggplant tempura. My partner was very pleased so mission accomplished to give him a great birthday meal. We would love to return to Sado and are inspired to try their sister restaurant, too.

Sado is a very intimate restaurant with an upbeat, yet relaxing vibe. My friend and I tried a number of dishes to share including the miso ginger salad, crab Rangoon, gyoza, mushroom steam bun, and the Akami Maki. The miso ginger salad is not to be missed! I loved all of the different textures and the acidity. The crab Rangoon were also very good and I always love a crab Rangoon. If it's on the menu, I'm going to order it! The gyoza were another highlight and I'd highly recommend ordering them. The lace on them is something special. The mushroom steam bun was nice and the Akami Maki was good as well. Our service was good as we actually ordered too much, but they bring the dishes out as they are ready so we were able to cancel our last dish because we were so full! I'd highly recommend Sado for a unique night out with amazing food!

TL:DR - The best Sushi and Japanese restaurant in the STL area. For those familiar with iNDO, this is Chef Nick Bognar's second venture in the STL area, and it definitely lives up to the reputation of its predecessor. Located on the notoriously traditional Italian dining hotspot, The Hill--Sado boldly presents an unexpected addition as a contemporary restaurant serving both traditional and innovative takes on Japanese cuisine all while moody music plays through the dimly lit dining room. The menu is designed around coursed out shared small plates with both hot and cold options. For those looking for the classic sushi experience, you can stick to the Makimono section of the menu (4-5 rolls for two), but I highly recommend branching out to some of the other tastings. Of the tasting options, the gyoza and sprouts present my favorite of the safe entries to add on to a typical sushi meal--although there are several more adventures selections that I encourage you to try. For classic rolls, it's pretty hard to go wrong; however, for those looking for recommendations--the Shibo maki is both delicious and refreshing and can serve as an excellent way to break up heavier dishes, the Nikkei provides a fun fruity twist, and the Old Yokai is one of the richest bites of sushi you can find in STL. A small warning on the Akami maki, it can be a bit polarizing for those not aquatinted with traditional Thai flavors so be aware before ordering. For drinks, similar to the dinner menu, there is a share of traditional and innovative cocktails that are all delicious although some contain savory notes so be sure to consult your server if you're unsure. Additionally, Sado boasts a respectful spirit list including some great wines and sakes to pair with your meal. Hot tip, they offer some extremely crushable lychee martinis during the social hour! Finally, service. The staff at Sado is consistently polite, attentive, informative, and overall just a good time. Additionally, you can always expect a complimentary tasting from the menu which adds a fun element of surprise and opportunity to try new flavors. In conclusion, the best Japanese restaurant in the STL area and probably all of MO. I have been back many times since my first visit to revisit my favorites dishes and try new tastings and I certainly will be back again! Quick tip: Reservations recommended although they reserve an area for walk ins.

Booked a reservation a few weeks in advance for 4 for a birthday dinner. This was all of our first time to a sushi restaurant as authentic as this. Firstly, our occasion was made special upon checking in and being sat, everyone wished a Happy Birthday. Our waitress was very helpful in explaining the menu and making us feel more confident in ordering. We all had cocktails which were unique and delicious. The Brussel Sprout and Gyoza Hot Tasting did not disappoint and the several sushi roll were some of the best any of us have ever had. They treated the birthday girl to a complementary dessert of her choice from the dessert menu. Definitely a fun treat for a special occasion, will be back for more!

Finally made it to Sado last night!! I've been wanting to go since I heard it was opening.. it lived up to the dream! The restaurant is very cool, and we sat at the sushi bar. It was so fun to see them making the sushi and the fresh fish! The service was incredible. We were shocked how many wait staff checked in. Our waitress was so kind and helpful, since we (like many others I'm sure) didn't know what a lot of things on the menu were. They also help with the coursing and spreading food out, although the food did turn up back to back pretty quickly! We almost didn't have time to finish our drinks and order others, though we stayed a bit longer so we could get a second drink since we both wanted to try two. The food was out of this world. Every bite was amazing. I think our favorite was the Black Tea Kanpachi - one of the best things I've tasted in my life. We got a roll with tiger in the name which I also loved. I was hesitant to order Brussels sprouts since you can get them a lot of places, but they shockingly were a standout - the best I've ever had. The miso ginger salad was delicious as well, as was the bang bang tempura shrimp from the social hour menu (deals offered from 5-6!) The drinks were also incredible. I got the Hikari and Airplane Mode and both were amazing! My mom loved the Cherry Kosho and Little Flower. The drinks were a bit small for the price but they tasted great! It's a splurge meal but I would highly recommend if you're interested in going! Don't skip the kanpachi. I can't wait to go back!

Deceptively larger than it appears from the outside! Sado provides a low light ambiance. I will say that it was kind of noisy. Had to lean forward and ask for repeats multiple times throughout the dinner convo. Our server was friendly and walked us through the menu - cold and hot tastings, grilled options, nigiri & sashimi, and maki, explaining that the menu was designed with plates to be shared. We had the Issan Hamachi on his recommendation to start and 10/10 recommend! This was delicious and we were scooping up extra spoonfuls of the sauce long after the yellowtail was gone! We also had the chawanmushi, another great option. This was a seafood stew/pudding that was rich and full of flavor. Brussels were another winning dish. I was a little skeptical of the gochujang sauce because I can't handle too much heat but this was very balanced. Slightly sweet but with a little kick. We had two maki, the shibo and honmono (?). I preferred the shibo for more flavor. The gyoza had a beautiful presentation but was just ok, in my opinion. For dessert, we had the semifreddo. It had sesame, blackberry and match flavors and wasn't overly sweet. Loved the flavor combo and would definitely order this again! Excited to try the sister restaurant, Indo but will be back to Sado for sure.

Sado is one of the best Sushi spots in STL and their "Social Hour" is a great way to experience at an incredible price! $3 Nigiri $6 Maki $8-10 Small Plates

I give a high rating for the great service and attentiveness of the staff. Ambiance is nice and contemporary. I would rate the food that I ate 3.5 stars. The quality is pretty much expected given the prices. For starters I had the Hirami Usuzukiro and Japanese pumpkin. The hirami was okay. It's basically flavored by ponzu and some zest but I would have like it a little fresher. I really like the Japanese pumpkin with the coconut sauce. I'm thinking it's something I can try making at home. I also had the Japanese squash tempura which I think was over battered and I couldn't really taste the squash. The rest of my meal consisted of various fish nigiri. I found it delightful to try out the variety of fishes they had and opted to not order the usual salmon or tuna. Each piece was uniquely flavored and the staff suggested that I eat everything without soy sauce. My only grip with the nigiri is the size. The size of each piece is about half the size that I'm accustomed to eating. So for the price of each piece I'm paying I feel kind of ripped off for the small portion of fish I get. I will say my favorite was the hamachi tataki. Sorry i didnt take any pics of the nigiri but theres plenty of pics from other reviewers. I would like to try the other menu items. There's not a lot of high end sushi places to pick from in town. I'll consider Sado again when I want to splurge on some sushi.

This is an excellent place for a really cute date night definitely for special occasions unless you got money you know spend that it's very high quality sushi very fresh. It's just delicious. It has lots of flavors with every bite. The different sauces in the dips the miso paste like everything about the food here is high-quality and delicious. The customer serve the weight staff and the sushi chefs. Excellent the hostess love them. They're very knowledgeable and helpful and oh my God I just love the ambience in the environment and the music is definitely a nice vibe. Very chill. Nice it's it's a nice up class type of spot.

Great dining experience! Food and service were spectacular! The ambiance was so soothing! We tried: Crab Rangoon(recommend) Mushroom Steam bun(recommend) Marinated Japanese eggplants (recommend) Shibo Maki(okay,don't recommend) Tempura Maki(recommend) Vegetable maki(Don't recommend) Miso ginger salad(Recommend) Salmon Aguachile(Recommend) Gyoza(Recommend) Vegan crispy rice(Recommend) As for the desert, Nerigomma semiafredo(I don't recommend) and the toffee pudding(it was okay,wont recommend it either). Try Chocolate torte instead. Parking on the street,it's free and you should be able to find a spot.

Awesome sushi, service, ambiance while a perfect price point! Really enjoyed the isaam hamachi!!

Exceptional food. The dishes here are so creative. The recipes and the ideas are a piece of art and it can be seen that a lot of effort has been put into the fruition of these wonderful dishes. A bit pricey for St. Louis but the absolute best restaurant in all of St. Louis by far. Would definitely come back here for a second visit! Reservations are highly recommended as it is hard to get in through walk in!

I came here knowing I would be very satisfied and of course, they delivered. When the owners had Nippon Tei in Ballwin, the sushi and non-sushi dishes were as good. I am writing this review a couple weeks after our visit so I dont remember the exact name of the rolls. Here's what we ordered: 1)seaweed salad/calamari salad-both were great, refreshing and a good portion, despite it being salads 2)Japanese eggplant tempura-perfectly crispy 3)Japanese pumpkin hot tasting in green curry sauce-OMG! This dish was outstanding and tasted almost like meat 4)Shibo maki(salmon belly)-delicious 5)Honomono maki (blue crab meat)-also good 6)Akami maki(fatty tuna)-this was our favorite roll. It had a really spicy kick at the end 7)Chop shop-hibiscus infused rum... I think this was my cocktail. Also, it was not supposed to be too sweet, I did find it a little bit sweet. Everything tasted sooooo good. I will be coming back again to try the sashimi

First time visit to Sado on the Hill. Sado was on my short list of places to visit after moving back to Missouri. I learned also this same week they are James Beard semifinalists for best new restaurant and their doors opened a year from March. My reservation was for 7:15. I arrived at 7 and was able to be seated right away. I chose sitting at the sushi bar and was greeted by my sushi chef Jamie (I apologize if this is not your name) and he was delightful! Very informative and welcoming and introduced everyone on the line and gave excellent recommendations of choosing items on the menu. I started with the hirame, the Saba and tempura black tiger Prawn. The hirame was a light refreshing start, citrusy with that hint of lime. The Saba was a nice smoky bite with the black Prawn as a nice way to add texture at the end, nicely fried and airy. The next round included the pork belly steam bun as I can never not order bao when it's avaliable and was not disappointed! It was quite hearty, no skimping on the pork belly as it was filled to the brim. The zuke saki and kinpachi both became some of my favorite bites of the evening. The third round found me ordering the Japanese Pumpkin and Bluefin otoro. The pumpkin was resting in a green curry and scallion oil and held this wonderful warm spice. Lastly, I ordered the octopus yaki and the Old Yokai Maki roll. The octopus was the only dish I couldn't get through as it held too much of a char making it quite bitter and they were kind to remove this from the bill. The Yokai was delicious and fun and by then I was tapped out. Let's not forget the cocktails. The airplane mode was my favorite this evening. Sado is an experience especially if you're looking to get your fix on some worthy bites of nigiri. Shout outs to Jamie (Sorry if this isn't your name) and Brittany! Excellent service to both.

This is probably the worse sushi restaurant I have ever been too. First they tried to make it a fancy restaurant but it's no where close to it. The quality of food was poor as well as the service. The server did not even know how to pronounce the items in the menu. I sat on the sushi bar but the server tells me they only serve what's on the menu. It's a sushi bar but does not serve sashimi by the pcs. I would try to avoid the place and don't waste your money.

I wish I could give more stars! Sado is so special. It reminds me of some of the restaurants in California that I loved. What a great addition to the STL food scene. I've been twice and both times were phenomenal. I love everything about it from the dark ambiance to the fantastic wait staff and servers who bring the food and explain each dish. It's a restaurant that I leave never wishing I had not spent the money. Every dish has been worth it. Favorites are tiger cry roll, brussel sprouts (OMG), kinoko, salmon, nigiri, nippon tartare, and vegan crispy rice. I never would have ordered the kinoko myself because what could be special about mushroom nigiri?! It is heavenly and I will get it every time I go. The last time we went we had a cheesecake that was so unique and delicious.

The food was great! Definitely expensive but the quality is very nice and you can tell the ingredients are super fresh. The drink is amazing as well, definitely is a good place to treat yourself or friends. It would be a good option if everyone share the meal and the bill, wouldn't be that much after. A lot of options on the menu and the location is very nice. Will come back again

If you don't read this full review, read this: sit at the sushi bar!!! I've been to Sado twice, and the second time sitting at the sushi bar with my husband was hands down one of my favorite dining experiences in St. Louis. Sit at the sushi bar, order a bottle of wine, and try a bunch of small plates & nigiri while you watch these incredible chefs prep it all in front of you- It makes for the perfect date night or night out with a bestie or two! The quality of food you get at Sado is insane. The ingredients are fresh, the flavors bold, and the preparation is so well executed. On the hot apps side, we love the gyoza (it tastes just like Nippon Tai!!), crab rangoons, and the chawanmushi- a crazy unique seafood custard dish. As far as the nigiri/sashmimi, you cannot go wrong with any of them! We get the benitoro every single time we're at a Nick Bognar restaurant, and we always love anything with bluefin tuna. My husband loves the king crab, and I'm obsessed with the uni. It is expensive, but the quality of ingredients makes it well worth it. I will say I think Sado is better for small groups rather than large groups, and I think to get the best value the sushi bar is a must.