With all the Japanese restaurants in Montclair, 9 in all, I regret to say that there is not one I really like anymore.
Dai Kichi in Upper Montclair has always been a favorite and is still pretty good but has lost some of the qualities in atmosphere and staff that made it perfect a couple of years back.
Gave Nori a try a few nights ago and was disappointed.
Maybe I am jaded, or just spoiled by restaurants in NY like Blue Ribbon Sushi.
Was on my way to drop my daughter Nell off in NY to catch a train to the plane on her way back to school.
Why not stop off somewhere for a quick bite, Sushi was on my mind.
Three Japanese restaurants located downtown get top ratings consistently. Ushiwakamaru 136 W Houston St was the first on my list. The place is elegant and very inviting, unfortunately they were fully booked with reservations for the night.
We wandered around the corner to Tomoe Sushi on Thompson Street. This place has a reputation for very good food.
"very busy sushi mecca has long been considered one of the best in town.
It is very popular and the line was out the door. The atmosphere was lacking in my opinion.
I was about to be disappointed and give up on Sushi when I thought of Blue Ribbon just a few blocks south at 119 Sullivan St, in a few minutes we were there and landed a table within minutes.
Blue Ribbon Sushi is part of the wonderful Blue Ribbon restaurant group. Years ago we frequented the Blue Ribbon Brasserie in Soho. This was the group's first restaurant that was opened in 1992. Since then they have opened 8 more locations.
Blue Ribbon Sushi is fabulous with a authentic environment and incredible delicacies. Of the three I would have to say I like the feel of this place the best. If you have to wait, as many people were on our way out, they have a comfortable sitting area in front. They offer a great selections of Sake.
Our wait person was charming and attentive to perfection. I really love this place and can't wait to get back. "This may be the best raw fish in town—and the sake selection is tremendous." Blue Ribbon Sushi 119 Sullivan St., New York, NY 10012 Created by the Bromberg brothers who "Born in New Jersey, strayed far from home for school, training—and earning first place honors—at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Their restaurants, bakery, and sushi bar are all named Blue Ribbon, “the translation of Cordon Bleu, which represents first prize, top quality, and our experience of being Americans trained in France,” explained Bruce, the younger of the two. Eric’s credits include Nick and Eddie, Le Recamier in Paris, Raoul’s in New York, Jams (with Jonathan Waxman), and the American Hotel at Sag Harbor. Bruce also worked at the American Hotel and at New Jersey’s Bernards Inn before attending Cordon Bleu. In France, he, too, worked at Le Recamier, at Michelin two-star Duquesnoy, and Michelin three-star Pierre Gagnaire in Saint-Etienne." — James Beard Foundation Website
nr. Prince St. 212-343-0404
Visit or try it put of: www.sushitrainer.com, you really should know about more sushi first.
Posted by: masahiko noguchi | Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 04:51 PM