Morimoto Restaurant

it used to be a fun, indulgent, creative dining experience. now it is expensive and boring. and if you order the chef's choice sushi, don't be surprised when the server doesn't know the fish. Pros: king crab appetizer Cons: incompetent hostess, exorbitant prices, boring food more

I love this place. I usually get the sushi when I go, because it seems to be a bit more reasonably priced than some other things on the menu. The $50 sushi platter and two appetizers is plenty for two people to share. I also recommend the miso clam soup, and the warm mushroom salad might be the best appetizer on the planet. The service is always attentive and competent. Pros: Food, service more

If you want to be among those who think they are special, those who need to be seen to feel a sense of self worth, this is the place. The staff are friendly, but stand-off-ish, as though you should feel privileged to be in their restaurant. \r \r The sushi was wanting, particularly for the price charged; a few pieces were literally stringy and uneatable. I have dined at some of the top sushi restaurants in the world and this one isn't among them; in fact, it isn't even average.\r \r If you desire very good sushi at a reasonable price, there is a gem in the NE suburbs called To Yo. I will be returning to Maui for my yearly retreat (and no, I do not stay in a resort, but rather a fishing village) and there is a restaurant called Sensei. One of Bon Appetit's ""Favorite Asian Restaurants"" and one of Travel & Leisure's ""Best Sushi Bars in America."" With my eyes closed, I would not be able to tell the difference between some of their dishes and those at To Yo's; it is that good.\r \r My advice, save your money at this overpriced, faux, ambiance only, joint. Pros: Being seen Cons: Everything else more

It is hard to say whether the unusual ambiance or the wonderful food are the biggest draw at Marimoto. Everything we had to eat was delicious, and we found the gently changing light schemes very romantic and relaxing. It is hard to describe, so I would certainly recommend you try it for yourself. Pros: Great food, lovely atmosphere. more

My husband, father-in-law, brother-in-law and I ate at Morimoto's 2 days ago. I rarely order a pre-dinner drink but decided to try one seeing that this restaurant has quite a following. I had a Shiso-juto. It was very well done. Our appetizers were very good as well. The toro tartar is excellent. We had the signature ""tuna pizza."" It was ok. I found it be rather pedestrian in flavor and originality. We also tried several maki rolls, all of which were outstanding. For an entree, I just got more sushi, which was very good. However, it just did not knock my socks off as I had expected, especially for the price. For example: $6 for ONE Ikura sushi? That is unbelievably expensive. The sushi at Genji is equally as good, if not a little better, and much more affordable. My dining companions ordered entrees off the menu. They were all good, but not impressive, by any means. In fact, my father-in-law's entree (a mixed seafood combination) came with rice that had been steamed in a lotus leaf, thus giving it a tea-like flavor. This would have been wonderful if the rice hadn't been cooked to the point of it being inedible. It was literally a solid, hard, brick of overcooked rice that had congealed together. My brother-in-law had sea bass, which I tasted and found to be rather uninteresting. My husband got a Kobe beef & rice meal served in a hot stone bowl. This was quite tasty, however, again, it was very mundane. I have experienced flavors and combinations of foods like this at very basic Asian restaurants. This was nothing special. The wine, although decent, was also highly overpriced. \r \r The ambiance is exceptional, as is the wait staff. I never felt pressured or rushed in any way. And the entire staff was knowledgable and helpful.\r \r I would recommend going to Morimoto's for lunch, or for a light dinner. It is worth the experience. Overall, it's way too expensive and the food is just not that impressive for its price tag. Pros: Ambiance, service, sushi Cons: highly overpriced, unimpressive entrees more

I loved the look of this place, but left with empty pockets and a semi-emply stomach. I think I would go here to hang out and have a drink again, but would go some place a little less expensive to eat sushi. Pros: great decor Cons: overpriced, small portions more

Went to morimoto last night and tried the seasonal truffle menu. It was amazing! there were courses from the sushi bar (my favorite was the kobe short rib with truffles) and also from the hot kitchen...each course was creative and the meal really builds and crescendos with a fantastic dessert. Well worth the seasonal splurge. I think it is being offered thru new year's eve. A must have for truffle enthusiasts and morimoto fans Pros: The service staff really knows what they are talking about. more

This restaurant is very chic, but our dinner was just OK and I think it was overpriced. I would not recommend it over Gengi and some of the other better sushi restaurants in the city. Pros: chic atmosphere Cons: overpriced more

Indeed, Morimoto is the type of swank joint that you would expect out of any Star restaurant. And the service is truly outstanding. Unfortunately, that's where the compliments end. The sushi out Morimoto is nothing short of disappointing (You'd never know that from the prices, though). The sushi that we got on our tasting menu was not good. Although there were some interesting and relatively rare selections, the sushi had that ""fishy"" taste and smell that alerts you to less-than-fresh options. Furthermore, the $10 Miso was horrible. Frankly, your money would be better spent going to a decent sushi place, where you'll get more sushi for cheaper. Pros: Service, atmosphere Cons: Sushi, prices, parking more

On a recent trip to one of my favorite restaurants in the city, I had the pleasure of walking into Morimoto to the surprise of not only the omakase tasting menu to which the restaurant is known for but a new addition to the prixe fixe standard. Not only was the omakase offered but we were informed of the addition of a monthly rotating seasonal tasting menu. The ingredient of choice (as if it were truly the Iron Chef television show!) was heirloom tomatoes. More affordable than the traditional omakase, and equally worth the price, we were treated to 2 courses from the sushi bar, tasting exotics like Aji tartare with heirloom tomato tuille, with heirloom puree and a golden big eyed snapper and heirloom tomato salad. After a green tomato sorbet with cracked white pepper (oddly exciting), we were taken through 3 courses from the hot kitchen as opposed to the standard 2. A light Tai fume soup to start followed by a substantial dry aged sirloin course, and finishing with the most delightful Spanish mackerel topped with 4 different strains of heirloom tomato. Even the dessert featuring a tomato water, and the quirky combination of a biscuit and a french chevre cheescake finished what ended up being one of the most original and forward thinking tasting menus I've had at Morimoto. Morimoto rarely dissapoints and I now get to look forward to the upcoming Matsutake mushroom tasting menu. If tasting menus are your thing, these seasonal tasting menus have much potential if they live up to this tomato menu... more

The sushi was great, the best we've had so far in the city. The other dishes we tried were good, but not quite worth the prices. What really shocked me, though, was the fact that there was no toilet paper in the bathroom, AT ALL. In NONE of the stalls. A restaurant of this supposed quality needs to pay more attention to detail -- this is more like what I'd expect from McDonalds. Absolutely shameful, will not be back. Pros: sushi Cons: food not worth the price, no toilet paper in the bathrooms more

I adore the sushi and the way the staff is so accomodating. The portions are just the right size and the variety of fresh sushi and sahimi are fabulous. I especially love the eel rolls and the spicy dragon rolls. more

The sushi at Morimoto is just so fresh and so good. I highly recommend you to come for sushi, try out their big combo. However, I don't recommend eating other food at Morimoto, they're kinda sweet and I was not happy with the Udon or fried rice that my friends ordered. But for sushi, Morimoto maybe the best place in town. more

Ialways have the best time here. My fiancee and I eat here several times a month and always enjoy everything.\r The california rolls are out of this world as are the rest of the sushi and sahimi dishes. more

The absolute best of thre best. The sushi is wonderous and the drinks as well as the ambiance make you feel terrific.\r I especially adore the philadelphia roll and the crunchy dragon rolls. The fish dishes are super more

I dined at morimoto for the 1st time in 2 years since moving away from Philly. I had a great experience. \r Although I didn't dine on the omakase as I have in the past, I thoroughly enjoyed my ala carte items. The sushi was fresh and absolutely delicious. The miso soup is some of the best I've ever had. My husband enjoyed his meal as well (he had the buri bop). The service at morimoto is some of the best in town. They are always going out of their way to make you feel welcome and always very helpful with any questions about the menu. I also took a peek at their lunch menu which has some great inexpensive options. I guess that will be my next visit there. Pros: Service, sushi more

I had the seasonal tasting menu last time I ate at morimoto but my friend had the sushi and said it was the best she had ever had. So this visit I dined on sushi. OH MY!! Really great. I tried a chef's combination which leaves the fish up to the chef. I had sushi and rolls, I loved everything. I was alone so I decided to sit at the sushi bar(you don't have to eat sushi if you sit there). The gentleman next to me, had the current tasting menu of squash...I think he had 4 courses(at least before I left) and they all looked amazing. He told me he was visiting from out of town for business and that morimoto was on his list of things to do while in Philly. He said he loved everything from the decor to the service to the food. I have to agree. Pros: decor and service Cons: no free parking near by more

While I admire the majority of Stephen Starr's restaurants (Buddakan and Alma de Cuba win for me), I was rather dissappointed in my Morimoto experience. The decor was phenomenal--striking, fun, and eclectic. As an avid sushi diner, I must admit that it is truly delicious. What dissappointed me, however, was the service. My father and I dined here and opted for the $120 Chef's Omakase, which came highly recommended by several friends and our server. While the presentation and food impressed, the time it took and the attitude of our server certainly did not. While we are cognizant of the fact that a Chef's Omakase takes longer than the average dining experience, when we mentioned the serious stalling in our food, our server snobbishly brushed us off and began rolling her eyes to the manager. It's not that I would not recommend this restaurant, but I do recommend that they take more time to train their servers. Service most certainly plays a large role in dining and, in this case, negatively affected what could have been a very special meal for my father and I. Pros: Phenomenal Sushi, Excellent Wine List Cons: Service more

Morimoto is not just a meal... it is truly a dining experience. The Omakase is the only way to go at this restaurant. Place your trust in the hands of the chefs and you will most definitely not be disappointed. The more you're willing to spend the higher quality selections they'll give you. We went with the $200/person Omakase which ended up being 12 courses including lobster, kobe beef, foie gras and some of the rarest fish in the world. (Our first course alone was valued at over $65 according to our waiter.) While the portions are small, it ends up being plenty of food even for my large appetite. Not only was the food great, I have never had better service at a restaurant ever. Our waiter explained how the omakase worked and when each course was presented, he explained in detail what everything was. He also effectively paired sake, wine, and champagne selections with our dishes when we asked. In hindsight, we should have gone with the Drink Omakase for an extra $65/person rather than going with a la carte drinks which ended up costing the same anyways. I definitely look forward to going back in the future. Pros: Omakase, Service Cons: noisy more

Super snazzy decor makes any meal here feel like a celebration!\r The upstairs bar/lounge is my favorite corner to get away and scarf down a few of the superb selections from their sushi menu!\r I use spicy tuna rolls as my litmus to judge sushi restaurants (because I'm crazy like that!) and this is by far the home of the best one I've ever eaten!\r Their selection of fish is among the best I've seen, so if you like trying new things, this is the place to be! more