| Author |
Message |
    
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 72
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 9:07 pm: |     |
I know there is another thread in the SO Specific section about the new Japanese restaurant on SO Ave but I decided to start one here.
Quick story (hope not too boring) - My wife and I lived in Montclair for years and used to eat at a great little Japanese restaurant in Upper Montclair by the name of Dai Kichi. By the late 90's you could no longer walk in and eat on a week night without a reservation. The people who ran the restaurant were the best.
We have been in SO for almost two years now and I cannot say that I love Haru, Sakana or Samurai. I also don't believe in driving distances for good Japanese food - so we continue to support those in SO/M. However, we also found ourselves driving back to Dai Kichi to eat every once in awhile.
When I heard that a new Japanese restaurant was taking over the TOA spot on SO Ave (run by the sister of the TOA owner) I was hesitantly optomistic.
As it turns out the sister is, coincidentally, the same woman who ran Dai Kichi for all of those years - Linda.
I cannot say enough about her or her restaurants. She left Montclair to take over the TOA spot and really wants to make a home in SO.
Her fish is always the freshest, her staff is always the most courteous and they love to accomodate children and families. They also have 2 traditonal Japanese private rooms which we would use often for larger groups of friends.
The two little special things that my wife and I loved the most at Dai Kichi was 1) the ginger salad dressing (we actually bought it by the quart for use at home) and 2) we could leave our Sake at the restaurant - so it was there whenever we came back to dine. Not only was it a convenience but there was something very "homey" about it.
Linda is continuing both at Ariyoshi.
I hope that everyone supports this restaurant as I firmly believe that it will be a SO/M staple for years to come. |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1280
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 9:18 pm: | |
Josh, that's great news. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 921
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 10:08 pm: | |
We also had a meal there a few days ago, and were very pleased. The space is much nicer than before -- much warmer. The food was very good.
(and unlike TOA, they offer real tea)
Would have had lunch there today if they did Saturday lunch.
Welcome to town! |
Richard
Citizen
Username: Rikky
Post Number: 12
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 12:40 am: | |
i went to Ariyoshi last night with my wife. i give it mixed reviews. here goes...
the atmosphere and decor is nice. they have a long fish tank that separates the two rooms with some interesting exotic fish (check out the dragon fish). it's a very 'zen' experience and reminds me of the quality restaurants you see in maplewood village. the staff and ownership were very accomodating and friendly. it was nice to have people genuinely care about your dining experience. on the flip side the owner (i believe) outstayed her welcome talking to us for about 15 minutes while we were trying to eat. i can't fault them too much because they're being friendly, but my wife did ;)
they brought my wife's dish from the kitchen first. we waited 10 minutes then they brought half my order (2 rolls). almost 10 minutes later they brought the sushi. clearly a screwup with coordinating the sushi bar with the kitchen. i'll cut them some slack since it's a new restaurant and those kind of kinks happen.
the food was average. sushi might've been fresh, but hit or miss. the salmon sashimi was really good. salmon sushi was not as good, but no complaints. i was very disappointed in the toro and the super white tuna. they were chewy and lacking flavor. yellowtail was average and the spicy tuna roll and eel avocado roll were quite good. sushi pieces were too small in my opinion. my wife ordered the yaki soba (noodle dish) and it was bland and oily. wouldn't order again.
i'd give the overall experience a 6.5. we'll check it out again, but was hoping it would be better than it was. |
SaigonGuy
Citizen
Username: Sidrn
Post Number: 44
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 4:40 pm: | |
Does anyone know why Ariyoshi was closed last night? |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 573
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 4:47 pm: | |
elh, you should really just start a new thread for your question. I'm sure people will have plenty of suggestions. |
wbwallflower
Citizen
Username: Wbwallflower
Post Number: 95
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 4:52 pm: | |
elh- I recently attended a baby shower that had the BEST catering. It was a brunch and they had Hagen Das soaked french toast... DELISH! There was staff present so I assume they also stayed to clean up. So the bad news is I can't remember the name but I'm going to find out for you asap. Maybe somebody knows who I'm talking about... they're out of Livingston. |
Shashalagoumba
Citizen
Username: Shashalagoumba
Post Number: 17
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 5:10 pm: | |
Laurence Craig on SA does incredible catering!! |
Starr
Citizen
Username: Starr
Post Number: 109
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 9:53 pm: | |
SaigonGuy,
Ariyoshi was closed last night because it's closed on Sundays. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 789
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 10:18 pm: | |
I second Laurence Craig. His office is on Springfield Avenue in Maplewood.
Does anyone know if Allan Dennis (who had Gitane in SO long before it became Giorgio's {now Voro}is still catering? If he is, he is hard to beat for quality, responsiveness, and value for $. |
Cubeless
Citizen
Username: Cubey
Post Number: 214
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 8:07 pm: | |
Went to Ariyoshi last night for dinner...at about 8:00 pm...there were only 2 or 3 other tables of patrons. Not good for a Friday night.
The food was good. We had an assortment of 3 sushi rolls which were tasty and fresh and we also shared a broiled salmon teriyaki which was just ok. The salads before the meal were excellent. Service was great, everyone was friendly (hostess, waitress, and sushi makers). The restaurant does seem warmer than Taste of Asia, but it still feels like it's missing something.
We'll go back...and hopefully their business will pick up, too.
|
Blue Skies
Citizen
Username: Blueskies
Post Number: 27
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 7:07 am: | |
The chef special rolls were EXCELLENT (we tried the Phoenix and Mexican rolls). The other typical Japanese menu rolls were, ok. We tried their vegetable spring rolls (app) and the middle was still cold! We will, however, go back to try their noodle/rice dishes. The private party/tatami rooms looked really cool.
I agree with you, Cubeless - the temp was a little warm.
|
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 952
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 2, 2005 - 6:13 pm: | |
I tried it and I would agree with you guys that the sushi is better than the rest of the menu. I would also so that I thought the food was bit expensive. Overall, not bad, but I don't think I'll be going back any time soon. Sorry but it just wasn't that memorable of a meal for the price. |
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