AKIKOS

Akiko’s Restaurant is a solid omakase spot that I’ve visited twice—once at the bar and once seated at a table—and the experience does vary depending on where you sit. The bar seating clearly stands out. Portions felt more generous, and the personal interaction with the chef made a noticeable difference. Watching each nigiri being prepared and served directly to you adds warmth and intention that elevates the meal. The table seating is more comfortable, especially for a longer dinner, but the experience feels slightly less engaging. Some of the nigiri were truly outstanding. The coffee-cured bluefin and the chocolate-cured ocean trout were both memorable and creative without being gimmicky. The toro tuna belly was also excellent—rich, clean, and perfectly balanced. Same-day reservations

We had such a great experience, from the moment we walked in to when we left. We were greeted warmly when we entered, and the hostess acknowledged the special occasion we were celebrating, which was such a nice touch. We were seated exactly where we had requested, had our coats checked, and sat down at the bar where our menus were already waiting. The menu even included a note recognizing our celebration, which really made us feel welcomed. The set omakase was excellent. We loved it all but particularly enjoyed their signature dish,and the coffee cured nigiri as well as the chocolate one. Every course was beautifully presented and tasted amazing. Our meal was well paced. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. We also added a few pieces from the regular menu and those

We did the Valentine’s Day set menu. The first half was a mix of different fish dishes and two of the 6 items were great. The others I could have done without. Then we had 6 different nigiris and all were amazing.

Came here recently to celebrate with work colleagues. Food and service were excellent as usual. Atmosphere is probably still my favorite part about Akikos. It’s modern and open versus a more traditional counter experience. Highly recommended for groups. A la carte menu ensures everyone is satisfied including providing an opportunity to order another bite of something particularly enjoyable on the menu.

Before going this time, I looked it up again and saw that the reviews were extremely polarized. I honestly thought I’d end up on the good side of that divide… but nope. It made me realize that maybe my taste back then just wasn’t that great. Not a single dish was memorable or impressive. And the service — honestly? It felt like if you weren’t actively watching the server, she’d roll her eyes at you behind your back, like you somehow owed her something. It was incredibly unpleasant. The overall service vibe was bad, too. And the music?? Straight-up pop music, like being in a bar — but isn’t this supposed to be a Japanese omakase? I genuinely don’t get it. And then at the end, the bill had a 6% “mandate fee” added on??? My friend said it was only mentioned in tiny print somewhere on the