Wabi Nori

“Coming from someone who is a huge KazuNori fan, I didn’t think another hand roll spot could truly impress me but Wabi Nori is literally in a hand roll league of its own. What really sets Wabi Nori apart is the appetizers. For a hand roll restaurant, the appetizer selection is exceptional and honestly one of a kind. We started with the soft shell crab, yellowtail jalapeño sashimi, rock shrimp, and Kumamoto oysters, and oh my gosh… every single bite was packed with flavor. Everything was fresh, well-balanced, and beautifully executed. For the hand rolls, I ordered the five hand roll set from Restaurant Week, which included the spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail, bay scallop, and EB mushroom hand rolls. My absolute favorites were the spicy tuna and the bay scallop; both were outstanding. While the other hand rolls were still very delicious, if I’m being honest and comparing the two, they didn’t quite beat KazuNori for me personally. That said, they were still excellent and absolutely worth ordering. For dessert, I had the house-made cheesecake, which was the perfect ending to the meal. To drink, I ordered the strawberry matcha, but instead of coconut rum, I swapped it for whiskey… and if you’re a whiskey drinker, trust me, this swap is elite. The sweetness of the matcha and strawberry really accentuates the whiskey and takes the drink to a whole new level. We also had an espresso martini and a dirty martini, and I can confidently say this: even though they don’t have blue cheese olives, the dirty martini here was the best dirty martini I’ve had in my entire life and I’ve had a lot of dirty martinis. Overall, Wabi Nori is 100% a spot I would come back to and enthusiastically recommend to others. From the appetizers to the cocktails to the overall experience, it’s truly something special.”

“5 stars for the stunning ambiance; the atmosphere alone makes a visit worthwhile. While the service was impeccable and the rock shrimp was a standout, the sushi was a bit of a mixed bag. The salmon nigiri was fresh and enjoyable, but the hand rolls were just average. The enoki, miso cod, salmon, and scallop hand rolls lacked a seasoning - fish roe, jalapeño, bonito flakes - or a textural contrast needed to make them truly memorable. On the bright side, the edamame was served warm, perfectly charred, and generously portioned. I also highly recommend the Kesseler Riesling, which paired beautifully with the meal. I’d definitely return to explore more of the menu.”

“I came for brunch and had a wonderful experience. I ordered the tuna with crispy rice and the salmon set. The tuna was amazing. Highly recommend. The jalapeño gave it a slight spiciness that complimented the crispy rice and the fish. The salmon was okay. I do wish the mayo was not as overpowering, but it was still pretty good. I did not get the mimosa package, but I’ve heard it’s a really good deal with good quality drinks. Oh and the to go box is gorgeous ;).”

“a great spot for date night or girls night. the restaurant had a very intimate atmosphere with low lighting and a very nice bar area/chefs counter. we tried a few things on the menu but the highlights were: toro toast (great one biter), blue crab hand roll (so good), karage, and croquettes. also shoutout to one of the biggest bathrooms i think i have seen in a LES restaurant.”

“Located in the LES, this handroll spot offers a variety of sashimi and handroll options as well as Japanese appetizers to enjoy. The interior is dimly lit, upscale, and romantic. I highly recommend reservations here as it can get busy, especially on weekends. Our bartender, Vince, was absolutely amazing. He was super friendly and easy to talk to—we had a great time at the bar with him! :) I got their truffle tuna, crispy rice, crispy squid, shishito peppers, and their 4 pc handroll set. Overall, I thought that the appetizers were okay. While they were good, nothing was unique or stood out to me about them. Quality was also okay. For the handrolls, I thought they were also good but smaller in comparison to other spots I've been to. In addition, it took about 8-12 minutes in between each handroll being delivered to us, so it was a long wait. I wish the kitchen service was as better in this aspect. Because of that, we ordered another appetizer. Looking back, I think that it's an okay spot for handrolls. Stellar bar service but I wish kitchen was just a bit faster.”