01/14/09

good luck!

by japfoodlover

after reading number of reviews, my experience wasn't any better. staff was rude, food wasn't ill prepare, rush.

• Pros: location
• Cons: price, services

10/14/08

over price, not trendy

by foodfunny

the food is overprice for what it is, suishi wasn't even fresh, rude waiter staff, drop check before i was finish.

not recommended, save money.

08/30/08

Over priced and very average food.

by Aussiebachus

I just don't get why this place seems to be well regarded ? Overpriced food is the order of the day. $ 3.75 for a miso soup ? $14 for a shrimp shumai appetise ? If the food was spectacular then maybe but it is not. There are a plethora of good well priced Japanese restuarants in this city that leave this place for dead. Put simply the sashimi was not fresh, the shumai the same (told the waiter this and we were still charged for it) and the service ordinary. My advice spend half the money elsewhere and you will get a better meal. Oh and don't start me about the waiters reaching across the table to clear when they could have walked around and cleared without intrusion to the conversation. Give this place a miss....I will be.

• Cons: Overpriced. Ordinary Food. Poor service.

07/03/08

GOOD SUSHI NICE SETTING

by bluechipdrew

The sushi is very good, in a nice area, the setting is very serene and low key, they give u a hot towel when u come in. Very expensive, well not the sushi but the dinner items, I believe.

• Pros: Service, setting, sushi.
• Cons: Price.

06/23/08

can it be anymore overpriced?

by food28

someone please explain to me why this resturant is so expensive? decor was poor, seating was uncomfortable, food was ok, expected better for that price.

save your money.

02/13/08

overprice suishi, poor service, not recommended.

by ruthhurs

My girlfriend and I spent over $100 still was not good enough to be treated nicely. They can wait to drop your check and get you out. Worst ever experience. Food wasn't fresh, over crowded, unfriendly staff.

• Pros: if your in a rush, and want your check for expensive meal, this is your place.
• Cons: if you don't want to talk to your date and listen to table next to you.

02/04/08

Very disappointing

by vaudenried

Japonica used to be one of my favorite sushi places in the Union Square area. Went there last Saturday night for an early dinner with my husband before the movies and was EXTREMELY disappointed. Prices seem to have been jacked up considerably since last year and the sushi was not the freshest. A spicy tuna roll was inedible and we were afraid we would actually get sick. Presentation and quality was on par with (or worse than) supermarket sushi. No interesting specials and very confused/rushed service. It breaks my heart to give Japonica a bad review because I've had such great meals there in the past, but I really can't recommend the restaurant in good conscience. I hope they pull it together...

• Pros: Great location
• Cons: Expensive and poor quality sushi

09/28/07

Why is this place recommended?

by tgriffin07

For the price they charge for the food they serve, I would have expected:

- FAR better preparation. The sashimi was far too large.

- FAR better service. Slow, unclear, disinterested. No info on specials or any decent engagement upon questioning.

- More rice. In fact, just give us a bowl regardless. When I order sushi, the amount of rice should be more than silver dollar size.

Overall, totally nonplussed. Service was lame, presentation was boring and confusing. The prices, relative to what you could get elsewhere vs. other Japanese restaurants, are absurd. They are far too pricey.

One saving grace is that everything was quite fresh (granted, it was a Friday) but that's something it has going for it.

• Pros: Freshness, depth of menu
• Cons: Service, price, value, prep/presentation

08/21/07

Overpriced for average sushi and pseudo-japanese food

by redzapper

Sushi was just very average - much better can be had at comparable prices elsewhere. The chicken teriyaki and the eel rice dishes were huge - the largest I have ever seen for a 'japanese' restaurant. Unfortunately, the teriyaki chicken tasted like some generic chicken stir fry that happened to be in teriyaki sauce - hey, let's add teriyaki sauce and then it will be japanese!! The eel, well, there was a lot of it and you can't really mess up eel. Neither dish came with classic japanese sides typical of these dishes. The food was uninspiring - oversized, no presentation, no 'harmony' between the sides and the main dish, none of the hallmarks of japanese food.

The fact that there were no Japanese patrons (despite being in the union sq/village location) and the staff was not japanese should have clued us in as to the authenticity of the food. If you're looking to lighten your wallet with average sushi and teriyaki-something, step right in. If you're looking for japanese food done right, look elsewhere.

• Pros: kid friendly, big portions (if you're into this sort of thing), close to better restaurants
• Cons: overpriced, mediocre pseudo japanese food

08/03/07

avoid, not worth it, overprice.

by brianchang

seating was quick. i consider this place overprice for what it is, am not sure y they charge so much, udon should not be over $20, at most $16.99. Service was ok, needs improvement. seating very tight, not comfortable at all.

• Pros: good location
• Cons: over price