Sushi Kuwahata: Cleveland Restaurant Guide

“Summary: Visited during a trip home to see my parents. I live in San Francisco and have traveled to Japan multiple times... This was truly the most exceptional omakase I have had anywhere in the world. Every detail has been planned and executed to the highest degree of excellence. To have this kind of experience anywhere would be a treat but to have it in Cleveland is an incredible luxury. A must visit. Details: Space - Absolutely stunning, intimate space with incredibly beautiful, traditional Japanese finishes. The wood counter is so soft you could rub your face against it. Food - Beyond all expectations. Careful selection of the best ingredients, a fanatical fixation on flawless execution, and undeniable skill, all really add up to something special here. The use of unique techniques and seasonings, chosen thoughtfully for each fish elevated what I thought were familiar ingredients to entirely new levels. Drink - Incredible selection of top sakes, many of which I even found difficult to find on my last visit to Japan. Service - Incredible service, warm, accommodating, effusively kind and above all else... super fun and friendly! At this level, dinning can often be stuffy or intimidating but the team really does an incredible job curating a fun light hearted atmosphere! Vibes - The vibes are great. By the time we left, we were friends with everyone in the room! Price/ value - This is definitely not a cheap meal but it is a truly special experience that could stand toe-to-toe with any top Sushi restaurant in the world. The amount of care, craft, skill is outrageously special and there is clearly a "spare-no-expense" approach to all of the ingredients, dishware, glassware and techniques used.”

“An Omakase Experience Worth Repeating Sushi Kuwahata offers a top-tier omakase experience from start to finish. We booked all 8 seats and Kwan was incredibly accommodating in getting everything arranged, even before we got there. The ambience is understated and intimate, which allowed the focus to remain on the food. The service was excellent—the staff is amazing, it felt personal and was exceptional. The meal was just a work of art and watching Chef Kwan work was mesmerizing. The quality of the food, especially the fish, was outstanding. The careful preparation was obvious in every bite, and it was hard not to just say “wow” with each new course. To go along with the food, they have an impressive sake collection. The recommendations from the staff on sake selections were perfect. Overall, Sushi Kuwahata delivers on all fronts. Its not an exaggeration to say it was one of the best meals of my life. The combination of a great atmosphere, fantastic service, and truly exceptional food makes it a standout. Having this gem in Cleveland Ohio is a real boon to our food scene. Thank you Chef Kwan, Chef Ryan and Shirley for a memorable evening”

“Wasn’t sure what we were expecting for the newly opened omakase experience here in Cleveland, but we were pleasantly surprised. Yes it is steep, but you are getting amazing quality food with a huge variety. You can taste the freshness of all of the ingredients which are most if not all sourced directly from Japan, including all of the utensils, dishware and even the hinoki wood counter you are dining on. My husband and I will definitely come back and are so excited to have a legitimate sushi restaurant in Cleveland. Overall it was a 4.8/5, definitely on par with sushi we’ve had in NYC and Japan, and we can’t wait to come back :)”