Morimoto Restaurant Review

I visited Philadelphia alone on a business trip this week. Out of all the great food in this city I decided to eat at Morimoto. Before going I looked up the menu and read reviews; all were boasting positive things. My plan was to enjoy their happy hour specials followed by dinner. When I arrived I was greeted and, upon request, seated at the sushi bar. There were about 6 other people dining in the restaurant. I requested the happy hour menu in addition to the dinner menu. The server instructed me that the happy hour specials were only served in the bar upstairs and this is when it all went down hill
I was escorted to a dark room upstairs. When I mean dark I don t mean romantic lighting, I mean dark like I m sitting in a bat cave. It may be worth mentioning that I am in my early 30 s, go out regularly, and have fantastic eyesight. I was the only person in this dark room. The waitress (who I could barely see standing 2 feet in front of me) handed me the happy hour and dinner menus. I expressed to the waitress that I would have preferred to sit downstairs than in a dark room alone. She told me that happy hour is only served upstairs as it can get very busy downstairs and walked away. I ate a quick mediocre appetizer, drank 1 drink, and sadly left to find dinner elsewhere. As I walked out I noticed that there were still only about 6 patrons in the restaurant and tons of empty seats.
I just think that this situation could have been taken care of differently. It was clear to me that the staff does not care about the customers comfort. I am extremely disappointed in Morimoto and will not be returning nor will recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Good happy hour location for drinks. I would recommend the omakase (tasting menu) for the full experience. The server was informative on each dish and how they were prepared. I was not too impressed with the sushi, but the cooked dishes were all excellent.

Dinner is very fancy and delicious and happy hour is relaxed and also delicious

I've been there quite a few times, and I'm always underwhelmed by the food. I guess I expect more from a chef like Morimoto.

Truly amazing experience. We went on Tuesday night. Since my husband does not eat any seafood, I was concerned that he might not enjoy it as much, but we were both very impressed with the food, the service and the ambiance. The cilantro gimlet cocktail is delicious. We ordered a la carte: toro tartare - super tasty and very interesting; morimoto tempura - light, fluffy and crispy like none we have ever had before. foie grass - delicious as expected; pork kakuni melts in your mouth. I had the wasabi samon - it was cooked perfectly, but there were a bit too many surprising and strange sauces. The most astonishing part was the NY strip steak - we've had plenty of steaks, and thought we know what to expect. But the steak here surpassed everything by far - words cannot describe it. For desert we tried the Irish coffee jelly with coconut sorbet - it was light and interesting. Service was impeccable. It is pricey, but worth every penny. We understand why chef Morimoto is an Iron chef.

Wonderful dinner. Attentive and educated service. Great experience. Omakase is a great choice here. Place looks super cool. Wonderful setting with great visual effects. From lack of corners to color change in the room. Please improve the drink pairings. They didn't match the food plates. Wine selection was odd, musky isn't a choice a lot of people would go for, especially in these combinations. Early sake choices were subpar. Also, maybe reduce the pace a bit - Omakase isn't fast food.

Excellent restaurant in every way. Great location, amazing ambiance. The upstairs bar is a bit small but it is usually not very busy...only people who are waiting for their table. I highly recommend then omakase.

This restaurant offers awesome service and delicious meals. The best spot in the area. The meals came out fast and the prices were affordable. I recommend this place.

Warm, elegant and fun, the ambiance is perfect. The service was exceptional. Great drinks. The rock shrimp tempura appetizer was bangin', the seafood Toban Yaki not so much.

service is excellent even when they are busy. service is consistently great.

Fantastic meal at Morimoto's, enhanced by the knowledgable and professional staff. Good drinks menu with several unique cocktails, and a wide selection of sake for paring with your food. We had a variety of appetizers, sashimi, sushi and rolls, and each piece was both elegantly constructed and delicious.

A simply fantastic menu. Had the Omakase tasing menu paired with Sake. Expensive meal but worth the price

Wow. If you can afford it, please get the degustation. It was mostly seafood and every course was delicious!

Great place that has a proven history of good food. Let's be honest it is all about the omakase.

This is one great place! Atmosphere was very nice and comforting. It has this modern style or look with nice bright lights. Sushi here is a must try. Staff was very good at recommending food. All were great!

Service is always timely even when they have a full house. It has a great interior. Food is like a place in Baltimore I loved.

Oy, I got that just-mugged feeling afterwards, and I wasn't the one that paid. The atmosphere was out of this world, but a little too noisy. The servers were of 5 star caliber. The food is not "the best" like it ought to be. It was good, but not worth the money. The rock shrimp tempura, which everyone raves about, had a very familiar resemblance to Cheetos. The *faux*be beef carpacio was just thin sliced tenderloin (1 oz total) soaking in olive oil. the sushi was sub-par and very overly expensive. I don't know why there aren't more reviews that mention how ripped off they were. If you feel like spending alot of money on food, go to Moshulu, Amada, or Caribou cafe. They are heads and tails above Morimoto, because they leave you satisfied.

I suppose it's OK if you like sushi. Loud atmosphere. You can walk right by it without noticing so make sure you know where you are going.

Amazing experience, staff and food. They made my daughter feel so special for her 16th birthday. Thank you so much.

Amazing sushi! Very expensive. Only downside is the that Omakase (chef's tasting) stops at 10, while the restaurant stays open until midnight.

Food was good, waiter was horrible, very poor and bad service. I valeted my car, the cost of the valet was $22 which isn t bad, the Valet took my $40 and asked if returning ten is fine. So he automatically assumed he will get a 50% tip. Horrible horrible professionalism. Would definitely not go back

Nice place to relax, people watch, eat good, etc. I will be bringing family next time. Prices that are reasonable.

Best lunch place around that area. Quiet. Beautiful. Great food.

Amazing food and a great dining experience. Lives up to the Morimoto name and look forward to visiting again.

This place is great. Great food, great atmosphere. Great place to celebrate. Here was our night:

Got there a little late for our reservation (we surprised the birthday girl so we had to wait until she came) and we waited upstairs at the bar which was nice until our table was ready. The waiter caught wind that it was a birthday and got us complimentary congee which was phenomenal.

We ordered rock shrimp as an appetizer - which was great. Then we ordered 4 sushi rolls. Then finally the Yaki with yellow tail and Shaba Shaba with waygu beef as our entrees.

The service was excellent - everything was explained well. They took the time to make sure we understood everything and weren t allergic to anything. Great guys.

Finally the server came around with some coconut ice cream on the house for the birthday girl. I was really impressed how special they made her feel. Big ups for that.

Glad we went there and you will be too.

one my favorite place where i often visits to have some delicious food. The place was superb with cozy atmosphere. There's also one thing i like about them was they communication with the people who come.The infrastructure was beautiful and the dinning was also good. This place deserves 5 star!!

I wanted to go here for awhile. My wonder family surprised me. It was everything I had thought. The wait staff was amazing the whole experience was excellent from coming in the door til leaving.

Did the chef tasting which was really good. I'll have to admit I enjoyed the raw fish the most, but that's what I went for. The steak, the Australian stuff I can't remember the name of right now was great also. The wife got the beef upgrade and said it was the best thing she's ever had; didn't flinch even though I was sitting across from her. I recommend it if you have the dollars to spare.

arrived at seven, it wasn't crowded. i will be bringing family next time. the bill was appropriate for the quality.

Hard to get me to go to such a fancy place, but definitely worth it. Great for a special occasion, because you'll feel like a million bucks.

Location: 5/5
Easy to get to. Nice location! Easy and quick seating. No valet, but I wasn't driving so it didn't impact me at all.

Ambiance: 5/5
Beautiful decor. Sleek, simple, and modern.

Service: 4/5
Our server did very well with what we had. He was professional, took care of us. Table touched often. Great personality. Took care of a large group with ease, which is not easy. When we had an issue he addressed it.

Food: 1/5


Management: 0/5
None existent. Never came to talk to us. Someone in our party went to them. Are you afraid of someone who is unhappy? Is it that hard to take accountability for poor bussing, chef work, kitchen management, floor management, and bussing?

Overall 1/5:
It would take an act of congress to get me to waste three hours of my life for sushi and tempura that isn't a pimple on the ass of the crappiest the sushi bars in the Bay Area! Prices are high and management is horrific. I'm willing to pay for quality food, and excellent service. But this isn't Gillian's island, and I'm not looking for a 3-hour-tour!

Artistically presented and delicious a lovely evening until someone's with seated at the table alongside of us that had poured a bottle of perfume over their body. an instant migraine for me. I really wish there were fragrance-free zones in restaurants.. maybe someday people will realize the poison they're putting all over their body and how many people with breathing problems are effected.
Definitely worth going to Philadelphia to eat here. It was my husband's first time. For a main course he ordered the bass and it was so buttery and delicious.. from appetizers to desserts it is definitely something we cannot get in Central PA..

I often take my friends to this restaurant with my warmest recommendations. I go to this restaurant often. I get very good feedback from my friends. The dishes they serve are great and the team is generous and cooperative. always when we visit this place we pass a pleasant evening. warmly recommended.

One of the most amazing experiences I've ever had at a Japanese restaurant. Highly recommend experiencing at least once in life.

The food was fantastic and servers were courteous and very enjoyable to talk with.

I guess if you are going to spend an exorbitant amount of money on dinner. This is my first choice because it's also great!

Just set down gonna be good. And it was the best meal.

Outstanding, I expected perfection, and they delivered. Omakase, was the perfect way to showcase their talents.

One of the best restaurants in Philly without a doubt. Iron chef Morimoto knows how to do his selections right.

Omakase is actually full of disappointment. The plate is beautiful but the taste is not amazing

Needless to say, the decor is not good, and the design is completely incomparable with other Philadelphia restaurants. But if you want to eat sushi, go to Royal sushi izakaya. The service is very good, that is, the system is a little bit, and the waiter is purely memorizing the ingredients.

Amazing sushi
Fresh and expertly prepared

Good enough food but very hard to find. Get a bigger sign out front.

This is definitely a place to dine when you re in the mood for an experience. Very unique dishes.

Delicious! Funky interior but the food was amazing, guess there's a reason he's an iron chef! Every course was beautifully prepared and sooooo good!

I visit this great spot quite a bit! This is my favorite spot to eat. I go to this spot regularly. The meals are very good, the crew is welcoming and the payment is fair. I enjoy going in this spot for a good meal.

expensive but 100% worth it! Great for newcomers to fine dining as well as seasoned veterans

This is in my top
Five eateries ever.

On a beautiful February evening Talula's Garden opened their outdoor space- so delightful and cozy with heat lamps. Wide selection of reasonably priced wine by the bottle. Staff was very familiar with menu including the cheeses available for cheese plates. We shared a chopped salad which was plentiful for two after complimentary pepper brioche.

Love cocktails here! Hice lounge upstairs. Had great time here with friend. Portions are small, but everything fresh and tasty. Definitely recommend

Having dined here upon its opening in 01 we decided to return for my birthday for old memories.

I had the $150.00 omakase and $100.00 sake pairing. My wife had the $120.00 omakase with bubbling bamboo.

While the omakase was prepared well and enjoyable, there was no course out of the 7 (8) if you include the foie gras bonus, that was memorable.

The sake sampling on the other hand is in my opinion worth every greenback.

Pros: Consistency and Service.

Cons: Loud, Tank Tops and work boots.

For $525.00 there are better options.

It does not get any better than this. Different subtle flavors in each dish.

This place has a good design. Food is similar to a cafe in Indianapolis I loved.

Worth the expense, hot pot was perfectly prepared to pair with wagyu. Meat was beyond reproach, needed nothing to compliment it but somwhow altogether the dish was more than the sum of its parts.

I celebrated my graduation today in this fine place. happy to tell that we passed a fabulous evening and the venue was undoubtedly one of the reasons for this fruitful event. The crew contributed in a very nice way, the cooking was yummy and my buddies were extremely pleased. We shall no dout visit again for more celebrations. Thank you very much.

Fantastic sushi but a bit overpriced. Cool room and a nice spot for a special occasion, but there are better spots with the same quality of sushi for half the price.

Excellent meal (if expensive). Omikasa is always excellent and varied

Every one should try the miso-glazed black cod at least once in their life.

Morimoto does not cater to vegans and the vegetarian options are very limited. Also it is to cold even on a cool, rainy evening.

Just wow! I have been here a few times when I'm in town and need to entertain clients. Ambiance is calming. Food is nothing short of fresh, creative, and always subject of conversation.

Love this place the ambience is beautiful, the staff is great, enjoyed myself very much definitely a place to go for a date or just an outing.

The black cod entree was unbelievable. Tuna pizza app: amazing. Sushi is always phenomenal. Highly recommended!!

We had some sushi and cocktails at the lounge upstairs. Tried few different cocktails and all were very good. The food is excellent and staff is very knowledgeable. The architecture is really unique inside. Lighting and colors slowly change throughout the dinner supposed to make you feel as if you were in the ocean. Quite a journey... knowledgeable and engaged service staff. Savorous food. I chose two courses both prepared at the table (Tofu and rice/wagu beef meal). Will definitely recommend

Food is so good, real Japanese test n personal take care by staff.

Entered near nine, it wasn't busy. Definitely worth going back to. This place has a nice feel to it. Kinda of like a cafe in Phoenix that I enjoyed.

Eeh, I expected more, I assume. I went with a group and ordered the duck. I got to sample many other dishes of my accompanying guests and everything was pretty bland. The environmental aspects are a bit much at times too. I felt myself over sensitized with the music and barely able to hear myself think. Could stand for a bit of a tone-down

Very good. Will def be back. Great service, great food.

The iron chef does not disappoint. Perfect execution on each dish and the beverage and sake pairings are spot on.

I took my wife here for her birthday. I made reservation on Opentable. It's either street parking if you're lucky or do the valet out front. It's about $20 + tips. We went with the $150 Omakase. You get a little bit of everything. The wagyu steak, mmm it melts in your mouth. Though you only get a tiny portion. Everything was good. I don't think I would do that again. It's worth it to try at least once.

The 8 or so course meal (Omakase) that we ordered was fantastic. You can't expect to like every bit of a chef's choice meal like that, but we liked about 6 or 7 out of 8, and the one's we didn't explicitly like we agreed were "interesting," definitely not bad, just something that maybe we weren't prepared for. Check it out, you won't regret it. Our waiter was amazing and I wish we could have him for every meal in every restaurant. Major props to him for being professional and subtly casual. You can't teach that.

Last week I made a reservation for December 9, celebrating a very special occasion with my wife. During the reservation, and again on the of reservation, I called the restaurant to remind them of the occasion (they assured me it was noted in my reservation). But to my surprise, nothing was done when we finished our dinner. On the way out, i mentioned this to the standing manager and he did not appear to care much (he said they would try to make it up next time). It was a very expensive dinner and not an amazing ending experience. There will be no next time for me. Other restaurant go above and beyond to please customers on special occasions, but not Morimoto.

Love their melting dessert. But hours are little tricky. And they need some bigger sign for outside.