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Nimblefish Portland Reviews
The food, service, and ambiance are in a league of their
The food, service, and ambiance are in a league of their own for Portland. There is no better fish anywhere else! Highly recommend for a special night out, celebration, or anniversary.
Really nice fish.
We did the omokaze and really enjoyed it. The toro and the smoked mackerel were the winters. Good sake selection and nice gins for a gin and tonic. We could go back.
The food was great, except I'm not a fan of wasabi, and it
The food was great, except I'm not a fan of wasabi, and it was on each piece. The staff was super attentive and I loved listening to the descriptions that were given about each dish. I would like to come here again
The experience was honestly so fun, educational, and
The experience was honestly so fun, educational, and delicious! I made reservations for my partner and I's anniversary at the A La Carte Counter and the experience was treated with such care. Each piece of fish that was from the Chef's Choice was more flavorful with each bite. The chef made everything so gorgeous and with such precision. The sun of the afternoon seeping into the evening made our clean and quaint seating arrangement at the bar comfortable and cozy. We couldn't have asked for a more lovely anniversary experience!
Good quality of the food.
Not very cozy, and terrible expensive: tiny amount quantity.
Average in every way, we're sorry to say.
Came in from Philly, excited to have our first dinner in Portland here, but the quality of foods and service were not up to standard. Service is rote as the vibe. Standout is the chef, and how personable and welcoming he was. Overall, does not warrant the price point. Disappointing and in no way fine dining.
Nimblefish, in the heart of Portland, Oregon, is a place
Nimblefish, in the heart of Portland, Oregon, is a place where the sea speaks clearly and kindly through rice, vinegar, and immaculate knife work. I have eaten sushi in a few fine establishments, in cities that glitter and in alleyways that hum, and while this may not be the single greatest omakase of my life, it sits among the saints. There were seven of us, and we occupied nearly the whole of the sushi bar. It felt conspiratorial, reverent. We were pilgrims and the altar was hip-high and lacquered. From the first starter to the final spoonful of sorbet, the experience unfolded with the precision of a pocket watch and the warmth of a handwritten letter. The chef, a man who treats fish with the seriousness most reserve for funerals or first love, spoke to us not just of what we were eating but why. This fish came from Hokkaido. That one from the California coast. The trout, rainbow and shimmering, was a particular surprise, new to me, and now unforgettable. Another chef talked about his rice like a poet would talk about meter. The host, too, guided us gently through the meal with enthusiasm and knowledge, like a teacher who remembers what it's like to be young and curious. The structure of the meal was intelligent and satisfying. Thirteen bites of sushi, each different, each deliberate. Soup that quieted the mind. Egg custard that felt like an apology from the universe for all the things that have gone wrong. The sorbet was a gentle goodbye, a kiss on the forehead. The whiskey and sake list is the kind of thing that could cause trouble in the best possible way. We tasted a few and they were each better than the last, the way good short stories are. If you find yourself there, let yourself be led. Trust them. It took two hours and not a second of it dragged. We laughed and whispered and stared up at our planks like children watching snow fall. The bill, at around $165 per person, felt less like a transaction and more like a tithe. If you're interested, and you should be, book ahead. There are few seats and many seekers. Nimblefish is not just a restaurant. It is a gentle argument for precision, quality and beauty in a world that too often forgets to offer any.
The food and service are excellent.
Very intimate omakase experience with the chefs explaining each piece as it was served. About a dozen or so seats at the bar we were seated at.
Nimblefish is my favorite place for omakase in town! It's
Nimblefish is my favorite place for omakase in town! It's perfect for date night or any special occasion. The setting is super intimate, but I love being able to sit at the bar and see the pros at work. The sushi chefs were also super friendly and chatty! I love Nimblefish for the quality of everything. Everything is paired so nicely whether it be with a sauce, seared, topped with someone, etc. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I actually enjoyed the fish that I wouldn't usually gravitate to, the best. Once years and years ago, I had a sardine nigiri that blew my mind, it was delicious. For the quality of everything, taste, and ambiance, it's definitely worth the tasting menu price!
0/10 worst experience
This was the worst part of my trip to Portland. My partner and I love sushi and try to do one omakase in every city we visit - I wish we would have skipped Nimblefish. We were seated at 8:30 and everyone at the counter was seated at different times meaning different food is being prepared and presented to each guest at different times. This is the first time I’ve seen this for a counter omakase. Because of this, the chefs were very busy and non-interactive with guests. By our 4th nigiri the chef stopped explaining to us what we were eating, this upset my boyfriend as he was genuinely interested in learning about what kind of fish were being presented. When it came to drinks our waitress was terrible. We had a glass of unfiltered sake and when asked for another, we were told they ran out. Okay, no problem. We asked what might have a similar palette and she answered with “I don’t know”. Um, ok. Then we asked if we could just get a bottle to simplify things and asked if there were any on the sweeter side. Her response, “I’m not sure”. At this point we’re pretty frustrated as this was supposed to be an experience and while not posh - at 125 a head, it’s still pretty expensive and a level of professionalism was expected. We asked to speak with a manager and 10 minutes later he arrives and before we can even get a sentence out he cuts me off with a defense tone and tells me what I’m saying isn’t true because his staff doesn’t do that. I told him this is no way to speak to guests if you wont speak in a respectful tone, I won't be arguing with you in front of other guests/staff. I was simply hoping to voice my concerns about my experience and provide insight into what I felt like went wrong. This manager should not be in the service industry if his idea of resolution is to argue with customers and be combative. This was the first time I’ve ever gotten up from a meal and a 0/10 experience for the worst omakase we’ve done thus far.
This was the worst part of my trip to Portland.
My partner and I love sushi and try to do one omakase in every city we visit - I wish we would have skipped Nimblefish. We were seated at 8:30 and everyone at the counter was seated at different times meaning different food is being prepared and presented to each guest at different times. This is the first time I've seen this for a counter omakase. Because of this, the chefs were very busy and non-interactive with guests. By our 4th nigiri the chef stopped explaining to us what we were eating, this upset my boyfriend as he was genuinely interested in learning about what kind of fish were being presented. When it came to drinks our waitress was terrible. We had a glass of unfiltered sake and when asked for another, we were told they ran out. Okay, no problem. We asked what might have a similar palette and she answered with "I don't know". Um, ok. Then we asked if we could just get a bottle to simplify things and asked if there were any on the sweeter side. Her response, "I'm not sure". At this point we're pretty frustrated as this was supposed to be an experience and while not posh - at 125 a head, it's still pretty expensive and a level of professionalism was expected. We asked to speak with a manager and 10 minutes later he arrives and before we can even get a sentence out he cuts me off with a defense tone and tells me what I'm saying isn't true because his staff doesn't do that. I told him this is no way to speak to guests if you wont speak in a respectful tone, I won't be arguing with you in front of other guests/staff. I was simply hoping to voice my concerns about my experience and provide insight into what I felt like went wrong. This manager should not be in the service industry if his idea of resolution is to argue with customers and be combative. This was the first time I've ever gotten up from a meal and a 0/10 experience for the worst omakase we've done thus far.
OUTSTANDING!! The BEST!
OUTSTANDING! The best Sushi we have ever experienced. Fixed Price menu suburb! Sitting at the counter being able to talk with Sushi Chef is a very educational and great part of the experience! Eager to return ASAP
4.75 stars. An edomae-style omakase that resonates
4.75 stars. An edomae-style omakase that resonates similarly to the intimate Okamase Yume in Chicago, IL, Nimblefish intermingles local seafood with excellent selections across the globe. This experience included seafood endemic to Oregon such as two dishes featuring shrimp from Coos Bay as well as an assortment of global experiences. For example, your journey may involve smoked mackerel from the waters of Norway or perhaps striped jack outside a tiny province in Japan. You'll definitely enjoy some of the best sushi rice I've ever eaten in a Stateside sushi restaurant. The rice here is sourced from a northeastern province in Japan, and it's stunningly clear that sourcing and preparation are taken very seriously at Nimblefish. I've seen a few reviews that have complained about price which is odd to me. This was one of the more reasonably priced omakase experiences I have had in the States and doubled as one that was certainly well above standard. I thought that was another reason Nimblefish is excellent. I will note, however, that drink pairings outside of sake tend to be expensive. Everyone who worked here was fantastic. Our sushi chef certainly added value to our experience as he thoroughly explained each of the dishes and even spent some time speaking about why they use different Japanese knives, how they clean certain seafood, and other interesting items that increased our relative knowledge base during our dinner. Obviously, there are plenty of wonderful options for sushi within Portland for omakase but I would note that this experience is worth your time.
It is an amazing experience when you have dinner at
It is an amazing experience when you have dinner at Nimblefish. We were one of four couples who sat at the bar to enjoy Omakase, so it was a very intimate evening. Each dish was served one by one and each party is told what we are eating as it's served to us. The attention to detail is what makes this place special. They have a special process of washing their rice and brush a homemade soy/sake mix onto most pieces of fish. Not to mention we tried fish we've never had before because of their fresh global shipments. It's very pricey to eat here but worth every dollar.
Pretty place, they import all the fish from japans fish
Pretty place, they import all the fish from japans fish markets. It's an intimate setting, there isn't a lot of space. The person who served us was friendly and knowledgeable. I still feel it was very overpriced.
At a $$$ price point for their outstanding Omakase
At a $$$ price point for their outstanding Omakase presentation, Nimblefish isn't for the faint of heart. Having said that, the experience of having such a beautifully produced and well-documented dinner was wonderful. We enjoyed the majority of the offerings and the service was excellent.
Will change the way you eat sushi forever.
The staff was charming, friendly and helpful. Had the deluxe pre-set menu, was well worth it over the other option. Had one of the most delicious gin and tonics as well with the Nikka Coffey Still Gin.
We did a la carte because the next omakase seating was
We did a la carte because the next omakase seating was about 2.5 hours later and we didn't want to wait. I left thinking maybe the omakase would have been much better. ??? I wouldn't know until I try. The various blue fin tuna sashimi and nigiri I had was good. One of my hand rolls was good but not memorable. The rest was underwhelming. It was disappointing for all the hype I've heard about this place. Their menu is strictly sushi, nigiri, hand rolls, and bowls. There is not any appetizers like salads or hot food items. We were not offered any dessert selections.
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Nimblefish, and it
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Nimblefish, and it was an absolute delight from start to finish. The 11-piece omakase experience, priced at $95 per person, was a culinary journey unlike any other. What truly sets Nimblefish apart is their dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients, with exotic fish flown in straight from Japan. From the delicate Shima Aji Ehima to the robust Buri Toyama and the smoky richness of the Smoked Saba from Norway, each bite was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality. What I appreciated most about Nimblefish was their approach to presentation. Instead of overwhelming the palate with unnecessary embellishments, they let the freshness of the fish speak for itself. The simple yet elegant presentation allowed each flavor to shine, highlighting the subtle nuances of each ingredient. From the first bite to the last, I was captivated by the purity and depth of flavors. In addition to the exceptional food, the service at Nimblefish was impeccable. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and passionate about sharing their love for Japanese cuisine. From guiding us through the menu to explaining the origins of each dish, they enhanced the overall dining experience. Overall, Nimblefish exceeded all expectations, offering a culinary experience that was both memorable and deeply satisfying. If you're looking for a Japanese restaurant that celebrates the essence of seafood with every bite, look no further than Nimblefish. It's a true gem in the culinary landscape.
This is the third time coming here, first since the
This is the third time coming here, first since the lockdown of 2020. The omakase lived up to the IG clip I watched of this place, food/experience truly delivered. I am not a sushi snob at all, so I cant comment on the different fishes or crustaceans or how they were prepared. You will have to come here yourself to experience it, if you are on the fence, trust me, come. This is a place that you will want to come 2-4 times a year.
Nimblefish is an absolutely amazing sushi experience.
Chef Keenan was outstanding. Every selection was an incredible experience. Sit back and allow the chef to bring you delicious bites of the best raw fish on the planet. Thank you Keenan and Nimblefish!!!!
I can't lie, the food and service are top notch, as our
I can't lie, the food and service are top notch, as our chef made sure of. Our real gripe was in the tiny atmosphere that allowed dudebros to dominate the experience we had. If we're trying to hold the same standard as a high end Japanese equivalent, and for the same premium, then there needs to be some additional criteria to ensure a similar result for the majority of people that can't afford to go here like it was a Chili's.
Intimate dining with the sushi chef right infront of us
Intimate dining with the sushi chef right infront of us explaining everything. The food was good but truly not worth price. Everything was heavily over powered by wasabi. It was a good experience but not worth the premium.
Especially expensive tasting menu $$$$ Especially tasty
Especially expensive tasting menu $$$$ Especially tasty tasting menu ~ generally it is expected that higher priced sushi bars have fresh fish. The fish at Nimble not only are fresh, but unique catches not readily seen anywhere else. Very limited chef's bar top seating ~ watch them prepare each serving and personally share the origin and preparation. Intimate decor & setting, almost too quiet. No lounge or bar area. Strictly for sushi lovers. A special treat for a special occasion.
Intimate dining experience and high quality fish, but I
Intimate dining experience and high quality fish, but I feel like there was not enough food for the price. I was expecting more than just 11 pieces of nigiri for $95 per person. We even paid extra for more nigiri after, so we could try fish not offered in the main tasting. The omakase itself is simple, no-frills, with a great view of the chef(s) as they prep, and good pacing.
My favorite sushi spot in Portland.
Atmosphere is awesome along with the service and, of course, the food is excellent. I see people complaining about how the fish is cut... come on, get over yourself. Already looking forward to my next reservation
Omakase sounds like oh my gosh, which reflects the reaction
Omakase sounds like oh my gosh, which reflects the reaction you will have at this wonderful establishment. Make sure you reserve a spot here because they only seat 12 people maximum. The ambiance settles you in with some chill hip hop vibes from A Tribe Called Quest to J. Cole to Jay-Z to Lupe Fiasco. It's the right kind of smooth beats to that serves as the train tracks to this ride of a meal. In this way, the omakase began with some appetizers, which were some vegetables of some sort. It was the right kind of flavor to start the journey towards the fish, which is why I came to nimblefish. The selection of fish ranges from Japan to Spain to California. All of them were different whether it was barracuda to tuna to mollusk. The variety and order in which they came was delightful and thoughtful. I also thought each nigiri provided something unique to the table. Furthermore, the chef gave you details about the preparation and origin of the fish. It was masterful. Lastly, you end with soup and dessert, which was a nice Amen to the meal. It was absolutely delightful. The only feedback that I would encourage would be a higher quality cup for both water and whiskey. It felt a little flimsy, so I was careful to not squeeze to hard for fear of breaking the cup. This is very minor and preferential, so it did not impact the grading of this review. If you have some extra cash and availability, this is a place to check out.
Amazing sushi in an omakase bar only setting, after
Amazing sushi in an omakase bar only setting, after finishing you can order more individual pieces
Left here STARVING after spending $200 lol.
Went down the street to Canard and spent another $100 to get full
Food here is really fresh and delicious, I have no
Food here is really fresh and delicious, I have no complaint there. My main complaint is portion size. The nigiri pieces are half the size of normal restaurants (even expensive ones) with a corresponding rationed piece of fish. We spent close to $300 here for two people+omakase+several extra nigiri and we were both still hungry afterwards.I'd recommend going to other omakase/kaiseki places. I can't say I recommend Nimblefish, unless you have a small appetite.
Others have left reviews saying the food here wasn't great.
I'd say I've certainly had worse food for twice as much money with worse service. Not everything we had was spectacular, but 80% of it was, and the tamago and salmon were insanely good. One of the two owners was our chef and host, and was super nice and friendly, and answered any questions we had. I wouldn't hesitate to come back again next time I'm in town and and am thankful I got to experience this restaurant and it's staff and food.
Went here for the omakase recently for an anniversary.
While the reviews here are mostly positive, they don't do this place enough justice. Good service is rare in Portland and this was perfect, a friendly and helpful chef who took great care in explaining each item and it's sourced location and preparation, an excellent server and a very intimate setting to have omakase. The food was a vast variety of fresh fish presented with care and with the perfect accompaniments. Not too much or too little wasabi, not too much soy, even the seared pieces were elegantly done. The miso is the best I've had, the rice was perfectly seasoned and the sorbet is among the best I've ever had. Some standouts were the scallop, the seared bonito, and the rainbow trout. Just really quite elegant over all. The price is quite reasonable for what you get, we ordered a few nigiri off the menu after the omekase and came away full and pleasantly surprised. 100% recommended.
First time here a few days ago and we left wishing we never
First time here a few days ago and we left wishing we never came. Let's get down to some basics. Service- it was fine. Not the best not the worst. Food- it was fresh, yes. But I would have loved to see more variety as already mentioned in other posts. There was a lot of mackerel.. and then there was more mackerel... and more ..... it was never ending mackerel.. just worded differently. A couple things that bothered us during our visit. We have tried many omakases and this was the first experience we had with only 2 chefs and over 4 different reservations. Meaning? Other groups were in different stages of the omakase, some ordered additional pieces and some were just in other courses compared to us and we felt like the priority was mostly put on the ones that kept wanting to order more rather than people like us who came to experience the omakase but had to wait 15-20 min in between each miniature course because another group wanted to add something. The nigiri was also just so absurdly tiny. The rice was barely there and the fish was cut so thin I could hardly taste it. I'm over $200 out and starving and kind of annoyed to be honest. Lastly, the cuts of fish were also uneven which means the "sushi chefs" do not have the proper training to be serving at an omakase specialty restaurant.
I honestly can't understand how anyone could rate this
I honestly can't understand how anyone could rate this place anything fewer than 5 stars. The best, freshest, most interesting fish I've ever had. You get 11 pieces of nigiri, plus a small appetizer, and then miso soup and a small dessert. That seems worth it for $85, if you ask me. The chef was awesome and explained everything to us. It was a very lovely evening and I have nothing but glowing things to say about it. If you love sushi and live in Portland, you have to come here at least once in your life.
It makes sense that Nimblefish is rated very high: fresh
It makes sense that Nimblefish is rated very high: fresh fish (from Japan, Spain, Alaska and local), a good progression of Edomae style sushi is presented with the right proportion of fish over rice, with a detailed explanation of where the fish came from. I loved the fresh fish and that is one of the reasons why you want to come here. Two major issues: 1) The rice. It was dry and because it came from the same pot, that aspect permeated the experience. 2) Some fish were sliced at an irregular angle (see photos) ---indicative of an untrained chef, specifically not a Japan trained chef. There were a few plates that were extraordinarily fresh and good, the temperature correct and the knowledge of the chef about the fish first rate. The tamago was good if a bit much sweeter than expected. All in all it was a good omakase experience for very fresh fish. Finally a miso soup was served followed by a ginger and lemon sherbet capped the omakase and of I went into a Portland foggy evening sated and thinking of my next meal here. End of Yelp.
Nimblefish is by far the best sushi experience in Portland
Nimblefish is by far the best sushi experience in Portland and should be your goto place for an amazing sushi experience. The sushi is extremely fresh and the selection of fish chosen by the chef is never a disappointment. Always seems to be something new and delicious. Omakase style really makes it simple. Just sit back and enjoy! And the service is top notch! Special shout out to Zack! I needed to make a last minute change to my reservation and he more than exceeded my expectations!
Super affordable omakase in the heart of Portland.
And the fish quality is top notch!!! The interesting thing here is, as others have noted, your omakase starts at the time of your arrival, so it's staggered between parties. There were 2 chefs working when I visited.Out of my omakase menu, my favorites were the shima aji and niji masu. Of course, that otoro was soft and buttery, but it did have a little bit of sinew that gave it some texture.At the end, I ordered meichidai (a white fish from Mie Prefecture) and tamago. I always gotta end an omakase menu with tamago, and here it's no joke! It's a huuuge and I mean huge piece of tamago wrapped with a thin nori piece on top of shari. It's definitely a treat - got that fluffieness and right amount of sweet. The miechidai was super delicious as well! If I had more room in my tummy, I would've also liked to try the tako, or raw octopus. I was super satisfied and happy by the end of my meal. I loved watching our chef prepare the sushi right in front of me! As others have noted, many of the pieces are pre-cut before customers' arrival. However, I arrived a tad early and was able to see the preparation work!
Delicious omakase and an intimate, no-frills place.
It was a super relaxing dinner. Best sushi I have had in a long time.
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