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Yama Reviews List
Yama
Nestled in the Vail Village, this sophisticated sushi and Japenese restaurant offers an intimate and fun dining experience. With a menu that focuses on fresh fish and a variety of specialty cocktails, this surprisingly chic restaurant fulfills the needs of the health conscious and fun-seeking individuals, and fits right into Vail’s exceptional nightlife.
Yama's Japanese-born chef Ted Minami's traditional approach to the artistry of Japanese cuisine expertly compliments wild child, chef Chris Aycock's innovative techniques. This unique blend satisfies the most discriminating palate and is sure to delight, and is further expressed by the smart ambiance and crimson lit dining room. While patrons dine to the sounds of acid jazz, glances of the Rocky Mountains and conversations about the day's snow adventures can be a perfect reminder of the fact that they are dining in one of the most picturesque ski town's in the world.
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Yama's Japanese-born chef Ted Minami's traditional approach to the artistry of Japanese cuisine expertly compliments wild child, chef Chris Aycock's innovative techniques. This unique blend satisfies the most discriminating palate and is sure to delight, and is further expressed by the smart ambiance and crimson lit dining room. While patrons dine to the sounds of acid jazz, glances of the Rocky Mountains and conversations about the day's snow adventures can be a perfect reminder of the fact that they are dining in one of the most picturesque ski town's in the world.
55 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Rating Breakdown 55 reviews
5 stars
(33)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(1)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(33)
- hot spot(20)
- neighborhood gem(17)
- special occasion(13)
- romantic(7)
- vibrant bar scene(7)
Yama Reviews List
Review 1 for Yama
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We made a reservation late
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We made a reservation late and they were able to accomodate, give good service, and food was great!"
Dined on 04/07/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Brilliant!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Amazing, they are brilliant pairing sauces and textures with their sushi rolls and specials. My all time favorite sushi place now....even better than Matsu."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Yama
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
the food was really good!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"the food was really good! we all love it ! The place is really small so you should make a reservation and sometimes the service is a little bit slow but is worth it when the food arrive."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 4 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A brilliant meal all wonderfully
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A brilliant meal all wonderfully prepared and served. The Volume rose to an extreme din in peak hours. Hire an acoustician. But you cant beat Yama for inventive dishes and top quality ingredients. Perhaps seated at the sushi bar as I was two years ago, wouldve been better."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Compares highly to west coast.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Sushi was excellent! Dishes were very creative and flavorful. Ambiance and decor wer "modern" but very comfortable. Worries of authenticity were dispelled with Uni and fresh shiso on the plate. Service was excellent. Our server delivered our orders in a staggered fashion that kept the table clear and with something new being delivered as soon as the previous plates were cleared. I make my own sushi at home, ordering from a highly regarded supplier in San Diego, and I believe this is as fresh. Comparing Yama to all other sushi restaurants I have visited, (many) they rank in the top 5%."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 6 for Yama
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A must in Vail
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Newly opened, great service, very good Japanese food. We had sashimi, dumplings, spicy tuna rolls and 2 other rolls., cannot remember the name.
Waitress was very helpful in choosing our dishes. It is very small place, rather crowded. Ask for window table and go early or late. Otherwise you might be sitting by the washrooms. They are very accommodating.
Overall, great experience, highly recommended. Very pricey."
Waitress was very helpful in choosing our dishes. It is very small place, rather crowded. Ask for window table and go early or late. Otherwise you might be sitting by the washrooms. They are very accommodating.
Overall, great experience, highly recommended. Very pricey."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Not to miss if in Vail
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We were a party of 8 and we had such a great experience...awesome sushi and awesome service."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
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Review 8 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food and service were outstanding.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food and service were outstanding. Love the feel of this place and would recommend to anyone looking for a good meal. I would rank this up there with top sushi restaurants in NY or SF. Awesome!!!!"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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Review 9 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Everything was great! We will
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Everything was great! We will be back"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 10 for Yama
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Sushi with a Nightclub vibe.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Surprizingly inventive and wonderfully fresh. The dark interior gives it a nightclub vibe."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2001
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 11 for Yama
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service and quality of sushi
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service and quality of sushi were excellent!! They are very very nice, it's small and comfortable and the sushi is delicious and super fresh."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My husband and I enjoyed an
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband and I enjoyed an early dinner here on President's Day weekend - a very busy time in Vail.
We spoke with the bar manager about a white wine to accompany our dinner; he suggested two or three choices at various price points and described each one. Based on our choice, I would say that his description was spot on.
We started with the fried Japanese peppers; very interesting and delicious. We continued with a salad (featuring cucumbers), a sashimi dish (yellowtail). Finally, we had the boom boom and yen yen rolls; both were very good, but we gave the edge to the yen yen.
I highly recommend this restaurant. The service is great, the food is great and it's a relaxing atmosphere."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 13 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Awesome sushi. Nobu without
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Awesome sushi. Nobu without the pretension nor price tag."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 14 for Yama
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
2/2012 - Had a wonderful dinner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"2/2012 - Had a wonderful dinner in this small upscale restaurant. A nice intimate dinner with good atmosphere and ability to have a conversation.
2013 - Returned anticipating the same experience. Had a completely different experience - the food was as good as before, but the atmosphere was intolerable and service barely adequate. We arrived at 7:55 for 8:00 reservations. and were told that our table was still occupied with "no idea" how long it would be. There was another open table and a different wait person seated us at that table within 5 minutes. The restaurant was so noisy we could barely hear each other despite sitting at a small table for two."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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Review 15 for Yama
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Would not recommend
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Sushi was small and bad quality. Restaurant was totally empty even though open table showed them as full. Waitresses and chefs could be seen eating food at the bar and constantly coming in and out of the restaurant. For what we paid, there are definitely some much better restaurants in Vail."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2010
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Review 16 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I love Yama! The bartender,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I love Yama! The bartender, Chris, makes the most fantastic drinks, you must try his Giddy Geisha's. Sit at the sushi bar for a casual night or grab a time for a more intimate time with friends. The servers are always a delight and can help assist you in your sushi dishes. Not so into sushi? Try the waygu beef steak. Delicious! Now make a reservation with the hostess, Max. Enjoy!"
Dined on 01/28/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 17 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent food! I have spent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent food! I have spent years in Japan and travel there often...the experience at Yama Sushi is always a treat!"
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 18 for Yama
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This was some of the most
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was some of the most delicious and innovative sushi I have ever had. Also the priciest. But great for a special occasion. The sushi chefs were so creative, and I loved everything I ate."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Yama
Based on the average of (37) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic