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Umi Japanese Restaurant Reviews List
Umi Japanese Restaurant
Umi's dining room transforms the top floor of a Shadyside Victorian row house into a delightful Japanese garden. Authentic tatami seating, a large sushi bar, and a delicate waterfall create a transcendentally peaceful dining experience.
Umi offers an evening of unparalleled dining, featuring New York style sushi and Japanese cuisine and meticulous preparation. At center stage is our awe-inspiring omakase: a multi-course adventurous meal prepared by Mr. Shu, winner of Pittsburgh Magazine’s Chef of the Year.
In addition to world-class sushi, Mr. Shu and his staff also prepare a wide selection of dinner entrées including teriyakis and tempuras. A wide variety of cocktails, sakes and wines is available to complement your experience.
See more Umi Japanese Restaurant details
Umi offers an evening of unparalleled dining, featuring New York style sushi and Japanese cuisine and meticulous preparation. At center stage is our awe-inspiring omakase: a multi-course adventurous meal prepared by Mr. Shu, winner of Pittsburgh Magazine’s Chef of the Year.
In addition to world-class sushi, Mr. Shu and his staff also prepare a wide selection of dinner entrées including teriyakis and tempuras. A wide variety of cocktails, sakes and wines is available to complement your experience.
44 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Rating Breakdown 44 reviews
5 stars
(33)
4 stars
(7)
3 stars
(2)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(30)
- special occasion(28)
- neighborhood gem(21)
- romantic(16)
- hot spot(8)
- notable wine list(4)
Umi Japanese Restaurant Reviews List
Review 1 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fabulous sushi
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food at Umi is the best in Pittsburgh. And by far the best of the Big Burrito group!"
Dined on 6/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 2 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Outstanding
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Umi never disappoints. Outstanding as always. The staff makes the experience even better."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly
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Review 3 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Get to Know Mr. Shu
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The 7 course tasting was a good representation of the fare Umi has to offer. Probably one of the tastiest and lightest tasting menus until you consider dessert. Deliciously made from scratch, each dessert is easily split between two people. Sharing the blame is a wise decision considering the confections were impossible to stop eating until the plate was clean.
The fish was delicately prepared and the presentation of made in house yuzu, ponzu, and soy sauces were impressive. On the pricey side, but worth every penny. Also the cocktails were well mixed and the waiter was diligent in describing each one.
I will definitely be sitting at the sushi bar more often and can't wait to see what other amazing things the chef prepares."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Overall review of 11-course dinner
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I took my husband to Umi (his first time) for his 50th birthday. Initial service was very slow. We ordered the eleven course dinner @ $130 pp. Although the food was good (not excellent), the portions were so small that we needed to order a salad and a dinner. With sake and the two additions to our 11 course dinner our final bill was $354 for TWO people! All but two plates in the 11 course dinner were 3 slivers of sushi (not normal size sushi but as thinly cut as possible) on each plate. Nine plates of this and two exceptionally fantastic plates that were larger (appetizer) portions. Our additional dinner consisted of a "dinner portion" of one of the two larger "appetizer" plates."
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 5 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Favorite Restaurant in Pittsburgh
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I've been to Asian, I've lived in Chicago and San Diego and I have to say this is some of the best sushi I've ever had. It's my new favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. They were small portions, but it didn't matter because everything we ate was DELICIOUS."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 6 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing as usual.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Whenever I'm in Pittsburgh, I go to Umi if nowhere else. It is hands down the best sushi I've ever had. It might be the best in the country. The quality of the fish combined with the added flavors of the preparation is unbelievable. The service is amazing. The ambience is sophisticated but relaxing."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 7 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
WOW - Great Sushi!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fantastic sushi and our server was wonderful. She gave us great suggestions and was very attentive. Cannot wait to go back. Sushi was so fresh and delicious."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
excellent dining experience
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Umi was fantastic. The food is high quality and the service was excellent. We went for a birthday celebration and it was well worth it."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 9 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Way too expensive for average
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Way too expensive for average Japanese food. I've been there several times now. Each time I have the chef's choice....hoping that it will surprise me. Every time I am disappointed with mediocre food. This last time they served lobster tempura that was cold. Portions are tiny. Service is fantastic though. Kudos to the servers. They are outstanding."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2011
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 10 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
World Class Sushi
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My wife and I love sushi and have traveled the world enjoying it in New York, Chicago, LA, Hawaii, and Japan. This sushi ranks with the best."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent fresh sushi. Definitely
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent fresh sushi. Definitely recommend the sawara nigiri. Delicious! Expensive but worthwhile on a special occasion."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 12 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food is consistently excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food is consistently excellent - the best meal to be had in Pittsburgh. Mr. Shu's artful presentation iand conviviality at the Sushi bar are surpassed only by his melding of flavors!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 13 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Had the seven course Omakase
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had the seven course Omakase it was really good would definitely get it again. Larry our server was very helpful and friendly. Can't wait to go back. Best Sushi in Pittsburgh."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 14 for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My girlfriend and I went to
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My girlfriend and I went to Umi for Valentine's Day and it could not have been better. We got the full Omakase and each course was more tremendous than the previous. The subtle sauces for each of the sashimi courses were sublime. The sushi course was a bit of a letdown, but I think we were just wearing down from all of the previous courses that day. the service was impeccable. I have to also comment on the fact that despite the fact that the Omakase is essentially a tasting menu, the chef was receptive to dietary restrictions and modified the dishes as needed, which we really appreciated. This restaurant is good for special occasions, as it is easy to run up quite a tab, but it is definitely worth it!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Umi Japanese Restaurant
Based on the average of (30) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
8 out of 8 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate