Great, quick service for a late lunch. Staff was very friendly! However I got the ramen soup and thought it was very bland which is why I took off a star.
(4)
Kartik P.
Before you read the review, I would like to tell that its for the non-sushi stuff. I dint go here to eat Sushi, like the rest of others have. So, we went in for lunch and ordered the bento box. It was crappyyy! It was just plain old crap for 10.95. Meso soup I preferred instead of salad and it wasnt that tasty. I could have may be had a little vinegar water! So the bento box had four compartments and one had 3 dumplings, plain white rice, 5 pieces of sushi and deep fried shrimp and potato may be! Out of these four things the deep friend stuff and rice was crap! What am I supposed to have plain old white rice with? Soy sauce? really? the dumplings were ok and sushi was ok too. I may be had lost interest in food by the time I had tasted other stuff... total disappointment for the price.
(1)
Leo F.
We came here for a late lunch at the hibachi grill. It was pretty good and as the first hibachi restaurant that I've visited in the continental US, this will be the standard from I will judge future hibachi grills. We ordered 2 Hibachi Lunch Combinations, a Salmon / NY Steak and a Scallop / NY Steak. It was a treat to watch the cook bring out the raw ingredients. The raw NY steak looked quite good as it was bright red and marbled while the scallops were huge. As expected with a hibachi cook, he put on a little show. I thought there was a bit too much teriyaki sauce on the salmon but the other sauces with diced ginger were quite good.
(5)
David C.
Sushi was pretty decent. I thought the hibachi was kinda nashtie though. I literally couldn't eat the rice it was so salty, and they couldn't have cared less. Too bad, lesson learned
(2)
C N.
I went back last night for Hibachi and the food was very good. They chef was entertaining but did not ask my wife if she wanted the Saki stream from the bottle. They gave you the choice of fried rice or noodles at no additional cost. Prices are average with other Hibachi restaurants and it was very clean. I would good again.
(4)
Katrina T.
Really awesome food, attentive staff, and if you order a noodle place, you will most likely have to take some home. Good portions and nice atmosphere.
(5)
Mike G.
Awesome sushi! Hibachi is excellent but hard to get a table. Parking is always available. Next to a Starbucks which is a plus! The drinks are out of this world! Just check this place out and make a reservation for hibachi. If I could walk in and get a hibachi table, I would give this 5 stars. ALSO!....try the tofu! Amazing!
(4)
Chilly P.
If I'm craving sushi - I usually go to New Tokyo in Methuen. But I come to Thyme when I want to switch it up. Their food is decent. The decor is really nice but I feel the tables are too close to each other. I feel like I'm sitting on someone else's date at times. One day, they had a weird duo playing live music which didn't fit the Japanese theme of the restaurant. Not my first pick for sushi but they aight.
(3)
Steve M.
Was a very busy New Year's Day evening. The place was packed. We had two seats at the bar. Service was a little slow at first but they were packed, still doesn't take much to greet two newcomers to the bar. Seemed like 10 minutes before we were greeted. Sushi was super fresh and would go again.
(4)
Elle K.
Came here for lunch. The bento box is a really good deal, everything in the box was delicious. Like that there are many options to customize your box. Wish they had free refills on their soda because I drink a lot.
(4)
Julie R.
We have been been here many times and have never had a bad experience. This time we started off with 3 appetizers: Seaweed Salad, Edamame and Steamed Shumai. We were also given 2 salads and 2 miso soups wtih the order of Udon. They all were delicious. For entrees we ordered the tuna special which came with 5pcs tuna sashimi, 3pcs tuna sushi and 1 tuna roll we also ordered 2 specialty rolls and the shrimp udon noodles: all the fish was fresh and melted in our mouths. Overall the there was friendly service great food and good prices.
(4)
BetterHalf A.
Great staff and great food with the modern decor! I have been coming to thyme almost two years and recognize the dynamic menu items! The owner is always friendly and always care what you are having to make sure all is fine....just to share my 2 cents.
(5)
Mark A.
SKIP THIS PLACE. Got take-out here, only to get back to work and realize they gave us BAD, rotting chicken. I called the restaurant and the woman said I'd need to drive all the way back to bring back the food. After DRIVING back 20 minutes, she confirmed the chicken was bad and refunded my money. I'm not sure why she couldn't of just done that over the phone since I had to waste my entire lunch break AND gas because THEY served me rotting food. Horrible, just horrible. Never again Thyme.
(1)
Beej D.
I entered Thyme with high hopes. Close to home and highly reviewed, what's not to like, right? Well, two things. First, the sushi and sashimi are just not very good. From composition to actual construction of the rolls, if you know your sushi, this is going to feel like a poor suburban version. Second, we entered at 9pm, they close at 10pm, and we were reminded to order quickly twice within five minutes of entering. Not until a larger table entered at 9:40p did the service become relaxed. If you want cocktails or tempura (or perhaps hibachi, which we did not try), this is the place for you. Pleasant atmosphere and good location. Just get there well before 9pm and don't go for the sashimi or sushi rolls; you will likely be disappointed if you have any experience with either.
(2)
Cathleen A.
Another delicious meal at Thyme last night. Enjoyed the hibachi grill -- scallops and steak. The staff is always welcoming and so helpful, especially Jenny and Harry. The "Incredible" sushi roll is also a favorite.
(5)
Kika S.
Best sushi in town! Friendly service too, clean & fancy environment .. What more do you want!
(5)
Dana S.
We were lucky to get a hibachi table for just the two of us. We used a restaurant.com $15 coupon. Best hibachi mail ever. The food was fresh and yummy. I got steak and salmon and BF got chicken and shrimp. Since it was just the two of us, the chef actually combined both our meals so we each got a part of everything. The show was fun the sake poured expertly into my bf mouth. Can't say enough it was nice romantic and flavorful. We will be back
(5)
Ashleigh H.
Came in valentines day for a party of 6. We called an hour ahead and made reservations though due to the storm it was not busy at all. My 2 girlfriends and I arrived before the boys, and we're not greeted or offered water or a drink by anyone. The waiter eventually came over and brought us our drinks but the service was still very slow. Once we got our meal we were never checked on until he brought us the bill. My water was never refilled, and I thought the sushi was not very good either. Normally I love the sushi here but this time I was not impressed, leaving most on my plate. Coming from a restaurant worker myself, I think the service needs help here. It was not busy at all and we barely saw our server, for a party of 6 that's out of the ordinary.
(2)
Christina K.
This is for the sushi and habachi. I was here for a birthday party, and half of us got sushi and the other half had habachi. Our entire group took up nearly a whole habachi table, both sides. When I first came in, I thought the place was a little dark, but they want a classy bar-like, club-like, feel? At least that's what I got when I walked through the door. There were mixed reviews about the drinks in our group. The drinks are quite strong which in some cases was great! In other cases, you couldn't "taste" a drink. So it's personal preference on what you like, an extremely strong drink or something light and fruity. Sapporo was the fan favorite with sake for sake bombs! I personally ordered the sashimi appetizer and Ikura as I wasn't in the mood for habachi. The sashimi were quite large slices and very good. The Ikura was pretty much overflowing from the roll. For me alone, I was full from this. Normally the sashimi appetizer is supposed to have 5 pieces of chef's choice, but I received 7. The rolls that my friends got were huge! They were jam-packed with fishy goodies and wasn't a huge roll of rice either. Now, off to the habachi. The show wasn't thrilling or as interactive as other places I've been to. Grantly, I'll give the benefit of the doubt as it was a late Thursday night, and we were the only large group there. The food was only ok among my friends. There wasn't anything that was like wow, this was really great. Some of the meats were slightly overcooked. So would I come back? I'd totally come back for the sushi and sashimi hands down. The habachi, maybe if it was a busier night I'd come back for entertainment.
(3)
Pearl O.
This is for the sushi bar experiences I have had. I have been back at least four times since my last review. I have always dined at the sushi bar and have not yet tried their hibachi. I brought my 18 year-old daughter who has started to love to eat sushi about three years ago. She loves Thyme too and her boyfriend came along last time with us! We ordered the three-person sushi boat and had a blast. The sushi is truly well made, the ingredients the freshest and and the texture of the rice is cooked just right, not too hard, not to mushy! You can ask for brown rice instead too with no extra charge! My daughter and I now have a date to eat there at least twice a month together! Thank you very much, Thyme. Keep up the great work!!
(5)
Travis L.
32 reviews before me can't be wrong I guess. I didn't even check yelp before eating here. Food was great, , drinks were great, layout is a little funky, but neat, and the place was clean. I had the sushi and the future wife had the chicken teriyaki...the teriyaki was served on a sizzling pan that made some heads turn throughout the restaurant. Great experience despite a minor language barrier where I had to explain in explicit detail that if I had shellfish, I would die...but, I will definitely return.
(4)
Danielle L.
I LOVE Thyme! No other sushi compares. Their rolls are pretty big, and delicious. I usually order the spicy salmon and sweet potato, and if I have room, tempura ice cream. Not only is their sushi great, but as is their prices and the restaurant's atmosphere. I love coming here on weekend nights with my girlfriends and enjoying their live bands, as well as just for lunch. Drinks are great too! The service is fast and attentive.
(5)
Galahad L.
This is another Chinese foray into making money on Americans who don't know the difference between one sushi restaurant or the next. Though they may try, the owners have not captured the essence and culinary art of sushi. The fish is good quality, the menu has some good Japanese food selections, but sorry, if you want authentic Japanese sushi, you cannot use anything but Japanese SHORT GRAINED RICE. Chinese long grain rice just doesn't cut it. Nice ambiance, pleasant service, but sorry, Thyme just doesn't cut the wasabi. Here are the 5 elements of good sushi from a true expert, (my wife is Japanese, her uncle was a fish monger in Tokyo for 40 years) 1. The fish must be so fresh you can barely smell it. (if it has a strong fishy smell, it's not fresh). 2. The rice must either be imported from Japan or must be Japanese rice from California. Sorry, long grain rice any other country just doesn't cut it and usually falls apart. 3. The sushi chef must either be a Japanese person or have studied under a Japanese sushi chef. (If you need to ask me why this is true, then you already disqualify yourself from being any kind of judge of good sushi). The Japanese culture is by nature hell bent on attention to minutiae and detail. After all, why do they make such great cars? 4. You cannot judge good sushi by eating ROLLS. Though they are delicious, true sushi does not include California and any other kind of "Rolls" including, "Boston," "Philadelphia," "Spider." These are actually American inventions that have been exported to Japan and sometimes use heavy spices to disguise older less fresh fish. 5. If you need to DROWN your sushi in soy sauce, you don't really like sushi, you like SALT! The soy sauce is meant to AUGEMENT the fish's flavor, not overpower it. Sorry, I used to do the same thing until a master sushi chef and friend taught me how to to truly appreciate it.
(1)
Steve B.
Thyme is an awesome spot I frequent for lunch conveniently located near my office. Great subtle modern vibe, great standard and special sushi and other items too. The maki lunch special is a great value for really good sushi: $9 for 2 rolls or $12 for 3 rolls plus miso soup. The $10.95 mix and match bento box special is great too. High value Japanese food.
(5)
HighStandard S.
Hamachi-kama, uni, whole grilled squid, and monkfish liver in North Andover? Are you kidding me!?! This is a Japanese restaurant run by Chinese people who really get it. The quality is high, the service is excellent, the atmosphere is comfortable and casually upscale. The sushi rice has a snappy vinegar taste, they have some original rolls as well as old stand-bys, a la carte sushi is generously portioned and costs $1 per piece for most items between 2:30-4:30. In addition to sushi, there is the whole habachi scene in the back, and plenty of other items on the menu for those who like their fish cooked or prefer meat. The good: I tried red sox roll, kimono roll, cold tofu, grilled squid, monkfish liver, mackerel, unagi, and uni. All of it good. The bad: The two dishes I didn't like were the seafood pancake----nothing like what you are expecting from a Korean restaurant, too greasy and too little seafood for my taste--- and the hamachi kama, which came back to haunt me in the way that some fish oil capsules do. Suggestions to the owners: More sushi rolls made without rice, please! The kimono roll is really good! Better chopsticks, please: the ones I got were so thick that the ends couldn't meet, making it difficult to eat, which was annoying.
(4)
K G.
Thyme does many things well. The Hibachi is excellent here and the chefs I saw all were more talented than average with the "show". The food was fresh and very tasty. The place is new and clean including the bathrooms, having a very contemporary feel. It is a little more expensive than average as well, but I feel like it was worth it. The service was very quick and very attentive with refills and checking in. Plan on $15-20 person depending on your beverages.
(4)
Sarah K.
What a great find and amazing restaurant! I was pleased to find such a nice ambiance yet with a fun casual vibe here in Andover. This is my second night (in a row) that I've come to eat dinner here. How sweet that 3 of the servers and the sushi chef recognized me from the night before and even knew what I ordered!!! I am impressed with the quality of sushi and how thick the pieces of fresh fish were on my rolls!! Pink lady is simple but perfectly made and it left me wanting more! Couldn't be happier I found my new go to sushi spot every time I travel to Andover!!
(5)
Sue K.
My husband and I shared the Love Boat for Two, which comes with a big bowl of miso soup, and a smaller bowl of fresh, though uninspired, salad (a few pieces of iceberg lettuce, one slice of cucumber each, and one slice of tomato for him, none for me). The sushi, on the other hand, was brilliant! Five pieces of sushi, each with a different garnish on top, 14 pieces of sashimi - including super fresh, buttery, thick-cut salmon, tuna, and yellowtail, plus an Eel Jumbo Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and a Rainbow Roll. Simply divine! For dessert we shared a serving of tempura green tea ice cream - not something I would especially recommend; the tempura was soggy and not especially flavorful, and the ice cream seemed a bit frostbitten. The service was extremely friendly and pleasant, but not especially good - the waitress pretty openly tried to upsell us, our water was never refilled, and I had to flag her over to request more tea. One last grumble: bad choice of music. Something even vaguely Asian would have greatly enhanced the ambiance of this restaurant. So, in summary, I'd say: Soup/salad: B+, Sushi: A+, Dessert: B, Service: A-, Value: A.
(4)
Cate A.
We are never disappointed whenever we eat at Thyme or get take out! The sushi is fabulous and the hibachi is just the best! I would recommend Thyme any day of the week!
(5)
Chris C.
Their sushi is fairly good, but nothing special. I ordered 2 special rolls and actually didn't receive one of the two rolls I ordered, instead, I received a different roll that luckily was good. The wait staff never really checked on us regarding drink refills or how our food was. Their mixed drinks are okay, but a little light on the booze. Normally, I would give a 2 out of 5, but this place is new, but I feel it has potential since they're new. I might give it a second chance, but there's no rush.
(3)
Heather R.
Pretty good place The sushi we ordered was done well and hibachi had good execution. I think it was a bit salty but that is how it goes with hibachi. Staff was very attentive and our hibachi chef did a great show Ask for the Sake Martini. It was well executed
(4)
Andrew S.
Thyme has become my favorite sushi place in the greater Boston area. I have eaten there 2 or 3 times and done take-out several times as well. Friendly staff and delicious fresh fish (and killer drinks!). Sushi portions are on the larger side for their house special sushi selections. Decor is modern and clean. They have hibachi grill cooking in the back seating area however I have not tried that yet. One reviewer said that they got food poisoning here? I find that unlikely. This place is spotlessly clean and based on the sushi that I have had there, these sushi chefs know what they are doing!!! Check it out. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Loleata W.
My husband and I ate there once. The hot tea tasted like peanut oil. The sushi was lukewarm. We both got food poisoning. Will not go back.
(1)
Tony C.
This is a no-frills place with friendly staff.highly recommendation for every body!!
(5)
Steve K.
Probably really a 3.5 stars. Disclaimer, we did not order sushi so this review won't help if that what's you are looking for. We had a couple of apps (Sui Mai and Chicken Yakatori). - the Yakatori was very good, the Sui Mai was good but nothing special. My wife had teriyaki and I had a hot pot. The teriyaki came with Miso soup both were good but unspectacular. The hot pot with Udon was molten hot, so it took some time to be able to eat it. Again good but not anything special. Both came with a side salad with some mystery dressing poured all over it - again just OK. Service was fast, attentive and polite - but we were kind of early on a Friday night (6 ish) and the place filled up very fast after we arrived. They had hibachi tables in the back and a sushi counter - so if we go back, we will explore a bit more.
(4)
Jennifer D.
I'm going to keep this review brief, because I go to a lot of sushi restaurants, and have reviewed a few now. This place is solid, went here with a friend two weeks ago and had good service, and bomb sushi. The atmosphere is nice and inviting. The fish is very fresh, they have a pretty good selection for regular food items as well as sushi. They also have some good fusion rolls. They sub out white for brown rice, and the rice is prepared well. They also have the whole hibachi area, for people who are into that and want to eat and have a fun experience. (not my bag) The service is just so-so, our server wasn't particularly friendly, but was not unpleasant either. While they don't have booths, they offer some more "intimate" looking tables against the left wall with low lighting, so that makes up for it. I like booths because I feel it lends a more intimate dining experience, esp. if you are out on a date, with family/friends, doesn't matter. I mention this often in my reviews as well. I wasn't expecting a lot from this place initially, it is located in a plaza with Burton's grill (reviewed them as well), but I was impressed. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Changun S.
+: large portions, fresh, good price, friendly staff -: none
(4)
Nick S.
Went here for lunch last week and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The ambiance inside was a bit dark for 11:45AM, but that didn't detract much. I got the lunch bento box (salad, rice, gyoza (2), spicy tuna roll (6) and chicken terriyaki) and it was a great deal for $10.95. The ginger dressing on the salad was tasty, the gyoza was good and the spicy tuna was fresh. The chicken was just ok, but for lunch it was perfect. Quick, pleasant service with delicious food in a strip mall in North Andover; I'll be back!
(4)
kim k.
My husband and I had lunch here last week. We each got our own sashimi appetizer for $8 and it included 2 pieces of tuna, 2 pieces of salmon, 3 pieces of yellowtail, and 3 pieces of whitefish. The quality of the fish was very good, especially the salmon. It was perfectly buttery and delicious. We were going to get three rolls so the server recommended that we go for the maki lunch special (2 rolls and miso soup or salad for $9). We ordered the Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll and the Shrimp and Asparagus Roll. In addition we ordered some sort of lobster roll but there must have been confusion because we never got it. That was okay though because we had enough food. The miso soup was thick and yummy. I don't often order cooked maki but the Shrimp and Asparagus Roll was nice and crisp. The only disappointment was the Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll because there was absolutely no crunch to it at all. It was more like a "Soggy" Spicy Tuna Roll. We completed the meal with dessert. This place has a larger dessert menu than most Japanese restaurants. My coconut fried ice cream had the crunch I was looking for. It was one of the best I've had. We also got something else that had a coffee cream with chocolate on the bottom. My husband loved it but I found it overly sweet and it was still kind of frozen in the middle which I don't think it was supposed to be. The service could have been a little better. We came on the tail end of lunch so it wasn't very crowded. Our server was watching the television by the bar instead of paying enough attention to the customers but she was pleasant. I would recommend this place and look forward to trying more items from the menu. Lunch prices are very reasonable.
(4)
Joe C.
We had 6 hibachi dinners and were very happy. The food was excellent, the service was excellent and the show was very good. The have an oyster/sushi bar, a regular bar, the hibachij room and the regular dining room. It was fairly crowded and everyone seemed happy. We will be back soon.
(5)
Michael A.
Service is prompt and friendly, the ambience is tasteful, the drinks are good, the fish is fresh and tasty, and the hibachi is delicious. We've become regulars.
(4)
Brooke R.
I really like the food here. I had the lunch chicken hibachi and it was delicious! The dish came with two sauces which complimented the chicken and veggies perfectly. However, I was not pleased with dessert. I had the tiramisu, and it was clear that they did not make it in the kitchen. You could taste how frozen it was. I was postive they bought from the freezer section and stuck it on the plate. aside from dessert i had a pleasant experience and I am going back soon.
(4)
Katniss S.
I have been to Thyme four or five times over the past year. I have had their miso soup, many kinds of sushi, both tofu and salmon teriyaki, pad thai, and tempura. The food ranges from "ok" to "good". Nothing special, nothing terrible. If you have a groupon it's not a bad deal. Atmosphere is nice and I've never had to wait for a table. However, I doubt I will return even tho it is just a few miles from my home. The service is atrocious; really bad! Last time I had to wait 15 minutes for a menu and longer for my check, while my waiter stood nearby feeding the fish in the fishtank and picking his nails. On one visit my soup was forgotten until I mentioned it when the entree arrived. On another ocassion my friend had to wait a long time just to get utensils, while her food sat getting cold in front of her. The poor service negates the rest of the experience.
(2)
Someone F.
Great sushi for suburb. Best in the area. Have not tried hibachi but sushi is fresh and reasonably priced. Service is good. One of our favorites and definitely a go-to place for us. Way better than Moontone in Andover or Blue Fin in Middleton.
(4)
Derek C.
Went on Friday around 3. Pretty low key. I ordered a tuna roll and a California roll. My friend and I shared a scorpion bowl. The bowl was delicious! Not too strong or weak. The sushi was incredible and the waitress was polite and attentive. Decor was simple and seating was ample. Lot parking. Definitely going to be going back.
(5)
Cang T.
We came here with a group of 10 for a birthday celebration. This place had very nice decor and a welcoming setting. We got the private room, which was very nice and kind of allowed us more privacy from whatever else was happening at the restaurant. We all admired the light fixture initially. We ordered several orders of sushi and sashimi and when the plates came, the pieces disappeared just as fast. The sushi was delicious. Everything was so tender and flavorful. The rice was soft and not hard. We would definitely go back for the sushi here! We also ordered some dishes from the menu that were not sushi or hibachi. The portions were small for the price. We got fried ice cream for the birthday celebration and it was delicious. I think they put coconut into their fried ice cream. It definitely hits the spot for dessert. We were happy with our first visit here and have found a sweet sushi spot close by!
(4)
Muthu A.
Like it. I did a take out and the quality was good.
(4)
Julia R.
Thyme is easily one of my favorite places for sushi and Japanese food. Besides their amazing food, the restaurant itself is extremely clean and the staff is super friendly. The only downside is that they don't deliver.
(4)
Robbie O.
Best sushi we've had in the area. Very fresh and lots of variety. Only complaint is that the sushi rolls are too big for a single bite, which can make things a little messy.
(5)
Mike E.
Cool little spot, nice ambiance, and kick butt sushi. What more can you ask for, the space is sleek and sophisticated, but yet casual and inviting. The front room consists of a bistro style lay out with tables and a vibrant bar. In the back room you'll find shrimp popping off the hibachi grilles. Service is very attentive and on the ball. Very nice addition to the area. A must try!
(5)
Gina N.
Excellent drinks, food and service- will be back!
(5)
Eiball I.
Still 5 stars, we like this place more (if that's possible) every time we go and true to the manager's word, the menu has been corrected. Tried something new last night and brought friends who were also very pleased. The scallops and red snapper were delicious.
(5)
Daniel L.
A lil dissappointed with the habachi, I've called like a week earlier and asked about the thymes for 2 habachi meal for 48 dollars. They described it with two lobster tails, filet, shrimps, and scallops, but when we had it the chef brought out only one tail. I was a little bit surprised but didn't say anything because I think it is over priced, but don't want to look cheap. The only thing extra was we can have 2 rice, 2 noodles, or one of each. I actually worked for a habachi restaurant before and checked with their price. Confirming I can travel a little bit to my old work place and can have the same meal for 38 dollars only, plus the side of rice for 3 dollar, which adds up to o ly $41. Thymes is over priced, and I'm a big lobster fan but I don't think they use freshly defrosted lobster tail. It came out all mushy as if they microwaved to defrost it, and came out tasteless, and bland. Maybe that's why we were the only habachi customer all night. Service was great, the waitress constantly came back to check on us although she was busy with her other tables in the sushi lounge. If u say Thymes for habachi? I would say some other time. I can have a burrito next door at chipotle and be guaranteed it's gonna come out the way I expect it to be. If I pay 60-70 dollars I can go to Burton grill, which is a perfect on every cut. Sorry Thymes, I won't do habachi from you you no more so 2 stars for now, maybe I'll give you more after I try your sushi. But before I go back I'll need to get that mushy lobster tail experience out of my head first!!
(2)
Michelle F.
Had a great meal in the Hibachi Room last weekend. Best fried rice I've ever had. The food was outstanding and the drinks were strong. Would definitely go again. Even my non-Japanese-liking boyfriend loved the food.
(5)
Mark E.
Sat down for a great sashimi lunch today. The quality of the fish is by far the best in the area and it is easy to taste the difference between sashimi prepared at Thyme and that prepared at other restaurants. There is Cobia on the sushi menu. Definitely worth a try. It is a mild white fish with a firm texture. My visit to Thyme today was not my first and more visits will follow. The five star rating is well deserved by this restaurant and covers at least a half dozen visits over a few months time.
(5)
Jennifer F.
Groupon offered is a JOKE. The last time I got one they changed the rules AFTER purchased. When it expired you are suppose to be able to use the money you paid at the location, they did not honor it. As for the food it is ok, overpriced a bit, but the chefs are good with the kids. HOWEVER, they usually only have ONE chef at Hibachi for FOUR hibachi tables and we ended up waiting about 45 mnutes for the chef to come to our table. This restaurant is poorly run. I will never use GROUPON for them again and quite frankly, not go back...Can go to Andover for better quality and better run hibachi
(1)
John T.
Just updating two years later. Probably been here about 30 times now. The employees are a lot of fun when you go for a cocktail or two. Cold sake is awesome. The volcano roll is really good. It's a work of art and taste like an Asian jalapeño popper. The dancing eel roll is highly recommended as well. Haven't done hibachi in a while, and still need to get the love boat for 4... So I'll update in another year or two.
(5)
Richard R.
Had a good meal today during our first visit. Enjoyed the Celtics roll, filet and shrimp main course. Only issue was our server may have bad day before coming to work today. Nevertheless the food was really good.
(4)
Kelsey C.
We ordered their sushi entree combos b&d and the white tuna jalapeño roll. 5:00 on a sat and ordered online, food was ready in 15-20 min like promised. Everything was good and fresh! The shrimp tempura was my favorite, crispy even when at home, 2 large pieces of crispy shrimp! The Cali roll was watery but that was the only one of 7that was- maybe they soak the avocado in water to keep from turning brown, it was the only roll that had avocado. The other rolls that had shrimp and ebi were very light on the meat but were very fresh and full of veg (lettuce and cucumber) that I didn't mind. Next time I would skip ordering the entree combos and just order the rolls I like since I didn't even eat the miso soup (too full) and didn't need the salad (very yummy though- great dressing) will definitely order again!
(4)
A V.
fresh fish!!!
(4)
Nikolas P.
Great food fun and value. The hibachi is amazing and fresh, kids loved it. Friendly staff. Hot sake for the win The desert menu did not impress but the fried green tea ice cream is a staple and favorite. Next time, sushi bar.
(4)
Janine P.
Thyme is great. Their food is very good, especially their miso soup and hibachi options. Their service is good and we have never had a problem with seating. I love their bento boxes and lunch options - I often order online and take it back to my office to eat. They have specials all the time, so you can always try something new. Definitely check it out!
(5)
Michael L.
Lovely sushi, and fun hibachi... Lobster Tail was great, but shrimp given with hibachi even better... The Volcano Roll was awesome (Tuna cream cheese, Jalapano deep fried with spicy crabmeat on top), while the Lobster Roll was okay (Fried lobster with cheese topped w. salmon, tuna, mango and avocado)
(4)
Barb M.
Excellent service and great sushi. The salmon melted in our mouths and the tuna was almost as good. The toro was okay. Next time we'll order more of the salmon. Interesting setup in the restaurant. There is a sushi bar, regular tables, a regular bar, and a hibachi room. Overall it's pretty small, but it didn't feel cramped.
(4)
Rick T.
Last night was our 2nd visit. We had a few mixed drinks and spicy tuna sushi at the bar awaiting friends to arrive. Great atmosphere and a perfect date environment. When everyone showed up, we had the hibachi dinner. Our chef was talented and funny. Shots of Saki in squeeze bottles got shot at all by the chef. When had fried rice, veggies, filet mignon with lobster tails. Very delicious. I can highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Matt S.
I came here with a group and found hair in my food. I said I would like another meal and the manager said that the FDA allows a certain percentage of hair in there food that they buy from outside vendors. She said she would bring me another meal and took mine into the kitchen. When she came out with another version of the dish I ordered about 10 minutes later I discovered more hair in the food. I really think she didn't make me another meal... She just reheated my dish and fished out some of the hair but now all. Long story short, very disappointed and would not recommend to anyone!
(1)
Fonda C.
Horrible service! The waitress gets to be re-trained to improve her service. I had lunch with a group of friends last week and the waitress was rude when taking orders. Later she accidently flipped my cup of hot tea all over me when placing the food on the table. Disappointely, the manager and the waitress both just handed me a stack of napkins but they both offered no apology. I was just in the state of shock when the accident occurred. Thanks to all my friends, they all made sure that I was ok and they did not have to call 911 for me. The two stars is for the "Bento box" because couple of my friends like it and they thought the price was excellent. However, I agree with one of the viewers, the rice was awful - dried and yellowish. Perhaps, you got what you paid. Anyway, I will not visit this restaurant again.
(2)
Gary B.
I can't help but respond to Matt S. review of the hair he found in his food last night. This is totally untrue. I was here last night so I can honestly say there was no hair found in the food that they ordered. The real issue was with the Groupon that they had purchased. It had absolutely nothing to do with their food or the service. I can say that everytime that I've been to Thyme the food has been great & service has been outstanding. It's too bad that some disgruntled customers have to lie about their dining experience.
(5)
HyunJoo K.
Can't say there is a better Japanese restaurant in the area in regards to food quality, service, and variety. I waited a while to finally write my review for this place. The hubby and I have been here plenty of times now, and that's because their service, food, ambiance, company, etc. We usually sit at the sushi bar to watch the very skilled and crafty sushi chefs :) And we love having conversation with them. From conversation, you can appreciate the time and care they put into their food. Fresh sushi fish selected from the fishermen and prepared daily for some great sushi rolls! Love the lava roll and anything else with a spicy flair to it. Another favorite here is the nabeyaki udon ... which comes presented nicely in a clay pottery bowl. Always filled with plenty of chicken, fish cakes, shitaki mushrooms, shrimp tempura on the side, etc. The mix of all the ingredients is delicious, and I never leave any behind, even though it's a good size entree :) There are a lot of other faves like the beef tataki, tonkatsu, etc. What I also really like about their food .. it's not greasy and heavy. I never like going home and getting food coma, which I do not get from their food ... great quality food! Oh, one more dish to mention, but forgot the exact name to it ... duck special dish lol or something. It was Delicious!!!!! very thin duck medallions with a sauce drizzled over and scallions etc. MmmmMM They also serve ... but mostly geared towards kids (.... I'm a kid still :) ) Japanese strawberry soda (it's not super sugary). I have missed out on this all my life, and tada here it is! The ambiance there is great for a nice dinner out with someone special, or to get together with a bunch of friends and want to have good food and chat, or can get together for a more exciting energetic experience at the hibachi tables which I have not tried yet here; you always hear the crowds with laughter and noise. They do have a side room, almost like a function room I guess, that is really nice. We used the room not too long ago for my mother's birthday celebration and sister's engagement party. It was nice to be the usual rambunctious family without having to worry about people around us who want a quiet romantic dinner or just a quiet dinner. They also have a bar bar for liquor and has a more smooth modern feel to it. Not a sports bar set up :) I haven't sat there yet too Then there is the regular seating (not hibachi or bar or private room) which is nicely set up. There are booth seats against the wall, which is where I would prefer to sit if I did not sit at the sushi bar. This place sure gets busy, and we don't usually have immediate option to sit in the non-bar areas. But, my hubby and I prefer to sit at the bar generally for quicker seating/serving :) Plus it's always entertaining with the others around. The employees here are all so nice and friendly and really want you to enjoy the food and experience; not to mention, they are all very dedicated workers from what I have seen! I think a dinner date with the hubby is needed very soon! I'm craving their food!
(5)
heart l.
Top notch!! Best sushi in the area! Service is always polite and outstanding! Don't worry about other negative reviews. Check the place out yourselves and you'll be glad you did! Hands down
(5)
Aeneas D.
The Chinese chef trained as a sushi chef in Japan and it shows with well balanced portions and taste combinations at great value. Waiting staff are also friendly. The Teppan yaki at Tokyo in North Reading might more flavorful but theirs is still good and they make it more fun.
(5)
Emily C.
Wow! LOVE the sushi here. It's great. They have a really good variety. It's also very nice and clean and had a great atmosphere for my night out.
(5)
paul c.
Overall very good. Service is consistent & food is good. We go here a lot. Sushi is also fresh.
(4)
Ash H.
Although it was exactly one year ago since this happened, I had sushi here and the next morning woke up beyond ill. Turns out I ended up having salmonella AND a bacteria infection. I have not returned since but unfortunately, my step sisters friend went there within the last 2-3 weeks and got extremely sick as well. Not only is this disgusting information about our health a turn off from Thyme-but after our waitress came to our table under 4 times, and she then proceeded to chase us out of the place asking for a larger tip. I will never return to Thyme and I do not recommend it...especially the sushi!!!!
(1)
Arlene G.
I love it here! Best Sushi around! The staff is very kind and it's an overall great environment
(5)
Kib L.
You walk in asking, "Where are the hibachi grills?". You are taken to the back of the restaurant and voila... Hibachi! This place is definitely happening. Don't be fooled by the strip mall it's located in. It is clean and the food is fresh. Our chef wasn't that entertaining and clearly just wanted to cook everything on the grill and go about his day, however everything was delicious.
(4)
Terese S.
Great Sushi that always tastes fresh. Very clean and great service! New favorite sushi restaurant close by.
(4)
Danielle C.
My bf and I love this place. The sushi is fantastic and they always have sushi specials that never disappoint. I always get an order of pork dumplings which are delicious and very inexpensive. The noodles pots are excellent! The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable, answering all questions. Tip: There's always gc's on restaurant.com :)
(4)
Eddie M.
Ordered takeout sushi for the first time last night. Ordered a Lobster Roll, a Spicy Tuna Roll, and an Eel Roll. To be honest, if I had my eyes closed, I couldn't tell them apart. First problem was grabbing them with chop sticks. Each one would squish together, then fall apart. The consistency was the same when eating, squishy and bland. Very disappointing, we were hoping to find a great sushi place locally. We WILL try their dishes soon, bad sushi experience doesn't kill it for us. The place was very nice inside and they were very friendly.
(2)
Anne W.
I'll be honest.. I wasn't expecting much of this place but I was just looking for something in the area where I work.. that wasn't too pricey. I am really more used to city sushi.. with the city price tag. Usually, I don't find very good sushi in the suburbs.. and don't hear about it either. I am pretty critical about sushi. So.. given that, I want to add that the rating for this place is reflective of what I think of a sushi restaurant in the suburbs. If it was in the city, it'd get three stars. First off.. It's in a strip mall so there definitely is no issue parking. So although it's not the best I have ever had.. and I am certain it is run by Chinese (there is music playing overhead which clearly indicates this).. good deals. So we shared the two rolls for $9 (yes.. what a steal) and the sushi and sashimi lunch for $15 (this was impressive considering the quantity). So.. their salmon and tuna slices are pretty thick and fresh. Their other fishes.. are not as thick or big.. or as tasty. The California roll was actually okay... it was more of the avocado, cucumber, etc. and less of the rice. They did roll in fish eggs.. nice presentation. Next time.. I'll ask to see if they'll swap for a real roll for some more money. The two rolls for $9 was pretty good.. we got spicy tuna and eel. Both good.. I believe it was 8 pieces but it could be 6. I'll definitely go again if I am looking for sushi in the area... Btw.. looks very trendy inside so it's a nice place to take somebody. And seriously not expensive so you're not breaking the bank. Oh.. but if you end up going there and the person you're with doesn't like it.. there is a Chipotle next door.
(4)
Peter G.
I love this place. I have been looking for a good Japanese restaurant in the north shore since I moved here 2 years ago and have been generally disappointed. When what _was_ a sweet shop got turned over to a sushi and hibachi place, I was cautiously optimistic. Now, many, many visits later, I can't be happier. The sushi is fresh and well prepared. Their house rolls are typical American-influenced fare that you find in New England (most are fried), but the Volcano roll is very unique and a delicious dish to share. The grilled food is light and tasty, and is a nice change from most of what you find at local Japanese restaurants. The decor is pleasant (casual, but modern and tidy), the staff is friendly, and they even have TVs if you want to catch a game with dinner. As an Asian food junkie, I'm very happy I finally have a local place to pop into.
(5)
Rolly P.
For a Japanese restaurant in North Andover, it's fine. The spicy seafood salad was the oddest seafood salad that I've ever had. It was buried in this flakey stuff that totally smothered the dish.
(3)
Michelle B.
So so hibachi. Is it my imagination or are Japanese steak house portions getting smaller and smaller? White rice was an additional charge and not included. Service was very good and decor lovely.
(3)
Anna V.
Thanks to a Groupon deal my boyfriend and I visited here for Hibachi for two and two appetizers as well! I LOVED the interior and ambiance of this place compared to other Japanese food places in the area. I also was pleased to see the hibachi area separate from the typical dining area, another place I have visited before had the hibachi entertainment smack dab in the middle of the regular dinning area. I truly love how they separated each section of the restaurant. You'll see the bar, regular dinning, sushi area, and hibachi in the back. The food was wonderful, the sashimi I had before the entree was WONDERFUL as well. The waiter was slightly snappy, but to be fair she was bombarded with a lot of questions by me and other people sitting at the table, so I attributed that to be nothing more of a quick response :) I would come here again in a heart beat, and you should try their drinks as well .. very very tasty ;)
(4)
Mike R.
We went last night and we had a great time. The service was great. We originally had a reservation for 8. 3 people canceled last minute and another couple was a half hour late for reservation and they still held the hibachi grill for us. While we were waiting we ordered an avocado roll and spicy crab roll. Both were very good, and I typically don't enjoy sushi. The Mai Tia drinks were very good, and unlike most hibachi places I have been to the waiter was attentive and constantly checking on us. The cook was amazing. He may not have been as flashy as some other places but he still put on a great show. And the food was amazing. Definitely will be going back.
(5)
Ali C V.
It was funny watching the hosts run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Maybe it was the stress of an already full house but I felt like telling them to relax, we were the only people in line. TERRIBLE service. My surly little waitress was hardly a pleasure when she deigned to come around. The food was okay. Not the best in MA but maybe the best in the area?! Whoever rolled the sushi needs more practice. My Spider Roll started falling apart the moment I picked it up to dip it and the extra moisture made it a precarious bit to get to my lips. A good place to go if you're not starving or in a huge hurry. I'd categorize this place a bar with a Japanese food menu. A good place for the locals to go fancy themselves cosmopolitan for a while. Reasonable prices. Decor: this place has no idea what it wants to be but it's clean. Free parking.
(3)
T R.
Great staff, nice atmosphere, and great prices! I'm happy there's another sushi joint around besides the only Andover one I know of? I can only comment on the few sushi rolls I had tonight, along with dessert. The philly, spicy tuna, and jumbo rainbow roll were fresh and tasty. The tempura cheesecake was excellent! Perfect price! If I had to make any suggestion at all it would be to update their choice in music. Will definitely be back for some more tempura cheesecake! YUM!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Bekah B.
Great, quick service for a late lunch. Staff was very friendly! However I got the ramen soup and thought it was very bland which is why I took off a star.
(4)Kartik P.
Before you read the review, I would like to tell that its for the non-sushi stuff. I dint go here to eat Sushi, like the rest of others have. So, we went in for lunch and ordered the bento box. It was crappyyy! It was just plain old crap for 10.95. Meso soup I preferred instead of salad and it wasnt that tasty. I could have may be had a little vinegar water! So the bento box had four compartments and one had 3 dumplings, plain white rice, 5 pieces of sushi and deep fried shrimp and potato may be! Out of these four things the deep friend stuff and rice was crap! What am I supposed to have plain old white rice with? Soy sauce? really? the dumplings were ok and sushi was ok too. I may be had lost interest in food by the time I had tasted other stuff... total disappointment for the price.
(1)Leo F.
We came here for a late lunch at the hibachi grill. It was pretty good and as the first hibachi restaurant that I've visited in the continental US, this will be the standard from I will judge future hibachi grills. We ordered 2 Hibachi Lunch Combinations, a Salmon / NY Steak and a Scallop / NY Steak. It was a treat to watch the cook bring out the raw ingredients. The raw NY steak looked quite good as it was bright red and marbled while the scallops were huge. As expected with a hibachi cook, he put on a little show. I thought there was a bit too much teriyaki sauce on the salmon but the other sauces with diced ginger were quite good.
(5)David C.
Sushi was pretty decent. I thought the hibachi was kinda nashtie though. I literally couldn't eat the rice it was so salty, and they couldn't have cared less. Too bad, lesson learned
(2)C N.
I went back last night for Hibachi and the food was very good. They chef was entertaining but did not ask my wife if she wanted the Saki stream from the bottle. They gave you the choice of fried rice or noodles at no additional cost. Prices are average with other Hibachi restaurants and it was very clean. I would good again.
(4)Katrina T.
Really awesome food, attentive staff, and if you order a noodle place, you will most likely have to take some home. Good portions and nice atmosphere.
(5)Mike G.
Awesome sushi! Hibachi is excellent but hard to get a table. Parking is always available. Next to a Starbucks which is a plus! The drinks are out of this world! Just check this place out and make a reservation for hibachi. If I could walk in and get a hibachi table, I would give this 5 stars. ALSO!....try the tofu! Amazing!
(4)Chilly P.
If I'm craving sushi - I usually go to New Tokyo in Methuen. But I come to Thyme when I want to switch it up. Their food is decent. The decor is really nice but I feel the tables are too close to each other. I feel like I'm sitting on someone else's date at times. One day, they had a weird duo playing live music which didn't fit the Japanese theme of the restaurant. Not my first pick for sushi but they aight.
(3)Steve M.
Was a very busy New Year's Day evening. The place was packed. We had two seats at the bar. Service was a little slow at first but they were packed, still doesn't take much to greet two newcomers to the bar. Seemed like 10 minutes before we were greeted. Sushi was super fresh and would go again.
(4)Elle K.
Came here for lunch. The bento box is a really good deal, everything in the box was delicious. Like that there are many options to customize your box. Wish they had free refills on their soda because I drink a lot.
(4)Julie R.
We have been been here many times and have never had a bad experience. This time we started off with 3 appetizers: Seaweed Salad, Edamame and Steamed Shumai. We were also given 2 salads and 2 miso soups wtih the order of Udon. They all were delicious. For entrees we ordered the tuna special which came with 5pcs tuna sashimi, 3pcs tuna sushi and 1 tuna roll we also ordered 2 specialty rolls and the shrimp udon noodles: all the fish was fresh and melted in our mouths. Overall the there was friendly service great food and good prices.
(4)BetterHalf A.
Great staff and great food with the modern decor! I have been coming to thyme almost two years and recognize the dynamic menu items! The owner is always friendly and always care what you are having to make sure all is fine....just to share my 2 cents.
(5)Mark A.
SKIP THIS PLACE. Got take-out here, only to get back to work and realize they gave us BAD, rotting chicken. I called the restaurant and the woman said I'd need to drive all the way back to bring back the food. After DRIVING back 20 minutes, she confirmed the chicken was bad and refunded my money. I'm not sure why she couldn't of just done that over the phone since I had to waste my entire lunch break AND gas because THEY served me rotting food. Horrible, just horrible. Never again Thyme.
(1)Beej D.
I entered Thyme with high hopes. Close to home and highly reviewed, what's not to like, right? Well, two things. First, the sushi and sashimi are just not very good. From composition to actual construction of the rolls, if you know your sushi, this is going to feel like a poor suburban version. Second, we entered at 9pm, they close at 10pm, and we were reminded to order quickly twice within five minutes of entering. Not until a larger table entered at 9:40p did the service become relaxed. If you want cocktails or tempura (or perhaps hibachi, which we did not try), this is the place for you. Pleasant atmosphere and good location. Just get there well before 9pm and don't go for the sashimi or sushi rolls; you will likely be disappointed if you have any experience with either.
(2)Cathleen A.
Another delicious meal at Thyme last night. Enjoyed the hibachi grill -- scallops and steak. The staff is always welcoming and so helpful, especially Jenny and Harry. The "Incredible" sushi roll is also a favorite.
(5)Kika S.
Best sushi in town! Friendly service too, clean & fancy environment .. What more do you want!
(5)Dana S.
We were lucky to get a hibachi table for just the two of us. We used a restaurant.com $15 coupon. Best hibachi mail ever. The food was fresh and yummy. I got steak and salmon and BF got chicken and shrimp. Since it was just the two of us, the chef actually combined both our meals so we each got a part of everything. The show was fun the sake poured expertly into my bf mouth. Can't say enough it was nice romantic and flavorful. We will be back
(5)Ashleigh H.
Came in valentines day for a party of 6. We called an hour ahead and made reservations though due to the storm it was not busy at all. My 2 girlfriends and I arrived before the boys, and we're not greeted or offered water or a drink by anyone. The waiter eventually came over and brought us our drinks but the service was still very slow. Once we got our meal we were never checked on until he brought us the bill. My water was never refilled, and I thought the sushi was not very good either. Normally I love the sushi here but this time I was not impressed, leaving most on my plate. Coming from a restaurant worker myself, I think the service needs help here. It was not busy at all and we barely saw our server, for a party of 6 that's out of the ordinary.
(2)Christina K.
This is for the sushi and habachi. I was here for a birthday party, and half of us got sushi and the other half had habachi. Our entire group took up nearly a whole habachi table, both sides. When I first came in, I thought the place was a little dark, but they want a classy bar-like, club-like, feel? At least that's what I got when I walked through the door. There were mixed reviews about the drinks in our group. The drinks are quite strong which in some cases was great! In other cases, you couldn't "taste" a drink. So it's personal preference on what you like, an extremely strong drink or something light and fruity. Sapporo was the fan favorite with sake for sake bombs! I personally ordered the sashimi appetizer and Ikura as I wasn't in the mood for habachi. The sashimi were quite large slices and very good. The Ikura was pretty much overflowing from the roll. For me alone, I was full from this. Normally the sashimi appetizer is supposed to have 5 pieces of chef's choice, but I received 7. The rolls that my friends got were huge! They were jam-packed with fishy goodies and wasn't a huge roll of rice either. Now, off to the habachi. The show wasn't thrilling or as interactive as other places I've been to. Grantly, I'll give the benefit of the doubt as it was a late Thursday night, and we were the only large group there. The food was only ok among my friends. There wasn't anything that was like wow, this was really great. Some of the meats were slightly overcooked. So would I come back? I'd totally come back for the sushi and sashimi hands down. The habachi, maybe if it was a busier night I'd come back for entertainment.
(3)Pearl O.
This is for the sushi bar experiences I have had. I have been back at least four times since my last review. I have always dined at the sushi bar and have not yet tried their hibachi. I brought my 18 year-old daughter who has started to love to eat sushi about three years ago. She loves Thyme too and her boyfriend came along last time with us! We ordered the three-person sushi boat and had a blast. The sushi is truly well made, the ingredients the freshest and and the texture of the rice is cooked just right, not too hard, not to mushy! You can ask for brown rice instead too with no extra charge! My daughter and I now have a date to eat there at least twice a month together! Thank you very much, Thyme. Keep up the great work!!
(5)Travis L.
32 reviews before me can't be wrong I guess. I didn't even check yelp before eating here. Food was great, , drinks were great, layout is a little funky, but neat, and the place was clean. I had the sushi and the future wife had the chicken teriyaki...the teriyaki was served on a sizzling pan that made some heads turn throughout the restaurant. Great experience despite a minor language barrier where I had to explain in explicit detail that if I had shellfish, I would die...but, I will definitely return.
(4)Danielle L.
I LOVE Thyme! No other sushi compares. Their rolls are pretty big, and delicious. I usually order the spicy salmon and sweet potato, and if I have room, tempura ice cream. Not only is their sushi great, but as is their prices and the restaurant's atmosphere. I love coming here on weekend nights with my girlfriends and enjoying their live bands, as well as just for lunch. Drinks are great too! The service is fast and attentive.
(5)Galahad L.
This is another Chinese foray into making money on Americans who don't know the difference between one sushi restaurant or the next. Though they may try, the owners have not captured the essence and culinary art of sushi. The fish is good quality, the menu has some good Japanese food selections, but sorry, if you want authentic Japanese sushi, you cannot use anything but Japanese SHORT GRAINED RICE. Chinese long grain rice just doesn't cut it. Nice ambiance, pleasant service, but sorry, Thyme just doesn't cut the wasabi. Here are the 5 elements of good sushi from a true expert, (my wife is Japanese, her uncle was a fish monger in Tokyo for 40 years) 1. The fish must be so fresh you can barely smell it. (if it has a strong fishy smell, it's not fresh). 2. The rice must either be imported from Japan or must be Japanese rice from California. Sorry, long grain rice any other country just doesn't cut it and usually falls apart. 3. The sushi chef must either be a Japanese person or have studied under a Japanese sushi chef. (If you need to ask me why this is true, then you already disqualify yourself from being any kind of judge of good sushi). The Japanese culture is by nature hell bent on attention to minutiae and detail. After all, why do they make such great cars? 4. You cannot judge good sushi by eating ROLLS. Though they are delicious, true sushi does not include California and any other kind of "Rolls" including, "Boston," "Philadelphia," "Spider." These are actually American inventions that have been exported to Japan and sometimes use heavy spices to disguise older less fresh fish. 5. If you need to DROWN your sushi in soy sauce, you don't really like sushi, you like SALT! The soy sauce is meant to AUGEMENT the fish's flavor, not overpower it. Sorry, I used to do the same thing until a master sushi chef and friend taught me how to to truly appreciate it.
(1)Steve B.
Thyme is an awesome spot I frequent for lunch conveniently located near my office. Great subtle modern vibe, great standard and special sushi and other items too. The maki lunch special is a great value for really good sushi: $9 for 2 rolls or $12 for 3 rolls plus miso soup. The $10.95 mix and match bento box special is great too. High value Japanese food.
(5)HighStandard S.
Hamachi-kama, uni, whole grilled squid, and monkfish liver in North Andover? Are you kidding me!?! This is a Japanese restaurant run by Chinese people who really get it. The quality is high, the service is excellent, the atmosphere is comfortable and casually upscale. The sushi rice has a snappy vinegar taste, they have some original rolls as well as old stand-bys, a la carte sushi is generously portioned and costs $1 per piece for most items between 2:30-4:30. In addition to sushi, there is the whole habachi scene in the back, and plenty of other items on the menu for those who like their fish cooked or prefer meat. The good: I tried red sox roll, kimono roll, cold tofu, grilled squid, monkfish liver, mackerel, unagi, and uni. All of it good. The bad: The two dishes I didn't like were the seafood pancake----nothing like what you are expecting from a Korean restaurant, too greasy and too little seafood for my taste--- and the hamachi kama, which came back to haunt me in the way that some fish oil capsules do. Suggestions to the owners: More sushi rolls made without rice, please! The kimono roll is really good! Better chopsticks, please: the ones I got were so thick that the ends couldn't meet, making it difficult to eat, which was annoying.
(4)K G.
Thyme does many things well. The Hibachi is excellent here and the chefs I saw all were more talented than average with the "show". The food was fresh and very tasty. The place is new and clean including the bathrooms, having a very contemporary feel. It is a little more expensive than average as well, but I feel like it was worth it. The service was very quick and very attentive with refills and checking in. Plan on $15-20 person depending on your beverages.
(4)Sarah K.
What a great find and amazing restaurant! I was pleased to find such a nice ambiance yet with a fun casual vibe here in Andover. This is my second night (in a row) that I've come to eat dinner here. How sweet that 3 of the servers and the sushi chef recognized me from the night before and even knew what I ordered!!! I am impressed with the quality of sushi and how thick the pieces of fresh fish were on my rolls!! Pink lady is simple but perfectly made and it left me wanting more! Couldn't be happier I found my new go to sushi spot every time I travel to Andover!!
(5)Sue K.
My husband and I shared the Love Boat for Two, which comes with a big bowl of miso soup, and a smaller bowl of fresh, though uninspired, salad (a few pieces of iceberg lettuce, one slice of cucumber each, and one slice of tomato for him, none for me). The sushi, on the other hand, was brilliant! Five pieces of sushi, each with a different garnish on top, 14 pieces of sashimi - including super fresh, buttery, thick-cut salmon, tuna, and yellowtail, plus an Eel Jumbo Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and a Rainbow Roll. Simply divine! For dessert we shared a serving of tempura green tea ice cream - not something I would especially recommend; the tempura was soggy and not especially flavorful, and the ice cream seemed a bit frostbitten. The service was extremely friendly and pleasant, but not especially good - the waitress pretty openly tried to upsell us, our water was never refilled, and I had to flag her over to request more tea. One last grumble: bad choice of music. Something even vaguely Asian would have greatly enhanced the ambiance of this restaurant. So, in summary, I'd say: Soup/salad: B+, Sushi: A+, Dessert: B, Service: A-, Value: A.
(4)Cate A.
We are never disappointed whenever we eat at Thyme or get take out! The sushi is fabulous and the hibachi is just the best! I would recommend Thyme any day of the week!
(5)Chris C.
Their sushi is fairly good, but nothing special. I ordered 2 special rolls and actually didn't receive one of the two rolls I ordered, instead, I received a different roll that luckily was good. The wait staff never really checked on us regarding drink refills or how our food was. Their mixed drinks are okay, but a little light on the booze. Normally, I would give a 2 out of 5, but this place is new, but I feel it has potential since they're new. I might give it a second chance, but there's no rush.
(3)Heather R.
Pretty good place The sushi we ordered was done well and hibachi had good execution. I think it was a bit salty but that is how it goes with hibachi. Staff was very attentive and our hibachi chef did a great show Ask for the Sake Martini. It was well executed
(4)Andrew S.
Thyme has become my favorite sushi place in the greater Boston area. I have eaten there 2 or 3 times and done take-out several times as well. Friendly staff and delicious fresh fish (and killer drinks!). Sushi portions are on the larger side for their house special sushi selections. Decor is modern and clean. They have hibachi grill cooking in the back seating area however I have not tried that yet. One reviewer said that they got food poisoning here? I find that unlikely. This place is spotlessly clean and based on the sushi that I have had there, these sushi chefs know what they are doing!!! Check it out. You won't be sorry.
(5)Loleata W.
My husband and I ate there once. The hot tea tasted like peanut oil. The sushi was lukewarm. We both got food poisoning. Will not go back.
(1)Tony C.
This is a no-frills place with friendly staff.highly recommendation for every body!!
(5)Steve K.
Probably really a 3.5 stars. Disclaimer, we did not order sushi so this review won't help if that what's you are looking for. We had a couple of apps (Sui Mai and Chicken Yakatori). - the Yakatori was very good, the Sui Mai was good but nothing special. My wife had teriyaki and I had a hot pot. The teriyaki came with Miso soup both were good but unspectacular. The hot pot with Udon was molten hot, so it took some time to be able to eat it. Again good but not anything special. Both came with a side salad with some mystery dressing poured all over it - again just OK. Service was fast, attentive and polite - but we were kind of early on a Friday night (6 ish) and the place filled up very fast after we arrived. They had hibachi tables in the back and a sushi counter - so if we go back, we will explore a bit more.
(4)Jennifer D.
I'm going to keep this review brief, because I go to a lot of sushi restaurants, and have reviewed a few now. This place is solid, went here with a friend two weeks ago and had good service, and bomb sushi. The atmosphere is nice and inviting. The fish is very fresh, they have a pretty good selection for regular food items as well as sushi. They also have some good fusion rolls. They sub out white for brown rice, and the rice is prepared well. They also have the whole hibachi area, for people who are into that and want to eat and have a fun experience. (not my bag) The service is just so-so, our server wasn't particularly friendly, but was not unpleasant either. While they don't have booths, they offer some more "intimate" looking tables against the left wall with low lighting, so that makes up for it. I like booths because I feel it lends a more intimate dining experience, esp. if you are out on a date, with family/friends, doesn't matter. I mention this often in my reviews as well. I wasn't expecting a lot from this place initially, it is located in a plaza with Burton's grill (reviewed them as well), but I was impressed. Would definitely go again.
(4)Changun S.
+: large portions, fresh, good price, friendly staff -: none
(4)Nick S.
Went here for lunch last week and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The ambiance inside was a bit dark for 11:45AM, but that didn't detract much. I got the lunch bento box (salad, rice, gyoza (2), spicy tuna roll (6) and chicken terriyaki) and it was a great deal for $10.95. The ginger dressing on the salad was tasty, the gyoza was good and the spicy tuna was fresh. The chicken was just ok, but for lunch it was perfect. Quick, pleasant service with delicious food in a strip mall in North Andover; I'll be back!
(4)kim k.
My husband and I had lunch here last week. We each got our own sashimi appetizer for $8 and it included 2 pieces of tuna, 2 pieces of salmon, 3 pieces of yellowtail, and 3 pieces of whitefish. The quality of the fish was very good, especially the salmon. It was perfectly buttery and delicious. We were going to get three rolls so the server recommended that we go for the maki lunch special (2 rolls and miso soup or salad for $9). We ordered the Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll and the Shrimp and Asparagus Roll. In addition we ordered some sort of lobster roll but there must have been confusion because we never got it. That was okay though because we had enough food. The miso soup was thick and yummy. I don't often order cooked maki but the Shrimp and Asparagus Roll was nice and crisp. The only disappointment was the Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll because there was absolutely no crunch to it at all. It was more like a "Soggy" Spicy Tuna Roll. We completed the meal with dessert. This place has a larger dessert menu than most Japanese restaurants. My coconut fried ice cream had the crunch I was looking for. It was one of the best I've had. We also got something else that had a coffee cream with chocolate on the bottom. My husband loved it but I found it overly sweet and it was still kind of frozen in the middle which I don't think it was supposed to be. The service could have been a little better. We came on the tail end of lunch so it wasn't very crowded. Our server was watching the television by the bar instead of paying enough attention to the customers but she was pleasant. I would recommend this place and look forward to trying more items from the menu. Lunch prices are very reasonable.
(4)Joe C.
We had 6 hibachi dinners and were very happy. The food was excellent, the service was excellent and the show was very good. The have an oyster/sushi bar, a regular bar, the hibachij room and the regular dining room. It was fairly crowded and everyone seemed happy. We will be back soon.
(5)Michael A.
Service is prompt and friendly, the ambience is tasteful, the drinks are good, the fish is fresh and tasty, and the hibachi is delicious. We've become regulars.
(4)Brooke R.
I really like the food here. I had the lunch chicken hibachi and it was delicious! The dish came with two sauces which complimented the chicken and veggies perfectly. However, I was not pleased with dessert. I had the tiramisu, and it was clear that they did not make it in the kitchen. You could taste how frozen it was. I was postive they bought from the freezer section and stuck it on the plate. aside from dessert i had a pleasant experience and I am going back soon.
(4)Katniss S.
I have been to Thyme four or five times over the past year. I have had their miso soup, many kinds of sushi, both tofu and salmon teriyaki, pad thai, and tempura. The food ranges from "ok" to "good". Nothing special, nothing terrible. If you have a groupon it's not a bad deal. Atmosphere is nice and I've never had to wait for a table. However, I doubt I will return even tho it is just a few miles from my home. The service is atrocious; really bad! Last time I had to wait 15 minutes for a menu and longer for my check, while my waiter stood nearby feeding the fish in the fishtank and picking his nails. On one visit my soup was forgotten until I mentioned it when the entree arrived. On another ocassion my friend had to wait a long time just to get utensils, while her food sat getting cold in front of her. The poor service negates the rest of the experience.
(2)Someone F.
Great sushi for suburb. Best in the area. Have not tried hibachi but sushi is fresh and reasonably priced. Service is good. One of our favorites and definitely a go-to place for us. Way better than Moontone in Andover or Blue Fin in Middleton.
(4)Derek C.
Went on Friday around 3. Pretty low key. I ordered a tuna roll and a California roll. My friend and I shared a scorpion bowl. The bowl was delicious! Not too strong or weak. The sushi was incredible and the waitress was polite and attentive. Decor was simple and seating was ample. Lot parking. Definitely going to be going back.
(5)Cang T.
We came here with a group of 10 for a birthday celebration. This place had very nice decor and a welcoming setting. We got the private room, which was very nice and kind of allowed us more privacy from whatever else was happening at the restaurant. We all admired the light fixture initially. We ordered several orders of sushi and sashimi and when the plates came, the pieces disappeared just as fast. The sushi was delicious. Everything was so tender and flavorful. The rice was soft and not hard. We would definitely go back for the sushi here! We also ordered some dishes from the menu that were not sushi or hibachi. The portions were small for the price. We got fried ice cream for the birthday celebration and it was delicious. I think they put coconut into their fried ice cream. It definitely hits the spot for dessert. We were happy with our first visit here and have found a sweet sushi spot close by!
(4)Muthu A.
Like it. I did a take out and the quality was good.
(4)Julia R.
Thyme is easily one of my favorite places for sushi and Japanese food. Besides their amazing food, the restaurant itself is extremely clean and the staff is super friendly. The only downside is that they don't deliver.
(4)Robbie O.
Best sushi we've had in the area. Very fresh and lots of variety. Only complaint is that the sushi rolls are too big for a single bite, which can make things a little messy.
(5)Mike E.
Cool little spot, nice ambiance, and kick butt sushi. What more can you ask for, the space is sleek and sophisticated, but yet casual and inviting. The front room consists of a bistro style lay out with tables and a vibrant bar. In the back room you'll find shrimp popping off the hibachi grilles. Service is very attentive and on the ball. Very nice addition to the area. A must try!
(5)Gina N.
Excellent drinks, food and service- will be back!
(5)Eiball I.
Still 5 stars, we like this place more (if that's possible) every time we go and true to the manager's word, the menu has been corrected. Tried something new last night and brought friends who were also very pleased. The scallops and red snapper were delicious.
(5)Daniel L.
A lil dissappointed with the habachi, I've called like a week earlier and asked about the thymes for 2 habachi meal for 48 dollars. They described it with two lobster tails, filet, shrimps, and scallops, but when we had it the chef brought out only one tail. I was a little bit surprised but didn't say anything because I think it is over priced, but don't want to look cheap. The only thing extra was we can have 2 rice, 2 noodles, or one of each. I actually worked for a habachi restaurant before and checked with their price. Confirming I can travel a little bit to my old work place and can have the same meal for 38 dollars only, plus the side of rice for 3 dollar, which adds up to o ly $41. Thymes is over priced, and I'm a big lobster fan but I don't think they use freshly defrosted lobster tail. It came out all mushy as if they microwaved to defrost it, and came out tasteless, and bland. Maybe that's why we were the only habachi customer all night. Service was great, the waitress constantly came back to check on us although she was busy with her other tables in the sushi lounge. If u say Thymes for habachi? I would say some other time. I can have a burrito next door at chipotle and be guaranteed it's gonna come out the way I expect it to be. If I pay 60-70 dollars I can go to Burton grill, which is a perfect on every cut. Sorry Thymes, I won't do habachi from you you no more so 2 stars for now, maybe I'll give you more after I try your sushi. But before I go back I'll need to get that mushy lobster tail experience out of my head first!!
(2)Michelle F.
Had a great meal in the Hibachi Room last weekend. Best fried rice I've ever had. The food was outstanding and the drinks were strong. Would definitely go again. Even my non-Japanese-liking boyfriend loved the food.
(5)Mark E.
Sat down for a great sashimi lunch today. The quality of the fish is by far the best in the area and it is easy to taste the difference between sashimi prepared at Thyme and that prepared at other restaurants. There is Cobia on the sushi menu. Definitely worth a try. It is a mild white fish with a firm texture. My visit to Thyme today was not my first and more visits will follow. The five star rating is well deserved by this restaurant and covers at least a half dozen visits over a few months time.
(5)Jennifer F.
Groupon offered is a JOKE. The last time I got one they changed the rules AFTER purchased. When it expired you are suppose to be able to use the money you paid at the location, they did not honor it. As for the food it is ok, overpriced a bit, but the chefs are good with the kids. HOWEVER, they usually only have ONE chef at Hibachi for FOUR hibachi tables and we ended up waiting about 45 mnutes for the chef to come to our table. This restaurant is poorly run. I will never use GROUPON for them again and quite frankly, not go back...Can go to Andover for better quality and better run hibachi
(1)John T.
Just updating two years later. Probably been here about 30 times now. The employees are a lot of fun when you go for a cocktail or two. Cold sake is awesome. The volcano roll is really good. It's a work of art and taste like an Asian jalapeño popper. The dancing eel roll is highly recommended as well. Haven't done hibachi in a while, and still need to get the love boat for 4... So I'll update in another year or two.
(5)Richard R.
Had a good meal today during our first visit. Enjoyed the Celtics roll, filet and shrimp main course. Only issue was our server may have bad day before coming to work today. Nevertheless the food was really good.
(4)Kelsey C.
We ordered their sushi entree combos b&d and the white tuna jalapeño roll. 5:00 on a sat and ordered online, food was ready in 15-20 min like promised. Everything was good and fresh! The shrimp tempura was my favorite, crispy even when at home, 2 large pieces of crispy shrimp! The Cali roll was watery but that was the only one of 7that was- maybe they soak the avocado in water to keep from turning brown, it was the only roll that had avocado. The other rolls that had shrimp and ebi were very light on the meat but were very fresh and full of veg (lettuce and cucumber) that I didn't mind. Next time I would skip ordering the entree combos and just order the rolls I like since I didn't even eat the miso soup (too full) and didn't need the salad (very yummy though- great dressing) will definitely order again!
(4)A V.
fresh fish!!!
(4)Nikolas P.
Great food fun and value. The hibachi is amazing and fresh, kids loved it. Friendly staff. Hot sake for the win The desert menu did not impress but the fried green tea ice cream is a staple and favorite. Next time, sushi bar.
(4)Janine P.
Thyme is great. Their food is very good, especially their miso soup and hibachi options. Their service is good and we have never had a problem with seating. I love their bento boxes and lunch options - I often order online and take it back to my office to eat. They have specials all the time, so you can always try something new. Definitely check it out!
(5)Michael L.
Lovely sushi, and fun hibachi... Lobster Tail was great, but shrimp given with hibachi even better... The Volcano Roll was awesome (Tuna cream cheese, Jalapano deep fried with spicy crabmeat on top), while the Lobster Roll was okay (Fried lobster with cheese topped w. salmon, tuna, mango and avocado)
(4)Barb M.
Excellent service and great sushi. The salmon melted in our mouths and the tuna was almost as good. The toro was okay. Next time we'll order more of the salmon. Interesting setup in the restaurant. There is a sushi bar, regular tables, a regular bar, and a hibachi room. Overall it's pretty small, but it didn't feel cramped.
(4)Rick T.
Last night was our 2nd visit. We had a few mixed drinks and spicy tuna sushi at the bar awaiting friends to arrive. Great atmosphere and a perfect date environment. When everyone showed up, we had the hibachi dinner. Our chef was talented and funny. Shots of Saki in squeeze bottles got shot at all by the chef. When had fried rice, veggies, filet mignon with lobster tails. Very delicious. I can highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Matt S.
I came here with a group and found hair in my food. I said I would like another meal and the manager said that the FDA allows a certain percentage of hair in there food that they buy from outside vendors. She said she would bring me another meal and took mine into the kitchen. When she came out with another version of the dish I ordered about 10 minutes later I discovered more hair in the food. I really think she didn't make me another meal... She just reheated my dish and fished out some of the hair but now all. Long story short, very disappointed and would not recommend to anyone!
(1)Fonda C.
Horrible service! The waitress gets to be re-trained to improve her service. I had lunch with a group of friends last week and the waitress was rude when taking orders. Later she accidently flipped my cup of hot tea all over me when placing the food on the table. Disappointely, the manager and the waitress both just handed me a stack of napkins but they both offered no apology. I was just in the state of shock when the accident occurred. Thanks to all my friends, they all made sure that I was ok and they did not have to call 911 for me. The two stars is for the "Bento box" because couple of my friends like it and they thought the price was excellent. However, I agree with one of the viewers, the rice was awful - dried and yellowish. Perhaps, you got what you paid. Anyway, I will not visit this restaurant again.
(2)Gary B.
I can't help but respond to Matt S. review of the hair he found in his food last night. This is totally untrue. I was here last night so I can honestly say there was no hair found in the food that they ordered. The real issue was with the Groupon that they had purchased. It had absolutely nothing to do with their food or the service. I can say that everytime that I've been to Thyme the food has been great & service has been outstanding. It's too bad that some disgruntled customers have to lie about their dining experience.
(5)HyunJoo K.
Can't say there is a better Japanese restaurant in the area in regards to food quality, service, and variety. I waited a while to finally write my review for this place. The hubby and I have been here plenty of times now, and that's because their service, food, ambiance, company, etc. We usually sit at the sushi bar to watch the very skilled and crafty sushi chefs :) And we love having conversation with them. From conversation, you can appreciate the time and care they put into their food. Fresh sushi fish selected from the fishermen and prepared daily for some great sushi rolls! Love the lava roll and anything else with a spicy flair to it. Another favorite here is the nabeyaki udon ... which comes presented nicely in a clay pottery bowl. Always filled with plenty of chicken, fish cakes, shitaki mushrooms, shrimp tempura on the side, etc. The mix of all the ingredients is delicious, and I never leave any behind, even though it's a good size entree :) There are a lot of other faves like the beef tataki, tonkatsu, etc. What I also really like about their food .. it's not greasy and heavy. I never like going home and getting food coma, which I do not get from their food ... great quality food! Oh, one more dish to mention, but forgot the exact name to it ... duck special dish lol or something. It was Delicious!!!!! very thin duck medallions with a sauce drizzled over and scallions etc. MmmmMM They also serve ... but mostly geared towards kids (.... I'm a kid still :) ) Japanese strawberry soda (it's not super sugary). I have missed out on this all my life, and tada here it is! The ambiance there is great for a nice dinner out with someone special, or to get together with a bunch of friends and want to have good food and chat, or can get together for a more exciting energetic experience at the hibachi tables which I have not tried yet here; you always hear the crowds with laughter and noise. They do have a side room, almost like a function room I guess, that is really nice. We used the room not too long ago for my mother's birthday celebration and sister's engagement party. It was nice to be the usual rambunctious family without having to worry about people around us who want a quiet romantic dinner or just a quiet dinner. They also have a bar bar for liquor and has a more smooth modern feel to it. Not a sports bar set up :) I haven't sat there yet too Then there is the regular seating (not hibachi or bar or private room) which is nicely set up. There are booth seats against the wall, which is where I would prefer to sit if I did not sit at the sushi bar. This place sure gets busy, and we don't usually have immediate option to sit in the non-bar areas. But, my hubby and I prefer to sit at the bar generally for quicker seating/serving :) Plus it's always entertaining with the others around. The employees here are all so nice and friendly and really want you to enjoy the food and experience; not to mention, they are all very dedicated workers from what I have seen! I think a dinner date with the hubby is needed very soon! I'm craving their food!
(5)heart l.
Top notch!! Best sushi in the area! Service is always polite and outstanding! Don't worry about other negative reviews. Check the place out yourselves and you'll be glad you did! Hands down
(5)Aeneas D.
The Chinese chef trained as a sushi chef in Japan and it shows with well balanced portions and taste combinations at great value. Waiting staff are also friendly. The Teppan yaki at Tokyo in North Reading might more flavorful but theirs is still good and they make it more fun.
(5)Emily C.
Wow! LOVE the sushi here. It's great. They have a really good variety. It's also very nice and clean and had a great atmosphere for my night out.
(5)paul c.
Overall very good. Service is consistent & food is good. We go here a lot. Sushi is also fresh.
(4)Ash H.
Although it was exactly one year ago since this happened, I had sushi here and the next morning woke up beyond ill. Turns out I ended up having salmonella AND a bacteria infection. I have not returned since but unfortunately, my step sisters friend went there within the last 2-3 weeks and got extremely sick as well. Not only is this disgusting information about our health a turn off from Thyme-but after our waitress came to our table under 4 times, and she then proceeded to chase us out of the place asking for a larger tip. I will never return to Thyme and I do not recommend it...especially the sushi!!!!
(1)Arlene G.
I love it here! Best Sushi around! The staff is very kind and it's an overall great environment
(5)Kib L.
You walk in asking, "Where are the hibachi grills?". You are taken to the back of the restaurant and voila... Hibachi! This place is definitely happening. Don't be fooled by the strip mall it's located in. It is clean and the food is fresh. Our chef wasn't that entertaining and clearly just wanted to cook everything on the grill and go about his day, however everything was delicious.
(4)Terese S.
Great Sushi that always tastes fresh. Very clean and great service! New favorite sushi restaurant close by.
(4)Danielle C.
My bf and I love this place. The sushi is fantastic and they always have sushi specials that never disappoint. I always get an order of pork dumplings which are delicious and very inexpensive. The noodles pots are excellent! The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable, answering all questions. Tip: There's always gc's on restaurant.com :)
(4)Eddie M.
Ordered takeout sushi for the first time last night. Ordered a Lobster Roll, a Spicy Tuna Roll, and an Eel Roll. To be honest, if I had my eyes closed, I couldn't tell them apart. First problem was grabbing them with chop sticks. Each one would squish together, then fall apart. The consistency was the same when eating, squishy and bland. Very disappointing, we were hoping to find a great sushi place locally. We WILL try their dishes soon, bad sushi experience doesn't kill it for us. The place was very nice inside and they were very friendly.
(2)Anne W.
I'll be honest.. I wasn't expecting much of this place but I was just looking for something in the area where I work.. that wasn't too pricey. I am really more used to city sushi.. with the city price tag. Usually, I don't find very good sushi in the suburbs.. and don't hear about it either. I am pretty critical about sushi. So.. given that, I want to add that the rating for this place is reflective of what I think of a sushi restaurant in the suburbs. If it was in the city, it'd get three stars. First off.. It's in a strip mall so there definitely is no issue parking. So although it's not the best I have ever had.. and I am certain it is run by Chinese (there is music playing overhead which clearly indicates this).. good deals. So we shared the two rolls for $9 (yes.. what a steal) and the sushi and sashimi lunch for $15 (this was impressive considering the quantity). So.. their salmon and tuna slices are pretty thick and fresh. Their other fishes.. are not as thick or big.. or as tasty. The California roll was actually okay... it was more of the avocado, cucumber, etc. and less of the rice. They did roll in fish eggs.. nice presentation. Next time.. I'll ask to see if they'll swap for a real roll for some more money. The two rolls for $9 was pretty good.. we got spicy tuna and eel. Both good.. I believe it was 8 pieces but it could be 6. I'll definitely go again if I am looking for sushi in the area... Btw.. looks very trendy inside so it's a nice place to take somebody. And seriously not expensive so you're not breaking the bank. Oh.. but if you end up going there and the person you're with doesn't like it.. there is a Chipotle next door.
(4)Peter G.
I love this place. I have been looking for a good Japanese restaurant in the north shore since I moved here 2 years ago and have been generally disappointed. When what _was_ a sweet shop got turned over to a sushi and hibachi place, I was cautiously optimistic. Now, many, many visits later, I can't be happier. The sushi is fresh and well prepared. Their house rolls are typical American-influenced fare that you find in New England (most are fried), but the Volcano roll is very unique and a delicious dish to share. The grilled food is light and tasty, and is a nice change from most of what you find at local Japanese restaurants. The decor is pleasant (casual, but modern and tidy), the staff is friendly, and they even have TVs if you want to catch a game with dinner. As an Asian food junkie, I'm very happy I finally have a local place to pop into.
(5)Rolly P.
For a Japanese restaurant in North Andover, it's fine. The spicy seafood salad was the oddest seafood salad that I've ever had. It was buried in this flakey stuff that totally smothered the dish.
(3)Michelle B.
So so hibachi. Is it my imagination or are Japanese steak house portions getting smaller and smaller? White rice was an additional charge and not included. Service was very good and decor lovely.
(3)Anna V.
Thanks to a Groupon deal my boyfriend and I visited here for Hibachi for two and two appetizers as well! I LOVED the interior and ambiance of this place compared to other Japanese food places in the area. I also was pleased to see the hibachi area separate from the typical dining area, another place I have visited before had the hibachi entertainment smack dab in the middle of the regular dinning area. I truly love how they separated each section of the restaurant. You'll see the bar, regular dinning, sushi area, and hibachi in the back. The food was wonderful, the sashimi I had before the entree was WONDERFUL as well. The waiter was slightly snappy, but to be fair she was bombarded with a lot of questions by me and other people sitting at the table, so I attributed that to be nothing more of a quick response :) I would come here again in a heart beat, and you should try their drinks as well .. very very tasty ;)
(4)Mike R.
We went last night and we had a great time. The service was great. We originally had a reservation for 8. 3 people canceled last minute and another couple was a half hour late for reservation and they still held the hibachi grill for us. While we were waiting we ordered an avocado roll and spicy crab roll. Both were very good, and I typically don't enjoy sushi. The Mai Tia drinks were very good, and unlike most hibachi places I have been to the waiter was attentive and constantly checking on us. The cook was amazing. He may not have been as flashy as some other places but he still put on a great show. And the food was amazing. Definitely will be going back.
(5)Ali C V.
It was funny watching the hosts run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Maybe it was the stress of an already full house but I felt like telling them to relax, we were the only people in line. TERRIBLE service. My surly little waitress was hardly a pleasure when she deigned to come around. The food was okay. Not the best in MA but maybe the best in the area?! Whoever rolled the sushi needs more practice. My Spider Roll started falling apart the moment I picked it up to dip it and the extra moisture made it a precarious bit to get to my lips. A good place to go if you're not starving or in a huge hurry. I'd categorize this place a bar with a Japanese food menu. A good place for the locals to go fancy themselves cosmopolitan for a while. Reasonable prices. Decor: this place has no idea what it wants to be but it's clean. Free parking.
(3)T R.
Great staff, nice atmosphere, and great prices! I'm happy there's another sushi joint around besides the only Andover one I know of? I can only comment on the few sushi rolls I had tonight, along with dessert. The philly, spicy tuna, and jumbo rainbow roll were fresh and tasty. The tempura cheesecake was excellent! Perfect price! If I had to make any suggestion at all it would be to update their choice in music. Will definitely be back for some more tempura cheesecake! YUM!
(4)