Note, I just want to make a personal record. So I guess I am very strict I had sushi and Fried squid ring and a box(I can' remember the name ) The fried squid ring is really great But others are terrible... As a Japanese restaurant, the sushi is really not good As a word , maybe something else is worth to try but I will not waste any money on the spot.
(1)
Kelly R.
I was in the Shaker Square area during Happy Hour and thought that I would drop by SASA and give their offerings a try. I went on a Tuesday afternoon and it was pretty empty upon arriving at approx 5:00, just 3-4 other people. I ordered the cosmopolitan, SASA fries and the lamb sliders. The cosmo, was just ok and the fries and sliders were pretty good. I'm not sure that SASA would be my go-to restaurant. The staff was too laid back for my taste. There were lots of huddled conversations going on and also snacking in plain view of the customers. The lamb sliders were well seasoned and topped with kimchi and served on bakery fresh buns. The fries were also well seasoned, battered and then fried until crispy and golden, served with 2 dipping sauces. The food (4 stars) was definitely much better than the service (2 stars).
(3)
Jayson L.
I've been going out to eat at SASA ever since I could drive in high school. I love sushi and Japanese cuisine and SASA is one of my favorites for a couple different reasons. It is not the most gourmet or high class but I love the atmosphere, the style in which they cook and serve their dishes, and food quality and creativity are of the highest caliber. SASA has a young slightly hipster vibe as the bar is clearly a centerpiece in the low light. The tables are simple and minimal and allow u to focus on your food and company. The sushi rolls alone are enough to make a trip to SASA, however I highly recommend starting off with some Nagiri or Sashimi to start. Everything is played beautifully and tastes DELICIOUS. There are so many different flavored and unique tastes to try. The only complaint I've ever really had is I wish more of their menu was spicy. All said and done SASA is not fine dining but it is on the classier end of sushi. If your looking for a fun night out where you can enjoy a nice atmosphere without braking your wallet (or the $100 mark) then I highly recommend a night out at SASA.
(5)
Solomon F.
I have been here a few times now, because I had a gift certificate that was actually to Cleveland Independents, but then once I used it at one restaurant, SASA, they couldn't give me back the Cleveland Independents gift card, so they gave me my remaining balance on a SASA gift card. I have not had Sushi a lot, so let's just say that I am learning. Nigiri is a piece of fish on a little ball of rice. Don't get the smoked salmon. Stick with the raw fish. I recommend ordering at least one ikura roe, which is an Alaskan salmon's eggs wrapped in seaweed. It is amazing!! Other nigiri and sashimi are kind of bland, but not the ikura roe. The bartender said that the ikura roe is unique among the roes: the eggs are bigger, the other roes are more about texture. SASA is in Shaker Square, near where I live. Shaker Square is basically boring, but Dave's supermarket, Goodwill, and Dewey's Coffee are at Shaker Square, as well as the North Union Farmer's Market. Larchmere is within walking distance, and has many antique shops, restaurants, Loganberry Books, and the Larchmere Porchfest music festival during the summer. One time I went to SASA for dinner, I ordered the beef sliders and shishito peppers. It was delicious. SASA is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and I was among the last customers tonight (Friday). I started my dinner at home with salad and bread and then walked to SASA to eat sushi. I think this was a good choice.
(4)
Laura H.
Sasa came highly recommended by a friend. For our first few dishes, I can see why she said I had to eat here when visiting Cleveland. As the dinner rush took over though, I began to disagree. Our server was polite but incompetent. As an out-of-towner I asked where the draft beer was from, and he didn't know-- or even offer to find out the information for me. Later on he was no where to be found for about 20 minutes. The manager must have picked up on our dismay and came to remedy the situation which we really appreciated. She brought us some desserts that were killer! Then another server dropped some plates on a table near by. It wasn't a good night for Sasa. To be clear-- 95% of what I ate was beautiful and delicious. Loved the squid, and hawaiian roll. However the yellowtail sashimi I ordered was pallid in color and tasty a bit rancid. That combined with the awful service would prevent me from recommending this place to a friend.
(2)
Sheryl M.
Dinner was excellent and unique! I loved the menu. The service was fantastic. It was so much fun to order multiple small plates. This is a great place for a relaxed meal!!
(3)
Autumn B.
Oh SASA, how I love you. You're barely a quarter mile away, provide me with consistently delicious food and drinks, and have great weeknight specials. If I weren't getting married... Okay. But seriously. Get the green dragon and the fire island rolls, some of their famous fries (yes, really: famous), a glass of wine or sake and enjoy. You won't get the world's best service, but it won't suck either. Some consistently great sushi is what you will get. I should know, I've been here at least twice a month for the past two years and I gave five stars.
(5)
K K.
We come to Sasa on a very regular basis at least once a month. The food is interesting and well prepared. I like all the cocktail choices. We are primarily vegan so we can find things on the menu to eat. After coming at least once a month for over four years, I have to say I am disappointed that management has never spoken to us or introduced themselves. We love the fries, udon noodles, sushi.
(4)
Puneet G.
The concept is based off on a Japanese pub setting. It is located in the Shaker Square area. Plenty of parking is available both in front and back. The drinks menu is exhaustive, I settled for Sapporo which was available on draught. 2 of us shared 4 appetizers which are actually more than that. Korean Kalbi Short Ribs were my favorite, aah just an awesome preparation. Lamb sliders were perfect as well. Calamari was good as well. The rock was an intersting dish albeit in a different style where you have a 'hot rock' to cook the steak slices at your table. Our server's recommendations were right on the money. I am definitely going back. Overall: A gem on the east side, different from the usual fare. Must try, will not be disappointed. A+
(5)
Hailey P.
Ordered a sushi online which I have spent about $70 but two a la carte nigiri was missing so I had to call them back. They took an hour to get those two sushi delivered. And the sushi was delivered squeezed and delivering guy was giving me a uncomfortable look. Not worth a $70 cuz portion was not quite much.
(3)
Stephen H.
If your looking for Sushi on the east side Sasa should be a first pick. Its very nice inside and clean. The food is excellent and the seasoned fries are a unique twist. Its comparatively inexpensive too. Service is very attentive! Huge kudos there. The menu has a few featured delicacies as well.
(4)
Kevin H.
Made an online reservation for a birthday and even mentioned it during dinner and it was ignored. Waitress was not very responsive and seem to have an attitude. Ordered a Mackerel entree and received what seemed like half a very small fish. Was hoping to be getting an entree not a piece of sushi. Sushi was good. Overall would not go back. Was not busy.
(2)
Risa L.
My favorite sushi spot!! It's Shaker Square location makes it the perfect drop thru spot on my way home! The happy hour prices and choices are superb. Tonight, my hubby and I decided to stop by for a late supper. We were greeted by a friendly host who sat us in a prime location to watch the Square activity outside. Our server was prompt and cheerful despite the sucky weather outside. We ordered 2 salads, a few of the standard rolls (that aren't on the menu btw but can be ordered like a California or Philadelphia) the plum bbq pork ribs and the harumaki lobster and shrimp rolls. All freshly prepared with quality ingredients. We didn't partake in any alcoholic beverages this time and stuck to the water. At the end of our meal, our server was prompt with the check. I couldn't locate my SASA loyalty card but she was able to locate me by name, even though I was under my maiden name, in their database. You can accumulate points on the loyalty card and eventually earn free plates! Nice...right?! So all in all...another great night at SASA's was had by the Savol's!
(5)
Michael S.
First, the wait staff accidentally gave our table to someone else, but went out of their way to accommodate us and make sure we were comfortable which was awesome. The staff was very nice and friendly. Everything I had here was awesome. We got a few appetizers and some sushi rolls. the ONLY complaint I have is that the soy sauce was extremely salty. At first I thought it was the sushi that was bad but it was definitely the soy sauce I dipped it in. Definitely will come back again, I really like the variety on the menu.
(4)
Alexa A.
I think I might've found my new favorite restaurant! Every dish I ordered was better than the last. While their tea selection was not as big as I would have assumed, they had my favorite tea, jasmine green so I was pleased. The first thing I ordered, which was also my favorite, was the teriyaki shishito peppers. Shishito peppers are one of my favorite things to eat, and the peppers at Sasa were perfectly, simply cooked. I would eat them every day. The other star of the meal was the mushroom udon noodle soup. The broth was wonderfully developed, and chili flakes gave it even more depth. We also ordered "the rock," which is thin slices of marinated beef that you cook at the table. The marinade was so flavorful, and at $15 it was a dish we couldn't pass up. We also indulged in the fries and the pork belly skewers. To complete the meal, I had their homemade green tea ice cream, which was fantastic. All in all, I'll definitely be back soon. A must try!
(5)
Evelyn Q.
Located in the quaint Shaker Square, Sasa is nestled between similarly higher end (and higher budget) restaurants along with popcorn and ice cream shops, a cinema, and boutiques. It offers the perfect environment for a hip Friday night date. I've been to Sasa on a couple of dates and it hasn't disappointed me yet. As soon as you walk in, you're immediately greeted by a bar seated full of yuppies for happy hour. The interior is dimly lit, with modern decorations hanging from the walls and dangling from the ceiling. The food here is labeled "Asian" and for the most part it is true to its word; however the menu is full of updated versions of classic dishes. I got a few dishes my last visit: The Rock - Raw beef slices surrounding a sizzling rock, you cook the meat yourself and the dish literally sizzles to life. The beef was marinated beautifully Seaweed Salad - A typical seaweed salad dish that was a little sweeter, a little saltier, and included these cracker pieces that gave it a crunch. I've had better. Fire Roll Sushi - Comes out as a roll of sushi wrapped in foil... on fire. Every time it was brought out from the kitchen, you could hear the other customers oohing and aahing. It's a pretty "Americanized" roll... I don't remember exactly what fishes were included in it but it was drizzled with a tangy sauce and crusted with sesame. Overall I would recommend Sasa! It has a hip environment that is sure to impress a new date. The food itself is awesome for show, good on taste, and definitely conversation pieces. It has a price that accurately reflects a young professional lifestyle... so students beware!
(4)
Andrew V.
I ate here with a friend based on a suggestion that SASA has the best sushi in town. I have to say that the Sushi was by no means bad, just not the best I have had in Cleveland. I went during happy hour and I would suggest that anyone looking to try SASA do the same. You have to sit at the bar for happy hour, but there are a number of great $5 appetizers. Depending on the night there are also a number of other good deals on food and drinks. Parking can also be a challenge in Shake Square, make sure to bring change! When we walked in the host seemed a little confused when we asked a few questions about happy hour, she did check with the manager, but still didn't seemed to not know what she was doing. After we were seated service was good overall. We had the Green Dragon, Double Double, and Buddy Buddy - all were good. For two people with drinks, appetizers, sushi rolls, and Nigiri it was right around $100. I was not blown away by SASA, but I would definitely go back to for happy hour.
(3)
Doug H.
I ducked in one day because I had time to kill before a movie. Boy am I glad I did. I'm there 2-3 times a month now. If you only have time for an appetizer, get the french fries. They're the best in Cleveland...from a sushi place. (Figure that one out and you win a prize.)
(5)
Aaron S.
Service was okay, but had to move twice because of fruit flies. The problem can exist anywhere I understand but the owners wife said it was 'normal' and only comped two drinks on a $200 bill. Lost customer for life. Not worth it with the other restaurants in the area with similar menus.
(1)
Allan N.
Horrible experience here. Pros:... Cons: -Our waitress smelled. I'm sorry to say it but she had terrible BO. -The miso soup was screaming hot, like out of a microwave hot and it burned my mouth -Before we even had 2 bites of out appetizers, our entrees were brought out -I had "sushi" and it was so poorly constructed that I couldn't pick it up with chopsticks, the slices were of such different thicknesses that it looked like a joke -Before we were halfway through our entrees, the check was brought out, waitress never asked how this were or if we'd like anything else. -Not plates were ever cleared P.S. the restaurant wasn't busy and I was there on an anniversary date
(1)
Sohini G.
For being a sushi place the sushi here was pretty disappointing. We tried three of the specialty rolls...fish was too fishy and not very fresh and the rolls fell apart while eating them. And each roll was $15ish Pros: service was great. Decor adorable and the small plates were pretty decent. Would not come back here for the sushi tho.
(2)
Mati H.
I went here for a drink and tapas. The woman taking my order didn't take it for almost 30 mins while she talked and drank with other patrons. The couple next to me had to gesture to her on my behalf to take my order because they felt bad for me. Really unprofessional and they lost a patron from the area
(1)
Whitney B.
Had a great meal but the service was lackluster. I do not enjoy getting all of my courses at once. Also, the drinks are a little weak.
(4)
Andrew G.
Fried wontons and pickle plate, along with flaming sushi. All good stuff. I think the decor could improve, but overall a different experience than your average sushi place.
(4)
Kumiko M.
I had an awesome time at Sasa last Saturday night! They have happy hour on Saturday nights so my friends and I went a little early to sit at the bar. We sipped on some sake and had a few appetizers before ordering some tasty sushi. I'm Japanese so I will say it wasn't exactly "authentic" but it was delicious! It's in a great spot in Shake Heights and the atmosphere is very nice. I would definitely recommend Sasa for a fun dinner out!
(4)
Henry N.
Great food. Good drinks. Eclectic group of customers/patrons. I am a fan of the sushi and small plate offerings.
(4)
Theresa C.
I'd give this place a 3.75 - do try their appetizers and rolls. After having Ginko, I can no longer give this place a 4 star. If only I reviewed this before having Ginko. Cost wise, it's really similar, well okay Ginko is still a bit more expansive. But now that I think about, the quality of the fish is just too different. We got a chirashi bowl that just cost way too much in my opinion, but the fish quality wasn't anything special. However, their rolls are pretty decent. Their specialty rolls are still pretty decent. Unfortunately, I don't remember what we got as appetizers, but I do remember it being decent. I didn't try their fries, but based on the server's recommendation to our neighbors, their fries should be pretty good. Also, we tried their sake sampler, that was pretty interesting since we got to try several different kind of sakes. Again, this is another place that's worth trying once if you haven't been, but I don't know if I'll go back again anytime soon.
(3)
Ferdinand H.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iz… I got really excited when I saw the label "Izakaya" for Sasa Matsu. Drinking and eating in an izakaya is a must... and if you ever get to wander over to Tokyo, Izakaya make up a large chunk of the 150,000 restaurants in Tokyo. Just thinking of the numerous small plates that are available, spanning many types of flavours and cooking styles makes my mouth water. I needed a fix to stave me over from missing the likes of Hashiguchi, Jr. in Atlanta... So, I wandered in, perused (and I mean perused!) the menu for both Sake/Nihonshu as well as the food. The extensive sake collection seemed to bode well - with a decent selection of Japanese beer. The menu for food was less impressive. Still, it was better than nothing... so, I ordered a smattering of choices: Otoro sashimi Bluefin maguro nigiri Agedashi tofu Chicken kushiyaki Kalbi And then I waited, quietly quaffing my sake, kanbara Junmai ginjyo, observing the waitstaff and chefs. I ended up chatting with Mr. Chen, who worked at the Sushi Bar, who turned out to be cantonese. So, apparently the original Matsu was opened by a Vietnamese entrepeneur, and the current owner is Korean. There are no Japanese speaking staff, so far as I can tell, so if you're looking for a conversation in Nihon-go, this isn't the place. Fish apparently comes either via Chicago (from Japan), or from Hawaii. Mondays and Thursdays (mark your calendars). Otoro sashimi: I love O-toro. I could go on about the virtues of this dish. Today, market price was 18.50 for 2 pieces. I gave it a shot and found relatively fresh flavour. Tendon was prominent, however, making a rather strange sight, as the chef had decided to cut against the tendon grain, leaving a somewhat serrated appearance to the flesh. Aesthetically unappealing, but reasonably tasty. He noted that the Chu-toro was of better quality that day... alas I'd already made my bid. The Gari was relatively standard. I suspect purchased somewhere else, rather than pickled within the store. Bluefin maguro nigiri. Cutting was a little more traditional, though still a little rectangular for my tastes. The rice was reasonablly seasoned; just a tad of vinegar. The consistency was reasonable, and the interface between the fish and rice stayed solvent on its way to my lips. :) Agedashi tofu: Variant dish. This is far from the traditional breaded/fried tofu in Ponzu sauce with sake and bonito. Their version included straw and Shimeji mushrooms on a highly fried breaded tofu with Gailan (Chinese broccoli) in a terriyaki sauce base with a dash of vinegar. Quite different. The overall effect isn't bad, but I do take a bit of issue with the rigidity of the Tofu skin. It's too rigid. I like good contrast between the skin and a soft interior, but there was nearly 2-3 mm of thickness here, surrounding the tofu. Too much. The sauce is also a little heavy handed -- much more appropriate to the Gailan than for the tofu. Chicken kushiyaki - It's not yakitori taisho (NYC). There's only 2 types of kushiyaki here. Although I had a hard time getting one piece off the spit, it was pretty flavourful. Not bad. Beef short-ribs - This confused me. Given a Korean owner, I expected a more Kalbi like formulation. It's not. This is more of a western or even chinese preparation, with the ribs cut into 7 mm thick segments in a cross sectional fashion, perpendicular to the primary axis of the rib. Three rib-lets were left in place in the larger piece of beef. Marination wasn't bad, but was not Kalbi. Slightly sweet, tiny bit of pepper, probably a bit of soy. It was paired with a pool of hot sauce that seems like concentrated sauce from an american bbq joint. That was moderately spicy, not really sweet. Kinda like spice extract. There's quite a bit more on the menu. It's not really a traditional place. The spice selection and menu formulation isn't really Japanese in tradition. This is probably better classified as fusion. They do try to stay true to a couple concepts though: This is a place you could drink a lot and eat decent food at the same time. But without the Japanese Salaryman population to give it stability, it's no wonder that it's developed into more of a fusion cuisine with an emphasis on food fit for more local palates. Side notes: Decor is 4/5; pleasing and unobtrusive. It's modern asian fusion decor. Waitstaff was very friendly and chatty -- and relaxed. The Sake was good. It's my first go at Kanbara. Not particularly floral warm and rounded in flavour to my tasting. I prefer something a tiny bit crisper, but it's not bad. Oh... Sake was served in a champagne glass (long flute style, as opposed to old-french wide lip style). I miss boxes and traditional sake glasses. :/
(4)
Lu W.
Common American Japanese food. Nothing special,except the good location in shaker square
(2)
Karen W.
Pretty good, if you know what to order. We got a lot of different dishes to try out. The grilled sampler was ok. Not spectacular but it did allow us to try a good variety of their cooked dishes. The fries were crispy and flavorful. The real standouts here are the sushi items. The rolls are made with some of the best sushi fish I've had here, and are packed with high quality ingredients. They are expensive, but you do get what you pay for. Service was good, fairly prompt despite us having a large party to tend to. I'd like to go here on a Monday night sometime to try "happy night" where selected mixed drinks and all small plates are $5.
(4)
Jessica B.
The lamb ribs are amazing! Just had to get that out there. Sushi was pretty good. Not the best I've ever had but it definitely hit the spot. I'm not a sake fan so I don't have anything to say about but their wine list was LEGIT. Overall, great ambiance, service was excellent and food was way above par. Can't wait to visit again.
(4)
Derek S.
Yum. Good atmosphere: exudes warmth and cozy; intimate without being crowded/cramped; Enough ambient noise that you cannot hear outside conversations, but not so loud you have to strain to hear your partner. Good service: Friendly, efficient, effective. Good drinks: Japanese cream soda (novel and fun), Chai tea (fragrant, flavorful). Excellent food: Gyoza (crisp, succulent), Beef Yakitori (tender, delicious), Fries (crunchy, hot, tasty sauces), Hawaiian Rolls (generous, fresh, gobblesome) Will be coming back for more.
(4)
Jonathan B.
Had a great dinner here on Saturday night. My favorites were the fries and the Hawaiian Roll. The Salt and Pepper Mackerel was very good, and the Five mushroom tofu was excellent. Scott Kim runs a very nice restaurant, and we look forward to going there again soon!
(4)
Tommy C.
Udon noodles are one of my favorite ethnic foods and I've eaten it at almost every noodle place in NYC but this place ruins it. It has very little ingredients and flavor and the noodles are overcooked. This review is just for the soup so I've never had the sushi but any place that screws up udon noodles must not have good sushi
(2)
Matilda S.
This is by far the best place in Cleveland to eat. It had great drinks, great service and great food. Their pumpkin spice martini is my favorite and every sushi roll is phenomenal. For their price, they are extremely generous.
(5)
Rachael N.
After hearing great things about SASA- and people claiming it had the best sushi- a few friends and I went to SASA last night for a quick get-together and to celebrate restaurant week. We went a little crazy and ordered a bunch of small and large plates off the menu. For the prices, I felt that SASA is a tad overpriced. Don't get me wrong, the decor and ambiance are great- a cool restaurant to just chill or bring a date (actually it's a great date place), but... in terms of catering to a foodie...it's ok. My friend and I both ordered different teas. I ordered the ginger peach tea. Given, it's great, good quality tea... I wanted my tea..well, in tea form rather than a tea bag- given to me in a plastic wrap box which I had to open. Umm.. ok. (Other places, however, have given me actual tea bodum presses...) The waiter seemed a tad distracted with everything- I kept trying to grab his attention, and he kept leaving the table before I could get my full order in. Nonetheless, it wasn't that big of a deal- In terms of food (which is all we really care about, right?): Small plates: - SASA fries:- Mmmm. Potato-y fries seasoned well, with BBQ and another yellow sauce for dipping. Those were quite filling and tasty. - Shrimp Shumai- although they were tasty..they're definitely not shumai- which would be with pork. They were very very soft, and filled with shrimp..and maybe crabmeat? It was good- but a very deceiving name. Maybe it should be called a soft shrimp dumpling. -Wonton Chips with Salsa- umm. Just deep fried wonton skins, and the salsa, wasn't really salsa...not spicy at all, and where was the pineapple in it? Nice presentation-but I was not impressed with the plate. -Some shrimp on skewers (maybe this was a medium plate)? -nonetheless, they were just that- 3 small shrimp on a skewer. Definitely not table worthy to share. Medium plates: -Kalbi- definitely overpriced for the amount you get. It was seasoned ok.. -The Rock- kinda cool. The rock is a hot rock, which you can cook little pieces of meat on...but there's really not that much meat for the price you pay. -Panko soft shell crab- was kinda tough..and had too much panko on it. -Sushi rolls: I can't remember which specialty roll we got, but it was good with fish roe on top. Not as nicely made, but it was a good taste. The SASA fire roll was cool to look at- they wrap the roll up in foil, then light 151, so the plate comes to you on fire...but the roll itself..is meh. Desserts: -Brownie with green tea ice cream- kind of a flat brownie. I think it would be good if they made the brownie thicker and warm, and placed green tea on top with some type of chocolate shavings on top of it.. - Yam with pumpkin ice cream- that was actually really good. They carved out a yam, whipped it with pumpkin, then put pumpkin ice cream on top...Mmmmmm. That was a good dessert. Although, my friend happened to take all the ice cream in one spoonful, and we were just eating the yam at the end. haha. So...SASA was alright... I wasn't really full at the end though... maybe I need to try the sake with the food next time or something....
(3)
Jeff M.
I can't believe we've lived here for a year and not yet been to Sasa. Sushi was absolutely fantastic. Great ambiance as well. Definitely the best sushi we've had since moving to the Cleveland area. We will definitely be back. Recommend the Sasa Fire.
(4)
Maru H.
The atmosphere at Sasa friendly and welcoming. This place has one of the more extensive nishonshu (Sake) menus in town, but be prepared to pay a premium for it-- even during happy hour, a small wine glass (~2oz) of lower-grade sake runs $5. Additionally, a more traditional sake cup, rather than a wine glass would have been a nice touch. However, the small plate menu is closer to a true izakaya-style (tapas) restaurant, with good variety and quality. The chicken kushiyaki were juicy and flavorful, and grilled to perfection. The oshinko (pickled vegetables) weren't bad, but a few were overly-sweet. Overall enjoyable with good variety, but slightly over-priced.
(4)
Marvin H.
Just stopped here for drinks and enjoyed ourselves.I cant say anything about the food because I dont eat Sushi!!!
(3)
Tanese H.
The fries and saki. The sushi is a bit on the warm side for me. However I am an advocate for any Shaker Sq. restaurant that has stood the test of time.
(3)
Gini J.
It's an act of trust and faith, eating sushi in the Midwest. While I can look out at a large body of water, it's not the same as being on one of the coasts, where I can at least have the illusion of my fish being pulled from the sea mere hours before it adorns my plate. And yet, I can't stop myself from trying, sometimes to not-very-good effect. Sasa is a welcome success in the Midwest sushi quest. Settle into their welcome atmosphere, and you will quickly feel at home, thanks to the banter of the friendly staff. The menu makes good use of the types of fish available, with some imaginative rolls, and the kitchen will accommodate substitutions and special requests. But before you get your fish on, be sure to have the fries. A strange specialty for a Japanese restaurant, they are some of the best fries in town, neck and neck with Lola fries for number one. The sake menu is extensive, for those who drink it, and the appetizers quite tasty, particularly the lamb ribs. Definitely one of the best things about Shaker Square these days.
(5)
Gary L.
We ordered udon and a "Hawaiian" roll. The udon was really bad with only really bad, yellowish veggies and very little mushroom in it., no meat at all. We are not vegetarian and we thought we could make much better udon ourselves....
(1)
Tracee S.
Service: The service was great. Servers are good at explaining what everything is on the menu and making recommendations if it's your first time there. I do recommend making a reservation though, it's usually a long wait for walk-ins. Takeout is also an option. Location: Great location, right in Shaker Square next to the movie theater. Perfect if you want to do dinner and a movie. Must Try: SASA Fire Roll (you'll love it just for the presentation) Summary: SASA is a nice spot. If you wanna try something new, or if you're already a fan of Japanese food, you'll like it. The basically have a menu full of appetizers, so be prepared to order multiple dishes. Good for a group or just 2. It's definitely worth a try.
(4)
Sophie B.
Our third and final stop on the Restaurant Week tour, brought us to SASAmatsu ..... One thing that stood out was the very good service we had here ..... The second was our flight of sake (this is a must try) ...... We have a nigiri sake (the sweet unfiltered sake, which is probably the sake for beginners :) ), fetish and this sake was not a disappointment. Our food was also good. Loved the SASA special role - didn't try any of the sashimi. Cleveland sushi has traumatized me. We did try the Japanese risotto, which was homestyle and satisfying, but I don't know that I would order this again ..... The scallops were very good .... I will be back and will give their sashimi a chance!
(4)
Jay S.
Start with one of their great signature cocktails. Mine is the Saketini. The best thing on the menu is the Sasa fries with two dipping sauces. The potatoes are amazingly crunchy on the outside and hot and almost puffed on the inside - a winning texture combination. On our most recent visit, that was the best part of the evening. We had two noodle/salad entrees. The tempura shrimp were served over generic greens and taste as if they came out of the freezer and were baked on a cookie sheet. The noodle salad with scallops was equally bland. The kitchen needs to work on the details, especially with such good alternative food options in Cleveland. Service is polite, but average. The bar had a busy vibe, which was nice.
(3)
Scott H.
It was a pleasure eating at Sasa Matsu. My service was wonderful and the menu adventurous. While Sasa offers a full sushi selection, the focus is on their tapas-style dishes organized as small, medium, and large on the menu. I highly recommend the scallops (medium). I also tried "The Rock" which was fun -- slivers of marinaded beef tenderloin are served with a hot rock for cooking. The decor was simple and trendy with a few Asian accents.
(4)
Lila W.
All the sushi rolls are great, cooked dinners are a bit on a salty side but still pretty good. One complain I have is how much they charge for a glass of Kimoto, for $9. At Pacific East, I can get the same sake for $8.5 a glass AND it's double the size!!
(4)
Connie L.
Best Japanese food I've had in Cleveland thus far - I had sashimi, sweet potato fries, and a poached pear. Fun menu, great food, lively ambience. All delicious. I'll add my favorite dishes as I will undoubtedly continue to go.
(5)
Brad G.
Good. Not great. Good decor. Average food. Business was slow, but so was the service.
(3)
Andrea F.
The food was good, the drink Special on Monday is HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY and the food comes as you order it, which I really like. The best however was the flaming stone dish that placed a hot stone on our table and cooked our own meat (can't complain about temps when its your own fault ). Yummy and trendy (and open Monday, my traditional day off)
(3)
Michael S.
I really really want to like this place. It's nice looking and really what we need around here. Too bad the sushi is garbage. Go here for a drink instead.
(2)
Teenie K.
i must either be feeling very generous tonight or sasamatsu really does have the best sushi in the cleveland area that i've tried at least so far. in general the entire place doesn't seem like the typical japanese restaurant. it was like a little too nice. then the menu was very atypical, kind of americanized. which started making me skeptical about the kind of sushi i was about to order. needless to say, to my pleasant surprise and relief, the sushi looked SO good and it WAS so good and i am glad my friend didn't take me to pacific east! one thing to note, it's pricey but i might just be willing to pay a little extra if i want good sushi.
(5)
Jason C.
My new favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Perfect sushi, creative, fun, delicious small plates. Contemporary yet relaxed atmosphere. Try: The Rock (rare beef that you cook yourself on a 400 degree stone); The herb-seasoned Fries served in a dumpling steamer; the "Buddy Buddy" maki; any of the perfectly executed nigiri. As of this review I've been to SaSa three times--and I plan to keep going back. Update 5/7/08 -- Still my favorite. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that anyone who doesn't like this restaurant--well--their brain and taste buds just aren't connecting properly.
(5)
Joe G.
Fun fun fun restaurant. The sushi I had was excellent, I only tried one roll so I can't really say how it compares to any other sushi restaurants I've been to but if I had to judge on the one roll I did have it would be near the top. One plate I'd definitely suggest is "The Rock", they bring out marinated pieces of raw steak that you cook on a super hot rock. I believe the rock flames when they bring it out. While it might not be the best item on the menu it is still very good and its also the most fun. As with anywhere else you will find some hit or miss items. I highly recommend also the Sasa fries, they might not be for everyone but they had a great texture and consistency nice and crispy yet soft on the inside. The seaweed seasoning is just something that you have to experience to understand, don't let it scare you away though its good. I actually wasn't a big fan of the Katsu ketchup they served with it though, I felt the fries were better plain. Based on my first visit I'd definitely go back, hopefully get to try more sushi and get a better idea about whether I can keep it up at 5 stars or bring it down to four. Its probably best for group dining or a date with someone who has similar tastes since after all tapas are meant for sharing.
(5)
Scott G.
They've only been open a few weeks now, so this is really a placeholder to get SASAmatsu up on Yelp with some basic info. The chef/owner of Matsu on Chagrin has taken over the old Sushi on the Square space with what's supposed to be izakaya (Japanese drinking/snacking establishment) place. After several visits, I'm upgrading SASAmatsu to 4 stars.
(4)
Hema S.
I haven't tried a whole lot of things off of the menu, but everything I had was great. The SASA fries are a must!!!
(4)
T W.
This is a nice restaurant for a good variety of Japanese dishes. They have a large selection of sushi and saki. One of the unique dishes is the steak on a stone. It sounds like what it is. You get a hot stone and you put slices of steak on it. Basically, you cook the meat the way you want it. Sushi rolls are very big. Not only alot of rice, but big pieces of fish. Prices are higher for quality. They just opened this year and there is always a lot of people inside.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Alice S.
Note, I just want to make a personal record. So I guess I am very strict I had sushi and Fried squid ring and a box(I can' remember the name ) The fried squid ring is really great But others are terrible... As a Japanese restaurant, the sushi is really not good As a word , maybe something else is worth to try but I will not waste any money on the spot.
(1)Kelly R.
I was in the Shaker Square area during Happy Hour and thought that I would drop by SASA and give their offerings a try. I went on a Tuesday afternoon and it was pretty empty upon arriving at approx 5:00, just 3-4 other people. I ordered the cosmopolitan, SASA fries and the lamb sliders. The cosmo, was just ok and the fries and sliders were pretty good. I'm not sure that SASA would be my go-to restaurant. The staff was too laid back for my taste. There were lots of huddled conversations going on and also snacking in plain view of the customers. The lamb sliders were well seasoned and topped with kimchi and served on bakery fresh buns. The fries were also well seasoned, battered and then fried until crispy and golden, served with 2 dipping sauces. The food (4 stars) was definitely much better than the service (2 stars).
(3)Jayson L.
I've been going out to eat at SASA ever since I could drive in high school. I love sushi and Japanese cuisine and SASA is one of my favorites for a couple different reasons. It is not the most gourmet or high class but I love the atmosphere, the style in which they cook and serve their dishes, and food quality and creativity are of the highest caliber. SASA has a young slightly hipster vibe as the bar is clearly a centerpiece in the low light. The tables are simple and minimal and allow u to focus on your food and company. The sushi rolls alone are enough to make a trip to SASA, however I highly recommend starting off with some Nagiri or Sashimi to start. Everything is played beautifully and tastes DELICIOUS. There are so many different flavored and unique tastes to try. The only complaint I've ever really had is I wish more of their menu was spicy. All said and done SASA is not fine dining but it is on the classier end of sushi. If your looking for a fun night out where you can enjoy a nice atmosphere without braking your wallet (or the $100 mark) then I highly recommend a night out at SASA.
(5)Solomon F.
I have been here a few times now, because I had a gift certificate that was actually to Cleveland Independents, but then once I used it at one restaurant, SASA, they couldn't give me back the Cleveland Independents gift card, so they gave me my remaining balance on a SASA gift card. I have not had Sushi a lot, so let's just say that I am learning. Nigiri is a piece of fish on a little ball of rice. Don't get the smoked salmon. Stick with the raw fish. I recommend ordering at least one ikura roe, which is an Alaskan salmon's eggs wrapped in seaweed. It is amazing!! Other nigiri and sashimi are kind of bland, but not the ikura roe. The bartender said that the ikura roe is unique among the roes: the eggs are bigger, the other roes are more about texture. SASA is in Shaker Square, near where I live. Shaker Square is basically boring, but Dave's supermarket, Goodwill, and Dewey's Coffee are at Shaker Square, as well as the North Union Farmer's Market. Larchmere is within walking distance, and has many antique shops, restaurants, Loganberry Books, and the Larchmere Porchfest music festival during the summer. One time I went to SASA for dinner, I ordered the beef sliders and shishito peppers. It was delicious. SASA is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and I was among the last customers tonight (Friday). I started my dinner at home with salad and bread and then walked to SASA to eat sushi. I think this was a good choice.
(4)Laura H.
Sasa came highly recommended by a friend. For our first few dishes, I can see why she said I had to eat here when visiting Cleveland. As the dinner rush took over though, I began to disagree. Our server was polite but incompetent. As an out-of-towner I asked where the draft beer was from, and he didn't know-- or even offer to find out the information for me. Later on he was no where to be found for about 20 minutes. The manager must have picked up on our dismay and came to remedy the situation which we really appreciated. She brought us some desserts that were killer! Then another server dropped some plates on a table near by. It wasn't a good night for Sasa. To be clear-- 95% of what I ate was beautiful and delicious. Loved the squid, and hawaiian roll. However the yellowtail sashimi I ordered was pallid in color and tasty a bit rancid. That combined with the awful service would prevent me from recommending this place to a friend.
(2)Sheryl M.
Dinner was excellent and unique! I loved the menu. The service was fantastic. It was so much fun to order multiple small plates. This is a great place for a relaxed meal!!
(3)Autumn B.
Oh SASA, how I love you. You're barely a quarter mile away, provide me with consistently delicious food and drinks, and have great weeknight specials. If I weren't getting married... Okay. But seriously. Get the green dragon and the fire island rolls, some of their famous fries (yes, really: famous), a glass of wine or sake and enjoy. You won't get the world's best service, but it won't suck either. Some consistently great sushi is what you will get. I should know, I've been here at least twice a month for the past two years and I gave five stars.
(5)K K.
We come to Sasa on a very regular basis at least once a month. The food is interesting and well prepared. I like all the cocktail choices. We are primarily vegan so we can find things on the menu to eat. After coming at least once a month for over four years, I have to say I am disappointed that management has never spoken to us or introduced themselves. We love the fries, udon noodles, sushi.
(4)Puneet G.
The concept is based off on a Japanese pub setting. It is located in the Shaker Square area. Plenty of parking is available both in front and back. The drinks menu is exhaustive, I settled for Sapporo which was available on draught. 2 of us shared 4 appetizers which are actually more than that. Korean Kalbi Short Ribs were my favorite, aah just an awesome preparation. Lamb sliders were perfect as well. Calamari was good as well. The rock was an intersting dish albeit in a different style where you have a 'hot rock' to cook the steak slices at your table. Our server's recommendations were right on the money. I am definitely going back. Overall: A gem on the east side, different from the usual fare. Must try, will not be disappointed. A+
(5)Hailey P.
Ordered a sushi online which I have spent about $70 but two a la carte nigiri was missing so I had to call them back. They took an hour to get those two sushi delivered. And the sushi was delivered squeezed and delivering guy was giving me a uncomfortable look. Not worth a $70 cuz portion was not quite much.
(3)Stephen H.
If your looking for Sushi on the east side Sasa should be a first pick. Its very nice inside and clean. The food is excellent and the seasoned fries are a unique twist. Its comparatively inexpensive too. Service is very attentive! Huge kudos there. The menu has a few featured delicacies as well.
(4)Kevin H.
Made an online reservation for a birthday and even mentioned it during dinner and it was ignored. Waitress was not very responsive and seem to have an attitude. Ordered a Mackerel entree and received what seemed like half a very small fish. Was hoping to be getting an entree not a piece of sushi. Sushi was good. Overall would not go back. Was not busy.
(2)Risa L.
My favorite sushi spot!! It's Shaker Square location makes it the perfect drop thru spot on my way home! The happy hour prices and choices are superb. Tonight, my hubby and I decided to stop by for a late supper. We were greeted by a friendly host who sat us in a prime location to watch the Square activity outside. Our server was prompt and cheerful despite the sucky weather outside. We ordered 2 salads, a few of the standard rolls (that aren't on the menu btw but can be ordered like a California or Philadelphia) the plum bbq pork ribs and the harumaki lobster and shrimp rolls. All freshly prepared with quality ingredients. We didn't partake in any alcoholic beverages this time and stuck to the water. At the end of our meal, our server was prompt with the check. I couldn't locate my SASA loyalty card but she was able to locate me by name, even though I was under my maiden name, in their database. You can accumulate points on the loyalty card and eventually earn free plates! Nice...right?! So all in all...another great night at SASA's was had by the Savol's!
(5)Michael S.
First, the wait staff accidentally gave our table to someone else, but went out of their way to accommodate us and make sure we were comfortable which was awesome. The staff was very nice and friendly. Everything I had here was awesome. We got a few appetizers and some sushi rolls. the ONLY complaint I have is that the soy sauce was extremely salty. At first I thought it was the sushi that was bad but it was definitely the soy sauce I dipped it in. Definitely will come back again, I really like the variety on the menu.
(4)Alexa A.
I think I might've found my new favorite restaurant! Every dish I ordered was better than the last. While their tea selection was not as big as I would have assumed, they had my favorite tea, jasmine green so I was pleased. The first thing I ordered, which was also my favorite, was the teriyaki shishito peppers. Shishito peppers are one of my favorite things to eat, and the peppers at Sasa were perfectly, simply cooked. I would eat them every day. The other star of the meal was the mushroom udon noodle soup. The broth was wonderfully developed, and chili flakes gave it even more depth. We also ordered "the rock," which is thin slices of marinated beef that you cook at the table. The marinade was so flavorful, and at $15 it was a dish we couldn't pass up. We also indulged in the fries and the pork belly skewers. To complete the meal, I had their homemade green tea ice cream, which was fantastic. All in all, I'll definitely be back soon. A must try!
(5)Evelyn Q.
Located in the quaint Shaker Square, Sasa is nestled between similarly higher end (and higher budget) restaurants along with popcorn and ice cream shops, a cinema, and boutiques. It offers the perfect environment for a hip Friday night date. I've been to Sasa on a couple of dates and it hasn't disappointed me yet. As soon as you walk in, you're immediately greeted by a bar seated full of yuppies for happy hour. The interior is dimly lit, with modern decorations hanging from the walls and dangling from the ceiling. The food here is labeled "Asian" and for the most part it is true to its word; however the menu is full of updated versions of classic dishes. I got a few dishes my last visit: The Rock - Raw beef slices surrounding a sizzling rock, you cook the meat yourself and the dish literally sizzles to life. The beef was marinated beautifully Seaweed Salad - A typical seaweed salad dish that was a little sweeter, a little saltier, and included these cracker pieces that gave it a crunch. I've had better. Fire Roll Sushi - Comes out as a roll of sushi wrapped in foil... on fire. Every time it was brought out from the kitchen, you could hear the other customers oohing and aahing. It's a pretty "Americanized" roll... I don't remember exactly what fishes were included in it but it was drizzled with a tangy sauce and crusted with sesame. Overall I would recommend Sasa! It has a hip environment that is sure to impress a new date. The food itself is awesome for show, good on taste, and definitely conversation pieces. It has a price that accurately reflects a young professional lifestyle... so students beware!
(4)Andrew V.
I ate here with a friend based on a suggestion that SASA has the best sushi in town. I have to say that the Sushi was by no means bad, just not the best I have had in Cleveland. I went during happy hour and I would suggest that anyone looking to try SASA do the same. You have to sit at the bar for happy hour, but there are a number of great $5 appetizers. Depending on the night there are also a number of other good deals on food and drinks. Parking can also be a challenge in Shake Square, make sure to bring change! When we walked in the host seemed a little confused when we asked a few questions about happy hour, she did check with the manager, but still didn't seemed to not know what she was doing. After we were seated service was good overall. We had the Green Dragon, Double Double, and Buddy Buddy - all were good. For two people with drinks, appetizers, sushi rolls, and Nigiri it was right around $100. I was not blown away by SASA, but I would definitely go back to for happy hour.
(3)Doug H.
I ducked in one day because I had time to kill before a movie. Boy am I glad I did. I'm there 2-3 times a month now. If you only have time for an appetizer, get the french fries. They're the best in Cleveland...from a sushi place. (Figure that one out and you win a prize.)
(5)Aaron S.
Service was okay, but had to move twice because of fruit flies. The problem can exist anywhere I understand but the owners wife said it was 'normal' and only comped two drinks on a $200 bill. Lost customer for life. Not worth it with the other restaurants in the area with similar menus.
(1)Allan N.
Horrible experience here. Pros:... Cons: -Our waitress smelled. I'm sorry to say it but she had terrible BO. -The miso soup was screaming hot, like out of a microwave hot and it burned my mouth -Before we even had 2 bites of out appetizers, our entrees were brought out -I had "sushi" and it was so poorly constructed that I couldn't pick it up with chopsticks, the slices were of such different thicknesses that it looked like a joke -Before we were halfway through our entrees, the check was brought out, waitress never asked how this were or if we'd like anything else. -Not plates were ever cleared P.S. the restaurant wasn't busy and I was there on an anniversary date
(1)Sohini G.
For being a sushi place the sushi here was pretty disappointing. We tried three of the specialty rolls...fish was too fishy and not very fresh and the rolls fell apart while eating them. And each roll was $15ish Pros: service was great. Decor adorable and the small plates were pretty decent. Would not come back here for the sushi tho.
(2)Mati H.
I went here for a drink and tapas. The woman taking my order didn't take it for almost 30 mins while she talked and drank with other patrons. The couple next to me had to gesture to her on my behalf to take my order because they felt bad for me. Really unprofessional and they lost a patron from the area
(1)Whitney B.
Had a great meal but the service was lackluster. I do not enjoy getting all of my courses at once. Also, the drinks are a little weak.
(4)Andrew G.
Fried wontons and pickle plate, along with flaming sushi. All good stuff. I think the decor could improve, but overall a different experience than your average sushi place.
(4)Kumiko M.
I had an awesome time at Sasa last Saturday night! They have happy hour on Saturday nights so my friends and I went a little early to sit at the bar. We sipped on some sake and had a few appetizers before ordering some tasty sushi. I'm Japanese so I will say it wasn't exactly "authentic" but it was delicious! It's in a great spot in Shake Heights and the atmosphere is very nice. I would definitely recommend Sasa for a fun dinner out!
(4)Henry N.
Great food. Good drinks. Eclectic group of customers/patrons. I am a fan of the sushi and small plate offerings.
(4)Theresa C.
I'd give this place a 3.75 - do try their appetizers and rolls. After having Ginko, I can no longer give this place a 4 star. If only I reviewed this before having Ginko. Cost wise, it's really similar, well okay Ginko is still a bit more expansive. But now that I think about, the quality of the fish is just too different. We got a chirashi bowl that just cost way too much in my opinion, but the fish quality wasn't anything special. However, their rolls are pretty decent. Their specialty rolls are still pretty decent. Unfortunately, I don't remember what we got as appetizers, but I do remember it being decent. I didn't try their fries, but based on the server's recommendation to our neighbors, their fries should be pretty good. Also, we tried their sake sampler, that was pretty interesting since we got to try several different kind of sakes. Again, this is another place that's worth trying once if you haven't been, but I don't know if I'll go back again anytime soon.
(3)Ferdinand H.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iz… I got really excited when I saw the label "Izakaya" for Sasa Matsu. Drinking and eating in an izakaya is a must... and if you ever get to wander over to Tokyo, Izakaya make up a large chunk of the 150,000 restaurants in Tokyo. Just thinking of the numerous small plates that are available, spanning many types of flavours and cooking styles makes my mouth water. I needed a fix to stave me over from missing the likes of Hashiguchi, Jr. in Atlanta... So, I wandered in, perused (and I mean perused!) the menu for both Sake/Nihonshu as well as the food. The extensive sake collection seemed to bode well - with a decent selection of Japanese beer. The menu for food was less impressive. Still, it was better than nothing... so, I ordered a smattering of choices: Otoro sashimi Bluefin maguro nigiri Agedashi tofu Chicken kushiyaki Kalbi And then I waited, quietly quaffing my sake, kanbara Junmai ginjyo, observing the waitstaff and chefs. I ended up chatting with Mr. Chen, who worked at the Sushi Bar, who turned out to be cantonese. So, apparently the original Matsu was opened by a Vietnamese entrepeneur, and the current owner is Korean. There are no Japanese speaking staff, so far as I can tell, so if you're looking for a conversation in Nihon-go, this isn't the place. Fish apparently comes either via Chicago (from Japan), or from Hawaii. Mondays and Thursdays (mark your calendars). Otoro sashimi: I love O-toro. I could go on about the virtues of this dish. Today, market price was 18.50 for 2 pieces. I gave it a shot and found relatively fresh flavour. Tendon was prominent, however, making a rather strange sight, as the chef had decided to cut against the tendon grain, leaving a somewhat serrated appearance to the flesh. Aesthetically unappealing, but reasonably tasty. He noted that the Chu-toro was of better quality that day... alas I'd already made my bid. The Gari was relatively standard. I suspect purchased somewhere else, rather than pickled within the store. Bluefin maguro nigiri. Cutting was a little more traditional, though still a little rectangular for my tastes. The rice was reasonablly seasoned; just a tad of vinegar. The consistency was reasonable, and the interface between the fish and rice stayed solvent on its way to my lips. :) Agedashi tofu: Variant dish. This is far from the traditional breaded/fried tofu in Ponzu sauce with sake and bonito. Their version included straw and Shimeji mushrooms on a highly fried breaded tofu with Gailan (Chinese broccoli) in a terriyaki sauce base with a dash of vinegar. Quite different. The overall effect isn't bad, but I do take a bit of issue with the rigidity of the Tofu skin. It's too rigid. I like good contrast between the skin and a soft interior, but there was nearly 2-3 mm of thickness here, surrounding the tofu. Too much. The sauce is also a little heavy handed -- much more appropriate to the Gailan than for the tofu. Chicken kushiyaki - It's not yakitori taisho (NYC). There's only 2 types of kushiyaki here. Although I had a hard time getting one piece off the spit, it was pretty flavourful. Not bad. Beef short-ribs - This confused me. Given a Korean owner, I expected a more Kalbi like formulation. It's not. This is more of a western or even chinese preparation, with the ribs cut into 7 mm thick segments in a cross sectional fashion, perpendicular to the primary axis of the rib. Three rib-lets were left in place in the larger piece of beef. Marination wasn't bad, but was not Kalbi. Slightly sweet, tiny bit of pepper, probably a bit of soy. It was paired with a pool of hot sauce that seems like concentrated sauce from an american bbq joint. That was moderately spicy, not really sweet. Kinda like spice extract. There's quite a bit more on the menu. It's not really a traditional place. The spice selection and menu formulation isn't really Japanese in tradition. This is probably better classified as fusion. They do try to stay true to a couple concepts though: This is a place you could drink a lot and eat decent food at the same time. But without the Japanese Salaryman population to give it stability, it's no wonder that it's developed into more of a fusion cuisine with an emphasis on food fit for more local palates. Side notes: Decor is 4/5; pleasing and unobtrusive. It's modern asian fusion decor. Waitstaff was very friendly and chatty -- and relaxed. The Sake was good. It's my first go at Kanbara. Not particularly floral warm and rounded in flavour to my tasting. I prefer something a tiny bit crisper, but it's not bad. Oh... Sake was served in a champagne glass (long flute style, as opposed to old-french wide lip style). I miss boxes and traditional sake glasses. :/
(4)Lu W.
Common American Japanese food. Nothing special,except the good location in shaker square
(2)Karen W.
Pretty good, if you know what to order. We got a lot of different dishes to try out. The grilled sampler was ok. Not spectacular but it did allow us to try a good variety of their cooked dishes. The fries were crispy and flavorful. The real standouts here are the sushi items. The rolls are made with some of the best sushi fish I've had here, and are packed with high quality ingredients. They are expensive, but you do get what you pay for. Service was good, fairly prompt despite us having a large party to tend to. I'd like to go here on a Monday night sometime to try "happy night" where selected mixed drinks and all small plates are $5.
(4)Jessica B.
The lamb ribs are amazing! Just had to get that out there. Sushi was pretty good. Not the best I've ever had but it definitely hit the spot. I'm not a sake fan so I don't have anything to say about but their wine list was LEGIT. Overall, great ambiance, service was excellent and food was way above par. Can't wait to visit again.
(4)Derek S.
Yum. Good atmosphere: exudes warmth and cozy; intimate without being crowded/cramped; Enough ambient noise that you cannot hear outside conversations, but not so loud you have to strain to hear your partner. Good service: Friendly, efficient, effective. Good drinks: Japanese cream soda (novel and fun), Chai tea (fragrant, flavorful). Excellent food: Gyoza (crisp, succulent), Beef Yakitori (tender, delicious), Fries (crunchy, hot, tasty sauces), Hawaiian Rolls (generous, fresh, gobblesome) Will be coming back for more.
(4)Jonathan B.
Had a great dinner here on Saturday night. My favorites were the fries and the Hawaiian Roll. The Salt and Pepper Mackerel was very good, and the Five mushroom tofu was excellent. Scott Kim runs a very nice restaurant, and we look forward to going there again soon!
(4)Tommy C.
Udon noodles are one of my favorite ethnic foods and I've eaten it at almost every noodle place in NYC but this place ruins it. It has very little ingredients and flavor and the noodles are overcooked. This review is just for the soup so I've never had the sushi but any place that screws up udon noodles must not have good sushi
(2)Matilda S.
This is by far the best place in Cleveland to eat. It had great drinks, great service and great food. Their pumpkin spice martini is my favorite and every sushi roll is phenomenal. For their price, they are extremely generous.
(5)Rachael N.
After hearing great things about SASA- and people claiming it had the best sushi- a few friends and I went to SASA last night for a quick get-together and to celebrate restaurant week. We went a little crazy and ordered a bunch of small and large plates off the menu. For the prices, I felt that SASA is a tad overpriced. Don't get me wrong, the decor and ambiance are great- a cool restaurant to just chill or bring a date (actually it's a great date place), but... in terms of catering to a foodie...it's ok. My friend and I both ordered different teas. I ordered the ginger peach tea. Given, it's great, good quality tea... I wanted my tea..well, in tea form rather than a tea bag- given to me in a plastic wrap box which I had to open. Umm.. ok. (Other places, however, have given me actual tea bodum presses...) The waiter seemed a tad distracted with everything- I kept trying to grab his attention, and he kept leaving the table before I could get my full order in. Nonetheless, it wasn't that big of a deal- In terms of food (which is all we really care about, right?): Small plates: - SASA fries:- Mmmm. Potato-y fries seasoned well, with BBQ and another yellow sauce for dipping. Those were quite filling and tasty. - Shrimp Shumai- although they were tasty..they're definitely not shumai- which would be with pork. They were very very soft, and filled with shrimp..and maybe crabmeat? It was good- but a very deceiving name. Maybe it should be called a soft shrimp dumpling. -Wonton Chips with Salsa- umm. Just deep fried wonton skins, and the salsa, wasn't really salsa...not spicy at all, and where was the pineapple in it? Nice presentation-but I was not impressed with the plate. -Some shrimp on skewers (maybe this was a medium plate)? -nonetheless, they were just that- 3 small shrimp on a skewer. Definitely not table worthy to share. Medium plates: -Kalbi- definitely overpriced for the amount you get. It was seasoned ok.. -The Rock- kinda cool. The rock is a hot rock, which you can cook little pieces of meat on...but there's really not that much meat for the price you pay. -Panko soft shell crab- was kinda tough..and had too much panko on it. -Sushi rolls: I can't remember which specialty roll we got, but it was good with fish roe on top. Not as nicely made, but it was a good taste. The SASA fire roll was cool to look at- they wrap the roll up in foil, then light 151, so the plate comes to you on fire...but the roll itself..is meh. Desserts: -Brownie with green tea ice cream- kind of a flat brownie. I think it would be good if they made the brownie thicker and warm, and placed green tea on top with some type of chocolate shavings on top of it.. - Yam with pumpkin ice cream- that was actually really good. They carved out a yam, whipped it with pumpkin, then put pumpkin ice cream on top...Mmmmmm. That was a good dessert. Although, my friend happened to take all the ice cream in one spoonful, and we were just eating the yam at the end. haha. So...SASA was alright... I wasn't really full at the end though... maybe I need to try the sake with the food next time or something....
(3)Jeff M.
I can't believe we've lived here for a year and not yet been to Sasa. Sushi was absolutely fantastic. Great ambiance as well. Definitely the best sushi we've had since moving to the Cleveland area. We will definitely be back. Recommend the Sasa Fire.
(4)Maru H.
The atmosphere at Sasa friendly and welcoming. This place has one of the more extensive nishonshu (Sake) menus in town, but be prepared to pay a premium for it-- even during happy hour, a small wine glass (~2oz) of lower-grade sake runs $5. Additionally, a more traditional sake cup, rather than a wine glass would have been a nice touch. However, the small plate menu is closer to a true izakaya-style (tapas) restaurant, with good variety and quality. The chicken kushiyaki were juicy and flavorful, and grilled to perfection. The oshinko (pickled vegetables) weren't bad, but a few were overly-sweet. Overall enjoyable with good variety, but slightly over-priced.
(4)Marvin H.
Just stopped here for drinks and enjoyed ourselves.I cant say anything about the food because I dont eat Sushi!!!
(3)Tanese H.
The fries and saki. The sushi is a bit on the warm side for me. However I am an advocate for any Shaker Sq. restaurant that has stood the test of time.
(3)Gini J.
It's an act of trust and faith, eating sushi in the Midwest. While I can look out at a large body of water, it's not the same as being on one of the coasts, where I can at least have the illusion of my fish being pulled from the sea mere hours before it adorns my plate. And yet, I can't stop myself from trying, sometimes to not-very-good effect. Sasa is a welcome success in the Midwest sushi quest. Settle into their welcome atmosphere, and you will quickly feel at home, thanks to the banter of the friendly staff. The menu makes good use of the types of fish available, with some imaginative rolls, and the kitchen will accommodate substitutions and special requests. But before you get your fish on, be sure to have the fries. A strange specialty for a Japanese restaurant, they are some of the best fries in town, neck and neck with Lola fries for number one. The sake menu is extensive, for those who drink it, and the appetizers quite tasty, particularly the lamb ribs. Definitely one of the best things about Shaker Square these days.
(5)Gary L.
We ordered udon and a "Hawaiian" roll. The udon was really bad with only really bad, yellowish veggies and very little mushroom in it., no meat at all. We are not vegetarian and we thought we could make much better udon ourselves....
(1)Tracee S.
Service: The service was great. Servers are good at explaining what everything is on the menu and making recommendations if it's your first time there. I do recommend making a reservation though, it's usually a long wait for walk-ins. Takeout is also an option. Location: Great location, right in Shaker Square next to the movie theater. Perfect if you want to do dinner and a movie. Must Try: SASA Fire Roll (you'll love it just for the presentation) Summary: SASA is a nice spot. If you wanna try something new, or if you're already a fan of Japanese food, you'll like it. The basically have a menu full of appetizers, so be prepared to order multiple dishes. Good for a group or just 2. It's definitely worth a try.
(4)Sophie B.
Our third and final stop on the Restaurant Week tour, brought us to SASAmatsu ..... One thing that stood out was the very good service we had here ..... The second was our flight of sake (this is a must try) ...... We have a nigiri sake (the sweet unfiltered sake, which is probably the sake for beginners :) ), fetish and this sake was not a disappointment. Our food was also good. Loved the SASA special role - didn't try any of the sashimi. Cleveland sushi has traumatized me. We did try the Japanese risotto, which was homestyle and satisfying, but I don't know that I would order this again ..... The scallops were very good .... I will be back and will give their sashimi a chance!
(4)Jay S.
Start with one of their great signature cocktails. Mine is the Saketini. The best thing on the menu is the Sasa fries with two dipping sauces. The potatoes are amazingly crunchy on the outside and hot and almost puffed on the inside - a winning texture combination. On our most recent visit, that was the best part of the evening. We had two noodle/salad entrees. The tempura shrimp were served over generic greens and taste as if they came out of the freezer and were baked on a cookie sheet. The noodle salad with scallops was equally bland. The kitchen needs to work on the details, especially with such good alternative food options in Cleveland. Service is polite, but average. The bar had a busy vibe, which was nice.
(3)Scott H.
It was a pleasure eating at Sasa Matsu. My service was wonderful and the menu adventurous. While Sasa offers a full sushi selection, the focus is on their tapas-style dishes organized as small, medium, and large on the menu. I highly recommend the scallops (medium). I also tried "The Rock" which was fun -- slivers of marinaded beef tenderloin are served with a hot rock for cooking. The decor was simple and trendy with a few Asian accents.
(4)Lila W.
All the sushi rolls are great, cooked dinners are a bit on a salty side but still pretty good. One complain I have is how much they charge for a glass of Kimoto, for $9. At Pacific East, I can get the same sake for $8.5 a glass AND it's double the size!!
(4)Connie L.
Best Japanese food I've had in Cleveland thus far - I had sashimi, sweet potato fries, and a poached pear. Fun menu, great food, lively ambience. All delicious. I'll add my favorite dishes as I will undoubtedly continue to go.
(5)Brad G.
Good. Not great. Good decor. Average food. Business was slow, but so was the service.
(3)Andrea F.
The food was good, the drink Special on Monday is HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY and the food comes as you order it, which I really like. The best however was the flaming stone dish that placed a hot stone on our table and cooked our own meat (can't complain about temps when its your own fault ). Yummy and trendy (and open Monday, my traditional day off)
(3)Michael S.
I really really want to like this place. It's nice looking and really what we need around here. Too bad the sushi is garbage. Go here for a drink instead.
(2)Teenie K.
i must either be feeling very generous tonight or sasamatsu really does have the best sushi in the cleveland area that i've tried at least so far. in general the entire place doesn't seem like the typical japanese restaurant. it was like a little too nice. then the menu was very atypical, kind of americanized. which started making me skeptical about the kind of sushi i was about to order. needless to say, to my pleasant surprise and relief, the sushi looked SO good and it WAS so good and i am glad my friend didn't take me to pacific east! one thing to note, it's pricey but i might just be willing to pay a little extra if i want good sushi.
(5)Jason C.
My new favorite restaurant in Cleveland. Perfect sushi, creative, fun, delicious small plates. Contemporary yet relaxed atmosphere. Try: The Rock (rare beef that you cook yourself on a 400 degree stone); The herb-seasoned Fries served in a dumpling steamer; the "Buddy Buddy" maki; any of the perfectly executed nigiri. As of this review I've been to SaSa three times--and I plan to keep going back. Update 5/7/08 -- Still my favorite. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that anyone who doesn't like this restaurant--well--their brain and taste buds just aren't connecting properly.
(5)Joe G.
Fun fun fun restaurant. The sushi I had was excellent, I only tried one roll so I can't really say how it compares to any other sushi restaurants I've been to but if I had to judge on the one roll I did have it would be near the top. One plate I'd definitely suggest is "The Rock", they bring out marinated pieces of raw steak that you cook on a super hot rock. I believe the rock flames when they bring it out. While it might not be the best item on the menu it is still very good and its also the most fun. As with anywhere else you will find some hit or miss items. I highly recommend also the Sasa fries, they might not be for everyone but they had a great texture and consistency nice and crispy yet soft on the inside. The seaweed seasoning is just something that you have to experience to understand, don't let it scare you away though its good. I actually wasn't a big fan of the Katsu ketchup they served with it though, I felt the fries were better plain. Based on my first visit I'd definitely go back, hopefully get to try more sushi and get a better idea about whether I can keep it up at 5 stars or bring it down to four. Its probably best for group dining or a date with someone who has similar tastes since after all tapas are meant for sharing.
(5)Scott G.
They've only been open a few weeks now, so this is really a placeholder to get SASAmatsu up on Yelp with some basic info. The chef/owner of Matsu on Chagrin has taken over the old Sushi on the Square space with what's supposed to be izakaya (Japanese drinking/snacking establishment) place. After several visits, I'm upgrading SASAmatsu to 4 stars.
(4)Hema S.
I haven't tried a whole lot of things off of the menu, but everything I had was great. The SASA fries are a must!!!
(4)T W.
This is a nice restaurant for a good variety of Japanese dishes. They have a large selection of sushi and saki. One of the unique dishes is the steak on a stone. It sounds like what it is. You get a hot stone and you put slices of steak on it. Basically, you cook the meat the way you want it. Sushi rolls are very big. Not only alot of rice, but big pieces of fish. Prices are higher for quality. They just opened this year and there is always a lot of people inside.
(3)