What a lovely thing when the Patriarch and the Queen Mother appear on my doorstep offering gifts of lunch. Of course, since they are Seniors, this means going to a restaurant they are comfortable in. No african-thai-russian fusion food for these folks. They like their food straightforward, no curves. Samurai is their go-to place for Japanese. The same things are always ordered: Chicken & Vegetable Tempura Bento Box, Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, and Chicken Gyoza. The Patriarch and I get cucumber sushi because we're both allergic to seafood, and the Queen Mother got the California Roll that comes standard with the bento. Both dishes are consistently good. The tempura is nicely lightly fried, not soggy or burnt, and has good flavor. The chicken teriyaki is a nicely grilled tender sliced chicken breast with caramelized onions. The meal is the same every singe time, bonus points for consistency! The service is usually nicely attentive, and the place is clean and warm (also important to Seniors). Parking can be a bit of a challenge, though you can often park across the street in the mini-mall's parking lot. Samurai, you are a Senior's dream. Good food, consistently prepared in a clean environment. Good job.
(3)
Stan P.
What a disappointment. This place was not good I would suggest you think twice before selecting this option. The manager and wait staff may possibly be the worst I have ever encountered, rude and definitely not focused on customer service. The manager is a very angry hostile fella I asked if I could get brown rice instead of white and he blasted me...I offered to pay extra and he stormed off? Do not know what the deal was but this is just plain unprofessional and creepy behavior. The waitresses will smack into you while you are eating...man what a mess this place is from top to bottom. The food just OK at best! I am seriously complimenting them here... you can do better at home than here. Seriously I am not going to go into you have been warned just yuk...OK? these other folks with the positive reviews for this place must burn off their taste buds with adult beverages. (Didn't try the sake it may be the high point of the joint...but why would I want to expose my taste buds to a substandard meal to enjoy some rice wine? I can do this at home. Here is something I am not sure of, I have only lived here a few months now, is it customary to charge for each soda every time you get a refill here? I was charged for each I asked why they said "This is how we do it here." So at $2 bucks per 6-8 ounces of beverage you may want to go with water at this place...but smarter yet! Go elsewhere. I will not be returning to this establishment. Worst yet.
(1)
Catherine S.
Super fast but not that great. Oil used to fry tempura was old. Tuna not bright red, more dark indicating it is not that fresh. Gyoza was boiled and soggy. House salad ginger dressing good. Would not return. Would rather seek out better options.
(2)
Krista H.
Great spicy tuna, shrimp dumplings and service! Also kid-friendly - we went early and had the whole back room to ourselves.
(4)
Mike R.
Samurai, what happened to you? It was almost 5 years ago when it seemed like your restaurant was the roaring 20's. I would actually get excited when I'd go eat at your establishment. A small, quaint Japanese restaurant filled to capacity, sitting at the sushi bar watching the chefs perform their craft. You guys had the BEST sushi around, no one could touch you and the atmosphere was electric. That all faded away out of no where and I've finally come to terms that the Samurai I once knew has committed seppuku. I came here on a Saturday around 8 pm with a friend to a nearly dead atmosphere. There was one couple sitting in the corner... I knew this was a bad sign. The seaweed salad was doable, not as fresh as I remember. The eel, the one thing I knew samurai did right, did not have much flavor. The king crab was like rubber, absolutely no flavor. Then came the spider roll.... Holy shit. Mushy, grainy, fishy, absolutely horrendous. I was personally hurt by this, remembering the quality they used to serve. A piece of me has died with samurai. I've come to terms with what it now is and I will try to move on.
(2)
Adrienne A.
A couple of months ago I came here with a friend and ordered sushi, it was good. I ordered a full dinner tonight for the family and my boyfriend found a STAPLE his food! A STAPLE! After calling the restaurant and informing them of this the person who answered the phone offered us a credit toward our next meal! Do they honestly think we will be coming back?! After insisting for a full refund the man said he would need to speak to his boss and call us back. Needless to say we are still waiting for that phone call.
(1)
Bill M.
My go to for consistent good sushi on the main line (that I've been slacking on reviewing until now). And not just because its one of the very few viable options that isn't BYOB. Overall the sushi bar is fairly reasonably priced, especially if you come with an adventurous eater who's game for trying one of their extensive combo options.But the non sushi eaters will be satisfied with their huge entree menu that features plenty of hibachi and teriyaki options (Filet Mignon & Lobster Teriyaki or Hibachi FTW if you're looking to treat yourself!). But whether you go with nigiri, sashimi, or any of their specialty maki rolls; the sushi menu is classic and well thought out without being pretentious. Some of my favorite sushi options include the SST Maki with spicy shrimp tempura, scallions, and cooked eel; the red dragon maki with eel & avocado wrapped inside tuna sashimi; the spicy and sweet tropical maki with jumbo lump crab, wasabi, mango, and tobiko caviar; and the spicy red snapper maki. But with whatever you pick its pretty hard to go wrong. Especially when your able to take advantage of their killer lunch specials.
(4)
Katie L.
Came here with two of my close friends for a lunch date. I'm from California, so finding good sushi anywhere else other than Japan can be difficult. I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Samurai. I ordered the Chirashi and it came with a very nice selection of fresh sashimi. Typically Chirashi tends to be quite pricey with not very much sashimi, but I thought this was great. We also ordered two rolls, one topped with tuna and hamachi (I think) sashimi and one with unagi (eel). They were pretty standard sushi rolls and both quite good. The Chirashi surprised me the most because it was so reasonably priced and very good. Since I got to school somewhat nearby, I will be frequenting this place a lot more.
(4)
Reilly W.
Samurai, has the best Sushi in Villanova. I am never disappointed when I eat there, there rolls are fresh, and unique. Their house salad the "Ginger Dressing" is always a perfect starter to the meal. My normal meal is the Deluxe Sushi Sampler, or a Bento Box both of which are amazing, I am not a tofu lover, but their miso soup is superb. The service is also great, very kind and it is very fast service. A small and quaint little restaurant, with amazing food and service . I have had Herosame, and it is nothing compared to Samurai. And I believe Samurai Sushi actually had better sushi then Mori Moto. Thank you Samurai!
(5)
Jenny G.
This is by far one of the the best sushi places I've been to! Their specialty rolls are to die for. I've seen other yelpers say that they felt rushed, but on the contrary, we were almost down to the point of waving to the servers to get some attention. And even when we did get someone to take our order, he obviously want paying complete attention. We asked to be served in their boat, and our rolls come out on a tray! Not bad service, but a little attention to detail goes a long way. The food was good and I would definitely recommend the place to any sushi lover. We'll come back again!!
(3)
Andrew K.
Maybe Harusame has me spoiled, but despite a lot of great reviews on Yelp, Samurai left me disappointed. Already in Rosemont, late at night (for main line sushi places, at least), I lazily decided to give Samurai a try instead of driving the extra 6 minutes to my regular sushi haunt (Harusame) and after Mount Fuji had turned us down (too close to closing time). As we approached the door a little more than 45 mins to closing time (10:30) the place appeared empty, but as soon as my group entered a small army of chefs and servers took their places. We were seated at a table in the middle of the small restaurant and handed menus. I have to say the menus did not give very good impressions. I will accept the pictures as this seems to be the norm at a lot of sushi places, but when you see "Tonight's specials" as a section on the permanent, well-worn menu (i.e. tonight's specials are every night's specials) as well as multiple handwritten corrections you begin to get a bit worried. I can understand how other yelpers felt rushed. My brother and his girlfriend were with us and live in Williamsport, so understandably took a few more minutes deciding on their sushi rolls :P, all the while the server kept checking in asking if we were ready to order (even though the restaurant was completely empty, probably a total of 400 square feet, and he could clearly see we were still deciding). My buddy and I split the sushi for too. We also ordered miso soup and my brother ordered some chicken fried rice. As we put in the sushi orders, the server "whispered" them across the room to the sushi chef. Maybe they are just trying to be prompt, but it's hard not to get the feeling that he was trying to push us out as soon as possible. The miso soup arrived first. It wasn't bad but wasn't great either. The sushi arrived with the fried rice. The nigiri and sashimi in the for two meal ranged from ok to good. The California rolls were not good, the tuna rolls were average. I am not a sushi connoisseur by any means but I have to say that the spider rolls were best described as tasting like fish food. Considering spider rolls at other places have been so good they've nearly brought me to tears, this was pretty disappointing. My brother ordered some "special" roll that had mushrooms and imitation crab, basically a california roll with mushrooms, that I didn't think was too great either and fell apart pretty easily. The fried rice was disappointing; not really going to fault a sushi place for that, but something to keep in mind if you're bringing someone who doesn't like sushi along with you. Finally, to add to the rushed feeling, our checks were swiped away as soon as we signed them-- usually restaurants at least wait until you leave (there was another couple that had sat down at that point so it wasn't like they were waiting for us to leave to close up either). In summary, instead of turning into Samurai, turn onto County Line on the other side of lancaster and drive the extra 6 minutes to Harusame.
(2)
Minh H.
Came here with an awesome friend who liked the place and recommended we hang out. I loved the somewhat dark atmosphere created, which contrasted nicely with the lit counter where we sat. We both ordered udon noodles. I got tempura where it came on the side. WARNING: the bowls came hot so it was easy to burn oneself if not careful. However, it kept the soup warmer, and the soup itself was pretty delicious. I also enjoyed the tempura, although it was a tad oily. I would definitely come here again with future companions.
(4)
Bruce S.
Ate lunch here for the first time, and overall it was a good meal at a decent price and it was fast. I ordered the NY Strip Teriyaki Bento Box which came with the NY Strip in a nice teriyaki sauce on a bed of green peppers and onions, with miso soup, a California roll, white rice and a house salad with ginger dressing. I asked for the steak to be cooked medium rare, and it was definitely on the rare side. It was good, the cali roll was good and the ginger dressing was... good. The service was very good and fast. Everything was good, but nothing was spectacular. So... 4 stars.
(4)
Gloria H.
I have been to Samuari once before and had a good experience, which I think is important to note. However, a couple friends and I went to dinner here the other night and it was terrible. The sushi and dumplings all tasted good, the service was good and the prices are reasonable. However, 4 of the 5 of us had horrible reactions within hours of getting home which lasted into the next day. A pharmacist described it as a response to eating spoiled fish, a specific kind of food poisoning, that often has symptoms similar to an allergic reaction. While I of course don't think that Samuai knowingly served us bad fish, what I am disappointed in is the fact that they did not return phone calls to discuss the matter. Responding to a customer complaint of this nature should be a priority and I was extremely let down to contact food poisoning, and then be ignored afterwards. I will not be back. Be careful!
(2)
Nicole E.
Living in Bryn Mawr you have tons of Asian restaurants to choose from. After trying nearly all of them, we decided that Samurai was our favorite. The staff was always friendly, the small atmosphere was cozy and the sushi always yummy! We never had anything but the sushi and deserts and we never had a problem with anything.
(5)
ben c.
I came here recently with some friends. I always drive by the area and have never seen it. Probably because my eyes are always attracted to the ferrari parked at Algar across the street! :P The parking in front of the restaurant is very limited but there's a nice parking lot in the back which I didn't know existed. Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted by the host and seated at a table. We had a small child with us and a high chair was exchanged with a chair at our table. The service was pretty fast and the sushi was pretty good and it seemed fresh to me. However, the waitress kept forgetting to bring us a straw which eventually never came. Bad waitress! The establishment is small and the space was packed ever since we got there. Even then, the service is still pretty fast and the food came out fast too! This place only serves Japanese food but if you're in the mood for some Chinese too and don't mind driving out eat a bit, there's Shangri La Inn in Bala Cynwyd on Montgomery Ave that has just as good sushi! If you're in the mood for some dessert, try the froyo place next door!!! Now that I know this place exists, I will probably be here more often....
Love this place. The sushi tasted amazing and service was great. Especially the friendly server we had.
(5)
Madeleine T.
Maybe I'm a San Francisco bred sushi snob. Or maybe this was just a really bad night for Samurai. The service here was pretty bad, and the waitress was pretty curt. But I must say we got our food pretty fast. The portions were a bit skimpy, for the tonkatsu. And the sushi wasnt that great, at all. Pretty bland. But like I said, It might've been a bad night. I'm willing to try Samurai again!
(2)
Damian O.
Good service and decent food. I went there for lunch and the front was pretty packed and noisy. I went there for a quiet lunch with my mom and I guess they knew that for some reason and escorted me into the back where it was basically me and my mom only! I have no quarrels with that. Food came out pretty quick and in really good portions. My mom got the tempura bento box and had left overs to take home. I got the tonkatus rice with egg dish (lunch only I think) and that was pretty good and filling. The place isn't over the top and neither is the food but you get what you paid for so I can't really complain. Someone didn't like their green tea but I liked it. It was different (thick and grainy) and maybe that's the way it should be?? They don't stand out but they don't get over shadowed either. I would go back again.. just not frequently.
(3)
Ken C.
Soba noodles and maki were very tasty and flavorful. Service was quick and efficient, ambiance is quite nice. Will definitely return.
(4)
Anne Z.
I would give it a 4, just because it was good, but the sushi wasn't AS good as the nearby Sushi Land (which is also a bit cheaper) and the presentation wasn't as good as Auspicious in Ardmore.
(3)
Rosa V.
Samurai is hit or miss. The sushi rolls are well portioned and well assembled - for the most part. I had a pretty bad experience with a rainbow roll take-out there that looked like no other roll I had ever seen...it was falling apart. Otherwise, the servers are attentive and the vibe is pretty relaxed. The big drawback to Samurai is the space available inside. Don't expect Samurai to be the most appropriate place for private conversations.
(3)
Jane V.
I once spent over $80 with one friend eating sushi/appetizers/drinks and I can't really complain because the food was actually quite good. If anyone has gotten the "Ultimate Sushi Chef's Boat" let me know! I'd like to try it sometime, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try even the most exotic fish. My only negative thought on the place is the lack of parking. I'm not even sure the restaurant has its own parking lot but I usually find myself parking in the lot by the Gullifty's, which is right next to it, but still... it can get pretty packed in the evening.
(4)
Michael C.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Samurai! The only sushi restaurant in the area where I've ever been able to find Hoso Maki on the menu. They prepare it differently and it's DELICIOUS!!!!! It's layered into a rectangular form and then pressed the for is removed and then it's sliced. Definitely give it a try if you go there. It's like a sushi parfait! YUMMY:)
(5)
Shari N.
Although there are at least 4 or 5 other sushi places near us, Samurai is our go to place for sushi in the Main Line. We typically get the Sushi/Sashimi combo for 2 ($46)...which offers a satisfying and very filling array of tunas, salmon, mackerel and sometimes octopus, paired with california and tuna rolls. Occasionally we'll supplement with some of the other maki/rolls--my favorite is the rainbow roll--but usually the combo platter is plenty of food for two. If you're not a sushi eater, Samurai offers plenty of other options--such as teriyakis, hibachis, tempuras, and hot pots (my husband loves the beef one). The choices extend well beyond chicken, beef, shrimp and tofu...think salmon, lobster, filet mignon...yum!! The seating is "cozy" but not overcrowded and the staff is genuinely friendly. The guys slinging the sushi are always willing to chat and answer questions. There's even a nice outdoor area during the warmer months...a rarity in this part of the Main Line. The food is usually excellent--whether we dine in or take out. My only complaint is that about 1 in 10 times the sushi/sashimi just falls a little flat. It's not bad...just a little below the expectation. Unfortunately, that happened to us the other night...the salmon and the tuna sashimi were just a little paler/blander than usual...but at least I know my next 9 times it'll be wonderful!
(4)
Yaka H.
Came here for friends for an early dinner. It was before their restaurant hours for dinner, we didn't know that when we walked in, but they willingly let us in. This place is pretty clean and the service courteous. It was really nice when they asked if we wanted separate checks. I tried the ume shiso maki and the Ali-BaBa special roll. Both were of decent size and taste. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing super spectacular; was filling and fine. They seem the have the pretty traditional fare with a decent selection of specialty rolls. They don't seem to have many bento box combination offerings for dinner (I'm not sure about lunch). Some people in the group had mentioned that while this place was nice, it's a bit more expensive than its competitor down the street, Sushi Land.
(3)
Jessica A.
I only ate here once and I did enjoy their sushi. However, I don't think I want to come back to this place only because my friend and I felt like the waiters were trying to rush us. We came to this restaurant when they're just open and there's only another table (2 other customers) besides my friend and I. So it wasn't that crowded and busy at all. We felt like we're rush into order the food and even after we just finished the food, the waiter quickly came to our table and asked if we are done and picked up our plates and gave us the check. Even at this point there was still no other new customers walking in. The place is literary dead but the waiters acted as if the place is full and busy and tried to hurry us up.
(3)
Emily X.
It's a little far though food is nice, environment is good, just wish the owner could change the background music......
(4)
Brian M.
Ok, I'll admit I'm a bit peeved while writing this. I asked for a simple substitution. I expected to pay the difference in price. However, I was charged DOUBLE the difference. Evidently the folks who run Samurai Sushi feel providing a customer with what they want should come with punitive charges! Message to this customer, "We aren't interested in accommodating your tastes and we are going to punish you for asking for a simple, reasonable substitution. Maybe you should find a more accommodating sushi joint."
(2)
David A.
Seriously. The best sushi in the entire Philadelphia area. Not as fancy as Morimoto's, but quite a bit fresher. Highly recommend the New York roll. Fabulous.
(5)
Steven B.
I don't like sushi. Unfortunately I've been to my share of Japanese restaurants usually because I'm joining some friends for lunch. As a result I'm happy when a place has a few things for me. For instance chicken teriyaki will do just fine. This place more than meets my needs. The atmosphere is nice. My friends consistently rave about the sushi and my chicken is great. Just a quick note on parking. It's easiest if you park near Boarders and Gulliftys. It will be a walk of just a minute or two.
(3)
Alex P.
It's a bit over priced, but I guess not out of line with main line prices. I like having lunch here. The atmosphere is very peaceful and its an intimate setting for a small group or couple. The people are really friendly and I usually wind up taking a container of their ginger dressing home for later. The price of their homemade dressing is uber cheap... I think it's around $4 for 16 ounces, so yeah, that's a good bargain and they make it really well... I will say though that the food is honestly mediocre... It's pretty good but not great. I think sometimes I question how fresh the sushi is... Not old enough to make anyone sick, but not fresh enough so that you can taste the difference. Their hot dishes are also just ok. I guess I mostly Keep coming here because it's pretty close to home and there aren't many other Japanese restaurants close by.
(4)
Bryan V.
Mediocre quality. Fresh but not tasty. A little pricey considering the area. I expected better.
(2)
Danan R.
This is my favorite sushi place on the Main Line. They had blue fin otoro, lobster tail, scallops, and amazingly sweet, creamy, fresh uni. I felt quite gluttonous (I'm talking 3rd circle of Inferno) after eating my heart's desire of otoro, uni, soft shell crab tempura (crisp and delicious), a Samurai roll (basically combine my 2 fav. spicy rolls and what do you get? spicy tuna, salmon, avocado covered with roe on the outside), and a Lobster roll (so good! spicy lobster tempura with roe), topped off with a squid and seaweed salad (so much better than plain wakame). The service is very attentive and the waiter was great about making recommendations for a friend who doesn't eat raw fish. It's also about 2 min. away from Hope's Cookies, where I drag myself to after every meal here. The best combination: fresh sushi and sashimi capped off by a cookie (or two) from Hope's.
(4)
Christopher M.
Samurai is more like a 3.7, but I can't give it a 4.0 because that would be unfair to my other 4.0 rated places. Overall, good sushi, easy place to relax in, professional staff. Probably one of the top 2 sushi bars on the Mail Line. I go back occasionally, and I do like this place,...but mainly out of convenience. It's much better than 80-90% of all the other sushi bars out there, so it's worth it if you are in Main Line and want sushi.
(3)
Lianni C.
Being from the Bay Area and being a sushi addict, the first thing I did when I moved to PA for Grad school was to search out a sushi restaurant. Samurai sushi is the shining star that I found just a couple miles from Villanova. Try the French Maki or the Vietnemese Maki. Best value for sashimi lovers is the Deluxe Sashimi Sampler. Where else can you get 23 pieces of Sashimi for only $25. In this area that is a steal! Plus they give you oranges after your meal if you sit at the bar - or if you're a special customer. I graduated in 09 and came back to California and just recently went back to visit and stopped for dinner. They not only remembered me but sent over a complimentary dish.
The sushi was delicious and the service was quick and pleasant. That's all that's required to make this girl happy!
(4)
Scott F.
No disappointment in store at this Sushi restaurant. Having been here about 6 times for sit-down meals, this was my go-to for a long time during college. In an area littered with Sushi, this location in the heart of the mainline is unassuming and simple. It's always nice to see sushi as sushi instead of the upscale crap the rich mainliners get force fed from time to time.
(4)
Craig D.
Good Sushi!
(4)
Angie G.
The vegetarian maki here is really good. I'm a fan of the alaskan roll and the sweet potato tempura roll. Salad and soup are also very good. I did however have some safety issues with using my credit card here- bring cash!
(3)
Rose D.
I love this place. The filet bento box is to die for. The meat is always amazingly cooked and it is a good amount of food for the price. I usually take it home and finish it for dinner. The sushi is alway fresh and delicious.
(5)
Payal P.
run of the mill sushi/japanese place. we all got sushi and it was well done but no creative rolls just the standard "specialty rolls". this will do if your really craving sushi but so will any of the other places around here. one plus - they have a bar and they top the glasses of wine off, for $6.50 that is more than worth it!
(3)
Steve T.
Still great local sushi for the Main Line. Their specialty rolls are fantastic and original. I'm here about once a month for my sushi fix, and Samurai remains very good and consistent...unlike my use of chopsticks.
(4)
Regina F.
Samurai is the best sushi restaurant the Bryn Mawr - Haverford - Ardmore stretch of the Main Line has to offer. With plenty of unique rolls (try the Red and White for spicy, crunchy tuna topped with alternating white and red tuna sushi) and a bountiful selection of non-raw-fish-eaters friendly cuisine (terriyaki chicken and udon soup etc...) it's the perfect restaurant for the family. Though when dining in, presentation is pretty and compact, the rolls can get mildly sloppy - not packed as neatly - if you order carry out. Oh, and the good sized portion of mochi ice cream offers a sweet ending to a savory meal.
(4)
Tina C.
This is our regular sushi place. We go here instead of sushi land because it is fresher even though it's more expensive. Sushi on the mainline is just not very good when you've lived elsewhere but this will do.
(3)
Erin K.
I love Samurai. The food here is great, and the staff is super friendly. I treat myself to dinner here at least one a week. The waitstaff has even begun to treat me like Norm from Cheers. They know where I like to sit, what I like to eat, etc., etc. By far the best sushi place in the Wayne/Villanova/Bryn Mawr/Haverford/Ardmore area.
(5)
Krista B.
I do like Samurai overall, but sometimes the service can be a bit off. They are usually friendly when they notice you, but we've stood at the hostess station with no welcome for awhile, and then been left to hang out for awhile sometimes until a server shows up at our table. That said, the Sunflower rosette sashimi special on the inside front page, with salmon and tuna and roe in little florettes, is delicious! As is the Vietnamese maki, which is a big fresh spring roll with spicy tuna, tempura crunch, and shrimp--it is a whole light meal. Sometimes edamame can be overcooked, and my tempura batter was slightly pasty and not as light and crispy as it should be--ok I tried this again when someone ordered it and the batter is way too thick, not light and crispy at all, almost more of a deep-fried beer batter style, and too greasy. I'll go back since it's right near my house, but it's not my fave (that would be Fuji Mountain, down by the fire house). Had an excellent super white tuna sashimi recently so am adding a star--it was $9 a piece (wish we had known before we each got 2 pieces!), but it was that good. at the end of my most recent meal, all the wait staff just left the front dining room: no more water refills, no wiping the table off during meal or after clearing it as I sat and talked and sipped my tea, and speaking of which, no pouring of my tea during the meal, all things I'm used to at some other sushi places I go to. Certain things are good here, but certain things are just a little off.
(4)
Barb S.
I've gotten take-out Samurai a ton of times for lunch, as I used to work right next door, and have been there a few times for dinner. The food is always very good -- their chirashi is the BEST I've ever had, hands down, and the soba was excellent as well. It's been ages since I've been there for a sit-down meal, but I remember the service being somewhat slow; surprising, for such a small restaurant. The take-out service was very fast whenever I ordered (no more than 15 minutes), but I also tended to call at 11.30am on the dot, so I was always their first order of the day! It's a tiny bit pricey, but I think it's well worth it for the quality of the food and the cozy decor.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Regina B.
What a lovely thing when the Patriarch and the Queen Mother appear on my doorstep offering gifts of lunch. Of course, since they are Seniors, this means going to a restaurant they are comfortable in. No african-thai-russian fusion food for these folks. They like their food straightforward, no curves. Samurai is their go-to place for Japanese. The same things are always ordered: Chicken & Vegetable Tempura Bento Box, Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, and Chicken Gyoza. The Patriarch and I get cucumber sushi because we're both allergic to seafood, and the Queen Mother got the California Roll that comes standard with the bento. Both dishes are consistently good. The tempura is nicely lightly fried, not soggy or burnt, and has good flavor. The chicken teriyaki is a nicely grilled tender sliced chicken breast with caramelized onions. The meal is the same every singe time, bonus points for consistency! The service is usually nicely attentive, and the place is clean and warm (also important to Seniors). Parking can be a bit of a challenge, though you can often park across the street in the mini-mall's parking lot. Samurai, you are a Senior's dream. Good food, consistently prepared in a clean environment. Good job.
(3)Stan P.
What a disappointment. This place was not good I would suggest you think twice before selecting this option. The manager and wait staff may possibly be the worst I have ever encountered, rude and definitely not focused on customer service. The manager is a very angry hostile fella I asked if I could get brown rice instead of white and he blasted me...I offered to pay extra and he stormed off? Do not know what the deal was but this is just plain unprofessional and creepy behavior. The waitresses will smack into you while you are eating...man what a mess this place is from top to bottom. The food just OK at best! I am seriously complimenting them here... you can do better at home than here. Seriously I am not going to go into you have been warned just yuk...OK? these other folks with the positive reviews for this place must burn off their taste buds with adult beverages. (Didn't try the sake it may be the high point of the joint...but why would I want to expose my taste buds to a substandard meal to enjoy some rice wine? I can do this at home. Here is something I am not sure of, I have only lived here a few months now, is it customary to charge for each soda every time you get a refill here? I was charged for each I asked why they said "This is how we do it here." So at $2 bucks per 6-8 ounces of beverage you may want to go with water at this place...but smarter yet! Go elsewhere. I will not be returning to this establishment. Worst yet.
(1)Catherine S.
Super fast but not that great. Oil used to fry tempura was old. Tuna not bright red, more dark indicating it is not that fresh. Gyoza was boiled and soggy. House salad ginger dressing good. Would not return. Would rather seek out better options.
(2)Krista H.
Great spicy tuna, shrimp dumplings and service! Also kid-friendly - we went early and had the whole back room to ourselves.
(4)Mike R.
Samurai, what happened to you? It was almost 5 years ago when it seemed like your restaurant was the roaring 20's. I would actually get excited when I'd go eat at your establishment. A small, quaint Japanese restaurant filled to capacity, sitting at the sushi bar watching the chefs perform their craft. You guys had the BEST sushi around, no one could touch you and the atmosphere was electric. That all faded away out of no where and I've finally come to terms that the Samurai I once knew has committed seppuku. I came here on a Saturday around 8 pm with a friend to a nearly dead atmosphere. There was one couple sitting in the corner... I knew this was a bad sign. The seaweed salad was doable, not as fresh as I remember. The eel, the one thing I knew samurai did right, did not have much flavor. The king crab was like rubber, absolutely no flavor. Then came the spider roll.... Holy shit. Mushy, grainy, fishy, absolutely horrendous. I was personally hurt by this, remembering the quality they used to serve. A piece of me has died with samurai. I've come to terms with what it now is and I will try to move on.
(2)Adrienne A.
A couple of months ago I came here with a friend and ordered sushi, it was good. I ordered a full dinner tonight for the family and my boyfriend found a STAPLE his food! A STAPLE! After calling the restaurant and informing them of this the person who answered the phone offered us a credit toward our next meal! Do they honestly think we will be coming back?! After insisting for a full refund the man said he would need to speak to his boss and call us back. Needless to say we are still waiting for that phone call.
(1)Bill M.
My go to for consistent good sushi on the main line (that I've been slacking on reviewing until now). And not just because its one of the very few viable options that isn't BYOB. Overall the sushi bar is fairly reasonably priced, especially if you come with an adventurous eater who's game for trying one of their extensive combo options.But the non sushi eaters will be satisfied with their huge entree menu that features plenty of hibachi and teriyaki options (Filet Mignon & Lobster Teriyaki or Hibachi FTW if you're looking to treat yourself!). But whether you go with nigiri, sashimi, or any of their specialty maki rolls; the sushi menu is classic and well thought out without being pretentious. Some of my favorite sushi options include the SST Maki with spicy shrimp tempura, scallions, and cooked eel; the red dragon maki with eel & avocado wrapped inside tuna sashimi; the spicy and sweet tropical maki with jumbo lump crab, wasabi, mango, and tobiko caviar; and the spicy red snapper maki. But with whatever you pick its pretty hard to go wrong. Especially when your able to take advantage of their killer lunch specials.
(4)Katie L.
Came here with two of my close friends for a lunch date. I'm from California, so finding good sushi anywhere else other than Japan can be difficult. I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Samurai. I ordered the Chirashi and it came with a very nice selection of fresh sashimi. Typically Chirashi tends to be quite pricey with not very much sashimi, but I thought this was great. We also ordered two rolls, one topped with tuna and hamachi (I think) sashimi and one with unagi (eel). They were pretty standard sushi rolls and both quite good. The Chirashi surprised me the most because it was so reasonably priced and very good. Since I got to school somewhat nearby, I will be frequenting this place a lot more.
(4)Reilly W.
Samurai, has the best Sushi in Villanova. I am never disappointed when I eat there, there rolls are fresh, and unique. Their house salad the "Ginger Dressing" is always a perfect starter to the meal. My normal meal is the Deluxe Sushi Sampler, or a Bento Box both of which are amazing, I am not a tofu lover, but their miso soup is superb. The service is also great, very kind and it is very fast service. A small and quaint little restaurant, with amazing food and service . I have had Herosame, and it is nothing compared to Samurai. And I believe Samurai Sushi actually had better sushi then Mori Moto. Thank you Samurai!
(5)Jenny G.
This is by far one of the the best sushi places I've been to! Their specialty rolls are to die for. I've seen other yelpers say that they felt rushed, but on the contrary, we were almost down to the point of waving to the servers to get some attention. And even when we did get someone to take our order, he obviously want paying complete attention. We asked to be served in their boat, and our rolls come out on a tray! Not bad service, but a little attention to detail goes a long way. The food was good and I would definitely recommend the place to any sushi lover. We'll come back again!!
(3)Andrew K.
Maybe Harusame has me spoiled, but despite a lot of great reviews on Yelp, Samurai left me disappointed. Already in Rosemont, late at night (for main line sushi places, at least), I lazily decided to give Samurai a try instead of driving the extra 6 minutes to my regular sushi haunt (Harusame) and after Mount Fuji had turned us down (too close to closing time). As we approached the door a little more than 45 mins to closing time (10:30) the place appeared empty, but as soon as my group entered a small army of chefs and servers took their places. We were seated at a table in the middle of the small restaurant and handed menus. I have to say the menus did not give very good impressions. I will accept the pictures as this seems to be the norm at a lot of sushi places, but when you see "Tonight's specials" as a section on the permanent, well-worn menu (i.e. tonight's specials are every night's specials) as well as multiple handwritten corrections you begin to get a bit worried. I can understand how other yelpers felt rushed. My brother and his girlfriend were with us and live in Williamsport, so understandably took a few more minutes deciding on their sushi rolls :P, all the while the server kept checking in asking if we were ready to order (even though the restaurant was completely empty, probably a total of 400 square feet, and he could clearly see we were still deciding). My buddy and I split the sushi for too. We also ordered miso soup and my brother ordered some chicken fried rice. As we put in the sushi orders, the server "whispered" them across the room to the sushi chef. Maybe they are just trying to be prompt, but it's hard not to get the feeling that he was trying to push us out as soon as possible. The miso soup arrived first. It wasn't bad but wasn't great either. The sushi arrived with the fried rice. The nigiri and sashimi in the for two meal ranged from ok to good. The California rolls were not good, the tuna rolls were average. I am not a sushi connoisseur by any means but I have to say that the spider rolls were best described as tasting like fish food. Considering spider rolls at other places have been so good they've nearly brought me to tears, this was pretty disappointing. My brother ordered some "special" roll that had mushrooms and imitation crab, basically a california roll with mushrooms, that I didn't think was too great either and fell apart pretty easily. The fried rice was disappointing; not really going to fault a sushi place for that, but something to keep in mind if you're bringing someone who doesn't like sushi along with you. Finally, to add to the rushed feeling, our checks were swiped away as soon as we signed them-- usually restaurants at least wait until you leave (there was another couple that had sat down at that point so it wasn't like they were waiting for us to leave to close up either). In summary, instead of turning into Samurai, turn onto County Line on the other side of lancaster and drive the extra 6 minutes to Harusame.
(2)Minh H.
Came here with an awesome friend who liked the place and recommended we hang out. I loved the somewhat dark atmosphere created, which contrasted nicely with the lit counter where we sat. We both ordered udon noodles. I got tempura where it came on the side. WARNING: the bowls came hot so it was easy to burn oneself if not careful. However, it kept the soup warmer, and the soup itself was pretty delicious. I also enjoyed the tempura, although it was a tad oily. I would definitely come here again with future companions.
(4)Bruce S.
Ate lunch here for the first time, and overall it was a good meal at a decent price and it was fast. I ordered the NY Strip Teriyaki Bento Box which came with the NY Strip in a nice teriyaki sauce on a bed of green peppers and onions, with miso soup, a California roll, white rice and a house salad with ginger dressing. I asked for the steak to be cooked medium rare, and it was definitely on the rare side. It was good, the cali roll was good and the ginger dressing was... good. The service was very good and fast. Everything was good, but nothing was spectacular. So... 4 stars.
(4)Gloria H.
I have been to Samuari once before and had a good experience, which I think is important to note. However, a couple friends and I went to dinner here the other night and it was terrible. The sushi and dumplings all tasted good, the service was good and the prices are reasonable. However, 4 of the 5 of us had horrible reactions within hours of getting home which lasted into the next day. A pharmacist described it as a response to eating spoiled fish, a specific kind of food poisoning, that often has symptoms similar to an allergic reaction. While I of course don't think that Samuai knowingly served us bad fish, what I am disappointed in is the fact that they did not return phone calls to discuss the matter. Responding to a customer complaint of this nature should be a priority and I was extremely let down to contact food poisoning, and then be ignored afterwards. I will not be back. Be careful!
(2)Nicole E.
Living in Bryn Mawr you have tons of Asian restaurants to choose from. After trying nearly all of them, we decided that Samurai was our favorite. The staff was always friendly, the small atmosphere was cozy and the sushi always yummy! We never had anything but the sushi and deserts and we never had a problem with anything.
(5)ben c.
I came here recently with some friends. I always drive by the area and have never seen it. Probably because my eyes are always attracted to the ferrari parked at Algar across the street! :P The parking in front of the restaurant is very limited but there's a nice parking lot in the back which I didn't know existed. Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted by the host and seated at a table. We had a small child with us and a high chair was exchanged with a chair at our table. The service was pretty fast and the sushi was pretty good and it seemed fresh to me. However, the waitress kept forgetting to bring us a straw which eventually never came. Bad waitress! The establishment is small and the space was packed ever since we got there. Even then, the service is still pretty fast and the food came out fast too! This place only serves Japanese food but if you're in the mood for some Chinese too and don't mind driving out eat a bit, there's Shangri La Inn in Bala Cynwyd on Montgomery Ave that has just as good sushi! If you're in the mood for some dessert, try the froyo place next door!!! Now that I know this place exists, I will probably be here more often....
(3)Paige B.
I'm a regular at Samurai and, after several years of patronage, felt like it was time to endorse my favorite takeout spot. Ambiance: Samurai is a cute little Japanese restaurant. The waitresses wear Japanese dresses and the décor is Japanese-inspired in a classic sense. It is small, cozy, and has an intimate setting that would suit a casual dinner or a date. There are individual small tables and an option to sit at the sushi bar. I would recommend not coming in with a group larger than 10, since even with a reservation, the dining area is small. The menu is big, they have a bar, and they also offer Japanese desserts as well as more Americanized desserts. Sunflower Roll: This is my go-to takeout meal when I'm craving sushi. Spicy tuna mixed with a sparing amount of crunch and scallion is combined and rolled inside of filets of eel, yellowtail, blue fin, toro, and salmon sashimi, and the roll is drizzled with spicy sriracha mayo and unagi sauce, and topped with assorted caviars. To clarify, this roll doesn't contain any rice or nori, just fresh fish. It is rich, flavorful, filling, and ten kinds of delicious.The only reason why I didn't give it 5 out of 5 stars is because you never know how much you are going to get; there are times when the roll is giant and other times when it is small. (I uploaded two pictures from two separate visits, "Sunflower Roll (without eel)," above). Service: The four regular waitresses are sweet and helpful, but sometimes when the place is packed, they seem to be spread too thin. Overall: Fish is sometimes not fresh, which can make or break your meal. When it's good, the sunflower roll is not to be missed!
(3)Jake D.
Love this place. The sushi tasted amazing and service was great. Especially the friendly server we had.
(5)Madeleine T.
Maybe I'm a San Francisco bred sushi snob. Or maybe this was just a really bad night for Samurai. The service here was pretty bad, and the waitress was pretty curt. But I must say we got our food pretty fast. The portions were a bit skimpy, for the tonkatsu. And the sushi wasnt that great, at all. Pretty bland. But like I said, It might've been a bad night. I'm willing to try Samurai again!
(2)Damian O.
Good service and decent food. I went there for lunch and the front was pretty packed and noisy. I went there for a quiet lunch with my mom and I guess they knew that for some reason and escorted me into the back where it was basically me and my mom only! I have no quarrels with that. Food came out pretty quick and in really good portions. My mom got the tempura bento box and had left overs to take home. I got the tonkatus rice with egg dish (lunch only I think) and that was pretty good and filling. The place isn't over the top and neither is the food but you get what you paid for so I can't really complain. Someone didn't like their green tea but I liked it. It was different (thick and grainy) and maybe that's the way it should be?? They don't stand out but they don't get over shadowed either. I would go back again.. just not frequently.
(3)Ken C.
Soba noodles and maki were very tasty and flavorful. Service was quick and efficient, ambiance is quite nice. Will definitely return.
(4)Anne Z.
I would give it a 4, just because it was good, but the sushi wasn't AS good as the nearby Sushi Land (which is also a bit cheaper) and the presentation wasn't as good as Auspicious in Ardmore.
(3)Rosa V.
Samurai is hit or miss. The sushi rolls are well portioned and well assembled - for the most part. I had a pretty bad experience with a rainbow roll take-out there that looked like no other roll I had ever seen...it was falling apart. Otherwise, the servers are attentive and the vibe is pretty relaxed. The big drawback to Samurai is the space available inside. Don't expect Samurai to be the most appropriate place for private conversations.
(3)Jane V.
I once spent over $80 with one friend eating sushi/appetizers/drinks and I can't really complain because the food was actually quite good. If anyone has gotten the "Ultimate Sushi Chef's Boat" let me know! I'd like to try it sometime, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try even the most exotic fish. My only negative thought on the place is the lack of parking. I'm not even sure the restaurant has its own parking lot but I usually find myself parking in the lot by the Gullifty's, which is right next to it, but still... it can get pretty packed in the evening.
(4)Michael C.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Samurai! The only sushi restaurant in the area where I've ever been able to find Hoso Maki on the menu. They prepare it differently and it's DELICIOUS!!!!! It's layered into a rectangular form and then pressed the for is removed and then it's sliced. Definitely give it a try if you go there. It's like a sushi parfait! YUMMY:)
(5)Shari N.
Although there are at least 4 or 5 other sushi places near us, Samurai is our go to place for sushi in the Main Line. We typically get the Sushi/Sashimi combo for 2 ($46)...which offers a satisfying and very filling array of tunas, salmon, mackerel and sometimes octopus, paired with california and tuna rolls. Occasionally we'll supplement with some of the other maki/rolls--my favorite is the rainbow roll--but usually the combo platter is plenty of food for two. If you're not a sushi eater, Samurai offers plenty of other options--such as teriyakis, hibachis, tempuras, and hot pots (my husband loves the beef one). The choices extend well beyond chicken, beef, shrimp and tofu...think salmon, lobster, filet mignon...yum!! The seating is "cozy" but not overcrowded and the staff is genuinely friendly. The guys slinging the sushi are always willing to chat and answer questions. There's even a nice outdoor area during the warmer months...a rarity in this part of the Main Line. The food is usually excellent--whether we dine in or take out. My only complaint is that about 1 in 10 times the sushi/sashimi just falls a little flat. It's not bad...just a little below the expectation. Unfortunately, that happened to us the other night...the salmon and the tuna sashimi were just a little paler/blander than usual...but at least I know my next 9 times it'll be wonderful!
(4)Yaka H.
Came here for friends for an early dinner. It was before their restaurant hours for dinner, we didn't know that when we walked in, but they willingly let us in. This place is pretty clean and the service courteous. It was really nice when they asked if we wanted separate checks. I tried the ume shiso maki and the Ali-BaBa special roll. Both were of decent size and taste. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing super spectacular; was filling and fine. They seem the have the pretty traditional fare with a decent selection of specialty rolls. They don't seem to have many bento box combination offerings for dinner (I'm not sure about lunch). Some people in the group had mentioned that while this place was nice, it's a bit more expensive than its competitor down the street, Sushi Land.
(3)Jessica A.
I only ate here once and I did enjoy their sushi. However, I don't think I want to come back to this place only because my friend and I felt like the waiters were trying to rush us. We came to this restaurant when they're just open and there's only another table (2 other customers) besides my friend and I. So it wasn't that crowded and busy at all. We felt like we're rush into order the food and even after we just finished the food, the waiter quickly came to our table and asked if we are done and picked up our plates and gave us the check. Even at this point there was still no other new customers walking in. The place is literary dead but the waiters acted as if the place is full and busy and tried to hurry us up.
(3)Emily X.
It's a little far though food is nice, environment is good, just wish the owner could change the background music......
(4)Brian M.
Ok, I'll admit I'm a bit peeved while writing this. I asked for a simple substitution. I expected to pay the difference in price. However, I was charged DOUBLE the difference. Evidently the folks who run Samurai Sushi feel providing a customer with what they want should come with punitive charges! Message to this customer, "We aren't interested in accommodating your tastes and we are going to punish you for asking for a simple, reasonable substitution. Maybe you should find a more accommodating sushi joint."
(2)David A.
Seriously. The best sushi in the entire Philadelphia area. Not as fancy as Morimoto's, but quite a bit fresher. Highly recommend the New York roll. Fabulous.
(5)Steven B.
I don't like sushi. Unfortunately I've been to my share of Japanese restaurants usually because I'm joining some friends for lunch. As a result I'm happy when a place has a few things for me. For instance chicken teriyaki will do just fine. This place more than meets my needs. The atmosphere is nice. My friends consistently rave about the sushi and my chicken is great. Just a quick note on parking. It's easiest if you park near Boarders and Gulliftys. It will be a walk of just a minute or two.
(3)Alex P.
It's a bit over priced, but I guess not out of line with main line prices. I like having lunch here. The atmosphere is very peaceful and its an intimate setting for a small group or couple. The people are really friendly and I usually wind up taking a container of their ginger dressing home for later. The price of their homemade dressing is uber cheap... I think it's around $4 for 16 ounces, so yeah, that's a good bargain and they make it really well... I will say though that the food is honestly mediocre... It's pretty good but not great. I think sometimes I question how fresh the sushi is... Not old enough to make anyone sick, but not fresh enough so that you can taste the difference. Their hot dishes are also just ok. I guess I mostly Keep coming here because it's pretty close to home and there aren't many other Japanese restaurants close by.
(4)Bryan V.
Mediocre quality. Fresh but not tasty. A little pricey considering the area. I expected better.
(2)Danan R.
This is my favorite sushi place on the Main Line. They had blue fin otoro, lobster tail, scallops, and amazingly sweet, creamy, fresh uni. I felt quite gluttonous (I'm talking 3rd circle of Inferno) after eating my heart's desire of otoro, uni, soft shell crab tempura (crisp and delicious), a Samurai roll (basically combine my 2 fav. spicy rolls and what do you get? spicy tuna, salmon, avocado covered with roe on the outside), and a Lobster roll (so good! spicy lobster tempura with roe), topped off with a squid and seaweed salad (so much better than plain wakame). The service is very attentive and the waiter was great about making recommendations for a friend who doesn't eat raw fish. It's also about 2 min. away from Hope's Cookies, where I drag myself to after every meal here. The best combination: fresh sushi and sashimi capped off by a cookie (or two) from Hope's.
(4)Christopher M.
Samurai is more like a 3.7, but I can't give it a 4.0 because that would be unfair to my other 4.0 rated places. Overall, good sushi, easy place to relax in, professional staff. Probably one of the top 2 sushi bars on the Mail Line. I go back occasionally, and I do like this place,...but mainly out of convenience. It's much better than 80-90% of all the other sushi bars out there, so it's worth it if you are in Main Line and want sushi.
(3)Lianni C.
Being from the Bay Area and being a sushi addict, the first thing I did when I moved to PA for Grad school was to search out a sushi restaurant. Samurai sushi is the shining star that I found just a couple miles from Villanova. Try the French Maki or the Vietnemese Maki. Best value for sashimi lovers is the Deluxe Sashimi Sampler. Where else can you get 23 pieces of Sashimi for only $25. In this area that is a steal! Plus they give you oranges after your meal if you sit at the bar - or if you're a special customer. I graduated in 09 and came back to California and just recently went back to visit and stopped for dinner. They not only remembered me but sent over a complimentary dish.
(4)Chérie S.
The sushi was delicious and the service was quick and pleasant. That's all that's required to make this girl happy!
(4)Scott F.
No disappointment in store at this Sushi restaurant. Having been here about 6 times for sit-down meals, this was my go-to for a long time during college. In an area littered with Sushi, this location in the heart of the mainline is unassuming and simple. It's always nice to see sushi as sushi instead of the upscale crap the rich mainliners get force fed from time to time.
(4)Craig D.
Good Sushi!
(4)Angie G.
The vegetarian maki here is really good. I'm a fan of the alaskan roll and the sweet potato tempura roll. Salad and soup are also very good. I did however have some safety issues with using my credit card here- bring cash!
(3)Rose D.
I love this place. The filet bento box is to die for. The meat is always amazingly cooked and it is a good amount of food for the price. I usually take it home and finish it for dinner. The sushi is alway fresh and delicious.
(5)Payal P.
run of the mill sushi/japanese place. we all got sushi and it was well done but no creative rolls just the standard "specialty rolls". this will do if your really craving sushi but so will any of the other places around here. one plus - they have a bar and they top the glasses of wine off, for $6.50 that is more than worth it!
(3)Steve T.
Still great local sushi for the Main Line. Their specialty rolls are fantastic and original. I'm here about once a month for my sushi fix, and Samurai remains very good and consistent...unlike my use of chopsticks.
(4)Regina F.
Samurai is the best sushi restaurant the Bryn Mawr - Haverford - Ardmore stretch of the Main Line has to offer. With plenty of unique rolls (try the Red and White for spicy, crunchy tuna topped with alternating white and red tuna sushi) and a bountiful selection of non-raw-fish-eaters friendly cuisine (terriyaki chicken and udon soup etc...) it's the perfect restaurant for the family. Though when dining in, presentation is pretty and compact, the rolls can get mildly sloppy - not packed as neatly - if you order carry out. Oh, and the good sized portion of mochi ice cream offers a sweet ending to a savory meal.
(4)Tina C.
This is our regular sushi place. We go here instead of sushi land because it is fresher even though it's more expensive. Sushi on the mainline is just not very good when you've lived elsewhere but this will do.
(3)Erin K.
I love Samurai. The food here is great, and the staff is super friendly. I treat myself to dinner here at least one a week. The waitstaff has even begun to treat me like Norm from Cheers. They know where I like to sit, what I like to eat, etc., etc. By far the best sushi place in the Wayne/Villanova/Bryn Mawr/Haverford/Ardmore area.
(5)Krista B.
I do like Samurai overall, but sometimes the service can be a bit off. They are usually friendly when they notice you, but we've stood at the hostess station with no welcome for awhile, and then been left to hang out for awhile sometimes until a server shows up at our table. That said, the Sunflower rosette sashimi special on the inside front page, with salmon and tuna and roe in little florettes, is delicious! As is the Vietnamese maki, which is a big fresh spring roll with spicy tuna, tempura crunch, and shrimp--it is a whole light meal. Sometimes edamame can be overcooked, and my tempura batter was slightly pasty and not as light and crispy as it should be--ok I tried this again when someone ordered it and the batter is way too thick, not light and crispy at all, almost more of a deep-fried beer batter style, and too greasy. I'll go back since it's right near my house, but it's not my fave (that would be Fuji Mountain, down by the fire house). Had an excellent super white tuna sashimi recently so am adding a star--it was $9 a piece (wish we had known before we each got 2 pieces!), but it was that good. at the end of my most recent meal, all the wait staff just left the front dining room: no more water refills, no wiping the table off during meal or after clearing it as I sat and talked and sipped my tea, and speaking of which, no pouring of my tea during the meal, all things I'm used to at some other sushi places I go to. Certain things are good here, but certain things are just a little off.
(4)Barb S.
I've gotten take-out Samurai a ton of times for lunch, as I used to work right next door, and have been there a few times for dinner. The food is always very good -- their chirashi is the BEST I've ever had, hands down, and the soba was excellent as well. It's been ages since I've been there for a sit-down meal, but I remember the service being somewhat slow; surprising, for such a small restaurant. The take-out service was very fast whenever I ordered (no more than 15 minutes), but I also tended to call at 11.30am on the dot, so I was always their first order of the day! It's a tiny bit pricey, but I think it's well worth it for the quality of the food and the cozy decor.
(4)