Welcome to Umai Omakase
At Umai Omakase, located in Verona, NJ, a journey of exquisite dining awaits. This intimate Japanese restaurant elevates the art of sushi with an authentic omakase experience. Each dish is crafted from the freshest fish, often flown in from Japan, offering highlights like rich A5 Wagyu and buttery uni. Patrons rave about the thoughtful pacing of the 12- and 18-piece omakase menus, which feature distinct flavor profiles that tantalize the palate. The cozy ambiance enhances the culinary artistry, making every visit a cherished experience. Dining here feels less like a meal and more like a celebration of Japanese culinary tradition.
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18 Grove Ave, Verona, NJ 07044 Hotline: (862) 277-4125
Discover the culinary gem of Verona, NJ—Umai Omakase. Nestled at 18 Grove Ave, Verona, NJ 07044, this quaint restaurant has quickly gained a stellar reputation among food enthusiasts. Specializing in the art of omakase, Umai Omakase invites diners to embark on an exquisite journey through authentic Japanese cuisine.
As you enter, you are greeted by a cozy ambiance, perfect for enjoying finely crafted sushi. The inviting layout allows patrons to watch the skilled chefs as they prepare each dish with precision and care. The intimate setting creates a sense of connection, where you can truly appreciate the artistry behind each piece of sushi.
The highlight of Umai Omakase lies in its omakase offerings, with both 12-piece ($85) and 18-piece ($150) selections. This curated experience allows diners to savor an impressive variety of fresh fish, thoughtfully crafted to guide your palate from lighter to richer flavors. Guests rave about the exquisite selection, and many claim it’s a must-try compared to standard sushi offerings. Notable mentions include:
- A5 Wagyu - Indulge in melt-in-your-mouth richness for $30.
- Seared Toro - A buttery texture that brings a comforting warmth, only $20.
- Bluefin Toro Tartare - A delicacy that epitomizes freshness at $22.
- Uni – Lauded by reviewers as the “freshest and most buttery” experience.
The omakase experience at Umai Omakase has garnered immense praise from patrons. Amy L. declared it her favorite restaurant, captivated by the freshness of the fish and the cozy sushi bar atmosphere. Similarly, Karina A. noted that the pacing of the meal is exceptional, ensuring no long waits between courses, creating a seamless flow of flavors.
Moreover, customer reviews highlight the authenticity maintained at Umai Omakase. Kat C. emphasized how the restaurant avoids the pitfalls of Americanized sushi establishments, offering a true taste of Japan. You can eat your nigiri and maki rolls with your hands, embracing the traditional experience.
While the omakase steals the spotlight, the menu also presents delectable a la carte options. Appetizers such as Tuna Tartare ($15) and Miso Soup ($6) offer additional ways to indulge. Each dish is a testament to the quality and freshness of the fish, further showcasing the skillful preparation of the chef.
In the words of Marvin S., enjoying the omakase here is not merely a meal; it’s a commitment to savoring flavors crafted to perfection. With a focus on fresh seafood and a menu designed to highlight various textures and tastes, Umai Omakase is a place where sushi lovers will find their bliss.
If you're seeking an exquisite dining experience that merges quality, tradition, and intimate ambiance, make your reservation at Umai Omakase today. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed!
For more information, call (862) 277-4125 and keep your taste buds primed for an unforgettable experience!
This is my favorite restaurant ! I look forward to the experience The fish is so fresh and I love the omakase . I rather have omakase than sushi . It is wonderful It is a nice cozy ambience at the sushi bar . I do not go anywhere else for sushi
Got the 18 piece omakase the selection is so good and fresh. I love the uni, it's the freshest and most buttery and tender uni I've ever eaten. I also really did like the fatty tuna seared, that was so delicious it was melting in my south. Also the service was so fast so you're never waiting too much in between rolls. Also it was not that busy when we came in which is nice so it was quiet.
Absolutely appreciated the authenticity of this place. There are so many sushi places that are so Americanized / gentrified that they've lost the art of sushi itself. They claim to fly in most of their fish from Japan daily (for fish denoted on the board with an asterisk) and the taste certainly makes this claim believable when compared to other authentic establishments in NYC and California. Here - you can eat your nigiri and maki rolls with your hands! No chopsticks! Keep it authentically Japanese. Firstly, you don't need to do omakase- there's an a la carte menu and more of the typical rolls you'd expect at all sushi places. We opted for the 18 omakase course so we could taste a variety and enjoy the creativity. We started with edamame drizzled with delicious truffle oil. The menu is designed to start with lighter to heavier, fattier fish. Wow. What a delight. You need to come here with an appetite. There were a couple of pieces that were quite rich for me and the chef also cut some of the bigger pieces in half for me as one bite would have been overwhelming for me. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner along with the sake we brought. Since we came in for the second seating on a Thursday night, we had the pleasure of having the full, undivided attention of Chef Kevin. He was fantastic and his magic alone would make us return here. The place is small, inviting and the staff is wonderful. We cannot wait to bring others along for dinner and we will very likely not get sushi from anywhere else (they also offer takeout!) unless we need to.
My friend had lost our yearly bet on baseball so he was on the hook for dinner. In the only right fashion, I decided to pick an Omakase for the occasion. Umai Omakase is not off the main road so I really hadn't known about it other than the recommendation of a friend. The space inside the actual restaurant is fairly small but had a comfortable atmosphere. The chef we had for the occasion was friendly and pleasant. He had a few attempts at humor that didn't always hit but I appreciated the effort. The food itself was fresh and delicious. I thought the variety of the fish and dishes was well-thought-out. For the duration of the 18 piece meal, I never felt overly full and thought the pacing was great. Omakase is not something you'll get all the time (my bank account wouldn't survive) but I thought the experience here was top notch. The next time I win a bet or just want to have a nice sushi experience, I wouldn't hesitate to come back to Umai Omakase.
Finally! A high quality sushi place which specializes in omakase. Cannot believe it took me this long to get to this Essex county gem. I guess I had lost faith that there could actually be great sushi in NJ. (Admittedly I generally go to the city for my omakase fix) The chef restauranteur was there the entire time overseeing it all. We loved our seats closer to the chalk board, this spot allows you to see all the prep going into the creation of each piece. We opted for the 18 piece omakase for $150 which I thought was a fair price. The fish quality, cuts and presentation were spot on. We had only 1 piece, the hamachi which was so so. But everything else was delish. The wagyu was delish, they had the seasonal goldeneye snapper which was also lovely. They do a few cool unique preparations for the last three pieces. One is tuna with a raw quail egg topped with uni. It's a pretty amazing decadent bite. The sushi rice is yummy too. We learned by speaking with the chef/owner that this location will be converting to an all omakase place with a standard 15piece omakase which will include a handroll and dessert. This is I being done as they prepare to open a new concept place called Fat Buddha with 150 seats down the way in Caldwell. I am going to continue to patron this little hole in the wall omakase place. It is so exciting to have a spot like this less than 15 minutes from my home. No tunnel, no parking fees and no hassle of going to the city. Well done Umai. A total winner.
Tucked away off the main road in a tiny little complex sits Umai Sushi & Steakhouse. The restaurant itself is very cozy inside to the point that I'd recommend doing a reservation prior. After hearing lots of good things from friends and coworkers alike, I decided to venture out and try the Omakase menu. The menu consisted of either 12 pieces for $85 and 18 pieces for $150 along with some A La Carte offerings on the side. I opted to do the 18 piece omakase, and safe to say it did not disappoint at all. The fish was very fresh and each piece of nigiri was crafted to perfection while still maintaining their respective and distinct individual flavor profiles. I definitely had some personal favorites excluding the heavy hitters like the wagyu and the toro/otoro. . I had an 830pm reservation and, I believe ended around 10pm ish . So please set aside a couple of hours if you're planning on going . It was the most delicious 2 hours I've had doing NJ omakases to date . Thank you chef and I will definitely be coming back !
My new favorite sushi place in NJ! I was very impressed by the freshness and quality of the fish. You know it's a legit sushi place when they have toro and uni on the menu. For apps, I recommend the toro tartare, yellowtail jalapeño, and kani salad. They also gave edamame on the house. We had the following rolls which were all excellent: - Umai Sushi Big Special Roll - Spicy Crispy Crunch Special Roll -Alaska roll I have also returned and had the omakase. The pieces were excellent! Chefs kiss* The place is small with a few tables and bar seating, so reservation is necessary. Modern ambiance with techno/ambient music playing in the background. Place is run by a family and they are efficient. Highly recommend.