04/01/09

Great sushi--freaky service

by mountainlotus

I've been here twice. The first time was excellent--it was a tuesday night, uncrowded--and the food was fresh, delicious, and presented well. Our server was a mellow white dude from hawaii. Good guy.

But the next time SUCKED!!! Crowded, no place to wait for a table inside--had to wait in the snow. And our waiter...have you ever seen the movie Office Space? You know the obnoxious waiter who barges up to the table offering up shrimp poppers and extreme fajitas? The one who wears lots of flair who you wish would just die? That was our waiter. He tried to make bad, kind of insulting jokes to endear us, but it only made us want to throw water at him. I wasn't feeling well, and he laughed at me for not ordering sake, then asked if my friend (who'd just gotten out of the hospital for bad steam burns) if she'd tip him a pharmie. Sooo, the food was great, but the general atmosphere was horrid. Go to Sushi Tora unless you're looking for frat-boy sushi madness (frat boys would love Zanmai).

• Pros: great sushi
• Cons: freaky, obnoxious service

11/06/08

Beetle...

by KHS904r

We went to lunch the other day and ordered the lunch combo which comes with a salad. After some very slow service, we finally got our salad and my friend found a red beetle in it. We told the server, and she offered free edamame or ice-cream. We didn't want either and we barely touched our meal after the beetle made us lose our appetites. We were charged for the full bill. I have never had such poor service after paying so much.

• Pros: Nice looking restaurant
• Cons: terrible service

07/14/07

good atmosphere, mediocre sushi

by kmcarty

zanmai definitely has a good atmosphere and is always fun to go to, however, truth is their sushi is not the best (although after a few sakes that doesnt matter a whole lot!). the last few times ive been in they have been less than generous with their cuts of sushi and sashimi. ive also seen better presentation and service at other sushi joints. zanmai is in a great location but it wont be my first choice for sushi next time i go out.

• Pros: atmosphere, location
• Cons: pricey, small pieces

03/05/07

Awful customer service and bad management

by cgar7109

We went there to celebrate friends birthday in one of their sake-bombing rooms and they gave away our reservation that had been made 2 weeks prior and confirmed several times before our arrival. Once we complained about this we were given an awful table that did not suit the needs for our party. On top of that one of their former employees tried to start a fight with one of the members of our party. The manager did nothing and when we called back, to ask about a friend's camera that was left there, she did not apologize and tried to cut the conversation as short as possible. Messing up reservations is one thing but not apologizing is another. That is my first and last time I will ever go there.

02/23/07

The dismembered circus freak patiently danced in circles around the diseased goose burgers.

by odieisme

The dismembered circus freak patiently danced in circles around the diseased goose burgers. The dismembered circus freak patiently danced in circles around the diseased goose burgers. The dismembered circus freak patiently danced in circles around the diseased goose burgers.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Parking, Service

02/08/07

VERY AUTHENTIC

by whereiskate

when i returned from being in japan for a year i didn't think i would find something close to what i was used to being so land locked...well zanmai did it for me. the izakaia (bar/food) side takes you to japan as soon as you take off your shoes. if you're lucky enough to have a party of 6 you get to sit on the tatami mats on the floor. you can also buy a bottle of sake, and they will put your name on it for future dinning experiences with them. AND THE FOOD. fabulous...you must get chef specials, they know what they're doing.

hope you love it as much as we did!

• Pros: the people
• Cons: getting a seat

11/13/06

Best Sushi in town

by reniour

I love Sushi Zanmai.

They have some of the best selection of sushi in town. Best of all this is the only place where I can find the Zanmai roll. I always leave there feeling satisfied with their sushi. The only downside I find about this place is the size of it. It's a small resturant for the popularity of it. The wait time can be killer at times, yet people still wait for a seating. That in itself should indicate how good it is.

I wish I could comment on the other food they have available but honestly I've never looked or tried it. I'm there for the sushi.

• Pros: Excellent Sushi, Ambience is friendly
• Cons: Parking, wait times, limited seating. Crowded.

Happy hours, hibachi table, karaoke and great Japanese food combine to create an engaging atmosphere.

by Contributor

In Short
This is a casual college-town Japanese restaurant where traditional dishes, such as delicately battered tempura, are enjoyed in tea rooms with geisha-style service. Nigirizushi and other favorites are served at the sushi bar amid the chatter of the chefs. The hibachi chef chops and slices chicken, steak or shrimp. A good start to a feast is the shumai--steamed shrimp dumplings. Favorite rolls include spicy tuna roll, California roll and the Z-9.

04/03/06

Best Sushi in Town

by lspieg

My wife and I go here everytime we want sushi. Chef's are entertaining, food is great. Recommend sitting at the bar

• Pros: food, ambiance, service

11/18/05

great place

by lisafevans

never lets me down-- very fun atmosphere, great rolls, would highly reccommend it!

• Pros: great rolls
• Cons: the wait