Izakaya Minato

This was a fantastic experience. One of the best I've had in the US. We decided to try the omakase ($40 per person) menu and got a chef selection of surprise dishes. And boy was it a journey. From oysters with yuzu through fresh seafood and fish to Japanese fried chicken and the best salad with butter sauce I've ever tried. Service and atmosphere were great as well. Highly recommended.

This meal was truly exceptional. The raw items were by far the star. It was Main Diver Scallop season and the freshness and high quality of the seafood shone through. Similarly the selection of sashimi was excellent and deciding what order to eat the three in was real. The garlic edamame starter was also wonderful, whatever that garlic is marinated in left me picking up little flecks of garlic to savor every last bit. In comparison to the raw item the cooked dishes were just a tiny bit less exciting, but still good. Warning the portion of the Japanese Fried Chicken was sizeable and is super easy to split, make sure you've got room. I also found the rice + egg yolk to be the perfect side dish for it, you'll want something a bit lighter to balance the chicken and mayo sauce. Last but not least, the wait in summer can be up to two hours, but going in January we waiting less than 15 minutes to be seated. This is definitely on the list of must go back to restaurants in Portland.

We ordered the Chef's choice, a series of dishes, each with it's own unique flavors, textures, colors. All were absolutely delicious. The owners and staff were welcoming, the service was perfect. We ate outside on a chilly Spring night with light jackets and the heater kept us comfortable, along with hot miso and warm Saki. Every visit here has been perfect. Pure satisfaction. Highly recommend.

As an "Asian fusion" restaurant in a decent sized city, it's good. As an izikaya, which for me carries a certain connotation, it fails. The menu is limited and nothing is cheap. The antithesis of a true izikaya in Japan. The izikayas I visited had cheap draft beers and whisky highballs, an abundance of fried foods and varying other offerings. It was a place for people to relax and unload after work, not necessarily a foodie destination but something to fill your belly and not break your wallet. I wish the owner / chef the best but truly hope he lives up to the moniker he emblazoned on his restaurant.