Since I discovered Izakaya existed, I had been dying to try it. It exceeded every expectation that I had.
The atmosphere is relaxed but high-end. The food is divine and polished. This restaurant takes itself seriously and delivers serious results without feeling stuffy or pompous. It's the perfect balance of refined and elegant.
The orange peel chicken has ruined all other orange chicken for my husband.
I love their fruit infused sakes.
I fully anticipate that I will be back many times so I can try every dish on their menu.
My first time having sushi I had the leaving California roll with cream cheese added it was amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan
Service and food was amazing. Talked us through their specials and had a great experience. HIGHLY recommend
Recommended dishes: Sushi, Pork Belly Ramen
Mary Fahrner
Tried this place for the first time this weekend and it was great! Great staff and great food! The Chocolate Crème Brûlée was a 12/10 Phenomenal!!!! We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tyler Harlan
Their California roll, and their Asian wings and kimchi were OUTSTANDING!!
Diana Hadad
We sat at the sushi bar because the tables were all reserved. It was fun to watch chef prepare our sashimi sampler and rolls. Our starter was a seaweed and calamari salad that was absolute perfection. Izakaya serves some of the best sushi in the region in a serene environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter Shaheen
Great food, service and atmosphere! I highly recommend! Chef Roy Pfund and his crew are top notch!
Ashley Hall
We went for the new years eve event it was a very delicious 5 corse meal the best scallops, tuna, shrimp w polenta, strip steak w potatoes and bro cooked to perfection that i have ever had! We will most def be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cole Komrska
Had an amazing dinner here with my wife for our anniversary. Everything we ordered was superb; the edamame was tender and well spiced, the salmon belly and fried izakaya rolls were among the best sushi I've ever had, the creme brulee was rich and torched just right, and their infused sake was uniquely tasty and fun to all try in a flight. Outside of the food's taste, our server was attentive and friendly, the head chef took time to personally visit our table, and the prices were quite competitive given the quality of everything. We're looking forward to coming again soon and trying more of the menu!
by far the best Japanese and sushi restaurant! Don't waste anymore time and reserve a table today!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandon Straight
This is so close to a 5 but the issue was that the meal took forever to come out. I ate the spicy pork dumpling which was not spicy at all but super delicious and the chicken fried rice which was filling but a little too soy saucy. My wife got some sort of beef special and that was exceptional that should be on the menu! Overall it is worth the hefty hefty price tag but I would expect food to be served a bit faster.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Kris Teller
Very impressed on every level!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dominic Bialek
Went here for diner with my wife for our last night out for a little while as my job has me going back to New York for a few months. We got Sushi, Ramen, and a desert with our visit. This was my wife’s favorite sushi she has ever had and we both enjoyed the pork ramen we shared. The desert was good as well. The atmosphere was good and our waiter Chris was chill. I would recommend this place and encourage others to go so we can keep unique places like this in Bay City during these crazy times. Had a good experience and would return again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Mosher
We had high hopes for Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant on west Bay City’s Midland Street. We’d attended a philosophical debate at SVSU, and wanted a fine meal over which to discuss that. And we’d been taken to Fuji Sushi by Midland friends a couple years ago, and they’ve since become fans of H20 (and the bookstore) at the other end of our Midland Street, so were hoping this would be a good place to take them soon too. We were pleased to see the block parked up on a chilly Thursday night, lively business in our ‘hood.
We were very disappointed.
Service was good from our cheerful female waitperson, and the wine and green tea carried us through the 25 minute wait for our food. The duck fried rice (that night’s special) and my wife’s steak were marinated and well-seasoned. I had some unagi nigiri, a breakfast favorite the semester we spent in Tokushima-shi. Yet the lonely, á la carte offerings seem goofy for what’s supposed to be a fine Japanese meal at significant prices. Similar sit-down Japanese restaurants we remember in Shikoku, Nara, Kobe and Kyoto (and even exotic Grand Rapids) would offer soup, salad and rice-vinegar pickles along with main dishes or sushi rolls. Even Blossoms, Bay City’s less pretentious, more economical strip-mall “fusion” restaurant gives fuller meals.
Now the ambience. We walked in to a blaring soundtrack of classic rock, and contemporary covers of boomer-era songs, more welcome on a boisterous night at Rathskellar, Lucky or Duso’s than a high-end restaurant. We asked about it, were told it was from an envent earlier in the day in the other rooms of the facilities. Fine, dear, but this is the evening, in the restaurant. You need a new mix tape, Japanese instrumental music or their subtle crooners. We had to ask them a second time to turn it down, but staff still felt the place needed disco volume. On top of that, a table of whoopin’ hollerin’ twentysomething hillbilly drunks whose parents never taught them restaurant manners kept raising their volume, while we kept expecting one or more diplomatic waiter to simmer them down.
It’s hard to launch a restaurant anywhere, and that block’s had a weird history. Fifteen years ago, someone launched a Reggae-themed pub in that space with a quality kitchen. I enjoyed one open mic night, run by Twenty Dollar Dog Bob Wall, that included high schoolers and seasoned boomers, and later took visiting Californian friends there for the fun atmosphere. But the owner was surprised people didn’t want his carefully prepared New Orleans-style dishes, and the place went under. A decade ago we went to the new Vno wine bar, and when I ordered a sherry was asked by the server “What’s a sherry?”
We might stick our nose in the door again in six months, but momentarily listen before we will enter. Maybe Izakaya can find its identity, its right formula of quality food and comfort…but not if it keeps the feel of a rowdy Midland Street dive circa 2005.
Ramon soup and sushi was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Since I discovered Izakaya existed, I had been dying to try it. It exceeded every expectation that I had.
The atmosphere is relaxed but high-end. The food is divine and polished. This restaurant takes itself seriously and delivers serious results without feeling stuffy or pompous. It's the perfect balance of refined and elegant.
The orange peel chicken has ruined all other orange chicken for my husband.
I love their fruit infused sakes.
I fully anticipate that I will be back many times so I can try every dish on their menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi, Fried Izakaya Roll, Baked Alaska
My first time having sushi I had the leaving California roll with cream cheese added it was amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service and food was amazing. Talked us through their specials and had a great experience. HIGHLY recommend
Recommended dishes: Sushi, Pork Belly Ramen
Tried this place for the first time this weekend and it was great! Great staff and great food! The Chocolate Crème Brûlée was a 12/10 Phenomenal!!!! We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their California roll, and their Asian wings and kimchi were OUTSTANDING!!
We sat at the sushi bar because the tables were all reserved. It was fun to watch chef prepare our sashimi sampler and rolls. Our starter was a seaweed and calamari salad that was absolute perfection. Izakaya serves some of the best sushi in the region in a serene environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, service and atmosphere! I highly recommend! Chef Roy Pfund and his crew are top notch!
We went for the new years eve event it was a very delicious 5 corse meal the best scallops, tuna, shrimp w polenta, strip steak w potatoes and bro cooked to perfection that i have ever had! We will most def be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had an amazing dinner here with my wife for our anniversary. Everything we ordered was superb; the edamame was tender and well spiced, the salmon belly and fried izakaya rolls were among the best sushi I've ever had, the creme brulee was rich and torched just right, and their infused sake was uniquely tasty and fun to all try in a flight.
Outside of the food's taste, our server was attentive and friendly, the head chef took time to personally visit our table, and the prices were quite competitive given the quality of everything.
We're looking forward to coming again soon and trying more of the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
by far the best Japanese and sushi restaurant! Don't waste anymore time and reserve a table today!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is so close to a 5 but the issue was that the meal took forever to come out. I ate the spicy pork dumpling which was not spicy at all but super delicious and the chicken fried rice which was filling but a little too soy saucy. My wife got some sort of beef special and that was exceptional that should be on the menu! Overall it is worth the hefty hefty price tag but I would expect food to be served a bit faster.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Very impressed on every level!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went here for diner with my wife for our last night out for a little while as my job has me going back to New York for a few months. We got Sushi, Ramen, and a desert with our visit. This was my wife’s favorite sushi she has ever had and we both enjoyed the pork ramen we shared. The desert was good as well. The atmosphere was good and our waiter Chris was chill. I would recommend this place and encourage others to go so we can keep unique places like this in Bay City during these crazy times. Had a good experience and would return again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had high hopes for Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant on west Bay City’s Midland Street. We’d attended a philosophical debate at SVSU, and wanted a fine meal over which to discuss that. And we’d been taken to Fuji Sushi by Midland friends a couple years ago, and they’ve since become fans of H20 (and the bookstore) at the other end of our Midland Street, so were hoping this would be a good place to take them soon too. We were pleased to see the block parked up on a chilly Thursday night, lively business in our ‘hood.
We were very disappointed.
Service was good from our cheerful female waitperson, and the wine and green tea carried us through the 25 minute wait for our food. The duck fried rice (that night’s special) and my wife’s steak were marinated and well-seasoned. I had some unagi nigiri, a breakfast favorite the semester we spent in Tokushima-shi. Yet the lonely, á la carte offerings seem goofy for what’s supposed to be a fine Japanese meal at significant prices. Similar sit-down Japanese restaurants we remember in Shikoku, Nara, Kobe and Kyoto (and even exotic Grand Rapids) would offer soup, salad and rice-vinegar pickles along with main dishes or sushi rolls. Even Blossoms, Bay City’s less pretentious, more economical strip-mall “fusion” restaurant gives fuller meals.
Now the ambience. We walked in to a blaring soundtrack of classic rock, and contemporary covers of boomer-era songs, more welcome on a boisterous night at Rathskellar, Lucky or Duso’s than a high-end restaurant. We asked about it, were told it was from an envent earlier in the day in the other rooms of the facilities. Fine, dear, but this is the evening, in the restaurant. You need a new mix tape, Japanese instrumental music or their subtle crooners. We had to ask them a second time to turn it down, but staff still felt the place needed disco volume. On top of that, a table of whoopin’ hollerin’ twentysomething hillbilly drunks whose parents never taught them restaurant manners kept raising their volume, while we kept expecting one or more diplomatic waiter to simmer them down.
It’s hard to launch a restaurant anywhere, and that block’s had a weird history. Fifteen years ago, someone launched a Reggae-themed pub in that space with a quality kitchen. I enjoyed one open mic night, run by Twenty Dollar Dog Bob Wall, that included high schoolers and seasoned boomers, and later took visiting Californian friends there for the fun atmosphere. But the owner was surprised people didn’t want his carefully prepared New Orleans-style dishes, and the place went under. A decade ago we went to the new Vno wine bar, and when I ordered a sherry was asked by the server “What’s a sherry?”
We might stick our nose in the door again in six months, but momentarily listen before we will enter. Maybe Izakaya can find its identity, its right formula of quality food and comfort…but not if it keeps the feel of a rowdy Midland Street dive circa 2005.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 4
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