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.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 4
Josh Baughman
It's really great just expensive tbh
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Trotter
One of my favorite spots. The salmon belly roll is my go to. If you enjoy real sushi , the owner Roy , does some really nice quality specials as well. It’s a weekly stop for me , definitely worth it if you’re in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam Kelty
Had dinner last night. Food was amazing and service was great! We had the tigers eye roll and seared tuna tataki with a couple large Sapporo beers. Can't wait to come back :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Horness
Great service and delicious food. Loved the mango infused sake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jake L
Unfortunately very overpriced and very small portions. Service was not good and slow. They also are a business that will up charge for using a credit card. I ordered the orange peel chicken for $22. Not sure where the name came from as I saw nor tasted any orange peel sauce. It was 4 thin small strips of chicken in a standard bowl with a couple peices of broccoli and some shredded carrots over white rice. I also ordered the fried izakaya roll, which was good, but again I don't think worth $18. I wouldn't recommend this place.
The Longback's
All the food is the best! But the atmosphere and the owner/workers are even better!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isabel O
So enjoyed evening there. Friendly atmosphere. Great food and service. Went down street to listen to music afterwards (in front of Westown).
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dane Powell
Really great and authentic Japanese experience. I have not found anything else like it in the area.
First time at this restaurant and loved it! High end feel with casual, friendly atmosphere. The service was excellent and the food and drink were delicious! My favorites were the California rolls and berry sake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
rscott chapleski
Was a great meal with great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suzy Millar
Delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Vanderpoel
I had dinner here last night with some friends and WOW! I loved it. I recently moved here from Phoenix and have been really missing the food scene there. This place made me feel right at home! The atmosphere felt high end, the food was incredible and the service was great! So grateful to have this on the West Side! I will be coming back regularly and telling everyone to give it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susan Wallaker
This restaurant is a great addition to Bay City. Everything is homemade and phenomenal! If you like dumplings, definitely try the spicy pork dumplings! We've tried 2 different creme brulees that were both amazing as well.
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
It's really great just expensive tbh
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of my favorite spots. The salmon belly roll is my go to. If you enjoy real sushi , the owner Roy , does some really nice quality specials as well. It’s a weekly stop for me , definitely worth it if you’re in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had dinner last night. Food was amazing and service was great! We had the tigers eye roll and seared tuna tataki with a couple large Sapporo beers. Can't wait to come back :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service and delicious food. Loved the mango infused sake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unfortunately very overpriced and very small portions. Service was not good and slow. They also are a business that will up charge for using a credit card. I ordered the orange peel chicken for $22. Not sure where the name came from as I saw nor tasted any orange peel sauce. It was 4 thin small strips of chicken in a standard bowl with a couple peices of broccoli and some shredded carrots over white rice. I also ordered the fried izakaya roll, which was good, but again I don't think worth $18. I wouldn't recommend this place.
All the food is the best! But the atmosphere and the owner/workers are even better!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So enjoyed evening there. Friendly atmosphere. Great food and service. Went down street to listen to music afterwards (in front of Westown).
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really great and authentic Japanese experience. I have not found anything else like it in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
First time at this restaurant and loved it! High end feel with casual, friendly atmosphere. The service was excellent and the food and drink were delicious! My favorites were the California rolls and berry sake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was a great meal with great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had dinner here last night with some friends and WOW! I loved it. I recently moved here from Phoenix and have been really missing the food scene there. This place made me feel right at home! The atmosphere felt high end, the food was incredible and the service was great! So grateful to have this on the West Side! I will be coming back regularly and telling everyone to give it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This restaurant is a great addition to Bay City. Everything is homemade and phenomenal! If you like dumplings, definitely try the spicy pork dumplings! We've tried 2 different creme brulees that were both amazing as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Pork Dumplings
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