I cannot recommend Ikigai enough for the amazing food, beautiful ambiance and thoughtful service. Chef Rafal’s dishes are masterpieces, and you can tell each dish was created with so much attentiveness and love. Every dish was wonderful, but I was especially impressed how dishes that I normally don’t enjoy (like mackerel) were transformed into being a dish that I really enjoyed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luke Buckheit
Gorgeous space, extremely welcoming staff, and a delicious meal. Would not be surprised to see a Michelin star in Ikigai’s future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Quail Egg, Milk Bread
Sharna Hossain
Extraordinary service and beautiful presentation. The mission itself is fulfilling (all proceeds are donated to food insecurity charities).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Breast, Uni Quail Egg, Otoro with Caviar, Milk Bread, Mochi
Alycen Humphrey-Case
Okay this is less of a rating (it would feel wrong to rate a non profit anyway but even if it was just a business it would still get 5 stars and then some) than it is a love letter of appreciation for everyone that took care of us tonight and for the establishment. The food, service and atmosphere was incredible....and it never felt like a transaction as you feel at most restaurants, but rather a welcoming into a personal world of love and dedication for the craft. Loved being addressed by our Chef and hearing the personal connections he had to the dishes; The restaurant truly lives up to its name. ❤️ thank you for a very special night.
Recommended dishes: Milk Bread, Shima Aji, Mochi
Alice Chen
An overall fun dining experience for a good cause — Ikigai is run as a not-for-profit enterprise with dedicated to Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, an organization redistributing food waste to food-insecure communities. However, while the dishes are delicate and executed with skill, the flavours are not quite there. A sweet undertone runs through the entire kaiseki tasting menu and overpowers the balance of other tastes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Milk Bread
Ashley S. Kim
Amazing experience all around! Highly, highy recommend. Their profits go to food insecurity as well which is incredibly admirable. Will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma Howard
This was one of the most special dining experiences I’ve ever had in my life! Every year I take my girlfriend somewhere new for her birthday and this one blew us away!
Everyone was so kind, and they even gave everyone in our seating a drink to toast for the birthday celebration!
Each course was so unique, thoughtful and full of flavor. My personal favorite was the sweet potato. The drinks were also incredible and unique. The Kyoto Sands was impeccable! Also, there was great music playing! It was fine dining but in such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Not to mention it’s a non profit! Couldn’t recommend this more. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica He
It was a great pleasure to spend my birthday here with the Ikigai team. You can really feel the love and passion they put into the whole experience. Every dish is introduced in great detail and is meticulously prepared in front of guests in a very intimate setting. You can taste and feel the craftsmanship. A special place that I could not recommend highly enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julianne Vinh
A beautiful, thoughtfully curated experience from beginning to end.
Every dish consisted of creative, perfectly balanced flavor combos that just made sense while also being delightful. Simply delicious.
The Ikigai team was warm and welcoming - it felt like coming home.
The space itself was clearly crafted meticulously and with care. Super warm and cozy, elevated but not pretentious.
I was originally planning to go solo, but when I told my friends about my plans they were eager to join. We had a fantastic time and I cannot wait to bring more friends and family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Donald Boyd
Birthday dinner was a revelation. Friendly staff tries hard to please.
this restaurant is tip top. and I love reddit as well ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Russell Gautsch
Superior restaurant on every level. Service, food, and atmosphere is top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claire Mahon
Perfect spot for a special occasion dinner. Everything was delicious and the service is good. It’s fun to watch the chef plate behind the counter. My favorite was the amberjack crudo but there wasn’t a bad bite. Seems like they are good at accommodating dietary restrictions as well. I would be shocked if they don’t get a Michelin star within a few years
Megan Cooper
Came here for our anniversary and wow! The space is gorgeous, the service is amazing and it's honestly the best meal both of us have ever had, no exaggeration. The portions were just right, beautiful presentation and for a coursed meal, it was perfectly balanced and not too much. To top it off, it's a non profit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Stone
Fantastic dinner and just the best experience! Place is beautifully decorated and you can tell the team really cares to make the experience a memorable one. The price is super reasonable for what you get (you won’t leave hungry!) and the quality of food is outstanding. Plus - the profits go to charity! Thank you!
Dietary restrictions: The restaurant was receptive to dietary restrictions and allergy requests
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Breast, Otoro with Caviar, Milk Bread
I cannot recommend Ikigai enough for the amazing food, beautiful ambiance and thoughtful service. Chef Rafal’s dishes are masterpieces, and you can tell each dish was created with so much attentiveness and love. Every dish was wonderful, but I was especially impressed how dishes that I normally don’t enjoy (like mackerel) were transformed into being a dish that I really enjoyed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gorgeous space, extremely welcoming staff, and a delicious meal. Would not be surprised to see a Michelin star in Ikigai’s future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Quail Egg, Milk Bread
Extraordinary service and beautiful presentation. The mission itself is fulfilling (all proceeds are donated to food insecurity charities).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Breast, Uni Quail Egg, Otoro with Caviar, Milk Bread, Mochi
Okay this is less of a rating (it would feel wrong to rate a non profit anyway but even if it was just a business it would still get 5 stars and then some) than it is a love letter of appreciation for everyone that took care of us tonight and for the establishment. The food, service and atmosphere was incredible....and it never felt like a transaction as you feel at most restaurants, but rather a welcoming into a personal world of love and dedication for the craft. Loved being addressed by our Chef and hearing the personal connections he had to the dishes; The restaurant truly lives up to its name. ❤️ thank you for a very special night.
Recommended dishes: Milk Bread, Shima Aji, Mochi
An overall fun dining experience for a good cause — Ikigai is run as a not-for-profit enterprise with dedicated to Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, an organization redistributing food waste to food-insecure communities. However, while the dishes are delicate and executed with skill, the flavours are not quite there. A sweet undertone runs through the entire kaiseki tasting menu and overpowers the balance of other tastes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Milk Bread
Amazing experience all around! Highly, highy recommend. Their profits go to food insecurity as well which is incredibly admirable. Will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was one of the most special dining experiences I’ve ever had in my life! Every year I take my girlfriend somewhere new for her birthday and this one blew us away!
Everyone was so kind, and they even gave everyone in our seating a drink to toast for the birthday celebration!
Each course was so unique, thoughtful and full of flavor. My personal favorite was the sweet potato. The drinks were also incredible and unique. The Kyoto Sands was impeccable! Also, there was great music playing! It was fine dining but in such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Not to mention it’s a non profit! Couldn’t recommend this more. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was a great pleasure to spend my birthday here with the Ikigai team. You can really feel the love and passion they put into the whole experience. Every dish is introduced in great detail and is meticulously prepared in front of guests in a very intimate setting. You can taste and feel the craftsmanship. A special place that I could not recommend highly enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A beautiful, thoughtfully curated experience from beginning to end.
Every dish consisted of creative, perfectly balanced flavor combos that just made sense while also being delightful. Simply delicious.
The Ikigai team was warm and welcoming - it felt like coming home.
The space itself was clearly crafted meticulously and with care. Super warm and cozy, elevated but not pretentious.
I was originally planning to go solo, but when I told my friends about my plans they were eager to join. We had a fantastic time and I cannot wait to bring more friends and family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Birthday dinner was a revelation. Friendly staff tries hard to please.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
this restaurant is tip top. and I love reddit as well ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Superior restaurant on every level. Service, food, and atmosphere is top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Perfect spot for a special occasion dinner. Everything was delicious and the service is good. It’s fun to watch the chef plate behind the counter. My favorite was the amberjack crudo but there wasn’t a bad bite. Seems like they are good at accommodating dietary restrictions as well. I would be shocked if they don’t get a Michelin star within a few years
Came here for our anniversary and wow! The space is gorgeous, the service is amazing and it's honestly the best meal both of us have ever had, no exaggeration. The portions were just right, beautiful presentation and for a coursed meal, it was perfectly balanced and not too much. To top it off, it's a non profit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic dinner and just the best experience! Place is beautifully decorated and you can tell the team really cares to make the experience a memorable one. The price is super reasonable for what you get (you won’t leave hungry!) and the quality of food is outstanding. Plus - the profits go to charity! Thank you!
Dietary restrictions: The restaurant was receptive to dietary restrictions and allergy requests
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Breast, Otoro with Caviar, Milk Bread
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