Morimoto Restaurant

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723 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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(215) 413-9070
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Morimoto Restaurant - Philadelphia, PA
Reviews
( 76 )
( 42 )
( 17 )
( 9 )
( 4 )

Best

This restaurant is one of the finest. They serve among the most delicious Japanese cuisine in Philly. Great staff and affordable as well.

Worst

this is a fun place. after all, it is a steven starr experience. however, it's not all that. long waits, decent, but not extraordinary food, and the worst seats i have ever sat it...

Omakase Experience 5/12/2003

The $120 omakase is an amazing presentation of kobe beef and other delicacies that make the visit here worth it. Of the appetizers, the rock shrimp was delicious but anything else was a disappointment. Chef Morimoto apparently took great care in preparing the omakase menu but nothing else. more
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Morimoto's Food Exceptional 5/4/2003

The food is absolutely world class. The ambiance is not. Take away the colorful lights and wave ceiling and the restaurant is basically a very noisy diner. This is too bad as Morimoto's genius can't fully be enjoyed in this atmosphere. Morimoto has done his part but his business partners have failed in their contribution. Order the omakase. The chef's creations are outstanding. Layers of flavors and texture. Everything is very fresh. The Chef's choice sake is exceptional. My wife would have preferred a soup and some type salad with the omakase as it was all protein. She also prefers Nobu's. Go once to experience Morimoto. Beyond once it just isn't worth enduring the dining conditions at these prices ($390 for two including tip). Pros: the food was great, the service was OK, the location is good Cons: ambiance missing, noise-VERY LOUD, price too high more
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Melt in your mouth sushi goodness 4/28/2003

If you love good sushi, and want to experience the very best there is in the Philadelphia area (maybe the best in the world) then you should defintely go to Morimotos. The food is divine, and the service is excellent. Beware, Morimotos is not for the faint of wallet! The omakase is your best bet, since you get 7 (small) courses for $100. Pros: Best Sushi Anywhere, Great Service, Smooth Sake Cons: Expensive (duh), Portions can be small, Hard to find more
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Wow 3/25/2003

The food was simply amazing!!! Service could've been a little better and friendlier. Pros: The Maguro!!! Cons: Pricey more
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Great Food 3/23/2003

I had a set lunch. The price tag was high, but I think it was well worth it. The sushi (both the raw fish and the rice underneath it) was amazingly good. I had the miso soup and the tofu in the soup was the best I have ever had in my entire life. The appetizer and the entree were also excellent. Pros: Delicious Food Cons: Cost more
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The Best Sushi 3/7/2003

I spent 2 1/2 years in Okinawa with side trips to Japan. I have never had better sushi. And the fushion dishes were excellent and a pleasant addition to the menu, especially since there are many traditional Japanese dishes that I have tried that I would just as soon not eat again. The wait staff were knowledgeable and worked hard to please. They were particularly helpful since my wife has some food allergies. My pre-teen daughters had never eaten at a Japanese restaurent before, and I was worried that they wouldn't even try some of the dishes, but the servers had us try a variety of small dishes and helped the kids through their initial unease. All of us, fortunately, love Wasabe. Pros: Great Food, Inventive Dishes, High Energy Cons: Too Noisy, Not for the timid more
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good, expect more 3/2/2003

We came to Philly just to visit this restaurent. One of us had the omakase (middle price) and it was excellent. The other had the chef's sushi plate (highest price). I wouldn't recommend doing that. The sushi plate was good, but nothing really new on the plate. If you are looking for innovative food and some sushi, the omakase is far better. The surroundings are gorgeous, but some attention should be paid to the washrooms. The women's is well designed but looking a bit rundown (door latches need repair). The mens was way below the class of this restaurent according to my companion. It's a shame for a restaurent in this price category. Pros: cool design, nice lighting, excellent omakase Cons: washroom need work, sushi expensive, loud dining more
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Ohhh the sake! 2/27/2003

One is struck with a succulent raw fish smell as soon as you walk in. Is this for real or piped in? We were sat immediately and proceeded to have one of the flashiest and best meals we have had in a while. The sake is made for Morimoto, and I am sad that I cannot buy it, because I have never had better, floral, delicate, nothing like the warm stuff served in most places. There was plenty for me, a vegetarian, but my spouse had the $80 chef's choice and was well-pleased with the endless stream of food. I had tofu made tableside, believe it or not, and then served with soy or mushroom sauces - they leave both for you. I was not shocked by the prices. Four of us ate for a total of $257, before tip, and we ordered whatever we wanted. We will be back. more
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high prices=good restaurant? 2/24/2003

this is a fun place. after all, it is a steven starr experience. however, it's not all that. long waits, decent, but not extraordinary food, and the worst seats i have ever sat it! i know that it is very trendy to slouch, but my mother raised me better and these boothes will only allow one to eat lying down. i had a nice time, but a dinner for 4 for 400.00 i would have asked for a bit more. Pros: extensive saki list, place to be seen Cons: horrid seating!!!, too expensive, unamaginative menu more
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Sashimi Heaven 2/5/2003

For lovers of the freshest Sashimi found in the city, along with the Morimoto Martini you just can't lose. Pros: Atmosphere, Service, Quality more
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Marvelous! 1/27/2003

I was in town at a conference and being a huge Iron Chef fan had to make a stop at Morimoto. I was worried that I would've needed to make reservations months in advance, but I was actually able to call and make reservations for an hour after my phone call. The omikase was incredible and exotic. Seven months after I still can't stop thinking about how wonderful everything tasted. The highlight, of course, was meeting Morimoto in the flesh and taking a picture with him. What fun! more
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It grows on you... 1/9/2003

Iron Chef rocks, food is delicious but expensive. Diner for two starts from 80/90 and up... it is definitely worth a try. more
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Great Sushi! 1/4/2003

I went with three die-hard sushi fans. Two of us ordered shushi ala carte, the third orderd the $100 chef's selection. Can't say enough good things about the experience. more
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2 out of 3 1/1/2003

The decor is an excessive attempt to be trendy--likely the reason for the uncomfortable seats. I think the bar upstairs is cool though. I got consistently outstanding service. As far as food goes...The first time I went, my 5 friends and I all LOVED everything. The next time was a big let down, even though we got a couple of things we had before. Considering the prices, I don't think it should be up to chance whether the food is good. But when the food is done right, it's totally worth the price. And my 3rd dinner restored some of my faith--it was as good as the first. Pros: FOOD, service Cons: might be inconsistent, price, uncomfortable seats more
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A Welcome Feast! 12/23/2002

Morimoto is a jewel beyond compare. New York City resident foodies like myself having become weary of our berg's accomplished but entirely trumped-up and attitude-swathed eateries, have found that Philadelphia offers an astounding respectable alternative. Well worth the 90+ miles drive and lovely stayover in a great city. more
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great atmosphere 12/22/2002

my friend and i flew all the way from atlanta, GA to NY and rode a smelly bus from NY to Philly and let me tell you, it was worth every bit of it. ive been a great fan of morimoto and he made me a bigger fan when he came over and asked us how we were doing. the service was super friendly. the iron chef, himself, was super welcoming and the food was super good. the steak was cooked perfectly, medium rare, with a crispy exterior and a juicy, pink interior...great steak!... the dessert (rice cake)---VERY DIFFERENT!! great place to try !! Pros: comfortable seats, great atmosphere, good food Cons: quite expensive more
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Worth every $100's 12/10/2002

3 of us had the omakase at $100 each. There was not one course (out of 7) that was not remakable. It was worth the 4 week wait. The wait staff was very good. Well schooled in the dishes and the flavers that made them great. Great advice on food and drink. Not an every day place but one worth going back to over and over again more
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great sushi 11/29/2002

Great atmosphere, very modern feel. The sushi is incredible, with the best uni I have eaten in the US. Prices are a liittle high, but the novelty of the dishes are worth it. Pros: fresh sushi, modern Cons: pricey more
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His cuisine reigns supreme. 11/13/2002

As a huge fan of Iron Chef, I had to go to Morimoto's restaurant when I was in Philadelphia. It was a fantastic experience. I had the omakase (chef's choice) tasting meal, each course of which was incredible. I highly recommend giving it a try. more
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devine!! 11/5/2002

I loved the place. Have watched IRON CHEF for the past several years and just had to go for dinner. The food was excellent- the enviroment just as spectacular. Would definately go again. A bit overpriced but great for a special date. Was astonished by the knowledge of our server of each dish and its unusual ingredients! more
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Menu for Morimoto Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Just beyond neon-chartreuse glass doors, Chef Morimoto's elongated culinary theater welcomes diners with undulating bamboo ceilings, color-changing booths and the Iron Chef,...

  • 7/6/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sat: 5pm-12am, 5pm-10pm, Sun: 5pm-10pm, Thu: 5pm-10pm, 11:30am-2pm, Mon-Wed: 11:30am-2pm, Fri: 5pm-12am, 5pm-10pm, 11:30am-2pm
  • Payments: American Express, Diner's Club, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Center City East, Center City
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