XOXO Sushi Bar — Restaurant in Brookline

The 5 of us dined at this new high end restaurant this past Wednesday while celebrating a friend's birthday , and had a very nice time!

Why the 4 stars, and not 5: personally, when you go to a restaurant where you expect to spend several hundred dollars, you come with certain expectations. That said, if the prices were more moderate, this would be 100% a 5 star restaurant. However, when leaving a 1K+ on the table, I'd like to be able to say WOW, that was amazing from start to finish, and the food was 100% worth it! Anyway, let's get into it:

The service was very good, considering they just opened, and some of the staff was a bit unsure about some of the items on the menu. That being said, we barely ever had to wait for service - whether it was ordering more drinks, or an extra dish, someone was always available. The valet parking is a very nice touch as well.

The ambiance is excellent - very tasteful and pleasant decor, accompanied by music that set a nice vibe. The lighting is nice, but might be a bit too dim for some - one of our friends had to read the menu using the flashlight on his phone. Not a big deal though.

There were five of us, and we wanted to try as many things as possible. We started with cocktails, which were definitely up to par! can't say they were the best I've had, but still very very good.

We then got a bunch of stuff off the menu. Unfortunately the restaurant was out of Wagyu - and that was disappointing, as we were looking forward to trying the tartar, and the steak!

Everything under the "Cold" section was great - the tuna, the salmon and the scallops specifically were very tasty.

The rolls were underwhelming, considering the cost. They were small, and not shareable... we tried 3 or 4 different ones, and everyone at the table agreed that their roll was nothing to write home about.

Sashimi was very good and reflected the price - high quality, very fresh, as was the miso, which definitely stands out from your average miso at other restaurants.

From the hot section, we liked the miso black cod and the pork bellies. the skirt steak and the chicken was good, but didn't leave an impression of "wow". The edamame was really excellent though!

To summarize, give this place a shot - at least definitely pop in for a few drinks and some appetizers, and make up...

Xoxo Japanese Cuisine presents a sublime escape into the nuanced world of Japanese gastronomy, nestled in the vibrant heart of Chestnut Hill. As you step through the doors of Xoxo, you're greeted by an ambiance that balances traditional Japanese aesthetics with a sleek, modern twist—think warm wood accents and a minimalist elegance that prepares you for an authentic culinary journey.

The menu at Xoxo is a thoughtful ode to Japan’s rich culinary heritage. It begins with an array of starters; the Tuna Tartare is particularly memorable, a delicate balance of fresh tuna that dances on the palate. Not to be overlooked, the Miso black cod, featuring a the exquisite miso marinated black cod with pickled radish, charred shishitos over binchotan notes that sets a high bar for what follows.

The sushi selection is nothing short of extraordinary. The Spicy tuna crispy rice is expertly crafted and the Tempura bay scallops with the spicy yuza aoli hits the spot. The real showstopper, however, might just be the Australian Wagyu— carefully selected Wagyu, adorned with cured egg yolk, black garlic demi glace stunning as it is flavourful

No culinary experience here would be complete without indulging in dessert. The Tropical Yuza is a clever reinterpretation of a Japanese classic, with lavender meringue, yuzu curd, ginger mousse, mango tuile, almond yuzu streusel, strawberry reduction offering a refreshingly light incredible finale to the meal.

Service at Xoxo is impeccable; the staff are not only attentive but also well-versed in the nuances of Japanese cuisine, ready to guide you through the menu and offer personalized recommendations.

Xoxo Japanese Cuisine isn’t just a meal; it’s an immersive experience that charms the senses, melds tradition with innovation, and leaves you with a deep appreciation for the art of Japanese cooking. This is a destination that beckons both the sushi novice and the connoisseur alike, promising each a unique journey through the...

When arriving to the place, they offer valet parking, which is pretty nice. However, I parked the first spot next to the restaurant which has a tree branch next to the curb, so I literally had to squeeze out of my way from my car, and making sure I didn’t kill the tree. That was poor a landscaping choice. As you first walk in the ambience is well put, the dimness of it makes it a great nighttime experience, but sometimes it can be too dark to see anything but I think that’s kind of the point. It gives off a Contemporary vibe for social media. The seatings near the windows are so close to each other that I could barely get into my seat across from my friend so I had to sit next to her because I didn’t want to bother the people behind, so maybe try to space out better? For the price point and food I think it was a bit underwhelming. For one you’re not gonna be expected a sized portions, it’s really is one serving if not a half, depending on the appetite. I ordered the hand roll miso scallop, which I felt like they added too much chili pepper flakes making it, overpowering the entire thing. The tuna and truffle, was also underwhelming, I wasn’t a huge fan of the plating, and it was okay taste. I think the flavor could do some more work in both dishes. The edamame and corn were pretty solid for bites at the bar! Don’t get me wrong, the sushi there is fresh, but it doesn’t quite meet up the expectation I had anticipated. You’re expected to spend quite an amount, but not fully ever get full off of it. I would definitely recommend for the atmosphere but food is just something that I wouldn’t...