Ikigai — Restaurant in Carlton

Nestled in the heart of a great little town, Ikigai has emerged as a culinary beacon, elevating the local dining scene to unprecedented heights. Chef Phillips’ boundless creativity is evident in every meticulously crafted dish. From the pickled farm vegetables that change from week to week, to the unique twist on dandan sauce, everything at Ikigai is made from scratch, setting a new standard for gastronomic excellence.

The chef's table at Ikigai has become the town's latest phenomenon, drawing food enthusiasts and curious diners alike. Each visit promises an immersive experience where the artistry of cooking is on full display. The owner’s passion for innovation and dedication to quality is palpable, making each dining experience a revelation.

The ambiance of Ikigai complements its culinary prowess, offering an artistic and welcoming atmosphere. The attentive staff enhances the dining experience with their gracious service, ensuring that every guest feels valued and indulged.

Ikigai is not just a restaurant; it is a celebration of flavors, a tribute to culinary artistry, a gravitation of community, and a testament to the transformative power of exceptional food. For those seeking an extraordinary dining experience, Ikigai is a must-visit, poised to leave an indelible mark on Carlton's...

I think this place has a lot of potential but the night we were there we had a few issues that impacted our experience. We sat at the back bar and the bartender was clearly stressed and needed assistance that she wasn’t getting. She was friendly with us but the way she was talking to her coworkers in front of us was uncomfortable. Also when making drinks it would be good to have some sort of utensil to grab the garnishes with. She kept rubbing her face and hair in distress and then grabbing handfuls of garnishes with her hands right after while making drinks. One of the items we ordered did not come and after eating half of our other items we inquired and someone from the kitchen came out and said “I heard you didn’t get this dish but I thought I saw it here on your table”. Ummm no we aren’t lying about it sir lol. It was just a little tacky. The food and drinks good and the portions were generous. With some more experience and staff training this place...

Having heard great things and reading the reviews we were super excited to try the “Off the Cuff” tasting menu.

We were told that the entire table needed to participate so our party of 4 hunkered down. The menu consisted of approximately 8 dishes including soy marinated steelhead, salad, oysters, wings, a crispy rib, and rhubarb dessert, among others. The food was solid: tasty, well presented, and varied.

As we finished dinner, I did some quick math in my head: we could have ordered somewhere between 10-20 a la carte full price menu items for the price of 4 tasting menus. That’s difficult to swallow, knowing we could have tried even more things AND been able to pick and choose specific items we missed out on as part of the tasting menu.

This review is admittedly a reflection of my mistake in ordering. That said, when I sign up for a tasting experience I expect it to be the best value on the menu and unfortunately that wasn’t the...