North American Sake Brewery & Bad Luck Ramen Bar — Restaurant in Charlottesville

I recently had the pleasure of visiting North America Sake Brewery during my vacation, and I must say, it was an absolutely fantastic experience. As someone who enjoys exploring local breweries and restaurants, this place truly stood out.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The modern yet cozy interior created a perfect setting for a relaxing and enjoyable meal. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and our waitress Melissa went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was top-notch.

The beverage selection at North America Sake Brewery was truly impressive. We started off with Sake Bombs, which were a delightful and fun way to kick off the evening. We also tried their sake flight, which allowed us to sample a variety of their house-made sakes. Each one had its own unique characteristics and flavors, showcasing the skill and craftsmanship of the brewery.

For those who prefer beer, they had an excellent selection of draft beers to choose from. The quality and taste of the brews were exceptional, and it was evident that they take great pride in their craft. Whether you're a sake enthusiast or a beer lover, North America Sake Brewery has something to satisfy every palate.

Now let's talk about the food. We indulged in a mouthwatering array of dishes, starting with the edamame and dumplings. The flavors were fresh and vibrant, and the dumplings were perfectly cooked with a delectable filling. The kimchee had just the right amount of spice and tang, adding a delightful kick to the meal.

As for the main course, we ordered the spicy ramen and a poke bowl. The ramen was packed with flavor and had a nice heat to it, making it a satisfying choice for those who enjoy a bit of spice. The poke bowl was beautifully presented and bursting with fresh ingredients. Each bite was a delightful explosion of flavors and textures.

Throughout the meal, Melissa provided exceptional service. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in making sure we had a fantastic dining experience. Her recommendations for local bars to visit afterwards were greatly appreciated and added an extra touch of personalized service.

Overall, North America Sake Brewery exceeded our expectations in every way. The combination of outstanding beverages, delicious food, and exceptional service made for a truly memorable evening. We are already looking forward to returning in the future and will wholeheartedly recommend this gem to anyone in the area or visiting. If you're searching for a remarkable brewery and restaurant experience, look no further than North America...

The sake is good, I wouldn't expect any less from a place with this name, but this review will be mainly about the dining experience.

Dinner! We got the spicy tuna sushi roll and the basic ramen, and let's just dive right in..

The sushi was... Okay? First off I don't enjoy lukewarm sushi as much, but that's subjective. The rice filled my mouth immediately as a soft, chewy glob, as if it was way overcooked. The nori wrap was so tough it could've been used to make a jacket, so you have to be ready to commit to an entire mouthful. Also, it was incredibly salty, I did not dare dip it in soy sauce because I was afraid it would shrivel up my tongue.

Then, the ramen. I've had some ramen here and there, made it myself but I'm hardly an expert. But apparently I can be a chef because my own ramen was better than theirs... I'll voice my complaints quickly:

Broth was so salty. Egg yolk was completely cooked, and the egg was cold. Chashu pork was so chewy I needed a knife to cut into pieces, just tasted like my mom's burnt pork chop (sorry mom) but even saltier. Mushrooms tasted good but were completely whole, which I guess is creative choice.. but overall the whole thing tasted like SALT.

The serving staff was awesome, the restaurant is really cool and they really make you think you're in a jazzy ramen place until they feed you the microwaved soup they dunked some cremated pork and deviled egg discards into, and you realize it's all marketing. You can't eat a cool t-shirt design folks!

3/5 for the atmosphere, sake and service, oh and we payed close to $80 after tip and taxes, which was very poor value especially considering I needed a kidney transplant after all...

Shortly after arriving in Charlottesville, we headed to North American Sake Brewery for dinner. We shared a bottle of their limited release of Moon Leap Sparkling Junmai Daiginjo Sake. Our server Toni has a warm, friendly, and energetic personality and beautiful smile.

For starters, we shared Veggie Dumplings, Inari, and Cali Sushi Board. The Veggie Dumplings consisted of six steamed dumplings filled with edamame, garlic, ginger, and mixed vegetables served with a citrus ponzu sauce. The Inari consisted of three seasoned tofu pouches stuffed with sushi rice, drizzled with sweet soy sauce, and garnished with sesame seeds. The Cali Sushi Board consisted of ten maki rolls made of crab, avocado, and cucumber. We didn't like how they were served chilled as they came right from the refrigerator. Among the three appetizers, our favorite was the Inari.

For dinner, we shared Chicken Teriyaki and Momo Chicken Ramen. The Chicken Teriyaki consisted of grilled chicken seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked with bell peppers, onions, and carrots in a teriyaki sauce, garnished with sesame seeds, scallions, our signature 3 G's aioli, and crispy garlic served over a bed of sushi rice. The Momo Chicken consisted of curly ramen noodles cooked with chicken thigh in a flavorful shio broth topped with shredded carrots, leeks, beansprouts, soft boiled egg, scallions, sesame seeds, and nori.

For dessert, they have mochi ice cream (in green tea, mango, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) and Strawberry Mousse Cheesecake with Mango Mochi (instead of Chocolate Mochi). The portion size was small but smooth, silky, and delicious. The mochi was served frozen and thus,...