Tamari Robatayaki & Whisky Bar — Restaurant in Fresno

Celebrated a combo of Valentine's and my anniversary here, and I was far from disappointed.

The restaurant was generally very packed, both a good sign that it's worth being at, and a sign that wait times might be a bit high. I am definitely taking that into account as I write this.

Food: 10/10. For a starter we had the salmon kama, with simple flavors but a perfect cook on the salmon, I loved it.

Entrees/a la carte: I had the Poke bowl, she got the Chirashi bowl, we also split the monkfish liver and an A5 Wagyu 2pc Nigiri, and lastly an Alaska Roll. Every item was lovely. It's not easy to judge sushi or raw fish conventionally, it's all about the ingredients, rather than how they've been cooked and seasoned. All items were fantastic. I personally found that the monkfish was not for me, but it wasn't bad by any measure. The Wagyu was phenomenal. I didn't know the meaning of "melt in your mouth" until I ate that piece of steak. I was absolutely in heaven.

Drinks: 10/10 My drink of choice: Smoked Cinnamon Old Fashioned with Hibiki Harmony. It was a wonderful, sweet, boozy drink. The presentation was phenomenal with the drink being smoked right at the table.

Her drink of choice: Tokyo Tea. It was a sweet, fizzy drink that doesn't taste overpowering but can definitely cause a head rush if you aren't careful! I took one sip and while I still personally prefer a Long Island Iced Tea, it was absolutely delicious

Service: 10/10 Harmonee was amazing as a server. The place was positively packed, and food did take quite a while to make its way to us, but Harmonee was there for us! She was so kind, always making sure our drinks were filled and doing her best to update us on the status of our food. She also took notice of my girlfriend's bag and nails which was so sweet!

Cleanliness/atmosphere: 10/10 From the get-go you are shown exactly what this place is all about. When you walk in, the bar is one of the first things you see, with plenty of whisky related decor in the waiting area, including a comically large bottle of Bulleitt bourbon. As we made our way to our table (thank God for reservations!) We were able to see both the traditional charcoal grill on which our appetizer was cooked, and the sushi station hard at work. There was no doubt in my mind that everything was clean and sanitary, and even the restroom was in good order, with no graffiti. They also definitely make an effort to ensure that bathroom never, ever smells anything less than wonderful.

Parking: great! Despite being in an area with plenty of restaurants, and being totally packed, we were able to get pretty close to the restaurant.

This was an amazing spot and I can't wait to save up some more money and come back to try even more...

Just not feeling this place at all and we'd been wanting to try it for a while. Steak with asparagus and baby potatoes - how can you cook baby potatoes on a skewer then grill them and with no sauce or seasoning and expect them to taste anything than utterly bland? Also the steak tasted like it had been previously frozen and we were never asked how we wanted it cooked. Asparagus OK but overall a very small portion of underwhelming food

Next up was the panko chicken with rice but upgraded to fried rice - wow, a bowl of fried rice with breaded chicken cubes on top. No sauce, no soy on the table. The fried rice tasted no better than a pre-cooked frozen variety and the chicken genuinely tasted like Chick-fil-A nuggets. We also had a round of sushi - if the care and attention that went into garnishing the sushi matched the flavor of the sushi I'd put the other dishes failings to one side. A mix of soft rice, barely edible asparagus (can only assume they added the roots it was so tough) cold salmon skin and a side of sauce that had a perfumed flavor to which I've never experienced, classic Ponzu it certainly was not.

We called time after this and $75 later left annoyed and one of us still hungry due to the size of the steak & asparagus plate. Also, edamame, how can you have half the plate cold and the other warm? Anyway, on the plus side the atmosphere internally was nice, watching the chef cook the steak in his glass bubble was a nice surprise and the fixtures/fittings were of high quality.

I hate to go in on a place like this but its not a new restaurant and maybe our expectations were too high having wanted to try it for a while but with so many great restaurants in Fresno, it's annoying when you spend $75 of your hard earned to be so...

Tamari Robatayaki & Whisky Bar is a culinary delight that perfectly marries exquisite Japanese cuisine with an impressive array of whiskies. My recent visit to this restaurant was an experience filled with exceptional food, great service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Upon entering, we were greeted with a friendly welcome and were seated almost immediately, setting a pleasant tone for the evening. The hot sake we started with was notably smooth, complementing the meal beautifully and easing us into the culinary journey ahead.

The spicy garlic chicken wings, a bit on the heavier side, were a burst of flavors – deliciously prepared and a great start to the meal. As a Miso Soup aficionado, I make it a point to try it at every Japanese restaurant, and Tamari's version did not disappoint. It had that comforting, familiar taste that always hits the spot.

The sushi rolls were another highlight. We ordered four different types – Booty Booty, Hot Mama, Super California, and Sweet & Tangy. Each roll was a unique flavor adventure, but my personal favorites were the Super California and Booty Booty. They were not just meals; they were a delightful experience for the palate.

However, the stars of the show were undoubtedly the Old Fashions – the Tamari Old Fashion and the Smokey Cinnamon Old Fashion. The latter, prepared tableside, was a spectacle in itself and was incredibly delicious. Its smoothness and unique flavor profile made it disappear from my glass far quicker than I anticipated.

The staff at Tamari Robatayaki & Whisky Bar were commendable for their helpfulness and organization, contributing significantly to the pleasant dining experience. The atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting and conducive to a...