Mr. Pi's Sushi — Restaurant in Highland Park

For those that know me, there has been a legend I’ve spoken of many times.

Once upon a time, there was a place which provided me with some of my best culinary memories ever. This legendary place was called Mr. Pi’s Sushi Restaurant in Metuchen, NJ. Almost ten years of amazing experiences I had accumulated there. However, one day this place of legend had eventually relocated and, in the years that followed, I spoke of, and daydreamed of, this legendary place quite often.

Then, over a decade later, I accidentally find out that they have relocated back to the area near me. My sheer joy, the smile from ear to ear, the absolute excitement, was so intense it was practically palpable.

Speaking of palpable… in their journey before returning to Middlesex County, in Highland Park this time around, they have made their menu even BETTER, which seems almost impossible for a place so legendary, but it’s true. They are the best version of themselves they’ve EVER been! If sushi restaurants have a glow up era, they most definitely are at the summit of it, and will most certainly remain there, as legends do. Welcome to Mr. Pi’s 3.0!

Placing a restaurant into legendary status is neither something I do easily, haphazardly nor willy nilly. For, you see, I have quite literally tried sushi all over the world. I’ve had sushi in Europe, the UK, the South Pacific, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and yes, Japan. I’ve had sushi in (almost) every one of the 50 states, except for those states in which I just didn’t feel like risking my health by trying the sushi. Of all these places I’ve been to, all over the world, NOWHERE compares to Mr. Pi’s! They are the truest of diamonds, valuable beyond imagination! In an area of NJ where you can barely walk a block without finding yet another sushi restaurant, Mr. Pi’s OUTSHINES every single one of them, by far!

What makes a place so legendary? Their food, first and foremost, is TOP TIER, ALWAYS FRESH, HIGH QUALITY, and BEAUTIFULLY, quite STUNNINGLY, PLATED! Great food alone, although amazing, does not grant legendary status.

This next part is where many restaurants sadly fall short these days. SERVICE and HOSPITALITY are an art form that not many have mastered the way owner Jeannette and Sushi Maestro Pi have perfected it. They welcome each and every guest with the warmest of greetings, most genuine of smiles, and truly heartfelt interests in giving their customers a PREMIUM experience. How they are able to remember so many people by name is a talent so challenging it’s practically pure magic in and of itself. After even just a second visit, you will already feel like you are home when you dine here. Our server, Cindy, made sure we always had hot tea in our pot, drinks in our glasses, and our every need anticipated and catered to. She truly excelled in her attention to all the details of our dining experience!

Of course, one can not dub a restaurant a legend without discussing the food. In the only three times I’ve been in since discovering it’s reemergence locally, I have been dazzled by the displays of sushi some plated with dazzling miniature ice sculptures, as they’ve floated by my table onwards to their destination where I am sure there were patrons in absolute delight. On the menu you can find many of the usual items found in sushi restaurants, but there is quite a list of items that you will find only at Pi’s. Their special rolls have taken creativity to a new level of transcendence. In addition to a variety of typical Japanese fare from the kitchen as well, they also now serve ramen which, I’ve heard about, and look forward to trying, is apparently up to par with every other wonderful item I’ve enjoyed from them. Desserts are always a must, and when items like panko crusted fried cheesecake which is so creamy, hot, warm and cold all at once, you must definitely not skip dessert!

Whatever your food preferences, take the time to peruse the menu and look at all of their offerings, knowing that whatever you do land on shall delight your palate and all...

Mr. Pi's is an excellent sushi restaurant. I would particularly recommend it for its sashimi, the fruit themed special rolls that we (husband and I) have tried, and the fish-based appetizers.

The sashimi is consistently fresh and the slices are appropriately sized. There are restaurants, particularly in New Brunswick, that will slice thinly and this ruins the experience both in terms of flavor and texture. If I had to make a critique, it would be that the slice varies between visits. I'll stress again though that it has never been too thin.

We were very impressed with the mango special rolls. Specifically, we purchased the Dream roll. Sometimes fruit theme rolls can taste like a solid special roll where mango is an afterthought. The mango really tied in all of the flavors. Typically we get special rolls to try something new and don't get the same one twice but this one is likely to be a regular, so thank you. The rice cake was also a delicious touch on it. :) If I had to make any critique about the special rolls, it would be just that some of them (not the Dream Roll) can be unwieldy and prone to falling apart from plate to mouth. I get size for sake of spectacle, but it's a bummer when I'm mashing it together because it fell apart to put a trash pile (albeit a delicious one) into my mouth instead of a pretty one. But that is personal preference on my part.

Finally, appetizers. The Hamachi Kama, Yellowtail Jalepeno, and Salmon Family are impressive standouts. I have no critique for the appetizers. I think I've had pretty much everything at this point and it's all been top notch. Yum!

Service gets 5. Everyone is kind and nice. Again, no critique, even if you bent my arm over it. We've been out to eat here multiple times now and will keep coming back. It's become our local sushi go-to, unless we're feeling silly and want conveyor belt sushi. It's great for lunch, for bringing friends and family to, and perfect for date day or date...

Worst experience ever The server was rude to begin with we wanted a roll that had mango in it and we asked to take out the mango and replace with with something else because clearly I don't like mango in my sushi and he was just rude "No we can't do that" first of we know it can be done we didn't care if it was a extra charge. We ordered appetizers and sushi rolls and we got our rolls first and our appetizer like 10 minutes later. We asked for 3 spicy mayos it was my self and my sister having lunch there we of course finished our food then we wanted another of the special rolls and I asked for another spicy mayo and he said to me " you know I'm going to charge you $1 for the spicy mayo you had to much of it already first of who is he to tell me How much spicy mayo I can eat if I'm ordering 2 appetizers and 2 special rolls that are each $16 I would think they could give me spicy mayo To eat with my sushi if I was ordering out I would understand them but I'm dining in and just wanted to have a nice lunch but instead I was treated like crap our server was rude and I was charged 1$ for each spicy mayo I ordered. I was originally going to Nagoya in Berkeley heights but we decided to go to Mr. Pis instead worst decision ever at least at Nagoya they had great service and they don't charge me for The spicy mayo. The sushi is already expensive as it is why charge me For the sauce smh NEVER...