Bar Bushido — Restaurant in Norwalk

As long time patrons of Taproot and big fans of the owners work it really pains me to have to give Bar Bushido this review.

We were so excited for this place to open and after having been 3 times now I’m not sure if or when we will return, which is unfortunate because we live right down the street and we were hoping this would be another great local spot for us.

Last night for Valentine’s Day we decided to try out the temaki bar experience and I left hungry and disappointed. The hand rolls themselves were tasty, but after spending nearly $250 (with 20% gratuity automatically added for very basic service) for 7 bites of temaki, a bottle of sake, and a small plate of fried chicken I didn’t expect to leave hungry. The quality of the fish was very good but it didn’t feel like something I couldn’t get at Kawa Ni with better service and, for what feels like to me, a better value. In fact, after our $250 meal (more like an appetizer) we went out front to the bar for 2 cocktails a smash burger and a katsu pocket which ran us another $71 (with small tip) since we were still hungry. The cocktails were excellent but the wagyu smash burger for $18 (with no sides mind you) was extremely salty and honestly didn’t seem fresh, maybe like it had been sitting around for some time which is hard to believe considering out front was nearly empty.

We are not shy about paying for good food. I spent nearly $300 at Taproot last year for Valentine’s Day and left feeling extremely satisfied with the food and the experience. After spending the same at Bar Bushido this year I left feeling disappointed and as if my money would have been better spent elsewhere. It’s hard to imagine who is the ideal customer this place is targeting if it is not appealing to people like my wife and I, who should love this place in theory.

At the current time, I unfortunately can’t recommend this place...

After dining at legendary establishments like Nobu, Sushi Nakazawa, Sushi 456, KazuNori, and countless other acclaimed sushi destinations, I thought I knew what exceptional sushi looked like. Bar Bushido just completely shattered those expectations and delivered what might genuinely be the most savory and delicate sushi experience I’ve had. Definitely make a resy for the temaki-ya

These hand rolls aka temaki-ya – WOW. The savory selections absolutely blew my mind. What is in that mushroom hand roll?!? Every single bite was a masterclass in balance, technique, and flavor harmony that left me speechless. But here’s what sets Bar Bushido apart: their incredible range spans both the umami-rich savory rolls AND the more delicate, traditional preparations. The contrast between their bold, flavor-forward creations and their pristine, subtle offerings showcases a level of culinary mastery that’s frankly intimidating. The A5 Wagyu hand roll ($22) alone is worth the pilgrimage – it’s not just food, it’s edible poetry. And don’t even get me started on that Toro Uni with Kaluga caviar ($23) – pure decadence that somehow manages to be both indulgent and refined.

If you consider yourself a sushi enthusiast, Bar Bushido isn’t optional –...

Identity Crisis at Bar Bushido

First Impressions

While excited about a new restaurant concept1, this experience fell short of expectations. Despite being nearly empty, reservations appeared limited, suggesting potential management issues.

Atmosphere and Ambiance

The restaurant seems to be struggling with its identity - feeling like a less polished version of Kawa Ni.

The lighting was problematically dark, making it difficult to: Read the menu Appreciate food presentation Properly see food

Ordering and Service Challenges App-based ordering felt impersonal No dedicated server assistance Provided a brochure for menu navigation Unexpected 3% back-of-house gratuity

Dining Experience Cocktails were excellent Food was mediocre Extremely dark environment hindered dining enjoyment Unexpected mess on booth seat

Final Verdict

A disappointing dining experience that needs significant improvement. While aiming for a "fun take on cuisine", the execution fell short of creating a welcoming environment.

Recommendation

Given they were recently opened, there's hope for future refinement. However, major operational adjustments...