Matsuyama Restaurant — Restaurant in Novato

This was our go to place especially on Fridays. NOT ANYMORE! Sadly, they have gone downhill. Now I think CHINTZY when I think of this restaurant. I will never go to this restaurant again! Sad how a great restaurant can go so bad in a few months because they started raising prices and cutting quality, portions, service, and too many corners. Everything is cheap now. The rice is inedible. The California rolls so tiny and the real crab tastes awful. Don’t order any sushi if you come here. They cut the albacore tuna so paper thin you could see through it and it broke in half when they tried to put it on the rice. They should be embarrassed serving it this razor blade thin. Disgusting. Why even serve it if you are going to cut it so thin!!! The rest of the sushi pieces were small, cut on the thin side, not fresh, and unappetizing. The Uni looked like it was soaking in water for days. Also, don’t order the tempura unless you like the taste of old oil and tasteless frozen ingredients and now smaller portions. So disappointing!!! They totally took a good thing that they had going the first year they opened under new management and destroyed it! Now, I drive past this restaurant hoping to see a under new management sign because we need an great family Japanese restaurant in Novato, BUT SADLY THIS ISN’T IT! Still can’t get over the cheap rice, the see through paper thin albacore! What a total disappointment and a total waste of money. Oh, and did I mention that I had to wait an additional half hour for my order because it wasn’t ready for pickup when I arrived at the time they said it would be ready?! They had an hour and a half to complete this takeout order! NEVER AGAIN, EVER!!! I still can’t get over how paper thin they cut that see through albacore sushi. How chintzy...

A Delightful Meal at Matsuyama

We were in Novato again today and decided to try another Japanese restaurant in town. This time, it was Matsuyama. The restaurant is a few blocks from the main strip in Novato, but it is easy to find. The place is small but can fit roughly 30-40 people, in my estimate. When we walked in, there was only one other pair of customers, but shortly after, the place filled up quickly. That was a good sign, I thought!

My significant other is on a very strict diet, so she had to ask all sorts of questions before she could place her order, but our server, a very nice young man named Jackson, was extremely helpful and patient. He listened carefully, helping her figure out what she should order, and even made some very useful suggestions.

The Yellowtail and Salmon Nigiri we ordered to start with were awesome! The fish were fresh and tasty. My partner went with Mixed Sashimi made of Tuna, Salmon, and Yellowtail, while I opted for Vegetable Udon.

The Vegetable Udon was delicious and filling. The broth was light, simple, and very tasty. I tried a couple of pieces of Tuna Sashimi, and just like the Salmon and Yellowtail, it was fresh and delicious.

Jackson made sure everything was in order at our table and made our first visit to Matsuyama even more pleasant. The restaurant also offers takeout and delivery services, which is great for those who prefer...

Matsuyama is a really unassuming place. It's quiet, and just enough out of the way that you might go by it without realizing. It's not big and fancy, sleek and stylish. It's quite homely, but also very cozy. But in a town that has several Japanese restaurants, Matsuyama has everything going for it.

The menu selection is pretty substantial, a great mix of classic items and their own creations. Their gyoza, in particular, are spot on. They have the special prices at lunchtime, which is a great reason for locals to visit during work, and the portions are always enough that you are getting two meals worth. Even when it comes to the sushi.

Now, one of my great shortcomings in life is that I can't eat sushi. But I can tell a story. I recently visited Matsuyama with a group of people who had never been there before, and many of whom enjoy sushi a lot. Every single one of them was impressed with the quantity and quality of sushi for the price.

Matsuyama's notoriety in town is firmly grounded in its delicious food. Which, you know...for a restaurant is probably a good thing. I say the next time you're feeling like treating yourself to something special, definitely...