Atarashi — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

Update March 2021: Unfortunately, due to a supply issue, the ginger dressing (which used to be outstanding!) has been changed to a different recipe. It tastes like a vinaigrette dressing with a lot more oily taste than before. It pales in comparison to its former self - not a good change.

Update December 2020: Visit #2: Asked for ponzu sauce which is now labeled in a cup with non-water proof (maybe non food safe?) labels. They put the sauce into the box directly next to and facing/touching the sushi roll. This caused the label to begin to dissolve onto the food. I had to pick paper and adhesive off the roll before eating it! 😝

Visit#1: I placed an order online with a request for ponzu sauce with my roll. Instead, I got poké sauce. With years of experience as a professional chef, I'm 100% sure of what type of sauce I got. I have used both sauces in the past and know the difference. Can you spot the difference in the photo I posted? The employees here are unable to see the difference between ponzu, which is clear but dark, and poké sauce, which is cloudy with spices and dark. The person I spoke to insisted the mistake was mine. That employee was mistaken. The proof is in the photo.

Update: Order accuracy has improved, but I wouldn't consider them to be a particularly friendly group of people who provide professional customer service.

Update Fall 2020: Unapologetic nastiness in regards to service, that's all I can say about Atarashi Sushi. Customer service has taken a terrible dive, coronavirus conditions notwithstanding, send Sushi fuku disappeared and this business took its place. It is sad to see that the new employees do not value customer service whatsoever. They screw up your order, not once but five times, and they don't even apologize for the mistake. They don't offer any kind of fix for the problem, and they come across as very self-righteous about any error. The quality of the food is still good, but the service is rotten.

Update for Fall 2019: No longer available: Tamago and Miso Mayo, but now available are Hijiki and several other new items for your roll or bowl. The ingredients are always fresh and whether you roll it or bowl it, you'll have a good meal with clean...

Came across this location by chance and i’m very happy that I did. This sushi bar is tucked away behind the bank on Oakland ave and is a nice open secret to the locals. The dining room is trendy and clean with an open condiment bar and modern menu screens. Prices are very fair and reasonable for the fresh fish that you get. They offer a huge selection of ingredient choices for rolls, sushi bowls and salads. The pre-made items are also delicious with many different selections. I highly suggest adding one of the housemade sauces and give one of the bowls a try. The sushi rolls are always a good safe option and the fried ones are awesome. They also have a reward program that is very easy. You type in your phone number on a separate pin pad, it doesn’t hold up the line, it keeps track of everything for you and texts you for specials and your birthday. Even if you stop the text messages, it will still track your rewards. In true Japanese style, this small business is simple and reasonable with attention to service and it is perfect for the area. I’m jealous that the university students get to have this little spot all to themselves. I will revisit again just as I have many...

Being a relative of sushi fuku, this eatery was bound to get a good review from me.

The restaurant sells itself somewhat short with the branding of “fast casual”. Termed as such, you would expect a certain cheapness about the place, but in reality it is nicely appointed for a space of it’s size, if somewhat stark.

The option to mix and match proteins and ingredients is a boon to long time sushi lovers, as whatever obscure favorite the sushi place in your home town use to make can be made here also. While certain heavy hitters like uni and toro are notably absent, I can understand why they would be in keeping with the restaurant’s goals, and both unagi and decent tuna are still available.

The ingredients are of respectable quality, and the prices are neither particularly high, nor particularly low for sushi. The rolls themselves, however, are of generous size, and the rice is dryer, and more supple than some other sushi eateries where it might have a tendency to become soggy. They resemble Korean style sushi in size and texture.

While for certain occasion or specialties one might need to venture elsewhere, Atarashi is certainly a staple in the life of any...