KAEDE — Restaurant in Portland

One wouldn't know it walking by this non descript brick building with only an Edward Jones sign displaying out front, but, what might be the best sushi experience in Portland lies hidden, waiting to delight your senses.

Getting a necessary reservation was challenging. This was echoed by my fellow diners at the sushi bar. Once there though, one is instantly greeted and welcomed into their world of culinary excellence. Sitting at the bar is highly recommended so that one can not only watch the master at work and hear the personal touches he employs, but, also to interact on a personal level that is extremely rare in fine dining experiences.

The menu is prix fixe with a satiating level of courses. In addition, there are a few add on options that are highly recommended. I was told the menu changes are both seasonal and somewhat daily depending on what is fresh and available. Specifically that the tuna and salmon were sourced close by and the other species (amberjack, snapper, mackarel, and barracuda) were sourced directly from Japan.

Navigating through it is a journey led by the chef and his counterpart one dish at at time. While the appetizers were made in the small kitchen off to the side, all the nigiri (and hand roll) were sliced, prepared and plated in front of you. The chef and his team kept a watchful eye to give you time to taste, savour, and appreciate each before individually preparing your next. I noticed and commented to the chef, that the order in which he chose to serve the various pieces of fish was brilliant as it took advantage of the properties of each and how they would build upon one another to satisfying climax with the final serving. His knowing smile was all I needed to see in response.

If for some reason, one is not full and satisfied at the conclusion of the omakase experience, a menu is presented to order items a la carte. Personally, it was not necessary, but, each diners experience is unique. In addition, there is a healthy selection of sakes available to imbibe during your meal. While I did not partake in this, my fellow diners at the bar noted how each one that they sampled fit with the menu well, even as they switched to different options for the variety.

While this experience was on the higher side of my price range for a meal, the value, quality, and uniqueness is almost unmatched in this area. I would highly recommend everyone go here at least once in...

SUPERIOR SUSHI SITUATION

If you think you’ve found great sushi elsewhere in Portland you’re probably right, but you haven’t eaten the best until you’ve dined at Kaede. Owner/Chef Izumi Uehara and Executive sushi chef Shinji Uehara (wife & husband) have teamed up to bring you perfectly prepared fish flown in overnight from Japan for the fine people of Portland to enjoy in a Sushi-Kappon experience.

Tips: The premium nigiri is a MUST HAVE. Shinji showcases his fish in the most authentic way with little adornments such as jalapeño relish, yuzu jam, and whatnots. He is careful not to overwhelm the delicious melt-in-your-mouth fish with the extra bling he puts with each bite. His knife work is the best I’ve seen in Portland and it comes through in this elevated approach to sushi.

Try things you normally wouldn’t eat. I despise eggplant and NEVER want to take a second bite of anything related to the nightshade. The NASU AGEBITASHI is Uh May Zing and you will want to devour Chef Izumi’s clever creation.

Saba Battera is super special here and a steal at only $10 (now $12). This is the only place in Portland other than Murata where I’ve seen it on the menu and this rendition is exquisite.

UPDATE Came back a year later and it was even better than I remembered. The king salmon sunomono salad was soooo good that we had to order a second...

Walking into Kaede, one can immediately sense it's a family-owned business. The personal touch and the palpable passion in their service add a special charm to the ambiance. However, upon entry, we were greeted with a strong smell, which was slightly off-putting.

In terms of food, their Salmon Avo Wasa roll and premium "Toro-Taku" were decent, but they didn't quite hit the mark for us. They were pretty basic, and we expected a bit more flair, considering the premium tag. If you're looking for a culinary adventure, we recommend trying the nigiri or sashimi instead, as they may provide a more satisfying experience.

One aspect we found surprising was the lack of popular Japanese beers, such as Asahi and Sapporo. Including these in the beverage selection could enhance the overall dining experience.

Despite my rating being 3 stars, I see potential in Kaede. The dedication of the family to their restaurant shines through and it’s this commitment that leaves me hopeful for their future improvements.

Despite the shortcomings, I encourage locals to try out this family-run establishment. After all, supporting small businesses is key and I'm hopeful that with feedback and time, Kaede will elevate its dining experience to match the evident...