Butterfish — Restaurant in Rutherford

Rutherford stepped up its sushi game with amazing wait service, management and Michelin starred talent! Even if you're not from the area, this is worth the trip! There's a reason why reservations are a buzz with this place and I don't expect it to slow down anytime soon. Book with anticipation!

Ambiance: The establishment is a really cozy, intimate restaurant. Decorum has such a modern, neo japan motif with so much to admire on the walls in every direction. There's not alot of seating BUT, I consider it an advantage. It means the less people to serve at a time means higher chances of higher quality service in the span of time, and it is FOOLPROOF Service with this concept here.

Food: Butterfish is BYOB, Bring a beautiful white wine to pair with your sushi. You wont regret it. The Menu upon glance, you can tell has been curated carefully. Giving a chance to select small samplings to the Premium stuff. I will say this. IF you are looking for all rolls to be decorated in spicy mayo, panko flakes and crazy modern rolls, you wont find it here. If you are someone who really appreciates HONEST sushi, the kind that requires no soy sauce and additional dress ups. You will appreciate it to the utmost. The fish is flown in 6 days a week, curated and prepped by a 2 Michelin starred head chef (We had the chance of shaking his hand in thanks)

What we got was the Premium Set that included 3 appetizers, 12 sushi and 2 handroll. Buttery and MMM were all we said with each bite. From the Uni, the caviar, Blue Crab handroll and A5 Wagyu. All of it was beautiful. If youre an Uni fan, you wont be disappointed! It was my favorite one!

We then ordered the Handroll flight (this is a secret menu item. ASK about it. its worth!) The Fish to Rice ratio was PERFECT. it was a great amount to keep a sturdy handroll (Please do NOT change these ratios) Everything was fresh, the salinity was perfect and really quick lets talk about the wasabi. I appreciate it not being store bought paste. its REAL wasabi. Throw it on for the perfect bite!

We ended the night with complimentary gelato, pistachio and salted caramel were so lovely to finish our meal!

Overall Service: I will never complain about the service. From start to finish everyone made sure to greet you if they made eye contact. To some its not that important, but to me those little things make a difference, it came from a genuine place. Lets talk about JoJo the General Manager, I told him I was proud of what he was able to put together with his staff. It looks like a little family in there and by the end of the night I got to know him, Stephanie and Marilyn who were a wait staff with synergy! No one was pushy, they took care of you well. If you go, go with an open mind and be ready to appreciate all the flavors you are about...

I want to first start off by pointing out that this is an absolute must if you love sushi and are excited to try Omakase! The freshness level on every single dish was on point! We felt a complete sense of satisfaction with our tasting. We decided to do the 150 Omakase and it did not disappoint! The flavor of the fish was absolutely scrumptious to the point where I even got chills with some of the amazing quality of flavors. Complexity is a word that I would use to describe the flavor palette that comes with every single unique piece of fish. You can tell how incredibly fresh the food is! As far as service goes, it cannot be understated how incredible the services at this location. Marilyn was our server and from the moment we met her she absolutely lit up the room. She was someone who pointed us in the correct direction every single time. Her suggestions solidified with the flavors! She was constantly over at our table and she was always checking in with us in an appropriate amount of time. The food came out so quick, but it was spaced out. Perfect! We didn’t feel rushed. We didn’t feel neglected at all next I want to personally thank Fredo Nivar for his wonderful service! He was incredibly knowledgeable and the details that he provided about every single dish that came to our table was absolutely phenomenal. He explained everything thoroughly clearly and in full detail, it is incredible to see the skill and talent of these servers. He did a wonderful job and clearly knows what he’s talking about. He has a bright future And it is very clear that he is a professional and finally I want to thank JoJo this general manager, he came up, not only to our table but every table in the restaurant he made you feel so incredibly important. He made the entire evening feel like we were the most important guests in that restaurant. I can honestly say that this entire experience makes me wanna come back as often as humanly possible if you want a wonderful experience if you want to taste what Japan is like this is your place to go. I would highly recommend that you consider this a must if you are visiting New Jersey and the Rutherford area. I absolutely loved every moment of today. Cannot wait to return and we feel beyond excited to try all of the other wonderful dishes and to come back for some of the best ones that we had tonight here are a list of the things that we felt are absolute must if you aren’t going to try the $150 Omakase. Appetizer -Cucumber chili crunch salad Tuna/ toro wasabi

Sushi -seared salmon belly -unagi forie...

A Treat Unsurpassed I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing a culinary revelation last Saturday at Butterfish Sushi Restaurant in Rutherford. Let me tell you—this was no ordinary dinner. It was a curated journey through flavor, texture, and presentation, all masterfully guided by the incredible Chef Jojo. From the very start, Chef Jojo’s warm and engaging presence set the tone. He didn’t just serve food—he introduced each dish with genuine passion, building anticipation with every course. And let’s be clear: this is not your typical California roll spot. As someone relatively new to sushi beyond the basics, I came expecting familiar names—but those expectations were quickly and deliciously shattered. The experience began with a stunning first course: • A cucumber salad so fresh and addictive I could have eaten bowls of it. • Salmon barata—a brilliant and unexpected combo. • Salmon belly crudo and yellowtail ceviche—both seasoned with subtlety and care, enhancing the natural flavors rather than overpowering them. The second course elevated things even further, presenting a dazzling lineup of premium nigiri: Boton Ebi (shrimp), Kinmedai, Madai, Shima Aji, Otoro, and Akami. Each bite was a lesson in contrast and nuance—texture and flavor all in perfect harmony. Then came the star of the show: the Miso Black Cod. This dish alone is worth the trip. Requiring two days of preparation, it was melt-in-your-mouth tender with a delicate balance of sweetness and umami. I’d put it in my top 5 meals of all time—and that’s saying something, considering my mom raised me with some of the best home-cooked food you can imagine! We weren’t done yet. Hand rolls came next: • A tuna and avocado roll that was simple but deeply satisfying. • A chili crunch yellowtail roll with ikura and scallion that brought a fiery pop and a perfect finish. And then… dessert. A gelato quartet that sent us over the edge in the best way: • Black sesame – nutty and bold • Biscoff Lotus Butter Cookie – impossibly creamy • Blackberry sorbet – light and refreshing • Pistachio – rich and deeply satisfying Final Thoughts: Butterfish isn’t just a sushi restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you're a seasoned sushi connoisseur or a curious newcomer (like I was), this place will surprise and delight you at every turn. Chef Jojo and his team are doing something truly special. Ready for an out-of-body experience with sushi? Head to Butterfish in Rutherford. Just go—you can...