Itzmi — Restaurant in Town of Newburgh

My wife has talked up Itzmi for quite some time, but they are not open on Sundays, and because of my busy schedule, it makes dining here a really difficult task. Fortunately, I found myself with no place to be on a Saturday and also in the area. So, the wife and I sallied forth, infiltrated said nipponese bistro, and negotiated the vending of some Keiseki comestibles. In short, we decided to have lunch! From the exterior, the establishment looks old - frumpy, if not disheveled. The restaurant is located far in the back of a single level multi-fronted shopping complex. A lone, aging wooden sign with the image of a fish stands post along the busy highway of NY-300 - the only indication that there is an eatery there. Once inside, however, the space opens up to a clean, bright, and modern looking eatery. The menu boasts many options, ranging from classic Japanese dishes to unique twists and specialty plates. There are not only Japanese dishes but a handful of Korean dishes as well. The wife orders a Bento, I order two Maki Rolls and a Bulgogi Lunch special. Brought out hot and steaming on a cast iron skillet, my lunch looked more like a plate of Korean inspired fajitas than anything else - but despite this odd presentation, I am pleased to say that hearing that sizzle, seeing that steam, and smelling that marinated beef began making my mouth drool and my stomach growl. The food was very good - seasoned nicely and cooked well. My wife enjoyed her bento as well. Where I was disappointed was the Maki... Now, if you've been following me on my culinary escapades, then you'd know that when it comes to sushi, my biggest peeve is the rice. SEASON THE DAMN SUSHI RICE!!!!! If there is one thing that Asian American eateries don't do enough of, especially Japanese establishments, it's seasoning their sushi rice. Rice gets washed and then goes into a cooker. Add a little salt. Rice comes out of a cooker. Rice goes into a Hangiri. Rice Vinegar, Mirin and a little white sugar goes into the rice. Use a wooden spoon to slice the rice and evenly distribute these ingredients together, and fan the rice so that it cools and creates a glistening surface on the rice. Congratulations! You have done what 90% of Japanese eateries FAIL to do. I understand that it's a lot of extra work. I get that it's just easier to make one large batch of rice and call it a day - but ask any Japanese Itamae and they'll tell you, the most important factor to sushi making is the rice. The rice here was seasoned, but badly under seasoned. It makes everything just taste flat. It's like, going to a Greek restaurant and not getting any Tzatsiki for your Gyro, or going to a Mexican restaurant and getting chips, but no salsa. It just doesn't pop. All-in-all I would say the experience was very good. The service was solid and the waiter was attentive, but you could tell that he just wanted to hurry up and finish his shift so he could go home and watch reruns of Game of Thrones. I would definitely come back - solid food (if not a little bland on the sushi) - decent pricing and a warm, inviting, and clean space to dine in. ...

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I recently dined at Itsmi Japanese Restaurant in the Affluent Town of Newburgh, and I can confidently say it was an exceptional experience! From the moment I walked in, the warm ambiance and inviting decor set the perfect tone for a delightful meal.

The menu offers a fantastic variety of traditional Japanese dishes, and everything we ordered was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The sushi was incredibly fresh, with the Rainbow Roll being a standout—each piece was a work of art! The chef's special rolls are a must-try for anyone looking to indulge in something unique.

The service was attentive yet unobtrusive, and our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations. I appreciated how they took the time to explain the dishes and even suggested pairings that complemented our meal perfectly.

Another highlight was the miso soup and edamame, which were delightful starters. The atmosphere was cozy and perfect for a casual dinner or a special occasion.

Overall, Itsmi is a gem in the Town of Newburgh that I can't recommend highly enough. If you’re in the area and craving authentic Japanese cuisine, make sure to pay them a visit—you won’t be...

I'd seen their small sign on Rt 300, but never thought much about it. A few weeks ago, we received their menu in the mail. Looking it over, I saw they had shrimp tempura, my favorite and miso soup, another favorite. Last evening we decided to go there. First off, the restaurant is decorated lovely, and we received a warm welcome. The chairs are nicely upholstered and very comfortable. I ordered the miso soup, shrimp and vegetable tempura appetizer, and a Mai Tai (which had a beautiful presentation). My husband ordered (very reluctantly as he does not like Japanese food) the beef teriyaki dinner which included miso soup, a green salad, a bowl of rice, and a sizzling platter of beef, broccoli and he thinks it was shredded cabbage, in a beautiful presentation. I must say, he thoroughly enjoyed his meal and ate every bite (except the cabbage). I am looking forward to going back for the vegetable and tofu over rice dinner, and he wants to try the teriyaki chicken dinner. The food, presentation, atmosphere, and service were exceptional. Oh, we also were given a complimentary pineapple boat...