Restaurant i

I'll keep this simple. I moved here from New York City and have been a sushi fanatic for years. I was initially disappointed in the sushi scene here in Charlotte, but thankfully I found Restaurant I. I have probably been there more than 20 times in the last 2 years and have had a great experience each visit. Also, the quality of the fish and the dishes rivals Nobu, Bond Street, Yama, Sushi Yasuda, and all of the New York stalwarts. I typically get a wide variety of nigiri including Toro, Yellowtail, Salmon, Crab, Uni, etc. and have never had anything but a large and very fresh piece of fish. The cooked dishes are equally good. The service has always been attentive and very professional and the owner is always welcoming. I suspect that anyone who doesn't enjoy this restaurant just doesn't get it. They should stay home and stick with Tuna Helper as their seafood item. RESTAURANT I IS ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN CHARLOTTE.

I was extremely excited to try Restaurant i with my boyfriend and friends this past weekend and within 5 minutes of walking in, I was disappointed. The waiter was curt and acted as though our requests were bothersome. It took over an hour for us to receive our appetizers and drinks and when we inquired about the sake we ordered, our waiter told us that there was a wait for the warming machine. Our entire dining experience lasted close to 3 hours - not because we were having great conversation but because it took that long for the food to come out - and the service was AWFUL. I have over 12 years of restaurant experience and never have I been so disappointed in customer service.

The food was decent but definitely not worth the price. The sushi fell apart immediately and the meat entrees tasted dry and overcooked. I do not recommend this restaurant at all.

Pros: The guy in charge of filling up the water glasses did a great job
Cons: Service was awful, food was average, cost was high, ambience was nothing special

I seem to remember this restaurant once had the word "fusion" in its name and it was good word (apprarently CONfusion for some reviewers). This is one of the most creative resturants I've been anywhere, not just in Charlotte, anywhere. Yes, they have regular sushi but don't come here if you want the usual California Roll and plastic grass. It's like they started with a typical japanese resturant and then infused a jolt of cuisine creativity into it. Come if you want to experiment and be delighted. We commonly order a bunch of appertizers, an entree and maybe a few pieces of nigiri. They have interesting and good drinks and many choices for gourmet sake's, plus a conventional wine list. The service is attentive, it's a small place, and the prices are normal for charlotte gourmet offerings. We come here whenever we feel fed up with the usual Charlotte restaurant options and are always glad we do. I can never tell when they're going to be open and you never know who crowded it will be so at least call ahead.

Pros: Inventive and delightful always unique menu offerings
Cons: Not for the conventional Benihana crowd

This is the first time I have been to Restaurant-i and the food was fantastic. I had salmon with a terikayi sauce and it was great. The prices are a little high, but worth it.

Pros: Terrific food
Cons: Prices are high

Tried this place some time ago, my husband and I were both furious that the food was so horrid, the waitstaff were incompenent, and every course was abysmally bad. The food was poorly prepared, dishes made no sense and were badly thrown together. This was one of the top 10 worst dining experiences that I've ever had in Charlotte.

Pros: None - Complete Waste of Time And Money
Cons: Why is this place not shut down?