Nakama Japanese Steakhouse

On 9-25-06, I visited Nakama for the 4th time and I was so excited because for my birthday they sent me a coupon for dinner. It is very rare that a restaurant acknowledges your birthday and let alone gives you a gift! The chef was excellent, his presentation was exciting and the food was so fresh. (I think the shrimp were still swimming on the cart.) The portions are gigantic and everyone at my table had to take some of their meal home. My meal was superb and when I heated it for lunch the next day it was just as scumptious as the night before! I was so appreciative and thanking all the staff for everything because I really had a good time! Thank you Nakama for making my 36th birhtday a wonderful memory.

Pros: Attentive to all your needs never had to ask for refills on drinks.

Cons: Parking is on street at the meter. Reservations highly recommended.

Posted 09/25/06

I have been at Nakama for both dinners and happy hour. The atmosphere is fabulous and the food is very good. I highly recommend it!!!

Posted 09/25/06

Nakama has a wonderful atmosphere.
Both the Sushi and Habachi are beyond compare.
Nakama has
become our family's favorite Japanese restaurant in Pittsburgh.
I recommend it to everyone!

Posted 09/25/06

I went to Nakama for my birthday and with 3 other people with birthdays. We had an excellent time. The menu is just filled with so many great dishes. We got a sushi platter and it was what i expected and more. We had made reservations a week before, as long as you get there on time and your whole party is there your table will be ready. Our chef did an awesome job preparing the food. It was definitely delicious. I've been back several times since my birthday and plan to go again soon!!

Pros: food, service

Cons: the wait, reservations

Posted 09/25/06

This resturant is one of my Favorites, so much so that it is where I take all of my friends for their birthday dinners and where my Family takes me every year for my birthday...It is a wonfderful atmosphere, and great food..I love watching all of the action at the hibachi tables, but even the bar area is a great place to sit and enjoy yourself.

Pros: Great atmoshere and food

Cons: parking, but the valet is great option to that.

Posted 09/25/06

My friends and I love going to Nakama. The drinks are great, and the food is even better! I highly recommend it!

Posted 09/25/06

Nakama has great cusomer service and are quick to meet your needs. Their food is amazing and their dipping sauce is even better. They cook the food right in front of you and the staff is very friendly and the chefs educate you on the meal while cooking it. Overall it is and an excellent upscale casual dining restaurant with great lunch specials.

Pros: great dipping sauce

Cons: none

Posted 09/25/06

When this restaurant first opened, I was so excited to have a Japanese hibachi close to home.
Now that I go as often as my wallet allows, my excitement hasn't waned. Don't get me wrong I think the expense is well worth it. Not only is the food delicious, but there's also a lot of it.
It's rare that I treat myself to a nice dinner out, and when I do, it better be good. Nakama never disappoints. I recommend getting a sake to split, and a big Sapporo. It takes all the cares of the week away. If you're going to go, make a reservation since the bar can be really crowded on weekends with nowhere to wait. Also, check out their frequent dinner club.

Pros: food, ambience

Posted 09/25/06

Whether I'm just getting some sushi, or sitting at the grill, it's always a good experience. I'd say it's one of the best places in Pittsburgh to go with friends if you want to have a good time. Can get really busy so I'd reccomend making reservations for larger parties. The happy hour specials are great too! This is definitely a place I take all of my friends visiting from out of town. Nakama is a must see! Once you go, I'm sure it will be an experience to remember. Nakama is a great place to spend your entire evening, or a good place to start off fun night!

Pros: Delicious sushi and friendly sushi chefs

Cons: With larger groups, it's difficult to be able to talk to everyone with the seating arrangements.

Posted 09/25/06

Great atmosphere, fabulous food! Portions are huge, I always leave with leftovers, and am stuffed. I was afraid of Sushi, after a bad experience before, but tried it here, and am hooked! It gets extremely busy, so make reservations, and plan to stay awhile, but fresh food, cooked to perfection, always takes longer. They do a great job. Parking can be a problem, but they do offer valet parking after 6PM.

Pros: Great food, friendly staff!

Posted 09/25/06

Nakama offers a modern feel and great food. EVERYTIME I go there, it is packed!
They make killer drinks and have an incredible hibachi!! The sushi is divine!! The staff is great and the food is awesome!!

Posted 09/25/06

If you like sushi, then Nakama is the only name you need to know in Pittsburgh.

I work on the South Side. This is a great place for happy hour too. 1/2 price apps, strong drinks, and hot bartenders.

You will not be disappointed.

Pros: Atmosphere and food.

Cons: A little pricey for every day dining

Posted 09/25/06

I have to agree with the majority of people on here...Nakama is a great restaurant. It is definitely a busy place and sometimes (even with reservations - which I have learned to ALWAYS make...esp. on a weekend!) you do have to wait. I definitely think that it is worth it. What do expect from a great restaurant??? Sure, I have had the same experiences with the $ off coupons not being valid at the sushi bar, etc. However, it's just the policy - what's the big deal? We just went back another time and used it in the dining room! Most recently, my husband and I had earned a dinner for four certificate from the VIP card (which is awesome!!!). As luck would have it, we were unable to use the certificate before it's expiration due to an illness. Given the circumstances, I contacted Nakama and explained the situation and they were gracious enough to extend the certificate for a few weeks so that we could use it. I wouldn't expect them to do that in any other situation, but we greatly appreciate it - and will continue to visit Nakama regularly. We love the food at Nakama. As long as you make reservations and plan accordingly, an enjoyable evening can be expected. I would recommend Nakama to anyone - and can guarantee that you'll never go home hungry!

Pros: VIP card, valet parking

Cons: busy

Posted 09/25/06

My friend and I have been going to Nakama faithfully to get our fix! I must have my shrimp sauce a MINIMUM of once a month if not more. I've been to every sushi place in Pittsburgh and Nakama has the best sushi, hands down! Not only can they put their food up for cheers but their apple martinis are nothing to shake a chopstick at!

Pros: great service, fantastic sushi, fun atmosphere

Cons: crowded on the weekends and double points night!

Posted 09/25/06

Nakama serves the most tender and tasty filet mignon that I have ever had. The presentation of the sushi orders is absolutely gorgeous as well, and my husband savors every bite.

Posted 09/25/06

The atmosphere and food is unbeatable. Nakama has something for everyone. Even if you don't like sushi or fish there are plenty of entrees to please everyone. The steak that I had was fabulous! There were only 2 of us for dinner and we were seated with other people at a large table. It was fun getting to talk to and meet people that you normally would not speak to in a restaurant. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Pros: Ambience, Food

Posted 09/25/06

My husband surprised me with dinner at Nakama for my birthday. What a wonderful surprise! I had heard great accolades about this restaurant but now I know that they're all true! The food was unsurpassed and the service was wonderful. The staff really knows how to make a special occasion an even more memorable evening. I can't wait to return!!!

Pros: Great place to celebrate a special occasion!

Posted 09/25/06

My friends took me there for my 45th birthday. The food was excellent! I had twin lobster tails and they were cooked to perfection. They even allowed us to bring in the birthday cake my friends ordered me from New York. They cut it and served it for us. I was having such a great night I left without my digital camera. Later on when I remembered, I called Nakama frantic....they already had it at the front podium waiting for me. They're staff are not only personable....but honest. I love this restaurant and reccommend it to everyone I know. I live over an hour away and think nothing of driving to the south side just to eat at Nakama.

Posted 09/24/06

I went to Nakama for the first time last week. I've been to other Hibachi restaurants before, but what distinguishes this one from all others is the atmosphere. It was great being able to be right in the middle of all the grills. The food was excellent, and wow, what great portions. You definitely get enough to eat. It has become my new favorite place for Japanese. Well done Nakama!

Pros: Atmosphere, food portions are large

Cons: Parking

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama is by far the burgh's best Japanese Steak House. Great food, great service!!! I will be back many times and highly recommend you try it out sometime.

Posted 09/24/06

This place is great to meet out with all age groups. The sushi is great and so are the drinks. You might even see a Steeler or two.

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama is one of the happening spots in Pittsburgh - on any nite of the week! Great happy hour and great atmosphere. Would highly recommend it for the food and the people. Would not recommend if concerned with the noise because it does tend to get a bit loud. Overall great hibachi food and the chefs always had a lil something to their shows. Highly recommended!

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Parking

Posted 09/24/06

I was so happy when Nakama opened and have loved going there ever since. The sushi is really great and there is a nice selection. They also have great happy hour specials. The food served hibatchi is good too. You really cant go wrong with this restaurant.

Posted 09/24/06

Every since it opened I have been happy with Nakamas amazing martinis(try their Pumpkin Spice one in fall! Yummy), fresh and tasty sushi(best Spicy Tuna Roll in the city) and hopping atmosphere. I think the quality is exceptional, here, eating raw fish is a joy-you know you are safe! thank you Nakama!

Only recommendation-hostesses smile a bit! Your job can't be that bad!

Pros: Quality, fresh food. Great drink list.

Cons: Sour hostesses.

Posted 09/24/06

This isn't the place to go for peace but if it is great food and alot of fun you are looking for, this is it!! Our mom's group met there for dinner. The cooks were great fun and the food was wonderful...just a bit hard to have a conversation with anyone but those seated right next to you.

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama was one of the first places where I tried sushi, and I have been a loyal customer ever since. Their products are delicious and their sushi chefs are always up for conversation.

Pros: Love the sushi bar

Cons: You smell like the habachi grill afterwards

Posted 09/24/06

Fun atmosphere and great food for a night out with friends...perfect for entertaining out of town guests...HIp bar and great martini's!!!

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama has OK sushi, but come on, when you bribe your customer's with a $10 gift certificate to give you a good review! That is just Pathetic! I had to put it out there, so that people know their 400+ reviews were paid for. It's really sad, this is suppose to be a site for a true honest reviews. Nakama is noisy, the waiters take forever to serve you, and it's way overpriced. If you want authentic sushi go to CHAYA THE BEST SUSHI IN THE BURGH!

Posted 09/24/06

With three children under the age of 5, we don't get out very often, but the few times we've been to Nakama have been sensational. The food was great, moderately priced, and the service was excellent. I noticed it was family friendly the last time we were there, so we are sure to bring our children there in the future!

Pros: food, service, casual ambience

Cons: parking of course

Posted 09/24/06

the sushi bar has the freshest fish in town, served beautiful by your sushi chef. sushi appears like a piece of art, and melts in your mouth. nothing better!

Pros: best sushi in town

Posted 09/24/06

Our Red Hat group, Rubies & Amethyst with the Pink & Purple Pirate Princesses, recently had lunch at Nakama, and it was fantastic! The waitstaff was very understanding and let my mom sit in the dinning room while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. (Her bad knees make prolong standing painful.) Just little things like that make all the difference. Our food was delicious! I enjoyed a Hanalei Roll and Unagi (eel) sashimi. YUM YUM! Other members of our party enjoyed Filet Mignon. Each cooked perfectly before our eyes. The portions were filling and reasonably priced. The surrounding were just right. It was open and fun while still being special. I even appreciated the way the football game was being projected on to the back wall, allowing us to keep score without being overwhelmed. I can't wait to visit again!

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama is awesome! Others will dare to compare but few will succeed. By far Nakama has the best Sushi, best service, best atmosphere, best hibachi, and best scene in da' burgh. Make a reservation, make a night of it, you won't be sorry!

Posted 09/24/06

Great food and service. We all went there after my daughter had gone there for sushi. Well, we've been back twice since, once for a great dinner and again to the sushi bar. Will be back again soon.

Posted 09/24/06

I've tried all of the hibachi's out there. No one comes close to Nakama. From the trendy atmosphere, to the top notch chef's, this restaurant has it all.

My only complaint is they give you too much food for dinner. Lunch is severely less expensive and still more than you can eat.

I try to make it there once a week, and will continue to do so as long as I can afford $8 for the best lunch in Pittsburgh.

Pros: THE BEST ALL AROUND MEAL IN PITTSBURGH

Cons: The food is addictive.

Posted 09/24/06

The food was great, the prices reasonable and it has a great view of east carson street. Make sure you stop for a drink, because they have a tasty selection. The sushi is just excellent and the atmosphere friendly and fun. I highly recommend it!

Posted 09/24/06

I have to Nakama many times on many different occasions... From just me and my husband to a bachelorette party for 20 women. Each and every time I have been there, I have never been disappointed. I would and do recommend it to everyone.

Posted 09/24/06

I never really enjoyed sushi until a friend took me to Nakama for dinner....it was better than i had expected and the service was terrific too!...Its fun to sit at the bar and have a few drinks with the super variety of sushi...its a great weekly stop!

Pros: Great sushi

Cons: Always Crowded

Posted 09/24/06

I love Nakama, not only do they have great sushi but they also have great hibatchi and the bar is great for having a fun night out. I would pick Nakama over any other sushi bar in town!

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama's hibachi shrimp, steak, and chicken are hands-down the most delicious in all of Pittsburgh....make sure to make reservations, though...the place fills up fast, and for good reason!!

Pros: Delicious food and relaxing atmosphere...chefs are very entertaining

Cons: Parking (though valet is available)

Posted 09/24/06

All I can say is that I love Nakama! I went to another Hibachi style restaurant on Friday and it was a mistake! The food and service were no comparison. Everything about the Nakama is great, especially the Nakama Cosmo. I promise I will never cheat on the Nakama with another place again.

Posted 09/24/06

Some of the best food on Carson street!!! Great food at a prime place to meet with others for the night.

Pros: Location and food selection.

Cons: Could be a little cheaper, but great food and location come with a little higher price.

Posted 09/24/06

I would highly recomend this modern and confortable restaurant-bar.
The sushi bar its really great. Good quality! The bar is also pretty nice to have a good cocktail and enjoy some music. And the restaurant, well, thats the best thing of the whole place for me. Veeeery good scallops, you should try them!

Posted 09/24/06

I only wish that I got down the the south side more often to eat at Nakama. Not only is the sushi among the best around (and their original creations are to die for!), but it's such an affordable meal. It can get a little crowded sometimes, but the atmosphere is always happy and welcoming.

Pros: Sushi, atmosphere, service

Cons: Parking can get a little tight.

Posted 09/24/06

Great for for lunch because you can get an excellent full course hibachi meal for around $10!

Great for impressing that someone special for dinner in the romanticly lit decor.

The food is outstanding and if you like Beni Hana then you will absolutely love this place, as the food is ten times better!

Love the succulent shrimp appetizer with the seafood sauce! Love the fillet cooked with just the Nama spices and a little butter! Love the strip steak with the steak sauce! Love the onion brooth soup that you get as your first course! Love the salad with the ginger dressing that you get as your second course. Love the fried rice and hibachi vegetables that come with every meal! Always get an extra order of the fried rice as it is awesome to take home!

This is by far the best restaurant in the burg! Five Stars!!!!

P.S. Make sure you join their V.I.P club as you will never have to go there and pay full price again!!

Pros: tons of food, lunch prices, V.I.P club

Cons: can be expensive for dinner, crowded on Friday/Saturday night (must have reservations)

Posted 09/24/06

I was never a big fan of sushi--I just didnt realize what all the fuss was about until I tried Nakama's. They have a very extensive sushi menu-from the old faves like the Boston Roll to platters like the Nakama Boat, their sushi is always fresh and delicious. I can't wait to go back!!

Posted 09/24/06

what can i say i love this restaurant. The steak is SO tender and tasty, so is the shrimp and chicken. Service is wonderful and drinks are superb. Not cheap but the cost is very reasonable.

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama is a great place to go for dinner or even lunch. They have a lunch menu which is a scaled down version of their dinner menu at a very reasonable price. The food is great and the drinks are awsome.
They have a great hibatchi grill...and their chefs are terrific. They not only cook your food for you in front of you...but they also entertain you too!
If your not up for all that, they have great appetizers that you can get just sitting in their bar area.
Friendly workers and a nice enviroment!

Pros: ambience, service

Cons: parking

Posted 09/24/06

Nakama is the place to be... Cool decor, tasty drinks and a long list of appetizers if you just want to hang at the bar. Delcious dinners in the diningroom. One of the best places to go in Pittsburgh for sure.

Pros: Decor, Valet Parking, Long list of appetizers

Posted 09/24/06

You won't find better Sushi in the Burgh, and the habachi is a blast. Enjoy an Authentic Japanese Meal with a hip modern atmosphere.

Posted 09/24/06

This is by far the best restaurant in Pittsburgh!! I have been attending Nakama for about 2+ years now and just love it. With a hip atmosphere, amazing food and a awesome staff this place is great!! Nakama also has a friendly valet service; which on Carson St. is a must. After just a few stops at the bar and grill, I quickly became aquainted with the staff, who make me feel welcome every time I am in. I take all of my friends there for nights out and I frequently stop in for lunch too!! I cannot say enough great things about this place and it's staff. A++++++

Pros: The staff and the food

Cons: NONE!!!

Posted 09/24/06