Columbia, Missouri - Restaurant Reviews

[Rik Brown]

Review: OSAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR -- Columbia, Missouri

I rarely write about a poor dining experience, but here goes....

I love Japanese food (I lived 8 years in Japan) and like to discover new Japanese restaurants as I travel. I was in Columbia, Missouri on Saturday, November 5, 2005 to attend a marching band competition at the University of Missouri's football stadium. We had a little over an hour for lunch during a break. So we went to a nearby Japanese restaurant I had noticed on a previous visit to Columbia. This was the Osaka Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar of this review.

First the food. It was passable but didn't get any high marks. I had a tempura and sashimi combination meal. The sashimi certainly was not very fresh. The tempura, which should normally be very bright was dark which is normally due to using the same deep-frying oil for too long. The dab of wasabi (Japanese horseradish) for the sashimi was the tiniest amount I think I've ever seen for a meal. In other words, the restaurant appeared to be cutting corners where possible.

The only good element of our visit was our server, an American who was pleasant and attentive in keeping our ice tea glasses full and asking if we needed anything. Outside of this one employee, none of the other employees said "Hi" or even acknowledged our presence. There were 2-3 people working behind the sushi bar where we sat who never even made eye contact with us.

I didn't notice even one Japanese working there. I didn't clearly hear what language the employees were using but it appeared to be either Chinese or Korean. We did hear a group of customers speaking Korean who were the only other customers here during our meal. Perhaps the sparsity of customers for a rather large restaurant speaks a lot about this restaurant.

I normally don't review a bad experience as I prefer to review the "good finds." However, if anyone can suggest a good Japanese restaurant in Columbia, I'd sure like to know for my next visit. Or, if you just want to advise about one of your good restaurant finds here, please reply to this message thread.

Thanks and Cheers! -- Rik

OSAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR
120 East Nifong Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 875-8588

[Rik Brown]

Visit: April 29, 2006

Sake Japanese Bistro & Bar
16 South 10th Street
Columbia, MO 65201

Phone: 573-256-7252

We had lunch today at the "Sake Japanese Bistro & Bar" in Columbia, Missouri. Located in the old downtown just south of Broadway on 10th Street, this is an interesting Japanese restaurant with modern decor in an old building. We were told that they have been in business for 3.5 years. The restaurant consists of a decent sized sushi bar, couch and table groupings, normal tables with chairs, and high pub style tables. There was a small outdoor area with a handful of tables that I assume are used like a "beer garden" when its warm.

The "Sake Japanese Bistro & Bar" lunch menu had about 6 different "bento" (a meal served in a box) style lunches -- all priced at $6.95. I had the shrimp tempura bento and we split the "Sake Special" combination dish consisting of sushi and sashimi at $20.00. In fact, outside of the bento lunches, the rest of the menu was dedicated solely to sushi and sashimi.

We didn't notice any Japanese staff here but did hear some Korean being spoken. So we assume this is a Korean-run Japanese restaurant which is becoming more and more common. Overall, we were pleased with the meal. I would say it was slightly better than average, but really nothing special. But, so far, its our #1 pick for Japanese food in Columbia and we would probably come back. I would put the "Sake Japanese Bistro & Bar" in the 2-star category.

We visited at noon on a Saturday and had trouble finding any available street parking. However, there is a parking lot on the northeast corner of 10th Street and Broadway which charges only $1.00 per hour. If you parked on the street you would have to feed the parking meters anyway so we were happy to pay the $1.00 to be in a lot.

Website: http://www.sakebistro.net

[Rik Brown]

I guess one always must include Shakespeare's Pizza in Columbia, Missouri on any list of popular restaurants. They've been around spanning seven U.S. presidencies. Here is a link to their website:

http://www.shakespeares.com/

Cheers! -- Rik

[Rik Brown]

With all the people reviewing this thread, I would imagine that some of you have opinions regarding it. So please let us and others know what you think.

-- Rik