Food Review: Norikase

Words by Kelila Ritchie

Nestled in a little corner beside Tinseltown, Norikase creates an entirely different world from the one outside its doors from the food options to the ambiance. The decor of the restaurant resembles a speakeasy of sorts. It is very modern, very classy and the lights dimmed just enough. 

I had the amazing opportunity of experiencing this restaurant for the first time alone before dragging along my fake food critic of a friend literally the next day (yes, I went twice in a row but it was genuinely just that good, trust me). Norikase literally had us both too stunned to speak at first taste. 

The first thing to catch my eye was the gorgeous bar beautifully accented by pink bar stools. The dark and light complement each other amazingly and add to the overall vibe of the restaurant. 

Maybe it’s just me, but lighting makes all the difference when having a good meal. Norikase’s use of light — or rather their lack thereof during their dinner service — adds a little bit of intimacy to the experience. Everything is just very sleek and modern. They hit every mark as far as atmosphere setting goes. I could not have been more pleased.

OK, OK. I know this is a food review, and I haven’t spoken much to that side of things but I had to paint the picture for you guys!

Hands down, Norikase has the best sushi I have ever had in my life. I am a huge fan of all things sushi, and I love trying new things. The extensive menu Norikase offers allows everyone to indulge in a little bit of everything. There is quite literally something for everyone ranging from a surf and turf roll to pan-seared duck which is amazing by the way. 

Going into this I wasn’t really sure what my vibe was as far as sushi. I settled on the Aburi Sake roll which was one of the best decisions I could have ended the year with if I do say so myself! Believe me when I say, this sushi appeared in my dreams and had me wrapped around its finger for an entire 24 hours until I was able to have it again. Norikase also has an amazing selection of sides to choose from. I landed on the Brussels sprouts and edamame which were cooked to perfection. 

Moreover, the customer service was phenomenal and allowed for a very easy, relaxed dinner. The food was served timely, and the staff really knew what they were talking about which I love. Sushi can be intimidating sometimes not knowing what everything is and experimenting with different flavors. The bartenders made this experience seamless. There were jokes shared, questions asked and answered, and just a great time to be had. 

Speaking of bartenders, let’s get into the drinks! I’m an espresso martini girl, and if you drink espresso martinis, you know a good one is hard to come by. I was nervous about this one because it is not traditionally made, but thank God it wasn’t. This drink was one of my favorite martinis so far. It is perfectly sweet with just the right amount of Japanese vodka. 

I say all of this to say, if you have not visited Norikase in all of its glory, please do so! You will not regret it. This is the perfect solo date and an even better date night. Thank me later.