Did Yama Sushi in Vail make the claim that they were a Japanese restaurant? No (at least on their website they don't). Do they make Japanese-inspired food? Yes (see the Vail Daily review from December 29, 2010). Is the food worth your while? Yes. We visited Yama Sushi during the shoulder season (late September 2012) while my husband was here for a conference. After reading review upon review upon review of Vail restaurants, we settled on this one. I called and made a reservation for 2 for 6:30 pm on a Friday night. When I did so, the guy on the phone told me that it was a good idea to have done so, since they were expecting a couple of larger groups that evening. We arrived a tad early for our reservation. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I hadn't expected the place to be as small as it was. When we presented ourselves by telling the host about our reservation, he took a quick look around the restaurant, and said something along the lines of, "Oops. Would you mind sitting at the bar? The large group that came in a while ago didn't tell us about the 5 extra kids they were bringing". It seems that the only remaining table for 2 was taken; however, there were still two seats at the far end of the sushi bar. Having not made another option for dinner, we took the seats. At first, I wasn't very happy about it. I'd made reservations. I'd rather sit across from my dinner partner and have a conversation. A little harder to do when side by side at a bar, plus you have to contend with the people on the other side of you making awkward conversation on their first date... Anyway, we ordered several small dishes. Please, people, do not complain about the small portions. They are supposed to be small. Sushi restaurants are not serving pigs; they are serving people. I don't mind telling you: people with good manners do not eat like pigs. In fact, the portions were just right! Between the two of us, we had a smattering of sashimi, maki sushi, raw tuna salad, and nigiri, along with a glass of wine and a couple of beers. And in all, the experience at the bar was not bad at all. I had to move over every once in a while so the wait staff could pick up dishes, but it wasn't that awkward. We also were able to see the sushi chefs in action...interesting! And the food was great, great, great. The place is small, but not what I would term "cozy". Hip, natty, hopping, and energetic. The ambient volume got progressively louder the later it got. The evening we were there, the wait staff, possibly in response to our reservation "plight", was very helpful, very friendly, and the service was good. Because it was the shoulder- or off-season, we received a 30% discount, so the bill was like $100 for the both of us, including taxes and a 20% tip. We left satiated; we did not leave "full", which is the way I like it. Try it. You'll like it.
(4)
Robert W.
Wow. Been going to Matsahisu around the corner for ages and wanted something new. Yama does not disappoint. Our new sushi place in Vail! Went there for a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal. Great service except kitchen a little slow on two items. But the food was outstanding and server did a great job (a'la Matsahisu) of describing each item in detail upon serving. Great cocktails as well. Small and cozy. Yamalicious.
(4)
Laura S.
Yama is the place that I always go to if I want fresh great sushi and have my favorite drink called the Yamatini prepared by Chris Assad. The staff is always friendly and has a warm atmosphere. I feel comfortable going by myself to sit at the bar and consistently have a great time.!
(5)
Jaime L.
It was fine. I enjoyed the rolls we ordered. The sushi was OK, apart from the albacore, which was fishy. Service was good. The restaurant could use some updating - particularly given that Matsuhisa has arrived. Prices are high - high enough that they really are in Matsuhisa range.
(3)
Ray C.
The food was good, but that is pretty much it. This place literally sits 40 people; we were a party of 6 and we had to give a credit card to secure a reservation; when we got to the restaurant, the hostess told us that our table would not be ready for another 20 minutes. Because our reservation was set for 30 mins before the kitchen closed, she gave us 2 choices- we could either a) go to another bar and have a drink then come back in 20 minutes (but risk coming back and not being served) or b) we could stay in the (tiny) waiting area and she could serve us some drinks there. For the record, I have never had a hostess suggest that we go somewhere else for drinks before dining at their restaurant. We were starving and it was cold outside, so we opted to stay and order drinks there and drink them in the hostess area. When we finally sat, we were literally on top of the people in the next table. I was very uncomfortable. The food arrived on time, but the server's service was nothing spectacular. I have had way better sushi before. It was cool to try Vail's #2 sushi place, but I probably would not come back again...
(2)
Rachel N.
This is not sushi -- this is food for American fatties that happens to be rolled into a sushi-esque shape -- I'm not saying that it isn't delicious, but authentic it's not. Expect to pay "normal" sush prices + the Vail premium -- most rolls are 8ish pieces and cost $17-20 -- I enjoyed the aforementioned Orchid Roll, and it is kind of baller (yellowtail, red tobiko and asparagus topped with sliced avocado and orchid petals), but do you NEED to flowers w/ your fish? No. That said, the fish is fresh and tasty, but it should never, ever be called Japanese. We rolled in w/o a res at 8p on President's Weekend and waiting abt an hour for a table -- the hostess was lovely, but don't tell me it will be 15 min if it's not -- and the place is TINY (I think it seats 7-10 at the bar and 20-25 in the restaurant), so it's better to be prepared to wait. Other yum items were the jalapeno/albacore starter, as well as the Black Widow Roll -- din for 3 w/ 3 drinks, tip, and no dessert = $262. Yikes. I was unhappy, given that Papa N was footing the bill. Is Yama worth trying if you're hungry, want raw fish, price is no object, and you like pretty things? Yes. Is Osaki still a billion times better and actually Japanese? Yes.
(4)
Masha B.
We've been here twice - once without reservations, we got seated (quickly) at the bar, had an awesome wine tasting compliments of the bartender, and a delicious meal. Second time we made a reservation, got to sit at a table like adults. Again really friendly service (complimentary edamame this time because the waitress forgot to get it to us). Awesome sushi again, just impecable flavor combinations. I love the food here. Very innovative sushi, at the same time, great quality. I love the service. And I love that it's small and cozy. And the decor is really cool (and I usually hate red!) As far as prices - well, it's Vail. So they're reasonable. We'll be back again soon!
(5)
Jamie N.
We went as kind of a last minute decision so we didn't have reservations, but we were willing to sit at the bar and the hostess was so accommodating that she actually called us when there was space available. Most importantly, I thought they had a really good selection of sake. They even had one that I liked and I am pretty picky. The guy that took our drink order was very helpful and informative about the sake options and even let us taste them before making a final decision. As for the sushi, it was fine. Nothing extraordinary. I didn't feel like they really had too many great options. I had to ask them to change around one of the menu rolls to get what I wanted and it seemed like that wasn't something that they really wanted to do. I should have looked at the menu before going, so that is mostly my fault. However, it has never seemed to be an issue at other sushi restaurants to kind of "customize" what you really want in a roll. Especially if it's going to be $20 for shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and avocado. Our server was okay, my only real problem was that since we were sitting at the bar she was constantly leaning over us or between us to get to the items at the bar. She kind of had to raise her voice to speak to the people behind the bar and it was just not really comfortable. I might be a little sensitive when it comes to personal space, but I just didn't expect that at a nicer sushi restaurant. As for my last point, price. It is expensive, yes. I realize that is to be expected considering where it is located. My qualm here is that I think the price should have some bearing on the quality (of service and food) and I didn't really feel like they were in line with each other. Bottom line, I would come back for sake and edamame, but I might go somewhere else for the actual meal.
(3)
Diana F.
My girlfriend and I visited Vail in the off season. We were walking through the village and Chris the bartender came out and offered to take our picture. Next thing you know, we were having a drink in this fine restaurant and little bar. Then we started watching the food being made and before you knew it...we were having sushi rolls and tempera by the chef, who was also named Chris. Great for foodies and the drinks were fantastic. Great little find!
(5)
Jim S.
I like Yama and in spite of it being a rather small place the food and service are always good. With the tendency of Vail food to be very expensive, a great meal can be had at Yama for something similar to most other cities. Rolls are definitely the way to go. As mentioned by others, don't get hung up on the reservation time as I've never been seated at my assigned time. Our drinks were the house due the 20 minute wait past resv time.
(4)
Lisa S.
From service to food and drinks Yama was amazing last night for a family vacation dinner. I love the sake variety and being a sushi enthusiast I found the options, quality and presentations fantastic. Sure, the sushi here is pricey but it is a resort town and totally a luxury and fun experience, too. Our servier, Kali, I believe, was wonderful and so accommodating. Save a little room for Mochi (sp?) the dessert was flavorful with spoons to share for the whole table. What a nice treat! I also dined at Yama two years ago here in Vail and they have improved since then :)
(5)
Jen S.
My Sister and I were staying at the Sitzmark Lodge literally across the street from Yama - it was a Sunday night, our last night in Vail. It was quiet in the village, dark and JUST what we were looking for......plus we didn't feel like paying $32 for sea bass down the way. ;) You'd think Chris is the owner, but He's a great bartender and is very knowledgeable about the sushi menu. DRINKS - Try their Giddy Geisha or Green Tea drink. Chris is a hell of a bartender. Drinks weren't overly strong but just enough to make you "happy". Flavors were interesting - Chris seemed to be VERY into introducing his new inventions. SUSHI - The chef our night was pretty good. Fish was fresh, the rolls were pretty typical (8 pcs) - I suggest you try their Entree Specials - they can feed 2 people unless you're FAMISHED, then you'll end up paying a boat load of money. Their yellow tail, although a little pricey at $38, was REALLY good (Yellow Tail, Jalapeno, Lime, Ponzu Sauce). Try their Spicy Edamme if you're looking for a little kick before dinner. PRICES - $$$.$$ - It was just the 2 of us, had one drink each, edamme, about 6 sushi specials, mochi for dessert (so good!!!) - $174.00. This place was small, personable, dark, comfy and friendly (not exactly quiet but the music was good) - if you're looking for a fun outing were you can leave it up to Chris to order for you, then this is the place. Everything he suggested was yummeh!! We plan to visit here again the next time we're in Vail. Hopefully it'll be the same fun experience.
(4)
Chie T.
4-stars for the food and service and HAPPY HOUR minus one star for the price. It's expensive, and I think that's to be expected with Vail. That being said, I don't think that you'll be disappointed with the food. Drinks are cheap during happy hour - you buy a large beer and get some sake to go with it. The presentation is really fantastic and they say you eat with your eyes first so we both really enjoyed it. It's a modern looking space, and I would imagine great for any variety of functions.
(3)
Kris L.
My wife and I wanted to check out Yama sushi tonight since its being called the best sushi in town. Of course without a reservation that was going to be a challenge. However perseverance pays off and even though we didn't have a res we knew they were going to have a sushi bar where you can often find a couple spots even when busy. That was the case for us today, someone cancelled and we moved right in on their spot and we were very thankful. We were thankful because Chris Aycock and his team did some creative and interesting things with sushi and offered many unique specialty appetizers and rolls. Try their Saikyo Hoisin Yellowtail roll which was fantastic along with their riceless Summer in Vail roll. We had pieces of their wild sockeye salmon and staples such as albacore, hamachi and unagi. The staff was very helpful even though they were busy and the sushi chefs treated us to a great dinner. If you want great sushi in Vail try Yama Sushi.
(3)
Yih-Yoon L.
Came here for late dinner. There was only one or two tables when we came in. Even though we were seated immediately, menu was not given right away. After our order we had to wait for a long long time before we get our food. The chefs looked like they are on vacation. The food itself is one of the worst japanese food I have ever had. Enough said.
(1)
Nela D.
The rolls are not your typical sushi rolls - very good with interesting blends of fish and other ingredients. We also had the salad and the rock shrimp which are good but nothing special. This place is tiny. Make a reservation and be sure to ask for a table away from the restrooms which open up to the dining room.
(4)
Lindsey C.
My husband and I ate here for dinner. We ordered 3 rolls and a special for the evening. The rolls were basic and pretty bland- not worth the price they charge. We had spicy tuna, spider roll and CA roll- those are hard to screw up. The spider roll completely fell apart and the only thing we could taste in spicy tuna was the cucumber. The CA roll was well done. The tuna poke special, the waitress and the bar are the only reasons we are rating this a 3. For the price, we will probably not head back.
(3)
Yee Gan O.
Yama Sushi was a saviour for me and sister from a bitterly cold night in Vail Village. We had been food shopping at Safeway in West Vail and after a very loooong trip on the red route bus, we were famished and frozen. A quick search on the Yelp app and Yama Sushi popped up as the topped rated sushi place in Vail Village A brisk 5 minute walk from the Vail transportation centre brought us to the welcome sight of Yama Sushi's front door. The interior is classy though the presence of a full length mirror in the spacious bathroom so you can watch yourself sitting on the toilet is a little odd! We were in need of sustenance by the time we arrived and that might have led to a teeny tiny bit of over-ordering! We had spicy coated edamame, a nice variation on the normal version. We also had a fresh zingy seaweed salad For sashimi, we had nice salmon but the scallop lacked a little bit of sweetness. We also opted for the Randy Roll, consisting of smelt egg, snow crab, avocado and cucumber, toped with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, smelt roe, crab legs, avocado and shrimp Our last choice was a large pile of rock shrimp tempura, warm, crunchy morsels of delight Yama Sushi was yummy. And warm, which was very important on that bitterly cold night
(4)
Ty J.
I have dined here multiple times over the last few years. Overall, a nice pocket of Vail and a different taste compared to everything else in the area. Management is superb and I look forward to trying Yama again.
(5)
Beth J.
We enjoyed this place. Servers at the bar were very friendly! The sushi is delicious! Great wine list! Martinis are awesome! King crab tempura is to die for! When in Vail, do yourself a favor and go! A little pricey, but worth it!
(4)
Mike P.
I hate going to a place where the business thinks "their crap doesn't stink" and that's the feeling you get the moment you walk in. This place is small and cramped and I don't think ownership cares if you stay or if you go, the waitress certainly didn't. Any request we made of her was met with a frown and seemed to bother her. In the end she did complete our simple requests but why do it with an attitude and not a smile. With all that said the Sushi was excellent and tasty but I can better sushi in too many other places and can wait till I leave Vail to get it. I probably would not go back unless the group I was with insisted on having over priced sushi served by a bad attitude waitress.
(3)
Kelly B.
We love sushi and the sushi here at Yama is incredible. They used to have scallops that were to die for but I think they're off the menu now. If you're looking for a cheap meal, this isn't the place for you but if you don't mind paying for incredible food in a quaint, romantic restaurant...check out Yama!
(5)
Drew S.
Awesome!! Luckily, we got a seat at the bar as we didn't have a reservation. Sushi was super fresh!
(5)
Ashley M.
We had an hour wait on a busy Saturday night so we put our names in and walked around Vail for awhile. The meal was great and came out in a timely fashion. We had - miso soup, sushi and rock shrimp tempura. My sushi was a custom request - salmon avocado and cucumber and they did it without complaint. We had a little trouble hearing due to the house music but it wasn't bad. My mom loved the ginger beer, which apparently is really soda, not beer. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Vanessa S.
Not only was this the best sushi I've ever eaten, but this was the best meal I've ever eaten. We started off with these grilled, crispy, and fairly mild Japanese peppers with a sweet sauce and kosher salt. From that point on we were all in heaven. The Kumamoto oysters and oysters with uni were two of my favorite bites of the evening. All of Yama's house specialties prepared by the newest executive chef were complex, fresh, and flavorful. That combined with an array of simple but delicious nigiri, sashimi, and maki rolls made the meal complete. The colorado striped bass, octopus, and seared scallop dish were a few other shining stars of the evening. All of this was topped off with what seemed like a never ending flow of sake, sapporo, and tequila (yes, tequila... with orange and cinnamon. Yum!). This dining experience set in a fun, energetic, and modern spot in the middle of Vail Village was unforgettable. I cannot wait to return and see what other delicious creations Yama has to offer.
(5)
Shannon A.
So... There's a menu. And then there is a young chef; he can make a tartare and use the dust of wasabi salt; ha can leak a quail egg and place caviar. If they would let him be, and gave him the reigns, this place would rival New York. I give it 5 for his effort. And hope some owner will read this and make it so.
(5)
Jeffrey K.
I've never been into all you can eat anything, let alone sushi, however dot dot dot this place is awesome. Go for the "big, big" happy hour, and try the short ribs (included in the all you can eat, and hands down the best part).
(5)
Matt H.
Excellent! We went for a holiday party. Brian set us up with a great Chefs special. Ask for the Chef recommendation and you will not be disappointed. Kelsie and the wait staff was awesome. Great price for the quality and quantity.
(5)
Taylor L.
Best sushi I've had in a really long time. I wasn't expecting much because it's in Colorado, and being from California, I'm a bit of a sushi snob. However, this was exceptional. The service was great, the presentation was awesome, and the sake was delicious. The three rolls are to die for: Summer in Vail, Beach Break, Blondie. I can't wait to go back over the 4th of July!!
(5)
Ian H.
Recommended by many places, but when we showed up on a Saturday night at 7pm they were completely closed.
(1)
Trinity W.
Best Food IN VAIL! Chef Atsushi AKA Ted makes the most stunning sashimi with such complex flavor profiles. Working at Forre & CO Fine art gallery in Vail, I appreciate the artistry that it takes when making sushi. Every client that asks where to dine it is Always my first choice for Vail. Not only the best food but the most beautiful every time. The staff is fabulous and fun! See you there!
(5)
Lo V.
Badass sushi and creative dishes. Ask chefie to prepare something unique for you - he loves it!
(5)
Anne D.
Incredibly disappointing! After another round of knee surgery and rehab in Vail, I was looking forward to a great sushi dinner to celebrate my progress before returning to the front range. Supposedly, they opened at 5, but we walked in around 5:45 and were the only customers. The hostess (1 of ~6 staff) was happy to seat us while the rest of the staff watched a worker standing on a ladder, with his torso in the air duct in the ceiling. As a giant plume of air filled the restaurant with dirt, dust and kitchen residue, we were informed that the air ducts were being cleaned today. As the polluted air settled around the restaurant and on the fish, directly below the duct cleaner, the hostess correctly surmised that the duct cleaning needed to be rescheduled at a time NOT during food service hours. Unfortunately, the owner walked in a moment later and informed all of us that duct cleaning during dinner service was more important than serving customers, so the restaurant would need to close, and so it did. By 6pm, we were happy to take our buisness elswhere for clean fish and decent service, even though it meant crutching back across the Village. Yama may get good reviews for their food, but I'd be weary of any establishment that thinks cleaning the air ducts is more important than serving customers clean/healthy, raw fish. We ended up at Sushi Oka (by Bloom & The Seceret Garden)- much better- Go there instead!
(2)
Steve A.
Don't believe the haters! The sushi here is phenomenal. We lived 20+ years in SF and Hawaii and know good sushi and this was among the best we've ever had. Check out the menu of rolls - the most original and tasty I have ever had. Most of the less than 5 star reviews of Yama are whining about the prices, but they are inline with the rest of Vail and it comes with dining in such pricey real estate. Service was very friendly and responsive too.
(5)
michael c.
The service was great and the staff was attentive. And considering, this sushi restaurant is in the Colorado high country, I give it an extra star. Not as good as Yama in NYC but good nonetheless.
(4)
Erica P.
Cool, sushi spot in Vail Village. Small, maybe 10 tables, but cozy, good vibe, fun music, and service was great. We tried the spider roll, a california roll, miso soup, firecracker shrimp, everything was good and fresh. It wasn't the most amazing sushi ever, but was good.
(4)
Dan R.
Excellent quality and presentation, thoroughly enjoyed meal, no drop off from last meal over 1 year ago.
(4)
Lance T.
Love this place. Fun. Local. Great appetizers and great sushi. Always a nice sake selection. It is small but that makes it feel intimate.
(5)
John D.
New Year Eve Dinner, I'm glad 2012 is almost over along with this dinning experience!! So we live in East Vail and had some friends in town to try out Yama. To start things were going really well but then 15/20 min or so after ordering we had an interesting update from our server. The entree of Udon noodles that three of us in my party ordered was sold out. So they tell us they made one and we had to play a game of who gets the dinner they wanted. It made for a very uncomfortable dynamic at the table and the server didn't offer to comp anything at the time but said she was really sorry. She brought us out another Sushi menu but we ordered off the entree menu so at this point I was over it. My GF and I ordered another $22 rainbow roll and patiently waited out the end of this experience. For a place charging $8 for 2 pieces of nigiri Salmon this is unacceptable. Also why wait until the entrees are coming out to inform us of being sold out. Obviously communication issues between the kitchen and front of house. To Yama's benefit the food that did come out was delicious, just wish the service and experience was the same. To the restaurant's credit they took the alcohol off my GF and I's bill but still we left without having dinner and very unsatisfied along with a weird dynamic in our group of six after the entire ordeal.
(2)
Marty R.
This place is tiny!! I think there are only 9 tables so book in. The menu has a pretty good selection of sushi and non sushi items. All the items we had were really good. Tempura udon was worth trying. Some of the sushi is pretty expensive $34 for 8 pieces of wagyu beef. But it is good. Cocktails are also good and came out quickly. The only downside to this place is because if its size if you have an early booking it is quite rushed to make the next booking. So you will get pushed out when the next sitting is about to turn up.
(5)
Stephanie C.
This sushi in Vail was amazing! Every dish that was brought out was so fresh, and tasted incredible. I had to go back a second time before I left because it was incredible. The service was great, and we got a discount going for an earlier hour. We asked the waitress to bring out what she recommended, and there wasn't one thing that disappointed. For sure a must have if you are a sushi lover and visiting the Vail area!
(5)
Mike L.
It is somewhat hidden when looking from the street, but worth a stop if you need to satisfy your sushi craving. The interior is small, but the atmosphere is nice. You'll probably be sitting next to some jerk talking about his great million-dollar business deal, but what else do you expect in Vail? We ordered several different types of rolls. The best were the Dragon's Eye roll and one that had flower petals on the wrap. I'm a huge spicy tuna fan and the spicy tuna roll was a little disappointing. We also ordered the Summer in Vail roll. The flavor was good, but very difficult to eat as the cucumber wrap added huge thickness to the roll. Overall, a good place. A little pricy, but on par with what you pay for in the area.
(3)
Kelly S.
Yama was repeatedly recommended as the best place to get sushi. Not sure if everyone meant that it was the best sushi, but perhaps the best overall experience and value compared to some of the bigger sushi names in town. We had a table of seven and orderd up a gang of goodies. A few rolls, a lot of nigiri and sashimi. We also had seaweed salad, cucumber salad and edamame. Everything was tasty and fresh, the fish quality was good. It's a little tough to review each item when you're with a group so I won't even try. I do remember the favorite roll is the dragon's eye. The service seemed hit or miss. It wasn't great but the general attitude was good. Between the seven of us we all had one or two drinks, a little bite of everything, and the bill was about $600. The seaweed and cucumber salad portions were really small, maybe only enough for one person, we each had about one bite so I would say they're about seven bites of food per salad. It's small inside so reservations are recommended, and even then you're likely to wait a bit to be seated. And the food doesn't come out quickly so if you're starving, you'd be well advised to have a snack first.
(4)
eric d.
as soon as i walked in the bartender made eye contact , the sushi cooks were very pleasant . i was a solo dinner and my food came out very fast and it was delicious . its a nice trendy spot .
(5)
Jessica H.
It's ridiculously good. The Bryan's and josh handle business!
(5)
John L.
This is absolutely the best sushi in Vail and possibly some of the best I've eaten. Not only were the rolls imaginative and tasty, but the use of jalapeno and cilantro in many of the sashimi dishes were not to be missed. We ate at the bar and the staff was friendly and helpful and even put together a "trainer" set of chopsticks for my 11-year-old son. Of all the places we ate in Vail this ski week, Yama was THE BEST and we will definitely come back. The place is small, though, so be sure to make reservations.
(5)
Toy W.
Yama is great sushi - we are from Laguna Beach and Ski/Board there often. We tried them 4 times this past season. The food is 5 star, but to others posts - the service is horrific! We just kept going back because the food and ambience is fabulous.. So maybe if you go knowing the service will suck - then just go to the sushi bar as we did on the final time and it was amazing all around!
(3)
Felix E.
Went there for sushi, did not try other parts of menu,sushi was mediocre(do not mistake with NYC YAMA)
(2)
Alexis K.
A quick Wikipedia view indicates that Yama is the Buddhist god of Death...well, the name seems to be somewhat common amongst sushi places, and I was trying to figure out why, and I guess that I should know, but frankly I'd never given it a thought until I decided to review Yama Sushi, in Vail, CO. The thing is, I really enjoyed dinner at Yama tonight. I came here with 3 other people. We had 2 sushi eaters and 2 Japanese food fans, but not necc. lovers of sushi, so we figured a sushi place in a ski resort would be really a generic Asian restaurant that could satisfy, if not inspire, our needs for some good food. Well, it delivered much better than that. For one thing, the sushi menu was thorough, relying in both the standards as well as the availability of fresh water fish in the Rockies. Further, the other items available did a great job of creating a contemporary Japanese dining experience, touching on a little bit of everything J, but not necessarily hewing to the classics with reverence. Nods to local abound, on the beer list, entrees with local beef, etc. Always respect restaurants that are willing to move beyond the Sisco/Kraft food distribution systems in small towns; of course I'm talking about Vail here. But it is really nice! Oh yeah, and a word on the decor...you're mom may not be so into it, but it's tastefully hip, lots of glossy surfaces, and good use of color. It's tiny place, but it has a great vibe. Nothing in Vail is cheap, it seems, but the dinner at Yama was not earth-shatteringly expensive.
(4)
Patrick S.
We went for an early dinner with three kids and four adults. Service was very slow with a bit of an attitude. Sushi and sashimi were good but not great. Not a whole lot of ambiance, small place better suited for sitting at the bar by yourself or with a date.
(3)
Miroda V.
Amazing sushi! Really enjoyed our dinner here
(5)
Cindy R.
We wanted sushi and when we saw the happy hour specials sign for 30% off rolls, we went in. The service was fine, but the fish was not fresh. I ordered a rainbow roll and several regular rolls. I gave them 2 stars only because I miraculously did not get sick. The fish had a fishy taste, the kind that stays with you. The rice tasted like it was made the day before. Prices were high for the quality of the sushi and their bar prices were high too. A fat tire beer was $6 for a draft. Overall, a really bad experience. I do not recommend Yama sushi.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Maria B.
Did Yama Sushi in Vail make the claim that they were a Japanese restaurant? No (at least on their website they don't). Do they make Japanese-inspired food? Yes (see the Vail Daily review from December 29, 2010). Is the food worth your while? Yes. We visited Yama Sushi during the shoulder season (late September 2012) while my husband was here for a conference. After reading review upon review upon review of Vail restaurants, we settled on this one. I called and made a reservation for 2 for 6:30 pm on a Friday night. When I did so, the guy on the phone told me that it was a good idea to have done so, since they were expecting a couple of larger groups that evening. We arrived a tad early for our reservation. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I hadn't expected the place to be as small as it was. When we presented ourselves by telling the host about our reservation, he took a quick look around the restaurant, and said something along the lines of, "Oops. Would you mind sitting at the bar? The large group that came in a while ago didn't tell us about the 5 extra kids they were bringing". It seems that the only remaining table for 2 was taken; however, there were still two seats at the far end of the sushi bar. Having not made another option for dinner, we took the seats. At first, I wasn't very happy about it. I'd made reservations. I'd rather sit across from my dinner partner and have a conversation. A little harder to do when side by side at a bar, plus you have to contend with the people on the other side of you making awkward conversation on their first date... Anyway, we ordered several small dishes. Please, people, do not complain about the small portions. They are supposed to be small. Sushi restaurants are not serving pigs; they are serving people. I don't mind telling you: people with good manners do not eat like pigs. In fact, the portions were just right! Between the two of us, we had a smattering of sashimi, maki sushi, raw tuna salad, and nigiri, along with a glass of wine and a couple of beers. And in all, the experience at the bar was not bad at all. I had to move over every once in a while so the wait staff could pick up dishes, but it wasn't that awkward. We also were able to see the sushi chefs in action...interesting! And the food was great, great, great. The place is small, but not what I would term "cozy". Hip, natty, hopping, and energetic. The ambient volume got progressively louder the later it got. The evening we were there, the wait staff, possibly in response to our reservation "plight", was very helpful, very friendly, and the service was good. Because it was the shoulder- or off-season, we received a 30% discount, so the bill was like $100 for the both of us, including taxes and a 20% tip. We left satiated; we did not leave "full", which is the way I like it. Try it. You'll like it.
(4)Robert W.
Wow. Been going to Matsahisu around the corner for ages and wanted something new. Yama does not disappoint. Our new sushi place in Vail! Went there for a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal. Great service except kitchen a little slow on two items. But the food was outstanding and server did a great job (a'la Matsahisu) of describing each item in detail upon serving. Great cocktails as well. Small and cozy. Yamalicious.
(4)Laura S.
Yama is the place that I always go to if I want fresh great sushi and have my favorite drink called the Yamatini prepared by Chris Assad. The staff is always friendly and has a warm atmosphere. I feel comfortable going by myself to sit at the bar and consistently have a great time.!
(5)Jaime L.
It was fine. I enjoyed the rolls we ordered. The sushi was OK, apart from the albacore, which was fishy. Service was good. The restaurant could use some updating - particularly given that Matsuhisa has arrived. Prices are high - high enough that they really are in Matsuhisa range.
(3)Ray C.
The food was good, but that is pretty much it. This place literally sits 40 people; we were a party of 6 and we had to give a credit card to secure a reservation; when we got to the restaurant, the hostess told us that our table would not be ready for another 20 minutes. Because our reservation was set for 30 mins before the kitchen closed, she gave us 2 choices- we could either a) go to another bar and have a drink then come back in 20 minutes (but risk coming back and not being served) or b) we could stay in the (tiny) waiting area and she could serve us some drinks there. For the record, I have never had a hostess suggest that we go somewhere else for drinks before dining at their restaurant. We were starving and it was cold outside, so we opted to stay and order drinks there and drink them in the hostess area. When we finally sat, we were literally on top of the people in the next table. I was very uncomfortable. The food arrived on time, but the server's service was nothing spectacular. I have had way better sushi before. It was cool to try Vail's #2 sushi place, but I probably would not come back again...
(2)Rachel N.
This is not sushi -- this is food for American fatties that happens to be rolled into a sushi-esque shape -- I'm not saying that it isn't delicious, but authentic it's not. Expect to pay "normal" sush prices + the Vail premium -- most rolls are 8ish pieces and cost $17-20 -- I enjoyed the aforementioned Orchid Roll, and it is kind of baller (yellowtail, red tobiko and asparagus topped with sliced avocado and orchid petals), but do you NEED to flowers w/ your fish? No. That said, the fish is fresh and tasty, but it should never, ever be called Japanese. We rolled in w/o a res at 8p on President's Weekend and waiting abt an hour for a table -- the hostess was lovely, but don't tell me it will be 15 min if it's not -- and the place is TINY (I think it seats 7-10 at the bar and 20-25 in the restaurant), so it's better to be prepared to wait. Other yum items were the jalapeno/albacore starter, as well as the Black Widow Roll -- din for 3 w/ 3 drinks, tip, and no dessert = $262. Yikes. I was unhappy, given that Papa N was footing the bill. Is Yama worth trying if you're hungry, want raw fish, price is no object, and you like pretty things? Yes. Is Osaki still a billion times better and actually Japanese? Yes.
(4)Masha B.
We've been here twice - once without reservations, we got seated (quickly) at the bar, had an awesome wine tasting compliments of the bartender, and a delicious meal. Second time we made a reservation, got to sit at a table like adults. Again really friendly service (complimentary edamame this time because the waitress forgot to get it to us). Awesome sushi again, just impecable flavor combinations. I love the food here. Very innovative sushi, at the same time, great quality. I love the service. And I love that it's small and cozy. And the decor is really cool (and I usually hate red!) As far as prices - well, it's Vail. So they're reasonable. We'll be back again soon!
(5)Jamie N.
We went as kind of a last minute decision so we didn't have reservations, but we were willing to sit at the bar and the hostess was so accommodating that she actually called us when there was space available. Most importantly, I thought they had a really good selection of sake. They even had one that I liked and I am pretty picky. The guy that took our drink order was very helpful and informative about the sake options and even let us taste them before making a final decision. As for the sushi, it was fine. Nothing extraordinary. I didn't feel like they really had too many great options. I had to ask them to change around one of the menu rolls to get what I wanted and it seemed like that wasn't something that they really wanted to do. I should have looked at the menu before going, so that is mostly my fault. However, it has never seemed to be an issue at other sushi restaurants to kind of "customize" what you really want in a roll. Especially if it's going to be $20 for shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and avocado. Our server was okay, my only real problem was that since we were sitting at the bar she was constantly leaning over us or between us to get to the items at the bar. She kind of had to raise her voice to speak to the people behind the bar and it was just not really comfortable. I might be a little sensitive when it comes to personal space, but I just didn't expect that at a nicer sushi restaurant. As for my last point, price. It is expensive, yes. I realize that is to be expected considering where it is located. My qualm here is that I think the price should have some bearing on the quality (of service and food) and I didn't really feel like they were in line with each other. Bottom line, I would come back for sake and edamame, but I might go somewhere else for the actual meal.
(3)Diana F.
My girlfriend and I visited Vail in the off season. We were walking through the village and Chris the bartender came out and offered to take our picture. Next thing you know, we were having a drink in this fine restaurant and little bar. Then we started watching the food being made and before you knew it...we were having sushi rolls and tempera by the chef, who was also named Chris. Great for foodies and the drinks were fantastic. Great little find!
(5)Jim S.
I like Yama and in spite of it being a rather small place the food and service are always good. With the tendency of Vail food to be very expensive, a great meal can be had at Yama for something similar to most other cities. Rolls are definitely the way to go. As mentioned by others, don't get hung up on the reservation time as I've never been seated at my assigned time. Our drinks were the house due the 20 minute wait past resv time.
(4)Lisa S.
From service to food and drinks Yama was amazing last night for a family vacation dinner. I love the sake variety and being a sushi enthusiast I found the options, quality and presentations fantastic. Sure, the sushi here is pricey but it is a resort town and totally a luxury and fun experience, too. Our servier, Kali, I believe, was wonderful and so accommodating. Save a little room for Mochi (sp?) the dessert was flavorful with spoons to share for the whole table. What a nice treat! I also dined at Yama two years ago here in Vail and they have improved since then :)
(5)Jen S.
My Sister and I were staying at the Sitzmark Lodge literally across the street from Yama - it was a Sunday night, our last night in Vail. It was quiet in the village, dark and JUST what we were looking for......plus we didn't feel like paying $32 for sea bass down the way. ;) You'd think Chris is the owner, but He's a great bartender and is very knowledgeable about the sushi menu. DRINKS - Try their Giddy Geisha or Green Tea drink. Chris is a hell of a bartender. Drinks weren't overly strong but just enough to make you "happy". Flavors were interesting - Chris seemed to be VERY into introducing his new inventions. SUSHI - The chef our night was pretty good. Fish was fresh, the rolls were pretty typical (8 pcs) - I suggest you try their Entree Specials - they can feed 2 people unless you're FAMISHED, then you'll end up paying a boat load of money. Their yellow tail, although a little pricey at $38, was REALLY good (Yellow Tail, Jalapeno, Lime, Ponzu Sauce). Try their Spicy Edamme if you're looking for a little kick before dinner. PRICES - $$$.$$ - It was just the 2 of us, had one drink each, edamme, about 6 sushi specials, mochi for dessert (so good!!!) - $174.00. This place was small, personable, dark, comfy and friendly (not exactly quiet but the music was good) - if you're looking for a fun outing were you can leave it up to Chris to order for you, then this is the place. Everything he suggested was yummeh!! We plan to visit here again the next time we're in Vail. Hopefully it'll be the same fun experience.
(4)Chie T.
4-stars for the food and service and HAPPY HOUR minus one star for the price. It's expensive, and I think that's to be expected with Vail. That being said, I don't think that you'll be disappointed with the food. Drinks are cheap during happy hour - you buy a large beer and get some sake to go with it. The presentation is really fantastic and they say you eat with your eyes first so we both really enjoyed it. It's a modern looking space, and I would imagine great for any variety of functions.
(3)Kris L.
My wife and I wanted to check out Yama sushi tonight since its being called the best sushi in town. Of course without a reservation that was going to be a challenge. However perseverance pays off and even though we didn't have a res we knew they were going to have a sushi bar where you can often find a couple spots even when busy. That was the case for us today, someone cancelled and we moved right in on their spot and we were very thankful. We were thankful because Chris Aycock and his team did some creative and interesting things with sushi and offered many unique specialty appetizers and rolls. Try their Saikyo Hoisin Yellowtail roll which was fantastic along with their riceless Summer in Vail roll. We had pieces of their wild sockeye salmon and staples such as albacore, hamachi and unagi. The staff was very helpful even though they were busy and the sushi chefs treated us to a great dinner. If you want great sushi in Vail try Yama Sushi.
(3)Yih-Yoon L.
Came here for late dinner. There was only one or two tables when we came in. Even though we were seated immediately, menu was not given right away. After our order we had to wait for a long long time before we get our food. The chefs looked like they are on vacation. The food itself is one of the worst japanese food I have ever had. Enough said.
(1)Nela D.
The rolls are not your typical sushi rolls - very good with interesting blends of fish and other ingredients. We also had the salad and the rock shrimp which are good but nothing special. This place is tiny. Make a reservation and be sure to ask for a table away from the restrooms which open up to the dining room.
(4)Lindsey C.
My husband and I ate here for dinner. We ordered 3 rolls and a special for the evening. The rolls were basic and pretty bland- not worth the price they charge. We had spicy tuna, spider roll and CA roll- those are hard to screw up. The spider roll completely fell apart and the only thing we could taste in spicy tuna was the cucumber. The CA roll was well done. The tuna poke special, the waitress and the bar are the only reasons we are rating this a 3. For the price, we will probably not head back.
(3)Yee Gan O.
Yama Sushi was a saviour for me and sister from a bitterly cold night in Vail Village. We had been food shopping at Safeway in West Vail and after a very loooong trip on the red route bus, we were famished and frozen. A quick search on the Yelp app and Yama Sushi popped up as the topped rated sushi place in Vail Village A brisk 5 minute walk from the Vail transportation centre brought us to the welcome sight of Yama Sushi's front door. The interior is classy though the presence of a full length mirror in the spacious bathroom so you can watch yourself sitting on the toilet is a little odd! We were in need of sustenance by the time we arrived and that might have led to a teeny tiny bit of over-ordering! We had spicy coated edamame, a nice variation on the normal version. We also had a fresh zingy seaweed salad For sashimi, we had nice salmon but the scallop lacked a little bit of sweetness. We also opted for the Randy Roll, consisting of smelt egg, snow crab, avocado and cucumber, toped with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, smelt roe, crab legs, avocado and shrimp Our last choice was a large pile of rock shrimp tempura, warm, crunchy morsels of delight Yama Sushi was yummy. And warm, which was very important on that bitterly cold night
(4)Ty J.
I have dined here multiple times over the last few years. Overall, a nice pocket of Vail and a different taste compared to everything else in the area. Management is superb and I look forward to trying Yama again.
(5)Beth J.
We enjoyed this place. Servers at the bar were very friendly! The sushi is delicious! Great wine list! Martinis are awesome! King crab tempura is to die for! When in Vail, do yourself a favor and go! A little pricey, but worth it!
(4)Mike P.
I hate going to a place where the business thinks "their crap doesn't stink" and that's the feeling you get the moment you walk in. This place is small and cramped and I don't think ownership cares if you stay or if you go, the waitress certainly didn't. Any request we made of her was met with a frown and seemed to bother her. In the end she did complete our simple requests but why do it with an attitude and not a smile. With all that said the Sushi was excellent and tasty but I can better sushi in too many other places and can wait till I leave Vail to get it. I probably would not go back unless the group I was with insisted on having over priced sushi served by a bad attitude waitress.
(3)Kelly B.
We love sushi and the sushi here at Yama is incredible. They used to have scallops that were to die for but I think they're off the menu now. If you're looking for a cheap meal, this isn't the place for you but if you don't mind paying for incredible food in a quaint, romantic restaurant...check out Yama!
(5)Drew S.
Awesome!! Luckily, we got a seat at the bar as we didn't have a reservation. Sushi was super fresh!
(5)Ashley M.
We had an hour wait on a busy Saturday night so we put our names in and walked around Vail for awhile. The meal was great and came out in a timely fashion. We had - miso soup, sushi and rock shrimp tempura. My sushi was a custom request - salmon avocado and cucumber and they did it without complaint. We had a little trouble hearing due to the house music but it wasn't bad. My mom loved the ginger beer, which apparently is really soda, not beer. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Vanessa S.
Not only was this the best sushi I've ever eaten, but this was the best meal I've ever eaten. We started off with these grilled, crispy, and fairly mild Japanese peppers with a sweet sauce and kosher salt. From that point on we were all in heaven. The Kumamoto oysters and oysters with uni were two of my favorite bites of the evening. All of Yama's house specialties prepared by the newest executive chef were complex, fresh, and flavorful. That combined with an array of simple but delicious nigiri, sashimi, and maki rolls made the meal complete. The colorado striped bass, octopus, and seared scallop dish were a few other shining stars of the evening. All of this was topped off with what seemed like a never ending flow of sake, sapporo, and tequila (yes, tequila... with orange and cinnamon. Yum!). This dining experience set in a fun, energetic, and modern spot in the middle of Vail Village was unforgettable. I cannot wait to return and see what other delicious creations Yama has to offer.
(5)Shannon A.
So... There's a menu. And then there is a young chef; he can make a tartare and use the dust of wasabi salt; ha can leak a quail egg and place caviar. If they would let him be, and gave him the reigns, this place would rival New York. I give it 5 for his effort. And hope some owner will read this and make it so.
(5)Jeffrey K.
I've never been into all you can eat anything, let alone sushi, however dot dot dot this place is awesome. Go for the "big, big" happy hour, and try the short ribs (included in the all you can eat, and hands down the best part).
(5)Matt H.
Excellent! We went for a holiday party. Brian set us up with a great Chefs special. Ask for the Chef recommendation and you will not be disappointed. Kelsie and the wait staff was awesome. Great price for the quality and quantity.
(5)Taylor L.
Best sushi I've had in a really long time. I wasn't expecting much because it's in Colorado, and being from California, I'm a bit of a sushi snob. However, this was exceptional. The service was great, the presentation was awesome, and the sake was delicious. The three rolls are to die for: Summer in Vail, Beach Break, Blondie. I can't wait to go back over the 4th of July!!
(5)Ian H.
Recommended by many places, but when we showed up on a Saturday night at 7pm they were completely closed.
(1)Trinity W.
Best Food IN VAIL! Chef Atsushi AKA Ted makes the most stunning sashimi with such complex flavor profiles. Working at Forre & CO Fine art gallery in Vail, I appreciate the artistry that it takes when making sushi. Every client that asks where to dine it is Always my first choice for Vail. Not only the best food but the most beautiful every time. The staff is fabulous and fun! See you there!
(5)Lo V.
Badass sushi and creative dishes. Ask chefie to prepare something unique for you - he loves it!
(5)Anne D.
Incredibly disappointing! After another round of knee surgery and rehab in Vail, I was looking forward to a great sushi dinner to celebrate my progress before returning to the front range. Supposedly, they opened at 5, but we walked in around 5:45 and were the only customers. The hostess (1 of ~6 staff) was happy to seat us while the rest of the staff watched a worker standing on a ladder, with his torso in the air duct in the ceiling. As a giant plume of air filled the restaurant with dirt, dust and kitchen residue, we were informed that the air ducts were being cleaned today. As the polluted air settled around the restaurant and on the fish, directly below the duct cleaner, the hostess correctly surmised that the duct cleaning needed to be rescheduled at a time NOT during food service hours. Unfortunately, the owner walked in a moment later and informed all of us that duct cleaning during dinner service was more important than serving customers, so the restaurant would need to close, and so it did. By 6pm, we were happy to take our buisness elswhere for clean fish and decent service, even though it meant crutching back across the Village. Yama may get good reviews for their food, but I'd be weary of any establishment that thinks cleaning the air ducts is more important than serving customers clean/healthy, raw fish. We ended up at Sushi Oka (by Bloom & The Seceret Garden)- much better- Go there instead!
(2)Steve A.
Don't believe the haters! The sushi here is phenomenal. We lived 20+ years in SF and Hawaii and know good sushi and this was among the best we've ever had. Check out the menu of rolls - the most original and tasty I have ever had. Most of the less than 5 star reviews of Yama are whining about the prices, but they are inline with the rest of Vail and it comes with dining in such pricey real estate. Service was very friendly and responsive too.
(5)michael c.
The service was great and the staff was attentive. And considering, this sushi restaurant is in the Colorado high country, I give it an extra star. Not as good as Yama in NYC but good nonetheless.
(4)Erica P.
Cool, sushi spot in Vail Village. Small, maybe 10 tables, but cozy, good vibe, fun music, and service was great. We tried the spider roll, a california roll, miso soup, firecracker shrimp, everything was good and fresh. It wasn't the most amazing sushi ever, but was good.
(4)Dan R.
Excellent quality and presentation, thoroughly enjoyed meal, no drop off from last meal over 1 year ago.
(4)Lance T.
Love this place. Fun. Local. Great appetizers and great sushi. Always a nice sake selection. It is small but that makes it feel intimate.
(5)John D.
New Year Eve Dinner, I'm glad 2012 is almost over along with this dinning experience!! So we live in East Vail and had some friends in town to try out Yama. To start things were going really well but then 15/20 min or so after ordering we had an interesting update from our server. The entree of Udon noodles that three of us in my party ordered was sold out. So they tell us they made one and we had to play a game of who gets the dinner they wanted. It made for a very uncomfortable dynamic at the table and the server didn't offer to comp anything at the time but said she was really sorry. She brought us out another Sushi menu but we ordered off the entree menu so at this point I was over it. My GF and I ordered another $22 rainbow roll and patiently waited out the end of this experience. For a place charging $8 for 2 pieces of nigiri Salmon this is unacceptable. Also why wait until the entrees are coming out to inform us of being sold out. Obviously communication issues between the kitchen and front of house. To Yama's benefit the food that did come out was delicious, just wish the service and experience was the same. To the restaurant's credit they took the alcohol off my GF and I's bill but still we left without having dinner and very unsatisfied along with a weird dynamic in our group of six after the entire ordeal.
(2)Marty R.
This place is tiny!! I think there are only 9 tables so book in. The menu has a pretty good selection of sushi and non sushi items. All the items we had were really good. Tempura udon was worth trying. Some of the sushi is pretty expensive $34 for 8 pieces of wagyu beef. But it is good. Cocktails are also good and came out quickly. The only downside to this place is because if its size if you have an early booking it is quite rushed to make the next booking. So you will get pushed out when the next sitting is about to turn up.
(5)Stephanie C.
This sushi in Vail was amazing! Every dish that was brought out was so fresh, and tasted incredible. I had to go back a second time before I left because it was incredible. The service was great, and we got a discount going for an earlier hour. We asked the waitress to bring out what she recommended, and there wasn't one thing that disappointed. For sure a must have if you are a sushi lover and visiting the Vail area!
(5)Mike L.
It is somewhat hidden when looking from the street, but worth a stop if you need to satisfy your sushi craving. The interior is small, but the atmosphere is nice. You'll probably be sitting next to some jerk talking about his great million-dollar business deal, but what else do you expect in Vail? We ordered several different types of rolls. The best were the Dragon's Eye roll and one that had flower petals on the wrap. I'm a huge spicy tuna fan and the spicy tuna roll was a little disappointing. We also ordered the Summer in Vail roll. The flavor was good, but very difficult to eat as the cucumber wrap added huge thickness to the roll. Overall, a good place. A little pricy, but on par with what you pay for in the area.
(3)Kelly S.
Yama was repeatedly recommended as the best place to get sushi. Not sure if everyone meant that it was the best sushi, but perhaps the best overall experience and value compared to some of the bigger sushi names in town. We had a table of seven and orderd up a gang of goodies. A few rolls, a lot of nigiri and sashimi. We also had seaweed salad, cucumber salad and edamame. Everything was tasty and fresh, the fish quality was good. It's a little tough to review each item when you're with a group so I won't even try. I do remember the favorite roll is the dragon's eye. The service seemed hit or miss. It wasn't great but the general attitude was good. Between the seven of us we all had one or two drinks, a little bite of everything, and the bill was about $600. The seaweed and cucumber salad portions were really small, maybe only enough for one person, we each had about one bite so I would say they're about seven bites of food per salad. It's small inside so reservations are recommended, and even then you're likely to wait a bit to be seated. And the food doesn't come out quickly so if you're starving, you'd be well advised to have a snack first.
(4)eric d.
as soon as i walked in the bartender made eye contact , the sushi cooks were very pleasant . i was a solo dinner and my food came out very fast and it was delicious . its a nice trendy spot .
(5)Jessica H.
It's ridiculously good. The Bryan's and josh handle business!
(5)John L.
This is absolutely the best sushi in Vail and possibly some of the best I've eaten. Not only were the rolls imaginative and tasty, but the use of jalapeno and cilantro in many of the sashimi dishes were not to be missed. We ate at the bar and the staff was friendly and helpful and even put together a "trainer" set of chopsticks for my 11-year-old son. Of all the places we ate in Vail this ski week, Yama was THE BEST and we will definitely come back. The place is small, though, so be sure to make reservations.
(5)Toy W.
Yama is great sushi - we are from Laguna Beach and Ski/Board there often. We tried them 4 times this past season. The food is 5 star, but to others posts - the service is horrific! We just kept going back because the food and ambience is fabulous.. So maybe if you go knowing the service will suck - then just go to the sushi bar as we did on the final time and it was amazing all around!
(3)Felix E.
Went there for sushi, did not try other parts of menu,sushi was mediocre(do not mistake with NYC YAMA)
(2)Alexis K.
A quick Wikipedia view indicates that Yama is the Buddhist god of Death...well, the name seems to be somewhat common amongst sushi places, and I was trying to figure out why, and I guess that I should know, but frankly I'd never given it a thought until I decided to review Yama Sushi, in Vail, CO. The thing is, I really enjoyed dinner at Yama tonight. I came here with 3 other people. We had 2 sushi eaters and 2 Japanese food fans, but not necc. lovers of sushi, so we figured a sushi place in a ski resort would be really a generic Asian restaurant that could satisfy, if not inspire, our needs for some good food. Well, it delivered much better than that. For one thing, the sushi menu was thorough, relying in both the standards as well as the availability of fresh water fish in the Rockies. Further, the other items available did a great job of creating a contemporary Japanese dining experience, touching on a little bit of everything J, but not necessarily hewing to the classics with reverence. Nods to local abound, on the beer list, entrees with local beef, etc. Always respect restaurants that are willing to move beyond the Sisco/Kraft food distribution systems in small towns; of course I'm talking about Vail here. But it is really nice! Oh yeah, and a word on the decor...you're mom may not be so into it, but it's tastefully hip, lots of glossy surfaces, and good use of color. It's tiny place, but it has a great vibe. Nothing in Vail is cheap, it seems, but the dinner at Yama was not earth-shatteringly expensive.
(4)Patrick S.
We went for an early dinner with three kids and four adults. Service was very slow with a bit of an attitude. Sushi and sashimi were good but not great. Not a whole lot of ambiance, small place better suited for sitting at the bar by yourself or with a date.
(3)Miroda V.
Amazing sushi! Really enjoyed our dinner here
(5)Cindy R.
We wanted sushi and when we saw the happy hour specials sign for 30% off rolls, we went in. The service was fine, but the fish was not fresh. I ordered a rainbow roll and several regular rolls. I gave them 2 stars only because I miraculously did not get sick. The fish had a fishy taste, the kind that stays with you. The rice tasted like it was made the day before. Prices were high for the quality of the sushi and their bar prices were high too. A fat tire beer was $6 for a draft. Overall, a really bad experience. I do not recommend Yama sushi.
(2)