Daruma
13499 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL, 33907
Daruma Menu
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Address :
13499 S Cleveland Ave
Fort Myers, FL, 33907 - Phone (239) 344-0037
- Website https://www.darumarestaurant.com/ft-myers-daruma-japanese-restaurant.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Joseluis A.
lets go to the mall! no, we had to go to the mall as this was the only non-fast-food place i found open at 8pm in the area. we were starving and the girl who always complains was just getting started so a decision had to be made. the restaurant is nice, very stylish i would say. grand piano in the back and a gentleman playing old time jazz classics. a beer for me and miss cr and a drink for the girl who always complains. she didnt like her drink. the menu seemed a bit boring from me, i feel as if we should have sat by the grill for some hibachi action but the lady who always complains didnt like the idea of sitting by the fire. regardless i got a few rolls and also some sashimi. i remember the salmon being the freshest, but their rolls options were too standard and therefore not that memorable. based on my only time visit, this is more of a nice restaurant you go with your parents after a day long of shopping at the mall. like an ex president once said, dont let the terrorists win. go out and shop.
(3)Aliyah M.
This place is amazing. I enjoyed the experience to the fullest. The waitress, the drinks (Okinawa n Mai Tai) the appetizers, the sushi is the freshest & tastiest! The tuna salad is incredible!! The food was cooked to perfection, although the serving of sea bass was small. Their sauces are so yummy and the miso soup & salad is wonderful. Everything was so beautiful even the bathroom. This is My new go to spot. 3times in 1month ^_^
(5)JC I.
Nice place to visit. Nice music(piano player) Lots of items on menu. Rice could be more moist.
(4)Tiffany T.
My husband and I keep returning for the excellent sushi! Their fish is incredibly fresh and just absolutely melts in your mouth. We were HUGE fans of the white tuna sashimi. The only bad sushi experience we had was one of their rolls that had tempura lobster on the top; it was soggy, but still tasted good. We have even ordered take-out and still be incredibly impressed with the quality of the sushi and freshness of the raw fish! We took family there in a party of 6, without children, and had the Hibachi. Fantastic! Friendly server and expertly cooked food. We ordered the sunset specials and found it very affordable. Make sure to go between 5 and 6 pm (seated by that time) and you can make it a very affordable meal. We will continue to go as long as the keep the good, fresh sushi flowing!
(5)Carl M.
The dining room experience was good for a pre-movie dinner, though very pricey for the quality. We had actually scratched this place off our list due to the price-vs-quality ratio, until a recent a trip straight to the sushi bar. Our waiter, a chef who had owned a restaurant in both Tokyo and the UK apparently, was friendly and fast, and provided some fun commentary along with additional services like fresh sides salads and fruits. The sushi bar experience far exceeded our several visits to the dining room, and will become our default choice when visiting again. Shamefully, my favorite sushi roll in no way resembles real sushi: "Sex in the City Roll" contains tofu tempura, sweet potato tempura and eel sauce. Sushi? Nope. Delicious? YES. This is a must eat. Calamari (though, not what you'd expect) is also very fresh, and a tad spicy. Its a good choice for a fan of the dish who wants to try something new. Though, the portions here are small, even for only two to share. We're also big fans of the cocktail selection (though, again, pricey.) The Espresso cocktail, Okinawa, and any of the "Sake-2-Me" drinks are all good choices. The sushi bar experience kept this place on our radar and greatly improved our impression of it. Its really is a shame that the prices are much higher than you'd find in the average Sushi joint in the NYC area. though. Note on the atmosphere: Quiet, intentionally dark, and accompanied by a live piano player. While the piano is nice, we've actually managed to stay long enough for him to reach the beginning of his routine again! Phantom of the Opera twice in one Sushi session is a bit odd...
(4)Dan d.
So what is it that you're looking for tonight ? Hint: don't go to a Hibachi restaurant for intimate conversation. Food was good, but overpriced. Little more than a novelty experience.
(3)Ed R.
Worst service I have ever experienced- sat there forever and the waitress disappeared literally. Spoke with manager who did nothing to resolve the matter. Contacted their "corporate person" in Sarasota who never responded to messages. Horribly run. Read a review on google about a cockroach. Went on to the Florida inspection site and their Jacksonville location was cited in the past for approximately 25-30 live roaches. Definitely better places to go.
(1)Roger T.
Hibachi! One of my favorite types of dining. I brought my wife here with my parents and sister as well for her birthday. We don't do it often, but enjoy it once in a while. I looked this place up on Yelp and was happy to see the rave reviews it had received. We arrived 15 minutes before our reservation and were immediately seated. The waitress quickly asked us what we wanted to drink before we could even actually sit and open the menu. She was rude and pushing us along as quick as she could. We ordered and then immediately went into ordering appetizers and entrees. Again we were rushed by her. Now before I go further, I have a slight shell fish allergy, so I'll often let the waitress know and they will cook my entree first and then everyone else's second. If not, my throat will get very tight and it's borderline uncomfortable. The waitress said they would need to cook it in the back, which I was TOTALLY fine with. Dinner started, the whole show went on and everyone got their appetizers, soup, salad, and entrees. While all this was going on and people eating, I sat there waiting patiently. My food didn't come until my father went into the kitchen, found the manager and asked him where my food was. They said it was on the way and he was very sorry. By the time my food came out, everyone at the table including my family, had finished their food. This is not a joke, and completely true. The other couples at the table had already received their checks. Once the waitress brought my food out, she whispered to me that my 3 Corona beers were on the house. (Woopty Doo) I had my wife try my fried rice and she even agreed that it did not taste anywhere near as good. At this point I didn't care because I was so hungry and just put soy sauce on everything. Then the manager came out and and apologized about everything and offered us my dinner for free and the birthday package for my wife. The manager was very nice and I'm happy to have had him present. The birthday package included a photo of the family, printed instantly and provided as well as a pair of nice chopsticks and a dessert. It was nice but I was a bit annoyed that they brought the dessert out as I was still eating and everyone else was just sitting there. The dessert was delicious and we took our photo and that was all nice. Then finally after I finished my dinner and the dessert we all nibbled at, the check was brought out and no waiter was to be found and the bus boys came around clearing the tables. So to top it all off, I asked the bus boy, since he was the only one I could find, if he could get me a dessert menu. His reply was to shrug at me, and walk away. "Awesome, thanks for your help" This place gets two stars for the terrible service and mediocre food. However the manager was professional, kind, and very assertive. Thanks Manager.
(2)Kristina K.
Working in the area so I stopped in for dinner. Service great quick and knowledgable. Sushi chef was awesome had me try two samples of cucumber salad to see which one I liked better- yum! Great prices and specials- 5$ aps 6$ martinis beer and wine specials! Check it out!
(5)King D.
Was on a week family vacation in Ft Myers and wanted to get some sushi, I used my phone to locate sushi places nearby and this one came up. After reading the reviews, my girlfriend and I decided to try it out. The decor was very nice. We sat at the bar in the most comfortable bar stools i have ever sat on. Im a raw fish type sushi person, the fish was fresh and they made what I requested. Their seaweed salad was excellent. I liked this place so much I came back 2 days later for my birthday, same experience and the place was packed. My review of course is for raw, I didnt eat habachi style or any cooked foods, so i cannot comment on that. I also eat sushi once a week, and I have done so for many years, so im accurate in my comments, im not once of these "i eat sushi once every 3 months" type persons. Also, read a review on being "pricey", its not, its average with every other sushi restaurant that I have dined at.
(5)Kellie S.
I can't say I hated it but the filet was cold in the middle. The scallops under cooked and the chef was no entertainment. There were 8 of us and we all felt rushed and underwhelmed The waiter was pleasant and attentive so I am giving him the two stars. As for the rest 0 stars. We were so rushed that they were clearing our plates before our sushi even got to the table for $600 I would expect more
(2)D F.
Incredible. I specifically joined Yelp so I could review Daruma, it was that good. Went in for sushi and sat at the bar- very upscale and trendy, with the most comfortable leather bar stools my ass has ever sat in. Within a minute of sitting down, the sushi chef offered a complimentary tuna salad which set my palette up nicely for a great meal. The salad had a good amount of chunked tuna along with cucumber and scallion in a light ginger dressing that had a slight spicy kick to it. The dressing was so good that I used it with my sushi instead of soy sauce. My dinner included a lobster California roll, spicy tuna roll, and negamaki appetizer (thinly sliced beef, rolled around scallions in a teriyaki sauce). All three were as good as I've ever had. Both sushi rolls were so fresh to the taste, and the negamaki was cooked thru to perfection, hot and tender. Prices are very reasonable and beyond worth it for the quality of food. The service was as good as the food, with constant attention. With this one visit, Daruma became my destination for sushi in the Ft. Myers area from here on out.
(5)Lacey C.
Just fine little sushi place. Great service and ambiance, even though the place was packed. My candy cane roll was actually novel--red and white tuna wrapped around a seaweed salad and tamago center. It wasn't the Ritz, but it was tasty. My pal Matt ordered some... sake treat? entrée thing. It was a salmon roll of some sort--JB?--and six pieces of salmon nigiri. I was surprised at the quality of the nigiri, and I found myself a bit jealous after Matt shared a piece of it with me. Nothing life changing, but I would go back. No reason not to.
(3)Jen H.
I like going to this restaurant specifically for the sushi bar. The itamae (sushi chef) know what they are doing! Don't get me wrong, the hibachi tables are fun and the food is good, but the cream of the crop in this place are the bartenders and the itamae! Without this fabulous center piece, it would just be another old hibachi restaurant. The sashimi and sushi served are exquisite! Their sushi/sashimi grade fish is outstanding and the fish they deliver comes out in wonderful art form. My experience with the hostesses have always been a hit or miss. Sometimes they're nice and Sometimes they're just rude, so there has never been consistency in that area. The manager never speaks to you, but makes sure things seem to be running smoothly. Adding to the ambience is a piano in the back of the restaurant. One can be seated on the actual piano and have dinner while the pianist plays some contemporary tunes. The restrooms are modern and clean. The restaurant is clean. The waitstaff, for the most part, is usually on point. I keep coming back for the drinks and sushi/sashimi.
(4)David C.
Came here with family for dinner. Came here before and enjoyed it so we came back again when visiting florida. They have a hibachi style of presenting the food where you sit in an area where the chef makes the food for you. I think the chef either knew we have been here before or that we werent paying entire attention to him because the normal tricks they do, well he didnt do much of them, just the steam volcano with the onions. He probably would have done them if we had children with us. I ordered the Duck Breast and New York Strip. Both were ordered Medium Rare and the chef made them perfectly, both were pink/reddish in the inside. Also ordered a Darumi Mai Tai drink, and it was sweet but not overly. Definitely enjoyed that as well. Overall a good meal, good ambiance and good times with family. Would come back here again
(4)Gerard R.
Sushi is always solid here and the regular menu has a lot of variety. Not a fan of hibachi in general but they do a nice job- very consistent. Could possibly dress up the dining room more and the wait staff is on and off - But I always feel rushed except when I eat from the bar. That's why I'm giving it a 3. The bartenders are attentive, friendly and pretty knowledgeable about the food and beers as well - good variety of Japanese and other Asian beers.
(3)Michelle D.
I walked into the bar after a long day to have a drink and a good meal and what a failure. All I ordered was a glass of water and had to leave due to the lack of service the bartendar gave me. Never going back.
(1)Adam L.
I have come here plenty of times and I have to say, I am very impressed. The decor has a nice modern feel to it, though the lighting is a little dim for my personal taste. Seats are nice and comfortable for longer meals spent here as well. They have a menu with a wide variety of choices (not a large menu, but variety) with plenty of sushi options. I have ordered a lot of different menu items and my favorite may be the Sex and the City roll (yes I know there is no fish in that one, but it's still my favorite, deal). I have sat at the bar plenty of times and the bar tenders are always very nice, attentive, and just all around know what they are doing. The only reason why they did not get 5 stars from me is because the service can be spotty. Sometimes the waiters and waitresses are on top of their game, and other times you can wait 15 minutes to order.
(4)Alex V.
Great service. Clean restaurant. Great fir groups. Food value is excellent. We ordered the appetizers. Quality was very high. The Jalapeño escargot were outstanding. This would be a great Yelp meet-up point. Bartenders know their jobs. Note, guys, take it easy on ordering too much warm saki. Our better half's got a too tipsy to be able to make it out in one piece. Sushi and Warm Saki can turn a great evening into a bit of unexpected drama;) This place ranks high. Note, the busboy with the a Justin Bieber haircut is really a cool guy. His name is Jimmy. Way better attitude than that Justin Bieber clown:)
(5)Melanie G.
Ok let's start off with that we were a bit rushed for the hibachi before we even got a chance to really sit down and sip on our drink. The chef for habachi rushed the process ( Maybe about 5 mins long). Now I understand that we got there at 9pm and they close at 10pm, but if I'm paying $100 for 2 people, I should get my monies worth. The service was just ok in my opinion, the waitress forgot to bring out rice and we were almost done eating by the time she came to check on us so that we could remind her. The food did not impress me nor my taste buds for the price. This was my first habachi experience and I'm absolutely disappointed in this place. I really did want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it was just an overall unsatisfying experience. We will never return and I will make sure to inform others not to as well.
(2)Doug A.
Had a great time at the tables. Food was good and the service had a good flow. We took advantage of the free appetizers with the steak combo meal.
(4)Jamie E.
If you are looking for a fun place to eat with family, friends or if you want to meet some new friends...this is the place. Good was great and the service was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(5)Marc W.
Incredible dinner, great atmosphere and very friendly service. I highly recommend!!
(5)James D.
Just ok. I had the mango grouper. The fish was good, not great. It was a very small portion. It came with fried rice, broccoli and shredded crab. The mango sauce on the cod was also used on the broccoli and crab. Total overuse of the sauce. There is no reason whatsoever to top broccoli or crab with sauce. And if you're going to do it, use a different sauce!! I'm not sure if the chef is just apathetic or just not trying.
(2)Aly C.
Food was delish. Liked the sushi a lot. Lisa our waitress was very sweet and honest when asking about recommendations. Don't stay too late though because Jennifer (another waitress that was working in our area) wants to get out of there ASAP and she will make comments to make sure you are aware of her desires.
(4)Crystal J.
return visit. was a long long day and i knew i would not be cooking nor would there be much room at any place this time of year, so stopped in for early sushi. Octopus quite good, fried whole shrimp nice, fresh oil, seasoned well. But shrimp with roe? they were somewhat soft.. Cocktail very well made (Manhattan on the rocks) I liked the bitters...it was authentic, The chairs are getting a bit shabby, this place has seen a lot of traffic. The sushi chefs have changed a bit for the better since last visit. However most of the orders are rolls, so the sashimi seems to suffer just a bit. Hang in there darumas...please? will see u in a few months, after the snowbirds have fled.
(3)Leonel R.
Really really good food Great service really good sushi better than blue sushi really nice presentation on the sushi everything was great
(5)B L.
My husband and I went there for a date night. What a waste of date night. The food was overpriced and underwhelming. I am not a huge sushi lover, so I ordered one of the meals off the menu. It was truly lacking in seasoning and the meat was over cooked and dry. I did not even bother to take the leftovers home. I doubt I will be back.
(2)Mel H.
Vacation search for Sushi lead here from a local's suggestion. It's really more of a hibachi place - loads of Benihana style grills with people lined up around them. The sushi lounge is it's own little bar away from the metallic scrapes and flame on bursts. A good selection of both nigiri/sashimi with interesting rolls and some basic bento and salad options. A bit pricey though for something called a lounge. The food was all really good (except the conch, guess I'm not a fan of eating rubber, blech!) and the drinks were fun and included some happy hour options. The most, uhm .. unique? part of the experience was the lounge act. An older couple with the gent on ivories and the lady on vocals. I don't even know what they were playing but every now and then it caught our ears and we'd start giggling like a bunch of kids. Well worth a few clams in the tip jar. They made me think of a Where Are They Now for the sticky finger couple from Dirty Dancing. Good for a special occasion but wasn't blown out of the water. Service staff seemed casual and untrained for working in such a nice/$ place. I'll do my research next time for the best sushi bar in Naples.
(3)Scott D.
Popped in last night, craving sushi, and was pleasantly surprised. I sat at the sushi bar part of the restaurant, and was immediately greeted and offered a sushi card and full menu. They have a great selection, including special chef creations, using crawfish, cilantro, and jalapeños. All of the Sushi that I ordered looked and tasted fresh, the chef was very friendly and the flavors were incredible. He was from New York, where he was a classic French trained chef and learned to prepare sushi. The only thing that was strange was that the chefs don't take your order directly. The server takes your filled out sushi card and verbal sushi orders and relays the order to the sushi chef. The prices were very reasonable for the quality and service I received. I live in California, where there is a huge selection of sushi restaurants. I'm always afraid to try a new place in towns where it's not as popular.
(5)Maribel D.
I've had the habachi and sushi. I've even dined at the bar. Always consistently delicious and fast. They have awesome happy hour appetizer menu too. The decor is pleasing. I will most definitely return.
(4)Malika V.
I have been to many Japanese Steakhouses and Sushi Bars in my time. I wouldn't recommend this place. The food is presentable however the flavor doesn't measure up to the appearance. Waiting for a private table took some time and once seated it seemed that the lack of communication took us almost 20 minutes to get a glass of water. I was hoping for much more after seeing the high ratings that this place had in Fort Myers, what a disappointment.
(1)Renee N.
The hibachi or sushi bar are awesome! Best hibachi in town! Love the show, the chefs are always super entertaining. We love the duck and filet combo. Huge portions, great to bring home for lunch for the next day.
(5)Cameron C.
Excellent food, great hibachi chef and good service. The miso soup, hibachi and sushi were all wonderful.
(5)Michael C.
Popped in about 45 minutes before closing while staying at the Crowne Plaza. I sat at the bar and found the Miso soup was very nice and the Calamari appetizer was excellent. Unfortunately service was atrocious. The bar tender only had me to take care of , yet she seemed much more interested in closing out for the night. She was slow, unsmiling and after taking my original order , didn't ask if I wanted or needed anything else. The service was so awful that I felt a need to take it down two stars from where it would have been otherwise.
(2)Michael M.
Very nice restaurant. The food offerings here are Hibatchi and Sushi. We were promotly seated in the sushi lounge. Our drink and food order was promptly taken. I ordered Miso, Green Salad, Tomago, Spicy Tuna, and Lobster California Roll. All were very tasty. For dessert, the turtle cheesecake. Sweet and yummy. A real great experience and I will return.
(5)John D.
We like this place & came back again for dinner. We started with the Escargot Nippon & Bacon wrapped Shrimp. Delicious. For dinner we had the Chicken Teriyaki and the Filet Mignon Teriyaki. Both were nice, not great. I knew from previous experience that the fried rice had peas (which I hate), so I asked for it without peas. He said it wasn't possible because they cooked huge quantities in advance. In other words, it's not cooked to order. Not cool. While this place is very nice on the interior and the food is good, it's a little too slick. You get the feeling that it is the creation of a couple of MBAs from Harvard sitting in Tampa (I'm making this up, of course), and planning to franchise the hell out of it. There is no manager in evidence and the place desperately needs one. There are many employees that are rather poorly trained - breezy high school girls greet you insincerely; one incorrect meal was delivered to our table; twice a waitperson removed something from our table and clanged into dishes while doing so; at the next table, the waitress (who took the order!) brought out the dishes and shouted out to the diners what the dish was and asked them to raise their hand if it was theirs. Not cool. During busy hours the noise level is high. Let's give them a break. It is a new establishment and they may iron out these wrinkles. Ambiance/Decor - 5 STARS Food - 4 STARS Location - 5 STARS Service - 2 1/2 STARS
(4)Melissa S.
My boyfriend planned a surprise birthday party for me here. Our party filled two full hibachi tables, and we were pretty rowdy. The waitstaff was friendly and efficient, even though my friends were constantly moving around to mingle. The food was delicious and, of course-it's hibachi, prepared in a fun way. Management never gave us a hard time for being a rowdy group. The birthday package includes a paper chefs hat and two photographs in a paper frame. Lots of fun!
(4)Tara G.
Everybody that has spoken poorly of this place is nuts. The soft shell crab appetizer is to die for and the sushi is delicious. I had the pink lady roll from the chef's special menu and it was so so good. Really unique combination. Service was good and fast, but not overly friendly. Almost knocked a half star off but decided to round up instead of down.
(5)Cyd ..
Excellent atmosphere and the variety is fantastic. Service was personable if slow and a little forgetful. I wouldn't come here if I was trying to catch a movie afterwards. Daruma is a place to linger over delicious food and a nice glass of wine.
(4)Tod C.
The first truly hibachi restaurant I've found in the area. Great food!
(4)Kimal B.
Food and atmosphere at Daruma is excellent. I recommend the sashimi scallops...incredible! The quality of the fish is truly the best in the area. The piano music helps to mask the hibachi grilling sounds which improves the sushi dining area.The only complaint that I have is when we ordered our meal the staff brought to our table an extra sashimi platter (this is not the complaint). We had no idea at that time that the extra dish of sashimi brought to our table wasn't part of the boat we ordered. Obviously given the extra food, we were unable to finish our meal and wanted to take a to-go box with our leftovers. However, it was at that time we were notified that we received an extra order by mistake we would not permitted to take those leftovers home due to the fact we did not order them nor did we pay for them. The server was extremely nervous and apologetic stating that it was the management that told her she could not pack up the food to go. I am in no way trying to get free food here in this situation. But hey...why not just give it to us...we had already started eating it...were they going to give it to someone else?!? And the manner in which we were told we could not take the leftovers...made me feel like we were the ones trying to do something wrong or even stealing. Bottom line...their mistake could have been a great way to make a customer feel great about being a customer there..."Hey...we gave you an extra plate by mistake, enjoy!"
(4)Alex F.
I live near the Shops at Bell Tower so I've been wondering about Daruma for quite some time. I finally got a chance to pop in for a meal over the holidays and was delighted to find such an excellent restaurant so close by! I'm a big fan of hibachi so for the most part I'm easily satisfied at these types of restaurants, but I'd say Daruma gives others a run for their money. Everything was incredibly fresh, the staff very accommodating, and the overall decor was upscale but casual, much like its neighboring shops and restaurants in Bell Tower. Compared to what I consider to be an "average" hibachi restaurant, this one is on the pricier side. I ordered an entree of shrimp and filet for about $26. I would expect that combination to be a pricey one, but even the chicken and other somewhat basic meals were over the $20 mark. That being said, everyone at the table got a few pieces if shrimp, a soup, and a salad included so its hard not to leave incredibly full and satisfied. Typically I wouldn't order sushi before such a filling meal, but it was the holiday season so we decided to go a bit overboard. I'm glad we did because it's nice to know this place doesn't only excel on the grill... But also on the fresh fish! Definitely a great place if you're looking for a special night out or a place to take company visiting Fort Myers!
(4)Unnona M.
wow, what a nice surprise! great sushi in Fort myers. Haven't tried their habachi meals sushi is delicious. I have been there three times now and the quality of food is very consistent. Atmosphere is awesome too! Great place for a romantic dinner or a quite get together with friends :)
(5)Francisco F.
Anyone who says this place is anything less than excellent is on serious drugs and should get their palate checked. The sushi is top-notch. The service is amazing, even when slammed. The atmosphere is perfect. The pianist is great. The food is amazing! I have nothing bad to say about Daruma. Those who have should just move to Japan and stay there. Arigato.
(5)Rob F.
Food still great. Service at the bar used to be better. Bartender had no concept of friendly service. Curt, bored and obviously didn't want to be there. New bartender (Amber) stepped in and made the experience much better.
(3)Josh W.
First time I was here I had the filet mignon and shrimp hibachi, and I had to be rolled out on a stretcher. This is my second time here and we ate in the non-hibachi part. Excellent rolls--spicy shrimp and spicy tuna--and the shrimp and salmon teriyaki petite entrees were delicious and of the perfect portion. And our service was great, Kathlin was very attentive!
(5)Libby F.
Really expensive and average. Get the same thing for less at Osaka's. Plus they way over charge for tiny "large" sake pots. 4 little cups maybe for $10.
(3)Douglas M.
ALWAYS GOOD FOR A LAUGH! It's been awhile since our last visit, but when I got their "Summer Specials" coupon emailed to me I thought it would be a good excuse to see if things had changed there. So we presented our $10.00 off coupon on the trusty old i-phone when we ordered and were surprised to hear that it had to be printed to be accepted. (Coupon states this no where). So I suggested to the server that I email my coupon to the manager and he could print it in his office and bring it to the table. Confident we found a solution we ordered our drinks, the manager returned to our table and said he didn't want to risk any trouble with his boss and would not print the coupon,, He said not to feel too bad that we were not the only ones that had encountered this trouble! We decided to pay our drinks and leave, The Manager returned and said "Don't tell anyone, but here are some coupons you can use on your next visit" ? They were the same coupons we had asked them to print! Does that make any sense? But as the manager pointed out the good news is that this summer savings promotion was good for another 3 months! YAY !! If you do go stick to the bar great appetizers and better service,,,
(1)Audrey L.
I didn't have high expectations of a Japanese restaurant in the middle of a shopping area in Fort Myers, yet I was still disappointed. Let me start off by saying that the service was great, the ambience was nice and the live pianist they had playing while I ate was lovely. However, the quality of the food left something much more to be desired. I've had sushi in Japan a few times, and I've had better in places outside of Japan. This was not one of them. In fact, I don't recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for half-decent Japanese fare (even by North Americanized, teriyaki-type standards!) I've literally had better quality in food courts. I had the oyster tempura (at $5) and the Chicken Teriyaki/Tempura combination ($22.50)--though I've never tried oyster tempura anywhere else, I've certainly had both better chicken teriyaki AND tempura at MANY other establishments. I found the oyster tempura to be over-battered and didn't enjoy it at all. Had it not been for the teriyaki sauce, the chicken would have been INCREDIBLY DRY, yet the teriyaki sauce itself wasn't great either. They give less than a cup of fried rice with the dish which wasn't horrible, though certainly nothing extraordinary. Personally, I feel the chicken could perhaps have benefitted from plain, steamed rice so that the sauce wasn't so overpowering. The shrimp tempura were so scrawny and unappealing, that I barely ate any of it. The only thing I did finish from the combination was the cucumbers used for garnish! Personally, a waste of money considering I paid for a certain quality I didn't get.
(1)Chris R.
We really enjoyed ourselves. The portions weren't quite what we would've hoped for, given the price. But the service was solid and the hibachi chef was entertaining. Pretty steep bill for 4 people, but it was a special occasion, so all good.
(4)Levi K.
The sashimi was very fresh, and creatively prepared. Excellent quality. When a small mistake was made on my takeout order, it was corrected quickly. Attractive interior too.
(4)Susan B.
We went here early Nov. I am not a big fan of habachi but thought the neices would like it. First several people at our table ordered drinks and apps. we were rushed thru the process. The guy doing the cooking had no personalilty. Most of the time you go for the fun of the show. I don't think he said one word. Food comes really fast. If you go saty away from the hibachi side and head to the back room where there is music.
(2)Dan M.
I frequent this place often. Awesome food, very nice bar .. Sushi is fresh and tasteful petite dishes overpriced but great flavor.. Hibachi is always a good experience.. I like seating at the bar but the service at the bar sucks.. Everything else is great!!
(4)Ryan D.
Considering this place has only been open a couple of weeks, it was pretty good. The service was slow, but again, the place is new. The food was pretty good, but I have had better Japanese Steakhouses. I am sure that in time, this place will get better. It did have a cool atmosphere.
(3)Yoanna J.
My new favorite place. WOW. So impresses. Great food. FRESH! Sushi, Herman was my cook and you can request a chef. There is call ahead seating. We had Filet Mignon, Shrimp, nY Strip, Chicken, Spicy Tuna both with Soy Paper & 1 with Seaweed. Also Fried Rice. We pretty much tried Everything. I will tell you. Everything was delicious. They have about 10 Hibachi Tables so no waiting time. They also have a full sit-down Restaurant about 19 mire tabes if you don't want Hibachi. Plus a large Sushi Bar. Plus full sit down Bar. And Outdoor Seating. This place was made PERFECTLY. The layout is great. I will be returning. They are running a special thru the 22nd of January. You have to go at least once. You will be hooked. Everything Fresh, Tasty. Happy Eating. Oh 1 thing waiter service Super Slow. So order drinks and appetizers together no matter what
(5)Roger B.
We had a wonderful dinner at Daruma. The menu is innovative and intriguing. My appetizer of a sashimi roll consisting of avocado and crab wrapped in tuna enhanced by a very special sauce, was surprising and delicious. Another member of our group had the soft shell crab appetizer and was impressed, although in all fairness she has eaten here a number of time. Our main courses were of similar quality and truly satisfying. The decor is very attractive and the piano player was superb and not intrusive. We'll have to try the place in Naples too.
(4)Angela S.
Seems some what of a chain but it was good. Ordered 2 sushi rolls and edamame. Walked out like an overly stuffed pig. I'd try it again.
(4)Gautham J.
Good sushi. Rolls were good. Miso was tasty. Edamame a bit cold but still good. Bottom line fish was fresh but little pricey for what we had.
(3)Catherine A.
Did scallops on the hibachi. Some $5 sushi appetizers. Escargot was good too.
(4)Mas K.
When going for a hibachi dining experience, the people you're with make a big difference. A group of 8 of us had a great time mostly because we enjoyed each other's company so much. The hibachi chef was good, the food was a bit overcooked but OK and service average. The glaring exception to an average meal was the selection of sakes, which was excellent.
(3)Tristan S.
Came here late night with my wife , mom and sister a week ago. Food was somewhere between ok and good. The server could be more helpful and positive. I asked for more green tea and immediately she responded that, it is not refillable and that it'll cost extra. Now, I would normally not react to this since I have been managing restaurants in NYC for 15 years, but the way she sounded as if I can't afford to get another pot of tea??? Like I said, she could have been more polite about it. She did however managed to somehow save the night by starting to be more polite and positive. But the damage is done...first impression makes a big impact in everything.
(2)Thalia S.
lOVE this place!!! My boyfriend and I are regulars here. Their white tuna sashimI is absolutely delicious and fresh! A bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)Jamie E.
If you are looking for a fun place to eat with family, friends or if you want to meet some new friends...this is the place. Good was great and the service was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(5)Marc W.
Incredible dinner, great atmosphere and very friendly service. I highly recommend!!
(5)Alex V.
Great service. Clean restaurant. Great fir groups. Food value is excellent. We ordered the appetizers. Quality was very high. The Jalapeño escargot were outstanding. This would be a great Yelp meet-up point. Bartenders know their jobs. Note, guys, take it easy on ordering too much warm saki. Our better half's got a too tipsy to be able to make it out in one piece. Sushi and Warm Saki can turn a great evening into a bit of unexpected drama;) This place ranks high. Note, the busboy with the a Justin Bieber haircut is really a cool guy. His name is Jimmy. Way better attitude than that Justin Bieber clown:)
(5)Doug A.
Had a great time at the tables. Food was good and the service had a good flow. We took advantage of the free appetizers with the steak combo meal.
(4)James D.
Just ok. I had the mango grouper. The fish was good, not great. It was a very small portion. It came with fried rice, broccoli and shredded crab. The mango sauce on the cod was also used on the broccoli and crab. Total overuse of the sauce. There is no reason whatsoever to top broccoli or crab with sauce. And if you're going to do it, use a different sauce!! I'm not sure if the chef is just apathetic or just not trying.
(2)Gerard R.
Sushi is always solid here and the regular menu has a lot of variety. Not a fan of hibachi in general but they do a nice job- very consistent. Could possibly dress up the dining room more and the wait staff is on and off - But I always feel rushed except when I eat from the bar. That's why I'm giving it a 3. The bartenders are attentive, friendly and pretty knowledgeable about the food and beers as well - good variety of Japanese and other Asian beers.
(3)Michelle D.
I walked into the bar after a long day to have a drink and a good meal and what a failure. All I ordered was a glass of water and had to leave due to the lack of service the bartendar gave me. Never going back.
(1)Aly C.
Food was delish. Liked the sushi a lot. Lisa our waitress was very sweet and honest when asking about recommendations. Don't stay too late though because Jennifer (another waitress that was working in our area) wants to get out of there ASAP and she will make comments to make sure you are aware of her desires.
(4)Crystal J.
return visit. was a long long day and i knew i would not be cooking nor would there be much room at any place this time of year, so stopped in for early sushi. Octopus quite good, fried whole shrimp nice, fresh oil, seasoned well. But shrimp with roe? they were somewhat soft.. Cocktail very well made (Manhattan on the rocks) I liked the bitters...it was authentic, The chairs are getting a bit shabby, this place has seen a lot of traffic. The sushi chefs have changed a bit for the better since last visit. However most of the orders are rolls, so the sashimi seems to suffer just a bit. Hang in there darumas...please? will see u in a few months, after the snowbirds have fled.
(3)Leonel R.
Really really good food Great service really good sushi better than blue sushi really nice presentation on the sushi everything was great
(5)B L.
My husband and I went there for a date night. What a waste of date night. The food was overpriced and underwhelming. I am not a huge sushi lover, so I ordered one of the meals off the menu. It was truly lacking in seasoning and the meat was over cooked and dry. I did not even bother to take the leftovers home. I doubt I will be back.
(2)Jen H.
I like going to this restaurant specifically for the sushi bar. The itamae (sushi chef) know what they are doing! Don't get me wrong, the hibachi tables are fun and the food is good, but the cream of the crop in this place are the bartenders and the itamae! Without this fabulous center piece, it would just be another old hibachi restaurant. The sashimi and sushi served are exquisite! Their sushi/sashimi grade fish is outstanding and the fish they deliver comes out in wonderful art form. My experience with the hostesses have always been a hit or miss. Sometimes they're nice and Sometimes they're just rude, so there has never been consistency in that area. The manager never speaks to you, but makes sure things seem to be running smoothly. Adding to the ambience is a piano in the back of the restaurant. One can be seated on the actual piano and have dinner while the pianist plays some contemporary tunes. The restrooms are modern and clean. The restaurant is clean. The waitstaff, for the most part, is usually on point. I keep coming back for the drinks and sushi/sashimi.
(4)David C.
Came here with family for dinner. Came here before and enjoyed it so we came back again when visiting florida. They have a hibachi style of presenting the food where you sit in an area where the chef makes the food for you. I think the chef either knew we have been here before or that we werent paying entire attention to him because the normal tricks they do, well he didnt do much of them, just the steam volcano with the onions. He probably would have done them if we had children with us. I ordered the Duck Breast and New York Strip. Both were ordered Medium Rare and the chef made them perfectly, both were pink/reddish in the inside. Also ordered a Darumi Mai Tai drink, and it was sweet but not overly. Definitely enjoyed that as well. Overall a good meal, good ambiance and good times with family. Would come back here again
(4)Lacey C.
Just fine little sushi place. Great service and ambiance, even though the place was packed. My candy cane roll was actually novel--red and white tuna wrapped around a seaweed salad and tamago center. It wasn't the Ritz, but it was tasty. My pal Matt ordered some... sake treat? entrée thing. It was a salmon roll of some sort--JB?--and six pieces of salmon nigiri. I was surprised at the quality of the nigiri, and I found myself a bit jealous after Matt shared a piece of it with me. Nothing life changing, but I would go back. No reason not to.
(3)Roger T.
Hibachi! One of my favorite types of dining. I brought my wife here with my parents and sister as well for her birthday. We don't do it often, but enjoy it once in a while. I looked this place up on Yelp and was happy to see the rave reviews it had received. We arrived 15 minutes before our reservation and were immediately seated. The waitress quickly asked us what we wanted to drink before we could even actually sit and open the menu. She was rude and pushing us along as quick as she could. We ordered and then immediately went into ordering appetizers and entrees. Again we were rushed by her. Now before I go further, I have a slight shell fish allergy, so I'll often let the waitress know and they will cook my entree first and then everyone else's second. If not, my throat will get very tight and it's borderline uncomfortable. The waitress said they would need to cook it in the back, which I was TOTALLY fine with. Dinner started, the whole show went on and everyone got their appetizers, soup, salad, and entrees. While all this was going on and people eating, I sat there waiting patiently. My food didn't come until my father went into the kitchen, found the manager and asked him where my food was. They said it was on the way and he was very sorry. By the time my food came out, everyone at the table including my family, had finished their food. This is not a joke, and completely true. The other couples at the table had already received their checks. Once the waitress brought my food out, she whispered to me that my 3 Corona beers were on the house. (Woopty Doo) I had my wife try my fried rice and she even agreed that it did not taste anywhere near as good. At this point I didn't care because I was so hungry and just put soy sauce on everything. Then the manager came out and and apologized about everything and offered us my dinner for free and the birthday package for my wife. The manager was very nice and I'm happy to have had him present. The birthday package included a photo of the family, printed instantly and provided as well as a pair of nice chopsticks and a dessert. It was nice but I was a bit annoyed that they brought the dessert out as I was still eating and everyone else was just sitting there. The dessert was delicious and we took our photo and that was all nice. Then finally after I finished my dinner and the dessert we all nibbled at, the check was brought out and no waiter was to be found and the bus boys came around clearing the tables. So to top it all off, I asked the bus boy, since he was the only one I could find, if he could get me a dessert menu. His reply was to shrug at me, and walk away. "Awesome, thanks for your help" This place gets two stars for the terrible service and mediocre food. However the manager was professional, kind, and very assertive. Thanks Manager.
(2)Malika V.
I have been to many Japanese Steakhouses and Sushi Bars in my time. I wouldn't recommend this place. The food is presentable however the flavor doesn't measure up to the appearance. Waiting for a private table took some time and once seated it seemed that the lack of communication took us almost 20 minutes to get a glass of water. I was hoping for much more after seeing the high ratings that this place had in Fort Myers, what a disappointment.
(1)Renee N.
The hibachi or sushi bar are awesome! Best hibachi in town! Love the show, the chefs are always super entertaining. We love the duck and filet combo. Huge portions, great to bring home for lunch for the next day.
(5)Mel H.
Vacation search for Sushi lead here from a local's suggestion. It's really more of a hibachi place - loads of Benihana style grills with people lined up around them. The sushi lounge is it's own little bar away from the metallic scrapes and flame on bursts. A good selection of both nigiri/sashimi with interesting rolls and some basic bento and salad options. A bit pricey though for something called a lounge. The food was all really good (except the conch, guess I'm not a fan of eating rubber, blech!) and the drinks were fun and included some happy hour options. The most, uhm .. unique? part of the experience was the lounge act. An older couple with the gent on ivories and the lady on vocals. I don't even know what they were playing but every now and then it caught our ears and we'd start giggling like a bunch of kids. Well worth a few clams in the tip jar. They made me think of a Where Are They Now for the sticky finger couple from Dirty Dancing. Good for a special occasion but wasn't blown out of the water. Service staff seemed casual and untrained for working in such a nice/$ place. I'll do my research next time for the best sushi bar in Naples.
(3)Ed R.
Worst service I have ever experienced- sat there forever and the waitress disappeared literally. Spoke with manager who did nothing to resolve the matter. Contacted their "corporate person" in Sarasota who never responded to messages. Horribly run. Read a review on google about a cockroach. Went on to the Florida inspection site and their Jacksonville location was cited in the past for approximately 25-30 live roaches. Definitely better places to go.
(1)Kristina K.
Working in the area so I stopped in for dinner. Service great quick and knowledgable. Sushi chef was awesome had me try two samples of cucumber salad to see which one I liked better- yum! Great prices and specials- 5$ aps 6$ martinis beer and wine specials! Check it out!
(5)Scott D.
Popped in last night, craving sushi, and was pleasantly surprised. I sat at the sushi bar part of the restaurant, and was immediately greeted and offered a sushi card and full menu. They have a great selection, including special chef creations, using crawfish, cilantro, and jalapeños. All of the Sushi that I ordered looked and tasted fresh, the chef was very friendly and the flavors were incredible. He was from New York, where he was a classic French trained chef and learned to prepare sushi. The only thing that was strange was that the chefs don't take your order directly. The server takes your filled out sushi card and verbal sushi orders and relays the order to the sushi chef. The prices were very reasonable for the quality and service I received. I live in California, where there is a huge selection of sushi restaurants. I'm always afraid to try a new place in towns where it's not as popular.
(5)Maribel D.
I've had the habachi and sushi. I've even dined at the bar. Always consistently delicious and fast. They have awesome happy hour appetizer menu too. The decor is pleasing. I will most definitely return.
(4)Michael C.
Popped in about 45 minutes before closing while staying at the Crowne Plaza. I sat at the bar and found the Miso soup was very nice and the Calamari appetizer was excellent. Unfortunately service was atrocious. The bar tender only had me to take care of , yet she seemed much more interested in closing out for the night. She was slow, unsmiling and after taking my original order , didn't ask if I wanted or needed anything else. The service was so awful that I felt a need to take it down two stars from where it would have been otherwise.
(2)Melissa S.
My boyfriend planned a surprise birthday party for me here. Our party filled two full hibachi tables, and we were pretty rowdy. The waitstaff was friendly and efficient, even though my friends were constantly moving around to mingle. The food was delicious and, of course-it's hibachi, prepared in a fun way. Management never gave us a hard time for being a rowdy group. The birthday package includes a paper chefs hat and two photographs in a paper frame. Lots of fun!
(4)Tara G.
Everybody that has spoken poorly of this place is nuts. The soft shell crab appetizer is to die for and the sushi is delicious. I had the pink lady roll from the chef's special menu and it was so so good. Really unique combination. Service was good and fast, but not overly friendly. Almost knocked a half star off but decided to round up instead of down.
(5)Joseluis A.
lets go to the mall! no, we had to go to the mall as this was the only non-fast-food place i found open at 8pm in the area. we were starving and the girl who always complains was just getting started so a decision had to be made. the restaurant is nice, very stylish i would say. grand piano in the back and a gentleman playing old time jazz classics. a beer for me and miss cr and a drink for the girl who always complains. she didnt like her drink. the menu seemed a bit boring from me, i feel as if we should have sat by the grill for some hibachi action but the lady who always complains didnt like the idea of sitting by the fire. regardless i got a few rolls and also some sashimi. i remember the salmon being the freshest, but their rolls options were too standard and therefore not that memorable. based on my only time visit, this is more of a nice restaurant you go with your parents after a day long of shopping at the mall. like an ex president once said, dont let the terrorists win. go out and shop.
(3)Michael M.
Very nice restaurant. The food offerings here are Hibatchi and Sushi. We were promotly seated in the sushi lounge. Our drink and food order was promptly taken. I ordered Miso, Green Salad, Tomago, Spicy Tuna, and Lobster California Roll. All were very tasty. For dessert, the turtle cheesecake. Sweet and yummy. A real great experience and I will return.
(5)King D.
Was on a week family vacation in Ft Myers and wanted to get some sushi, I used my phone to locate sushi places nearby and this one came up. After reading the reviews, my girlfriend and I decided to try it out. The decor was very nice. We sat at the bar in the most comfortable bar stools i have ever sat on. Im a raw fish type sushi person, the fish was fresh and they made what I requested. Their seaweed salad was excellent. I liked this place so much I came back 2 days later for my birthday, same experience and the place was packed. My review of course is for raw, I didnt eat habachi style or any cooked foods, so i cannot comment on that. I also eat sushi once a week, and I have done so for many years, so im accurate in my comments, im not once of these "i eat sushi once every 3 months" type persons. Also, read a review on being "pricey", its not, its average with every other sushi restaurant that I have dined at.
(5)Kellie S.
I can't say I hated it but the filet was cold in the middle. The scallops under cooked and the chef was no entertainment. There were 8 of us and we all felt rushed and underwhelmed The waiter was pleasant and attentive so I am giving him the two stars. As for the rest 0 stars. We were so rushed that they were clearing our plates before our sushi even got to the table for $600 I would expect more
(2)Cyd ..
Excellent atmosphere and the variety is fantastic. Service was personable if slow and a little forgetful. I wouldn't come here if I was trying to catch a movie afterwards. Daruma is a place to linger over delicious food and a nice glass of wine.
(4)Tiffany T.
My husband and I keep returning for the excellent sushi! Their fish is incredibly fresh and just absolutely melts in your mouth. We were HUGE fans of the white tuna sashimi. The only bad sushi experience we had was one of their rolls that had tempura lobster on the top; it was soggy, but still tasted good. We have even ordered take-out and still be incredibly impressed with the quality of the sushi and freshness of the raw fish! We took family there in a party of 6, without children, and had the Hibachi. Fantastic! Friendly server and expertly cooked food. We ordered the sunset specials and found it very affordable. Make sure to go between 5 and 6 pm (seated by that time) and you can make it a very affordable meal. We will continue to go as long as the keep the good, fresh sushi flowing!
(5)Angela S.
Seems some what of a chain but it was good. Ordered 2 sushi rolls and edamame. Walked out like an overly stuffed pig. I'd try it again.
(4)Gautham J.
Good sushi. Rolls were good. Miso was tasty. Edamame a bit cold but still good. Bottom line fish was fresh but little pricey for what we had.
(3)Catherine A.
Did scallops on the hibachi. Some $5 sushi appetizers. Escargot was good too.
(4)Mas K.
When going for a hibachi dining experience, the people you're with make a big difference. A group of 8 of us had a great time mostly because we enjoyed each other's company so much. The hibachi chef was good, the food was a bit overcooked but OK and service average. The glaring exception to an average meal was the selection of sakes, which was excellent.
(3)Tristan S.
Came here late night with my wife , mom and sister a week ago. Food was somewhere between ok and good. The server could be more helpful and positive. I asked for more green tea and immediately she responded that, it is not refillable and that it'll cost extra. Now, I would normally not react to this since I have been managing restaurants in NYC for 15 years, but the way she sounded as if I can't afford to get another pot of tea??? Like I said, she could have been more polite about it. She did however managed to somehow save the night by starting to be more polite and positive. But the damage is done...first impression makes a big impact in everything.
(2)Thalia S.
lOVE this place!!! My boyfriend and I are regulars here. Their white tuna sashimI is absolutely delicious and fresh! A bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)Aliyah M.
This place is amazing. I enjoyed the experience to the fullest. The waitress, the drinks (Okinawa n Mai Tai) the appetizers, the sushi is the freshest & tastiest! The tuna salad is incredible!! The food was cooked to perfection, although the serving of sea bass was small. Their sauces are so yummy and the miso soup & salad is wonderful. Everything was so beautiful even the bathroom. This is My new go to spot. 3times in 1month ^_^
(5)JC I.
Nice place to visit. Nice music(piano player) Lots of items on menu. Rice could be more moist.
(4)Cameron C.
Excellent food, great hibachi chef and good service. The miso soup, hibachi and sushi were all wonderful.
(5)Carl M.
The dining room experience was good for a pre-movie dinner, though very pricey for the quality. We had actually scratched this place off our list due to the price-vs-quality ratio, until a recent a trip straight to the sushi bar. Our waiter, a chef who had owned a restaurant in both Tokyo and the UK apparently, was friendly and fast, and provided some fun commentary along with additional services like fresh sides salads and fruits. The sushi bar experience far exceeded our several visits to the dining room, and will become our default choice when visiting again. Shamefully, my favorite sushi roll in no way resembles real sushi: "Sex in the City Roll" contains tofu tempura, sweet potato tempura and eel sauce. Sushi? Nope. Delicious? YES. This is a must eat. Calamari (though, not what you'd expect) is also very fresh, and a tad spicy. Its a good choice for a fan of the dish who wants to try something new. Though, the portions here are small, even for only two to share. We're also big fans of the cocktail selection (though, again, pricey.) The Espresso cocktail, Okinawa, and any of the "Sake-2-Me" drinks are all good choices. The sushi bar experience kept this place on our radar and greatly improved our impression of it. Its really is a shame that the prices are much higher than you'd find in the average Sushi joint in the NYC area. though. Note on the atmosphere: Quiet, intentionally dark, and accompanied by a live piano player. While the piano is nice, we've actually managed to stay long enough for him to reach the beginning of his routine again! Phantom of the Opera twice in one Sushi session is a bit odd...
(4)Dan d.
So what is it that you're looking for tonight ? Hint: don't go to a Hibachi restaurant for intimate conversation. Food was good, but overpriced. Little more than a novelty experience.
(3)Chris R.
We really enjoyed ourselves. The portions weren't quite what we would've hoped for, given the price. But the service was solid and the hibachi chef was entertaining. Pretty steep bill for 4 people, but it was a special occasion, so all good.
(4)Levi K.
The sashimi was very fresh, and creatively prepared. Excellent quality. When a small mistake was made on my takeout order, it was corrected quickly. Attractive interior too.
(4)Susan B.
We went here early Nov. I am not a big fan of habachi but thought the neices would like it. First several people at our table ordered drinks and apps. we were rushed thru the process. The guy doing the cooking had no personalilty. Most of the time you go for the fun of the show. I don't think he said one word. Food comes really fast. If you go saty away from the hibachi side and head to the back room where there is music.
(2)Dan M.
I frequent this place often. Awesome food, very nice bar .. Sushi is fresh and tasteful petite dishes overpriced but great flavor.. Hibachi is always a good experience.. I like seating at the bar but the service at the bar sucks.. Everything else is great!!
(4)Ryan D.
Considering this place has only been open a couple of weeks, it was pretty good. The service was slow, but again, the place is new. The food was pretty good, but I have had better Japanese Steakhouses. I am sure that in time, this place will get better. It did have a cool atmosphere.
(3)Alex F.
I live near the Shops at Bell Tower so I've been wondering about Daruma for quite some time. I finally got a chance to pop in for a meal over the holidays and was delighted to find such an excellent restaurant so close by! I'm a big fan of hibachi so for the most part I'm easily satisfied at these types of restaurants, but I'd say Daruma gives others a run for their money. Everything was incredibly fresh, the staff very accommodating, and the overall decor was upscale but casual, much like its neighboring shops and restaurants in Bell Tower. Compared to what I consider to be an "average" hibachi restaurant, this one is on the pricier side. I ordered an entree of shrimp and filet for about $26. I would expect that combination to be a pricey one, but even the chicken and other somewhat basic meals were over the $20 mark. That being said, everyone at the table got a few pieces if shrimp, a soup, and a salad included so its hard not to leave incredibly full and satisfied. Typically I wouldn't order sushi before such a filling meal, but it was the holiday season so we decided to go a bit overboard. I'm glad we did because it's nice to know this place doesn't only excel on the grill... But also on the fresh fish! Definitely a great place if you're looking for a special night out or a place to take company visiting Fort Myers!
(4)Unnona M.
wow, what a nice surprise! great sushi in Fort myers. Haven't tried their habachi meals sushi is delicious. I have been there three times now and the quality of food is very consistent. Atmosphere is awesome too! Great place for a romantic dinner or a quite get together with friends :)
(5)Francisco F.
Anyone who says this place is anything less than excellent is on serious drugs and should get their palate checked. The sushi is top-notch. The service is amazing, even when slammed. The atmosphere is perfect. The pianist is great. The food is amazing! I have nothing bad to say about Daruma. Those who have should just move to Japan and stay there. Arigato.
(5)Rob F.
Food still great. Service at the bar used to be better. Bartender had no concept of friendly service. Curt, bored and obviously didn't want to be there. New bartender (Amber) stepped in and made the experience much better.
(3)Tod C.
The first truly hibachi restaurant I've found in the area. Great food!
(4)Kimal B.
Food and atmosphere at Daruma is excellent. I recommend the sashimi scallops...incredible! The quality of the fish is truly the best in the area. The piano music helps to mask the hibachi grilling sounds which improves the sushi dining area.The only complaint that I have is when we ordered our meal the staff brought to our table an extra sashimi platter (this is not the complaint). We had no idea at that time that the extra dish of sashimi brought to our table wasn't part of the boat we ordered. Obviously given the extra food, we were unable to finish our meal and wanted to take a to-go box with our leftovers. However, it was at that time we were notified that we received an extra order by mistake we would not permitted to take those leftovers home due to the fact we did not order them nor did we pay for them. The server was extremely nervous and apologetic stating that it was the management that told her she could not pack up the food to go. I am in no way trying to get free food here in this situation. But hey...why not just give it to us...we had already started eating it...were they going to give it to someone else?!? And the manner in which we were told we could not take the leftovers...made me feel like we were the ones trying to do something wrong or even stealing. Bottom line...their mistake could have been a great way to make a customer feel great about being a customer there..."Hey...we gave you an extra plate by mistake, enjoy!"
(4)Josh W.
First time I was here I had the filet mignon and shrimp hibachi, and I had to be rolled out on a stretcher. This is my second time here and we ate in the non-hibachi part. Excellent rolls--spicy shrimp and spicy tuna--and the shrimp and salmon teriyaki petite entrees were delicious and of the perfect portion. And our service was great, Kathlin was very attentive!
(5)Libby F.
Really expensive and average. Get the same thing for less at Osaka's. Plus they way over charge for tiny "large" sake pots. 4 little cups maybe for $10.
(3)Douglas M.
ALWAYS GOOD FOR A LAUGH! It's been awhile since our last visit, but when I got their "Summer Specials" coupon emailed to me I thought it would be a good excuse to see if things had changed there. So we presented our $10.00 off coupon on the trusty old i-phone when we ordered and were surprised to hear that it had to be printed to be accepted. (Coupon states this no where). So I suggested to the server that I email my coupon to the manager and he could print it in his office and bring it to the table. Confident we found a solution we ordered our drinks, the manager returned to our table and said he didn't want to risk any trouble with his boss and would not print the coupon,, He said not to feel too bad that we were not the only ones that had encountered this trouble! We decided to pay our drinks and leave, The Manager returned and said "Don't tell anyone, but here are some coupons you can use on your next visit" ? They were the same coupons we had asked them to print! Does that make any sense? But as the manager pointed out the good news is that this summer savings promotion was good for another 3 months! YAY !! If you do go stick to the bar great appetizers and better service,,,
(1)Yoanna J.
My new favorite place. WOW. So impresses. Great food. FRESH! Sushi, Herman was my cook and you can request a chef. There is call ahead seating. We had Filet Mignon, Shrimp, nY Strip, Chicken, Spicy Tuna both with Soy Paper & 1 with Seaweed. Also Fried Rice. We pretty much tried Everything. I will tell you. Everything was delicious. They have about 10 Hibachi Tables so no waiting time. They also have a full sit-down Restaurant about 19 mire tabes if you don't want Hibachi. Plus a large Sushi Bar. Plus full sit down Bar. And Outdoor Seating. This place was made PERFECTLY. The layout is great. I will be returning. They are running a special thru the 22nd of January. You have to go at least once. You will be hooked. Everything Fresh, Tasty. Happy Eating. Oh 1 thing waiter service Super Slow. So order drinks and appetizers together no matter what
(5)Audrey L.
I didn't have high expectations of a Japanese restaurant in the middle of a shopping area in Fort Myers, yet I was still disappointed. Let me start off by saying that the service was great, the ambience was nice and the live pianist they had playing while I ate was lovely. However, the quality of the food left something much more to be desired. I've had sushi in Japan a few times, and I've had better in places outside of Japan. This was not one of them. In fact, I don't recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for half-decent Japanese fare (even by North Americanized, teriyaki-type standards!) I've literally had better quality in food courts. I had the oyster tempura (at $5) and the Chicken Teriyaki/Tempura combination ($22.50)--though I've never tried oyster tempura anywhere else, I've certainly had both better chicken teriyaki AND tempura at MANY other establishments. I found the oyster tempura to be over-battered and didn't enjoy it at all. Had it not been for the teriyaki sauce, the chicken would have been INCREDIBLY DRY, yet the teriyaki sauce itself wasn't great either. They give less than a cup of fried rice with the dish which wasn't horrible, though certainly nothing extraordinary. Personally, I feel the chicken could perhaps have benefitted from plain, steamed rice so that the sauce wasn't so overpowering. The shrimp tempura were so scrawny and unappealing, that I barely ate any of it. The only thing I did finish from the combination was the cucumbers used for garnish! Personally, a waste of money considering I paid for a certain quality I didn't get.
(1)Roger B.
We had a wonderful dinner at Daruma. The menu is innovative and intriguing. My appetizer of a sashimi roll consisting of avocado and crab wrapped in tuna enhanced by a very special sauce, was surprising and delicious. Another member of our group had the soft shell crab appetizer and was impressed, although in all fairness she has eaten here a number of time. Our main courses were of similar quality and truly satisfying. The decor is very attractive and the piano player was superb and not intrusive. We'll have to try the place in Naples too.
(4)D F.
Incredible. I specifically joined Yelp so I could review Daruma, it was that good. Went in for sushi and sat at the bar- very upscale and trendy, with the most comfortable leather bar stools my ass has ever sat in. Within a minute of sitting down, the sushi chef offered a complimentary tuna salad which set my palette up nicely for a great meal. The salad had a good amount of chunked tuna along with cucumber and scallion in a light ginger dressing that had a slight spicy kick to it. The dressing was so good that I used it with my sushi instead of soy sauce. My dinner included a lobster California roll, spicy tuna roll, and negamaki appetizer (thinly sliced beef, rolled around scallions in a teriyaki sauce). All three were as good as I've ever had. Both sushi rolls were so fresh to the taste, and the negamaki was cooked thru to perfection, hot and tender. Prices are very reasonable and beyond worth it for the quality of food. The service was as good as the food, with constant attention. With this one visit, Daruma became my destination for sushi in the Ft. Myers area from here on out.
(5)Adam L.
I have come here plenty of times and I have to say, I am very impressed. The decor has a nice modern feel to it, though the lighting is a little dim for my personal taste. Seats are nice and comfortable for longer meals spent here as well. They have a menu with a wide variety of choices (not a large menu, but variety) with plenty of sushi options. I have ordered a lot of different menu items and my favorite may be the Sex and the City roll (yes I know there is no fish in that one, but it's still my favorite, deal). I have sat at the bar plenty of times and the bar tenders are always very nice, attentive, and just all around know what they are doing. The only reason why they did not get 5 stars from me is because the service can be spotty. Sometimes the waiters and waitresses are on top of their game, and other times you can wait 15 minutes to order.
(4)John D.
We like this place & came back again for dinner. We started with the Escargot Nippon & Bacon wrapped Shrimp. Delicious. For dinner we had the Chicken Teriyaki and the Filet Mignon Teriyaki. Both were nice, not great. I knew from previous experience that the fried rice had peas (which I hate), so I asked for it without peas. He said it wasn't possible because they cooked huge quantities in advance. In other words, it's not cooked to order. Not cool. While this place is very nice on the interior and the food is good, it's a little too slick. You get the feeling that it is the creation of a couple of MBAs from Harvard sitting in Tampa (I'm making this up, of course), and planning to franchise the hell out of it. There is no manager in evidence and the place desperately needs one. There are many employees that are rather poorly trained - breezy high school girls greet you insincerely; one incorrect meal was delivered to our table; twice a waitperson removed something from our table and clanged into dishes while doing so; at the next table, the waitress (who took the order!) brought out the dishes and shouted out to the diners what the dish was and asked them to raise their hand if it was theirs. Not cool. During busy hours the noise level is high. Let's give them a break. It is a new establishment and they may iron out these wrinkles. Ambiance/Decor - 5 STARS Food - 4 STARS Location - 5 STARS Service - 2 1/2 STARS
(4)Melanie G.
Ok let's start off with that we were a bit rushed for the hibachi before we even got a chance to really sit down and sip on our drink. The chef for habachi rushed the process ( Maybe about 5 mins long). Now I understand that we got there at 9pm and they close at 10pm, but if I'm paying $100 for 2 people, I should get my monies worth. The service was just ok in my opinion, the waitress forgot to bring out rice and we were almost done eating by the time she came to check on us so that we could remind her. The food did not impress me nor my taste buds for the price. This was my first habachi experience and I'm absolutely disappointed in this place. I really did want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it was just an overall unsatisfying experience. We will never return and I will make sure to inform others not to as well.
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