Let me first start by mentioning the food here, especially the sushi, is delicious. No frills, but quality, fresh sushi. Definitely the best I've experienced in the Twin Cities so far. Boyfriend, boyfriend's mom, and myself called early evening on Friday asking if they might have any reservations left - and of course, they were full. We were advised to show up after 8PM for a better chance at a table. We rolled in around 8:30PM. The restaurant seemed full, but not packed, and we were the only ones in line for a table. A disheveled waiter who appeared to be on the brink of a nervous break-down approached us with the news that it could be two hours for a table. Confused, mostly because there didn't appear to be that many people, we said we'd at least put our names on the list. Not even 10 minutes later, a table opens up. We happily take it and begin to peruse our menu options. However, when we tell our waiter we would like to order sushi, again his face begins to pale and he warns us that Sushi could take over an hour. I'm just curious if any one else finds it as amusing as I did that a sushi restaurant is unable to prepare Sushi on a Friday night.... If you went to KFC, and they said, "We have biscuits and coleslaw, but we're out of chicken", wouldn't you think that odd? We decided to take our chances, and while we could never exactly pinpoint why exactly sushi was taking so long, the food was fantastic. So, things to know about Midori's are as follows: 1) Call ahead for reservations, and make sure that they will be serving sushi. They sometimes don't allow take out for sushi, and even in the restaurant they have some things they won't/can't serve for some reason. 2) Come with a mild tranquilizer for the waiter, and basic knowledge of CPR in case he suffers a stroke. 3) Try to ignore the Andrew Lloyd Weber being pumped through the speakers - it makes no sense, but then, neither does a lot of what goes on there. 4) Regardless of how bizarre your experience at Midori's might be, the food is probably worth it.
(3)
Paola M.
Had great expectations based on reviews and found the place just OK. Food was OK, maybe a little cold, and ambiance was really kind of sad. Don't think I will go back.
(3)
Lori G.
I went there for lunch on a Saturday. It was really quiet with just two tables of guests. So the service was not as slow as some of the reviews mentioned. The food is OK. But I still prefer other places like Fuji-Ya and Nami. Their food is better and the dining environment too. I just didn't enjoy eating at Midori. The whole place is dull and cold...
(3)
Robert F.
I'll keep it super short: Make a reservation, NO EXCUSES. You'll most likely be sorely disappointed without one on a Friday night. Serving staff quality - D Wait time for food - F Quality of food - B+ One chef for ten tables? Understandable speed of service. Two servers for ten tables? Shouldn't take ten minutes to get a water.
(2)
AnandShruti R.
The quaint little neighborhood restaurant has great food and a cozy atmosphere. The service can be a little slow but that's because they take the time to make the sushi right!! Though we didn't even ask for it, we were comped our drinks for the long wait. The sushi selection isn't off the wall however it has all the classics and the presentation is just as delightful as the taste. We recommend the spicy salmon and the dragon rolls. You'll have to look up the timings and make sure they are open before you go because they are a little odd. Parking can be an adventure during peak hours, but it's worth the hunt. Great place for carry out too if you can plan it in advance. A place we'll definitely be coming back to shortly.
(4)
Tamar A.
Waste of time! I do not understand how with seven employees working it took 10 min to get a menu 35 minutes after that for an appetizer and another 45 for an entree? The food was good that's why I gave this spot a two but the staff seemed clueless how to work in a restaurant. At one point the restaurant was half full and a table of six came in they were told it would be a 45 minute wait because the servers sat all the square four top tables first and left only the round tables that could not be pushed together for a larger group. I over heard this and since we didn't have our food my husband and I offered to move so they could push the tables together for the larger group. Our server looked confused, and said she needed to ask if they could do that? Really! Don't bother eating here they don't understand customer service or speed
(2)
Jay W.
I miss Midori's! Moved to Seatlle recently and sure there is a lot of sushi and sashimi here. Some is even pretty good, but what many places lack is the atmosphere and the presentation of the food that you are getting ready to spend your hard earned money on. Midori's always had that, you know? Try their teas, too. Alas, Midori-less in Seattle...
(5)
Conor W.
Now that Gyuhama (Boston) is closed this is my par sushi restaurant. Affordable, fresh, and tasty. Not the fastest service, but quite good. As noted in other reviews they do make mistakes, but they always fix them promptly which is more than I can say for many restaurants. The quality of the rolls is not up to master chef, but it is beyond what you will find elsewhere in the Cities, especially for the price. I do give some room for error due to the cost, but rarely is that a consideration. The best summation I can give is that I have always left the establishment smiling. The worst of this restaurant is the lack of parking and access to the location. This is not a place to bring unknowing business associates to impress, but it is a place to kick back and impress friends with a nice meal. As with Gyuhama the trick is to hit the restaurant before (or after) the crowds when the staff can give you proper attention. Shift your lunch time a bit as it is well worth it.
(4)
Grant N.
After missing it by driving by - we must have been entranced by the plethora of liquor stores and multiple house parties going on around there that night - we found Midori's. We were pleasantly surprised as it was not what we expected. If I could give it a 3.5 (instead of a 3), I probably would have. Ambiance - I'm glad they put 'cafe' in their name as I would call it a sushi cafe. Less stuffy than Fuji Ya and far more cozy. Just a few tables and casual sushi bar. Feels like you are eating at a friend's who just opened a sushi place. Staff - They were very conversational and happy to answer questions. We got into a 5 min conversation about the servers eyeglasses before ordering. You might need to call them over for refills as they weren't the most attentive (hence the 3 stars). Food - All items we sampled from soups to salad to edamame to sushi was pretty good. Not the best but far from the worst. The presentation was nice and it filled us up. I thought the prices were very comparable to other places. Also, I don't think they serve beer or wine (looked but didn't find). Location/Parking - As I mentioned before, maybe it was the time of day, but the signage wasn't the best. To help others, it is pretty close to Town Talk and there is parking on the side street as well as a rail stop somewhat close by.
(3)
Tim G.
I liked the sushi and the Darjeeling hot tea so well that I decided to buy a black long-sleeve t-shirt from the restaurant. It was my wife's birthday yesterday, celebrated from last weekend, and we decided to come here with her sister Rocky. The two ordered sockeye salmon, octopus balls, cream cheese avocado rolls, shrimp rolls and some small but delicious rolled fish. On the sly, I ordered spicy yellowtail--the best part of the meal; it was accompanied by wasabi and pickled slices of ginger. Mouthwatering experience, unforgettable!
(5)
R. B.
Sushi was yummy...the wait not so yummy. Fun time but be prepared to wait awhile for the food - don't come too hungry!
(4)
Kristi G.
While I can't say much for the decor, I did get to watch a little girl in the back (presumably someone's daughter) drwaing lovely pictures. :) The food was decent. Nothing spectacular, but reasonably-priced, and there was a nice variety available as well, which is more than I can say for some places. They also have some varieties that you don't see in other places all of the time, such as marinated daikon. The tuna was also very creamy tasting, and rich, which made it all the better. My waiter, however, made the night more entertaining, in that he kep talking to us the entire time. He was really sweet, and although he wrote down my order incorrectly, he was nice enough to comp the item that was wrong, and bring me the right one. Both of which were really nice, actually. Overall, i would go there again, but it probably wouldn't be the first place that I try if I want great atmosphere or anything romantic. However, if you want good sushi, with other Japanese foods available (including a delivious Korean-style kim chee), at a decent price, then this is a great option. Especially since it's easy to get to, being right off of Lake Street.
(3)
Reggie S.
So I have been eating japanese food since 1987 and have developed quite a palate for good japanese. I really started eating japanese in NYC and been to many in California. My favorite used to be a place in Columbus OH which catered to a very strong japanese population due to the Honda plant being very close. Japanese has been ok in the twin cities and nothing special. But I have to say I really enjoyed Midori. Had sushi (salmon, tuna, and unagi) All fresh and NO fishy taste. Tempura was good. Did not come out hot. Noodles very good. Tanpopo a bit better. Gyudon was excellent Service was very good. did not have problems with slow service. Will go back soon and try some other dishes. If consistent will upgrade to a 5 star.
(4)
Daniel M.
While the food was very tasty, especially their veggie sushi with slabs of veggies strapped to delicate rice, the service has been slow consistently. I clocked the first experience I had there and it took 60 minutes!! from the time my butt hit the seat to when we got our first taste of any food (miso soup as an appetizer). I'm unsure why the set up is so terribly slow, but it makes me hesitant to ever dine-in. Luckily, I live nearby, so I just order pick-up if I'm in the mood
(2)
Sarah B.
Ok, I did it - I had sushi somewhere other than my favorite Bagu! ;) I went to Midori's with a couple of friends, one of which had recommended the place, and my first impression wasn't all that great. I think I had been picturing something more like Bagu - a place that feels a bit, well, classier, in lack of a better term. A great atmosphere is definitely missing at Midori (I was way overdressed) but I was happy to realize that the sushi was really good. Food-wise, I'd give this place a four, but due to the almost school cafeteria-like feel of the place I can't give it more than a three.
(3)
Karen A.
still as awesome as ever, but now they have moved across the street and down a few buildings. Now they are right on Lake street. This place has a nicer atmosphere than the last place, still awesome food but again dress for the weather cuz it tends to be cold inside when it's cold outside.
(5)
Hannani R.
Let me start by saying Midori's. Sushi. Is. Amazing. Dynamite and Caterpillar are my favorite rolls, and I've never had more flavorful sushi anywhere else in the Twin Cities. Masu's Dynamite had bland and flavorless fish with what looked suspiciously like romaine lettuce taking up most of the space in the roll. Midori's Dynamite was SPICY; I think she chops up little chillies to put in there too because one of the bites left me grabbing for my water. The Caterpillar was also INCREDIBLE. I had an Unagidon from the Kikugawa skyway joint, and I was kind of grossed out when the guy popped my Unagi in the microwave to cook then plopped it on rice. Midori grilled her unagi properly in an oven, and it was cooked just right. The avocado on top was plentiful and fresh, with no signs of black spots anywhere. Even the gari and wasabi used at Midori's was stronger and fresher than other Japanese restaurants; it's good to know she mixes the wasabi herself instead of squeezing it out of some tube. When we asked for extra gari (because my boy eats it like candy), we got a huge heaping pile of it! The takoyaki was tasty, but I'm so spoiled by real takoyaki from Japan that nothing will match up to that for me. There was plenty of takoyaki sauce on top so I was happy. We also had a kaiso salad each because I can never get enough of it. That's the same everywhere we go, though; but their shiro miso is the best I've had since Japan. I wanted to try their tempura, but my boyfriend doesn't like fried food so I had to opt out. Will be back again to try though, for sure. I had a tea from their huge tea menu. I knew I wanted green tea, and our waitress suggested the Cherry Green tea with a bit of honey because I said I wasn't a fan of weak tea. I never knew green tea could be so flavorful. Okay, enough about the food. I'm salivating again. I came in with my boyfriend during happy hour because of their super cheap rolls and takoyaki on the happy hour menu, and we sat at the sushi bar to watch the sushi chef (I think it's Midori herself!) make her sushi. We arrived fairly early, so the restaurant was still empty, but it started to fill up so fast we were glad we made it ahead of the crowd. Our waitress sort of stopped paying attention to us when the restaurant filled up because she was running around seating people and taking orders, but that was alright since we were in no big rush. We ran out of water for our spicy Dynamite and had to ask for it, no biggie. Sitting at the sushi bar, we watched the orders pile up in front of our eyes and we felt bad for the sushi chef. Other places like Masu, Tiger Sushi and Crave always have two or three sushi chefs, but here there's this one Japanese lady making huge sushi plates by herself. We left there as quick as we could because the she was starting to get exasperated, and we didn't want to bother her sitting at the sushi bar. But again, best sushi in the cities. Wil definitely be back to try some tempura.
(5)
Erin S.
I just moved to Minneapolis in July of this year, and I have been trying to find a sushi place that compares to the place I adore back in my hometown. This has been the closest thing to-date. My husband & I are vegetarian, so finding a place that does decent veg sushi has been.... we'll say, interesting (mayo in sushi is effing disgusting, FYI, and I have, unfortunately, experienced that here, and have seen it on several other menus... it makes me want to rech). We both got the Vegetable Sushi dinner (16 pieces total for $15.95), which was a lot of sushi (also came with a salad & a bowl of miso soup) and we were both stuffed by the end. Some of the pieces I've never seen before, but that doesn't mean that it's bad. Although, next time around I think I would just pick and choose the pieces I like the most off of the sushi menu. It's definitely worth another try, as the food is pretty good. Just be wary that parking is on-street only, and the restaurant seats 43 people max.
(4)
Suzz T.
Food was just okay and overpriced. Service was very bad. Took us about 1 hour to get just 4 entrees and the restaurant wasn't full. I had the salmon bento. Salmon wasn't very good. They seemed to just cook it with no preparation. I can do better at home. The seaweed salad was good. The fruit was pretty sad and they should serve more rice with it. Nothing remarkable about the bentos. I've had tempura there in the past. It was too oily. Great location though.
(3)
Alice C.
To be quite honest, I was disappointed in Midori' Floating World Cafe, as the name within itself illustrates a beautiful image of delectable cuisine. As my guy and I arrived we were promptly seated as we were the only people in the restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to be presented with a vegan menu and ordered their cherry blossom green tea which was outstanding and their vegan gyoza for an appetizer. As I am huge into dumplings, momos, potstickers, etc, I was super excited to try these, however was somewhat grossed out when a plate of green dumplings showed up. I always break open a dumpling or spring roll before consuming to make sure they are meat-free, and when I verified with the waitress she said they were and just had vegetables. These definitely had some form of TVP, which I would have not ordered had I known as I dislike fake meat with a passion. The texture bothered me after one bite and I pawned them off to my dining partner. When it came time for the sushi I ordered the garden roll (minus the lettuce, since lettuce should NEVER be in sushi) and the vegan dragon roll which was supposed to come with yam, but instead came with tomato (are you kidding me?!). Unfortunately they served both items on the same plate as my guy's fish sushi, which is horrible as vegan meals and pescetarian should NEVER be on the same plate. I at least give them props for not smothering my rolls with roe. Also, who charges for extra pickled ginger? Really? That should be illegal...especially when you serve such TINY portions of the glorious stuff. Speaking of tiny portions, a side of rice is about two-average sized bites. Once again, REALLY?!
(3)
Nathan S.
Very good sushi and traditional Japanese dishes. Service can be slow, especially on busy nights. Always worth the wait though
(4)
Austin L.
Midori's Unagi nigiri is my favorite bite of sushi, and possibly food, in the Twin Cities. The portion is usually gigantic compared to other restaurants, and it's always served much warmer. It just melts in your mouth. It plays against my natural inclination to save my favorite for last, this beckons to be eaten immediately upon arrival. I've been to roughly half of the more well known sushi establishments in town, and I find Midori's fish to be amongst the freshest. I've never had anything even close to being "off". I am especially appreciative of the fact Midori's offers several non-boring vegetarian sushi options. The service, while generally friendly enough, can be glacial. But I'm okay with it. I can plan around it. I'm happy to see a Mom n' Pop sushi place putting out good food. There are plenty of big restaurateurs in town who could put a million dollar space somewhere in Uptown that doubles as a would-be nightclub with pitch black rooms and blaring music, but I'd rather eat in a cozy place like this.
(4)
Terence A.
I've never been to Japan but I get the sense this is really authentic. You will find the menu very familiar, but it's the seasoning and taste that sets it apart. Hard to describe but if you like Japanese, I'm sure you'll try it
(4)
Alison M.
I finally tried Midori's Floating World Cafe and am pleased to report fresh tasting, affordable sushi! I split 3 rolls with a friend and had a bowl of miso as well. The miso was some of the best I've had with just the right balance of smooth broth, tangy seaweed, and baby bits of tofu swimming around. The bowl was decently sized so next time I'll try to remember just 1 roll. Other friends had the dinner special which was a soba noodle dish and shrimp that was incredibly tasty (always share!) and soba noodles in broth with tempura. Based on just two bites I'd also highly recommend the tempura. There was a variety of summer squashes in the mix that I thought was seasonally appropriate and inventive. Also, the plum wines and house wines that night were all good. Service was quick and attentive. My one complaint is that this is the type of place that I wouldn't mind sitting around and enjoying my plum wine for longer. Maybe it's the lack of booths or the feeling that people might be waiting for your seat but there is something about the setup that doesn't make you want to linger.
(4)
Ericka B.
After years of hearing about this place from friends my husband & I finally made it in ourselves. I was not disappointed with my shrimp tempura & avocado rolls. My husband dug his soup & vegetarian rolls, as well as the tofu appetizer he shared with our companions. He also likes that Midori's has more vinegar in their sushi rice as compared to Koyi Sushi Too. I tend to prefer the latter. Prices are pretty comparable to other restaurants. Neither the most nor least expensive sushi. The only things I wasn't happy with: it was pretty warm & it took them far too long to turn on the AC. Also, the fact that I had to step over another patron's baby to get to my seat. I don't care about babies, so it's not cute that I nearly tripped over one just to sit down. And last but not least, our waitress was like the low-talker from Seinfeld. I could barely hear a word she said & even then I mostly guessed at what I thought I heard. Fortunately it did not affect our meal & none of us ended up in a puffy pirate shirt.
(3)
Alexis S.
In my heart of hearts I was hoping that this restaurant would be floating. Unfortunately this is not the case. It's still worth going to. Please don't let the lack of floating stop you from going. The sushi was great. I got a beautiful cup of art tea with a tea bud that when dropped in the water opens up into a gorgeous flower-like display. They have an extensive selection of tea and I am a slam bam big fan of tea. The tempura was also worth noting. I recommend it. It was a tad cramped in there but I don't mind sampling off my neighbors plate after they've left so it all worked out for the greater good.
(5)
Cal M.
Maybe my favorite sushi place in the Twin Cities - the rice seems fresher and the spicy salmon/tuna rolls are actually spicy. There are a few other sushi places that are closer and a little cheaper, but I still always end at Midori's. Service has always been fast, and the place has a very family-owned feel to it (a few times when I've called for take-out, they've been like "Let me check with Midori on how long it will take"). The ambience is cute and colorful, and it's a great place for a date or catching up with friends since its usually quiet enough that you don't have to shout over the background noise.
(5)
Matt E.
The food was fantastic! We ordered 6 sushi rolls and some dumplings as an appetizer. The food was extremely fresh, well prepared and well executed. We couldn't ask for anything more from the food. The cocktails also were wonderful. I had a green tea, sake and lemon drink that was one of the best drinks I've ever had. The cocktail menu was creative and unique, i really enjoyed it. If I was rating this place purely one food and drink, it would get a higher rating. The downside was the service. Right off the bat it was a bit awkward. Our server was not knowledgeable about the menu and was extremely inattentive to our table. It's a small restaurant and I believe they had three servers working which is more than enough to cover the tables they have yet more than once we had to get up and track down our server to order something. Water was never refilled, neither was hot water for tea. We were warned that food takes a little while since Midori (the owner) is also the only chef. It was obvious Midori loves making the food and is very good at it, so the wait was not a huge deal. However, with the wait for food our server should be checking on us, we would have ordered more food actually if she had asked us. Being sushi we wanted to order in waves but didn't have the chance since she didn't even stop by to ask how the food was. We were in no rush and were happy to hang out at the restaurant for a while on a Friday night, but being it's a restaurant we would've preferred to continue ordering food and not just sit at an empty table. The place could make so much more money if they just payed attention to the service aspect of the place like they do to the food. Sadly none of our group will be going back due to the service, it saddens us because we thoroughly enjoyed the food.
(3)
Tim R.
Sushi and salads are above average. The service is slow and the soy sauce is virtually inedible. Please note: even when the place is 3/4 empty you will wait for service for awhile.
(3)
Melissa H.
It breaks my heart to write this review. As someone who has eaten at Midori's well over thirty times since the place opened (and moved), we won't be back. We fully expected the "quirky" service, and know well that food can take up to an hour after ordering if you are there with several other tables. That said, we had a two-hour and twenty minute ordeal. By the time the food for our table of six arrived-- and only for two people in our party-- it had been an hour and 45 minutes, and three other tables who had arrived after us had been fully served. At her best, Midori is an artist, and she's a warm and wonderful person. The issue is that the venue has never figured out how to scale for service, and the waitstaff is entirely hit or miss on competence, with either no idea how to communicate or no permission to do so. If you go, choose a non-rush time; be ready to state your expectations openly and politely. The food is very good, and if the service issues can be solved, we'd happily return.
(2)
Stephanie O.
I've gone to Midori's a number of times now, and my experience has largely been the same each visit regardless of what I order. Namely, the food is decent and the prices are pretty typical for non-happy hour sushi/Japanese food. That being said, it's not my *favorite* Japanese restaurant in the Twin Cities and I mostly go out of convenience because it's in my neighborhood. The restaurant itself is small and typically I've only seen one or two servers working at a given time. That being said, service is great and staff is always very attentive. They're also good about making recommendations and can answer most questions about the menu. They have a huge tea list, some specialty sodas, plus beer and wine - which of course includes sake. I've never tried their sake cocktails but they have a list of these as well and I'm sure I'll eventually give them a shot. If you're ordering sushi, it's good to check out the specials. They can be hit-or-miss but worth checking out just the same. You'll receive a slip of paper with the various sushi offerings and can make selections this way. I'm not sure if it's easier for the sushi chefs or if maybe this is a way of eliminating any communication confusion when people mis-pronounce certain rolls or something? Either way, expect that. I don't recall if any of the non-sushi menu items are also on this checklist. For appetizers, I've tried the edamame (good but standard), the vegetable gyoza (soft interior, slightly crisped exterior, good flavor, typical dipping sauce), vegetable tempura, seaweed salad (which I can't find on the menu...maybe it's called something else?), and miso soup. All were pretty good, the gyoza and seaweed salads being my favorite. For entrees, they offer some chef's choice sushi or tempura plates, bento boxes, noodle dishes, and rice bowls. Of these, I've only tried the Saikoro-donburi rice bowl ("diced raw tuna, salmon, hamachi, shrimp, egg, avocado, veggies, with spicy sauce over rice" for $17). Rice bowls come with a small soup (miso or shiitake broth) and a side salad. At $17, I was expecting a pretty mind-blowing experience. It basically sounded like it would be a deconstructed sushi bowl. However, it was EXTREMELY bland (where was the spicy sauce?!) and the bowl was mostly just filled with rice and then topped with skimpy portions of everything else. Needless to say, I was rather disappointed. For dessert, they actually have a few vegan options which I appreciate. I haven't tried the Daifuku ("sweet azuki bean paste covered in a soft mochi rice shell") yet but split the Banana Wontons ("four deep fried, wonton wrapped banana chunks, served with fruit syrup, whipped cream") with friends and was pleased. Of course, deep-fry anything and I'll probably like it. Check this place out if you're in the neighborhood, but recognize that it's not cheap. If you keep expectations in line, you'll probably have an enjoyable experience!
(4)
Zenzele I.
This restaurant is amazing!!!!!!!!! I'm not even a sushi person and I eat here!!!! It is small but comfy. I love their food! I can't eat raw seafoods, and most sushi places have cooked sushi but it's just not good. But here... Amazing. Their tempura is extraordinary. Their. cooked rolls are too. The dining is a bit slow. But it is completely worth it. The best desert I've had there was the amazingly crunchy and sweet lemon custard stuffed wontons. Although the syrup tasted like sugar inducted cough syrup. It tasted great!!! Come here and have a experience you won't forget!
(4)
Susannah H.
The sushi is a pretty solid 3.75; service is unfortunately a 1.25. Background: was craving the sushi. NEEDED the sushi and needed it asap. We were on a pretty tight schedule that night, so the manfriend called Midori's beforehand to see how long of a wait we would expect for a two-top. Ring ring - guy answers phone, proceeds to start dialing before he realizes someone was on the line. After a somewhat awkward exchange of conversation, we learned that we could get seated at the sushi bar really quickly since no one was sitting there and there were a few tables open. So, we rush over. Place was relatively busy...maybe 5 out of the 9(?) tables were occupied and the sushi bar was completely vacant. After standing around for a bit, we were eventually greeted by the waitress and told that the sushi bar was actually closed . We explained that we had been told otherwise no more than 10 minutes earlier, but all we got was a blank look and a shrug. Ok...table for two then. What happened after that was basically just a muddled mess of poor organization, management of time, management in general, and customer service. We sat for a while before receiving any attention or water although there seemed to be three different people running around...one person might have been from the kitchen, the other I think was only pouring waters leaving the one waitress, who was kind of in her own special world, to deal with everyone herself. Meanwhile the sushi chef, unfortunately suffering from a migraine (which is why the sushi bar was closed...why didn't the guy say anything about that earlier?), looked like she was in absolute misery and wanted to either serve everyone bad fugu or run screaming out of the restaurant. Anyway, the overall "vibe" we ended up getting was one of aloof, scattered indifference pretty much from everyone (except the poor sushi chef...I know your pain, fellow migraine-sufferer!). The sushi itself was really tasty - the rice was well seasoned and not overly gummy and the fish was super flavorful, especially the scallop. My reason for the 3.75 rating was how meager a slice of fish and egg we were given on our nigiri. Very thinly sliced, to the point where it was almost rice with an essence of fish; this was best demonstrated on our tamago sushi...seriously, it's egg. No reason to skimp on that. We spoke to some friends about our experience and showed them the pictures of our sushi, and they were a bit shocked at how thin the servings were and said that was unusual. Perhaps it was because of the migraine. I'll definitely give it another shot, maybe not on a friday night but a random weeknight. Hopefully I'll feel a bit more sushi-satisfied and the customer service will be less of a mess.
(3)
Jay B.
It's been awhile since we had visited Midori's. Thank god they don't serve the regular size bento boxes for take out, the mini ones were plenty for me. Very good sushi, not great, but very good. And pretty decent prices too. We had the sushi and tempura boxes and enjoyed them. Tempura really needs to be eaten on site and not taken home and we will do that next time. Still very tasty.
(4)
Nos N.
A group of friends came over the weekend for an early dinner. There were two other tables when we came. We were greeted and seared right away. But then no one came for another 15 minutes and no explanation or apologies given. The server seemed indifferent and appear just wanted to take down the orders and go. Our questions were answered mostly in one or two words. Perhaps that's a sign of how the dinner would progress. We ordered several specialty rolls, some nigiri sushi, and a plate of sashimi for the sashimi enthusiasts in the group. It took about half an hour for the food to come and we really hoped the food was worth the wait, and we were hungry by then. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The rolls had a lot if rice, I mean, a lot, an unusual amount of rice surround the ingredients, which weren't much flavor of themselves. The quality of the fish on the nigiri and the sashimi were mediocre. Better than the supermarket sushi but definitely not what we should get at a sushi place. We barely finished half of what we ordered and the server said nothing when she took those away. Overall, the service was disappointing, the food was even more disappointing. We really wanted to love this little place but don't see how we would ever return nor recommend to anyone.
(2)
Hazel S.
Midori's is just a simple neighborhood restaurant, but it is by far my favorite place for sushi in town. I urge you to try their happy hour and stay for dinner. Without a doubt, they serve the best vegetarian and vegan sushi I've ever had. Their noodle soups are also superb and something I frequently crave. Consistently the best tempura I've had as well. It is always perfectly prepared and has a great variety of veggies. The atmosphere is pleasant but not super romantic -- so good, but not ideal, for a date.
(5)
Greg C.
Complete disappointment at an overpriced price. Our party of 4 contemplated a few options one being a combo including sashimi and a California. A few of us don't like California rolls so we asked if we could sub for an equal or cheaper roll and were told NO. We all ordered miso, 4 rolls, and the sashimi plate. The miso tasted like water and the sashimi plate (chefs choice) was offensively undersized with paper thin cuts of meat. It looked like an appetizer. We were all still hungry but refused to order anything more. After paying the $85 bill we walked across the street and got pizza off the truck at Harriet Brewing. The service was unhelpful with no real suggestions or recommendations. Sorry Midori's there is too much competition that make a real effort to get my sushi business. We will never return.
(1)
Jennifer S.
Delicious miso soup. Perfectly cooked rice with blackened sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Excellent quality of sashimi on my plate along with an attractive and simple presentation. Good service and decent prices. Pleasant and calm atmosphere. As I made my way out to leave, I passed in front of Midori's prep area and was amazed to see those jewel-like small slabs of fish - they looked to be so precious underneath that chilled cool glass case. I look forward to returning.
(4)
Sun Yung S.
The location (Lake Street) and atmosphere are good. I appreciate that it's located in a diverse, non-upscale neighborhood. The vegetable udon is fresh and beautiful, and I appreciate that you can get Shiitake broth instead of bonito broth. However every time I've been here it's been very cold inside the restaurant. There's not double door or foyer so if it's winter, every time the door is opened a blast of cold air enters the small restaurant. The service is also spotty. Last night other people were served first because of a "mix-up" and my vegetable udon took one hour to reach the table from when we sat down at about 6. Also, the vegetable tempura appetizer is strangely small. When I asked if the temperature of the room could be turned up, the server said she would check, but then never gave me an answer. She also forgot to give us hot / moist napkins-in-a-bag (but other people got them) (No big deal, but, another detail ignored). Midori did come over and apologize and comped us our meal; I would have gladly paid and had good service. The restaurant was not busy, there were perhaps four or max five other tables filled (about half the restaurant). If Midor's can fix the temperature and the service (perhaps hire more experienced/older servers?) I would definitely return. As it is, I probably won't go back any time soon.
(2)
Marcos L.
Yes, the service is slow. Unconscionably, mind bogglingly slow. But we're all Yelpers here so I'll assume you read the reviews and know the deal before you go. On to the good stuff, delicious sushi at a reasonable price, wonderful miso and lovely salad. But the star of the show, the absolutely most amazing thing available at Midori is the Saikoru-donburi. Imagine everything you love about a sushi roll in one delicious bowl of goodness. And I mean everything; tuna, salmon, hamachi, shrimp, egg, avocado and veggies. Served over perfect rice with the most amazing sauce in the city. Do yourself a favor and try this sublime dish. But be sure and try to find that sweet spot between hungry enough to savor your meal but not so hungry that the wait is intolerable.
(3)
John C.
Small, quiet, and very "Mom and Pop" (That's probably Midori working the register) Can't speak for sushi because I'm not a fan, but the udon noodles, shrimp tempura and grilled eel are excellent. A little light on the seasoning for my taste but never a complaint when I ask for a salt shaker - or a fork. Midori's was also one of the first on this little Minnehaha/Lake St. corner before Town Talk Diner and others made it into a mini "Eat Street"
(4)
Candace C.
I love to lunch there. It's restful, easy on the eyes and the art is wonderful. Sushi specials are great, tendon is really good, great tea selections, soups and salads have great flavors. Sometimes the service is slow but if I am not in a hurry, who cares?
(4)
Rose M.
Good sushi! Nice atmosphere. Great lunch specials. Wonderful tea. I enjoyed the ginger latte. I had the chef's choice lunch special that included a small salad, really good miso soup and good sushi for a very reasonable price. I was full. They have a large tea selection too with eatable flowers that blossom open in you tea! I have visited Midori's often and I will definitely go back again.
(5)
Lauren D.
I had such a terrible experience at Midori's Floating World Cafe. I was disappointed because it sounded great and had fabulous variety on their menu. I went with a friend around 5:30pm. There were a few other parties already dining (including one moderate sized group of 6 or 8). We were seated near the back of the restaurant quickly. We were immediately brought water, but we didn't receive the menus until a couple minutes later (not terrible, just odd). Our server left us alone long enough to choose not only our drinks, but the food as well. She came over a bit later and we ordered. I ordered fried tofu udon soup, tea, and a happy hour-priced dynamite roll. My friend had miso soup and a california roll. We sat and chatted and watched as most other tables got served before us. I shortly received my tea. After approximately 30 minutes or so, we were given the miso soup and a side salad. Why it took 30 minutes to make a simple soup and a premade salad (the bowl was cold, indicating it was already prepared and sitting in the fridge) is beyond me. After finishing those initial items and waiting an exceeding long time again, we received our simple sushi orders and my udon soup. The california roll looked okay, although it was served on it's side (strange). My dynamite roll was mostly seaweed and rice with a barely visible amount of fish. It was supposed to have two types (salmon and tuna I believe), and yet I could barely spot any fish at all. I'm glad I only had the pay the happy hour price for it! It was strongly flavored with hot sauce, but I didn't taste anything else besides the rice/seaweed. My udon had a nice broth, but the tofu had a soggy texture with a very sweet, peculiar flavor. I had a few bites of the tofu and couldn't eat anymore. Now after almost a few hour in the restaurant, we finally finished our meal. My friend reported enjoying her food. My tea was good, but everything else had flaws in it. Our server again took a long time to first bring our check and then pick up the check to charge our cards. In summary, Midori offered me truly awful service with mediocre food. I was considering getting some sashimi to make up for the lack of fish in my sushi, but after waiting so long for everything, I didn't have time to order/wait/eat it. I am sad that this local place that has such a large menu with vegan options was so disappointing. I wanted to talk to the manager, but as I mentioned, I had to leave since the meal took so long.
(1)
Scotty T.
The sushi is pretty good, but the service is consistently horrible. We got there to place a to go order five minutes after they opened. There was one person in the restaurant. We were informed that ti would take 30 minutes for or order to be ready. It actually took more than 45 minutes. There is no way that you should have to wait that long for a very simple sushi order for three people. The rolls are very heavy on the rice, and really stingy on the fish. Not what I would expect from a place with prices that are on the higher side. There is much better sushi in the Twin Cities, with better service to boot. I won't be going back to Midori's.
(1)
Jackie R.
Great great maki sushi. I tried the California roll and the shrimp tempura roll. Both were excellent! I did take out but when I went to pick it up I definitely thought the place had a nice atmosphere. I'm not sure exactly what their take out rules are. I know someone here mentioned they might not do it when they are busy, so I purposely waited until after the lunch rush. I called them at 1:20p (they close at 2) and the person who answered the phone had to ask if it was ok. Maybe I was too close to closing time. I don't know, but they made my sushi so I'm happy. :) I guess the best advice is to call ahead.
How did this place get such good reviews? Here's why I have a problem with it: - There were 8 tables, 2 servers. 1/2 the table were already done. It took 15 minutes to get our sake - It took another 20 for our sushi to come out - Our go mae appetizer unapologetically came out when we had 4 pieces of sushi left - My salad came out with the appetizer as we finished our meal - Took another 10 minutes for our bill after we finished and were clearly irritated If you've been there, you know it's super small. This type of service was ridiculous anywhere, let alone when the server had 4 tables. She repeatedly walked by ours and ignored the empty waters, the bill wave-down, and the 'we're starving' stares. If I want sushi, I'll be heading to Wakame. It's about the same or less expensive, has a way better ambiance, better service, and the courses come out in the proper order.
(2)
Amy F.
Amazingly tempura! I don't eat sushi, so can't comment on that. However, the tempura is amazing. The are also very good about explaining and suggesting.
(4)
Sal K.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in the Twin Cities. Two thumbs up for their vegan menu! Also, two even more enthusiastic thumbs up because they didn't put filler cucumber (the grossest vegetable in all the land) in the seaweed salad like most places do! I wish this was a better place to bring a group or a date...the atmosphere is really lacking. I completely concur with Alison C...it's not a place where you feel like you can linger.
(4)
Risa Y.
I've come to this place quite a few times. It's a mom & pop restaurant..a husband and wife team, with exactly that, 2 or 3 people working, who originally wanted to open a Japanese teahouse but turned into a restaurant. They use, fresh , organic and vegetarian-inspired menus. Their tempura, is outstanding, and this is a place I come with family (by the way, I am from Japan!) or friends when we are craving tempura. My mom just adores the tempura here. Midori has moved from the old location where it was a a little hole-in-the-wall, 3 - 4 years ago and now they moved on to a bigger location...a slightly bigger hole in the wall, on East Lake Street. Midori and their service staff is always friendly and I always feel comfortable there. NOTE : I just mentioned their menu is vegetarian inspired - it is just that they only serve vegi/fruits - fish -eggs here but no animal meat, which could be upsetting to some carnivores - I know some need to eat animal meat at every meal.. so if that is your diet, this restaurant would not be for you.... Also, because this is a "mom and pop" restaurant, with Midori and her husband, doing most of the cooking, expect that the food will not come out immediately. So when you order, make sure to order tea (they have an amazing selection), edamame/or another appetizer to tie you over...I ususally get edamame to nibble with my tea...and don't come too hungry, because you will wait...sometimes for awhile ...which could mean close to an hour, sometimes. If you are okay with that and know what to expect with this restaurant,you will love the food, too. FYI: The Floating World of Midori's cafe, for those who can read Japanese characters on the menu, will notice is the translation of kanji "ukiyo" literally translated as "floating world" in English, referring to a conception of an evanescent world, impermanent, fleeting beauty in Buddahism.
(4)
Prachee M.
Based on what I'd read about Midori, I went in expecting a less cafe-like ambiance. Reservations were a good idea on a Saturday night. Midori has over half a dozen sake selections; I had the Kurosawa Junmai. Served warm, it was smooth and very well balanced. Shitake soup was unexpectedly fishy smelling. I got over it after a few sips though... The appetizers were so-so: spicy asparagus, vegetable gyoza had some indiscernible mushy filling, agedashi tofu was too soft and the batter coating slid right off. Kimchee hand roll, crunchy spider roll, spicy tuna and unagi were all excellent, especially for the price. The sushi selection is decent for Midori's small size. I would increase my rating to 4 stars if I based it solely on the quality and price of sushi. DAIFIKU dessert of azuki bean paste in a mochi shell was satisfying but light. Service was very slow and the music was somewhat strange for a Japanese restaurant. Overall, Midori's is a low-key cozy neighborhood place. I think my experience was somewhat marred by the very casual atmosphere and a loud non-stop talkative young woman at an adjacent table.
(3)
Kedar D.
Update: While I appreciate Midori's vegan menu, I think the choices on it are quite limited. How often can you get tempura or noodle bowl soup? The only other options are cold Japanese salads, but those don't quite hit the spot for me. Their dinner specials are not usually vegan or veganizable. Worst of all, their usually-reliable noodle bowl soup (udon or soba with mushroom broth) has declined precipitously in quality. The broth has no flavor and looks like water; their soba noodles are grey (instead of that beautiful purple hue), slimy and similarly flat, like the limp broth. In comparison, Tanpopo Noodle Shop in St. Paul offers a larger, heartier soba bowl, with super-fresh ingredients, bursting flavors and thick, rich broth. Tanpopo also has limited vegan options, but at least they do those options well. The atmosphere at Midori's is nice and I like their new location. This is an elegant place, to be sure, and I would take it over pretty much any other Japanese place in the Twin Cities (with the exception of Tanpopo), but it could really stand to revamp its vegan offerings and up the quality simultaneously.
(3)
Tim C.
Had dinner there on a Saturday evening. We started with appetizer and followed with sake. We ordered a bento box and a sushi/spring roll entree. Everything was delicious, and the service was timed just right. We'll definitely go again.
(4)
Mary M.
Sushi is one of my favorite foods and when it comes to sushi I'm pretty picky about the quality, that being said this place exceeded my expectations. The sushi is delicious, the tea is wonderful (seriously though, try the peppermint tea w/ honey.), and they have the best assortment of desserts! Defiantly would recommend this to any sushi lover!
(5)
Kate C.
Food gets an A+. Service gets an F. Lets be real, I could have grown the hops and brewed my own beer faster than we got ours. The dining area is small, so groups of 2 or 4 at the most are best. Our group of 6 was kind of a challenge. I placed a reservation weeks in advance and when we arrived the table was in fact reserved, but it was also only set for 4, with 4 chairs. Minor delay, taken care of relatively quickly, OK. 25 minutes later, we still didn't get water or any service at all. I walked up to the counter where the server apologized profusely... and five minutes later we got water. We put our orders in for drinks and apps as we started to get hip to the time delay on things. Apps took about 45 minutes to come out. I think there were two servers and two chef/bartenders? So staffing seems to be a major issue. Two members of our group waited 40 minutes for their beer and one of them received the wrong one. I think every other word out of our servers mouth was an apology. Except the words that were in Japanese (bonus! one of our group members was Japanese) or the ones that amounted to "thats a lot of food, are you sure you want that much?" Don't doubt grad students who are eating on their department's dime. We could eat an entire supermarket out of food. The food was all quite good. The sushi (maki and nigiri) was all fresh and the rolls were done very well, nothing fell apart at all. We ordered half of the sushi menu and everything I ate was great and not fishy at all. Our Japanese professor ate the fried prawn heads or whatever they were. The rest of us were not quite as adventurous. It kind of weirds me out if my food is staring at me as I'm about to eat it. Anyway, our bill was pretty small for a large group of starved academics. So it is easy on the pocketbook, bonus. Food: A Cost: B+ ... but the service was so slow that I thought time had actually stopped while we were waiting for food. As if we had entered the fifth dimension of Japanese dining. I almost ate my own arm. Or the arm of one of my tablemates. If you go here, eat lots of stuff. And make sure you've blocked out half of your day.
(2)
Mon P.
My review is from me and my friend experience last summer .. so quite a while ago. The food and the food quality was really good, but everything was super slow. We've heard about this place and how good this place is for quite a while, so finally we decided to go there. Because we've also heard that things are quite slow here, we decided to go there as soon as the place open. We actually stood out the front door waiting for the place to open, but we werent the first! We were a tad bit too late cos there was one guy already waiting right at the door. :D So we were the second table to order the food. We ordered sushi and sashimi lunch. The fish was fresh, and the rolls were all good. The problem though was that we had to wait for our food for more than half an hour. .. just a bit too long to wait for the food when you were the second customer of the day. It's definitely worth going back if you have tons of time to wait for food.
(3)
Tiger H.
I so wanted to give this restaurant an excellent review but based on my lunch today, it was a 3-star experience. I will have to go back and try dinner though because I believe it will change my mind (i hope). I love that this place is a local restaurant owned by a very hardworking family- the vibe is pleasant and I loved spotting the bits of children's artwork and toys around. For lunch, I really wanted a Ten-zaru soba... something very standard in Japanese cuisine: cold buckwheat noodles with a side of tempura. They had basically the same combo but the noodles were in hot broth($8) yet they could not substitute cold noodles for me and I had to pay 15$ for a tempura appetizer and a small plate of cold soba. Their lack of flexibility tells me that they are not dedicated to customer service as I would expect a small local business to offer. My lunch took 25 minutes to come, too long for boiling noodles and frying tempura, especially since I was one of two tables in the restaurant!! The vegetable tempura was deliciously light and crisp. The shrimp was soggy and a bit raw inside. The tempura sauce did not have grated daikon and ginger, which is a standard that I can even get at fast food Japanese restaurants on the west coast. The service was polite but not welcoming. Overall I left feeling slightly unsatisfied with my lunch but I will go back for a second experience.
(3)
Carla J.
Sometimes I just want a low key experience of good, solid Japanese food. Japanese food is dramatic enough, when done well. I like going to Midori's Floating World, because I can get a good bowl of udon noodles, good sushi, good donburi, and great tea without all the drama associated with other options in Minneapolis. I spent 2+ hours in the Floating World, leisurely, and it was a wonderful evening. Our service was good, not slower than any other Japanese restaurant in town. My Saikoro-donburi was great and my friend loved her tempura. We'll be back.
(4)
Casey N.
This is my go-to sushi spot. I have been multiple times and have tried all of the veg sushi rolls. Everything always tastes great, and it's super fresh. Though I am not vegan (am vegetarian though), I appreciate that their tempura batter is vegan. Apparently that is pretty rare. I have never had bad service at Midori's, nor have I had to wait for a table. I am moving to Arizona in August, and Midori's will definitely be on the big list of Twin Cities establishments that I will miss.
(5)
Tori M.
Finally got in last week for the Thursday korokke teishoku... I could have happily died after eating that. It was by far the awesomest meal I've ever had in the Cities' Japanese scene and the korokke were veggie so no meat involved! The accompanying sunomono, hijiki, tsukemono, and miso were also amazing. Highly recommended for people that love real Japanese yoshoku.
(5)
Sen H.
Atmosphere: 4.5 The new location is especially nice. It's roomier, and there are plenty of windows to let in natural light. The decor and lighting (when the sun isn't out) give this place a bit of class. Very clean. Service: 3.5 Each time I've gone, the service has been good. Not stellar, but friendly and attentive. Food: 4.5 Midori's offers a number of vegan dishes, just make sure you ask for the vegan menu especially. The appetizers are by far my favorite part of the menu (the spicy asparagus is delicious). Unfortunately, this does make dining here rather pricey. The sushi and tempura were very fresh and tasty (bonus points for the tempura, since many Japanese restaurants I've been to use eggs in the batter).
(4)
Jason L.
Our favorite local spot for a light dinner. The place we take out of town visitors to prove that yes, there is good sushi in MN. Consistently friendly service, warm playful decor, and delicious sushi/tempura.
(4)
Allison K.
Floating world is right. Loved all the umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. Very cute place. Very small, quiet, and easy to have a conversation, which I appreciate. We got a table right away on a Saturday night with no reservation, but I'd definitely suggest making one just in case. The wait for our food was pretty long, but our server was very attentive and apologetic about the wait so I didn't mind at all. My friend and I tried the caterpillar roll and the number nine roll. Both were delicious, and the prices weren't too bad. I'd definitely go back for a nicer, quieter sushi experience.
(4)
Chimeren P.
I'll start this by saying that I didn't try the sushi here so I'm not sure how that is. We decided to opt for the more traditional comfort food instead, maybe because it was a little chilly outside. The decor was cute , cozy and cafe like but definitely not upscale looking. The had all those Japanese paper umbrellas on the ceiling that I must say did you give a bit a of a floating world feeling. Overall the neighborhood is kind of shady and I live nearby so I know all the drama that goes on around there! We started off with the edamame and Agedashi tofu which where both good. We both had soups to warm us up , I had veggie udon and My BF had the tempura udon. My BF said I know your going to like your dish and I asked why and he said because it's very salty. He was right I did like it alot but I love salty food. He ate his and said it was okay despite the salt. The price wasn't all that cheap and while the food we tried wasn't bad, it wasn't amazing either. I think that if it were cheaper we'd be back more often. Since Moto-I is just about as far from our house and for a tiny bit more money the food and ambiance is much better, so I have a feeling we'll be going to moto-i more often than this place. I'm sure we'll be back here to try the sushi soon though and I'll update then.
(4)
Sunny T.
After reading reviews, I was excited to try this place! We arrived not having to wait for a table since we made a reservation ahead of time. Let me start by saying... Service: F Food: C Price: D We ended up waiting for the food for about an hour. I ordered the saikoro-donburi, my brother ordered Gyudon, dad tokyo ramen, and mom ordered an assortment of rolls to share: spicy yellowtail, salmon, philadelphia, salmon skin, and dynamite roll. Our waitress told us right after ordering that the sushi would take awhile since their chef was very "busy" since they seemed to only have one sushi chef, and one chef back in the kitchen but we didn't mind the wait (little did we know what we were in for)... First my brother ordered a coke which didn't arrive until 20 minutes into dining. After taking our orders, our waitress informed me they could not make the saikoro-donburi b/c they didn't have enough fish, so I ordered the sushi and shrimp tempura bento box instead. After waiting about 45 min. our waitress continued to come over, apologizing for our wait and offered to bring us some edamame. She did this to the table sitting behind us as well, since I'm sure every table was waiting for what felt like years. After aging about 10 years, our food was finally brought to us. The rolls were ok, nothing special. Dad's ramen was reallllllly small for a whopping price of 11 dollars, brother enjoyed his beef rice-bowl...but mine was the wrong order! she brought me sushi and sashimi bento box! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? AFTER WAITING AN HOUR AND HALF THIS IS THE TREATMENT I GET?! I'm utterly disappointed... won't be returning here ever again, not to mention that their restaurant is freeeezing. Even my dad who never leaves a restaurant without having dessert had to opt out on this one, since he claimed he didn't want to "wait for another hour" to get it. Overall experience: D I suggest going to wakame in the calhoun village area instead.
(1)
kyle g.
Midori's is my favorite sushi spot in the Twin Cities. I have been their 5 or 6 times now and everything I have had has been excellent. The fish is always flavorful, the rolls well-crafted, and the seasoning perfect. There are also a number of rolls I have not seen at other Twin Cities sushi places. I enjoy the atmosphere and our server was very nice. The service was not fast, but it also wasn't slow. If you are looking for a hip, bar type atmosphere with flashy decorations, multiple chefs, and flashy rolls filled with a variety of sauces , this isn't the sushi place to go to. If you want a more laid back atmosphere with excellent food than go here.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Went here for my birthday today! YEAH! Always great...but our favorite was the spicy yellowtail tuna. Cool to have Midori make my sushi. Got a weird octupus appetizer with these fish flakes on top that kinda move (apparently because of the heat)..anyway...it kinda looked like it was alive in a sea urchin kind of a way. Good to eat, but I won't again. Fun to be having a birthday...fun to be eating sushi. The socketeye salmon sushi was just like butter.
(5)
Jenny K.
We were in the mood for sushi and remembered this gem in our neighborhood. They have a lovely selection of tea and a surprising about of desserts to choose from. We had a garden roll, salmon skin, soup, gyoza, and ginger ice cream. All was delicious!
(5)
Joni K.
Why didn't I find this place sooner! Great ambiance! Nice happy hour all day on Wednesday's with $3 beer and $4 rolls. The chirashi bowl was fantastic, $19 a fair deal especially with the avocado included.
(5)
Kade K.
Delicious food in a cute tiny setting. Great miso soup and veggie tempura, inari zushi, matcha latte and kaiso salad. Personally I find the staff super pleasant, and service has never been too slow but maybe I've just never gone here in a hurry. It's noteworthy that it closes for a few hours each day, so make sure you check before you go.
(5)
Kathy S.
In my hunt for great sushi places in Minneapolis, Midori's garnered up quite a few great reviews. Thought I'd give it a try. Though the service was fairly slow (which I expected), the quality of sushi was better than I'd anticipated! I enjoyed a shrimp tempura roll and spider roll and left feeling satisfyingly full. I'm still looking for other great sushi places, but this wasn't too bad...and of course, I enjoyed the quirky music everyone always mentions!
A charming restaurant environment that will lift your spirits when you enter and sit down. Great place for lunch with girlfriends or a date. Prices are very reasonable. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Best tempura I've had! Try the banana wonton dessert!
(5)
Jen K.
What's wrong with Yelpers? 3.5 stars? I don't get that -at all-. This is one of my favorite, if not my very favorite Japanese restaurant in the Twin Cities and -also- one of my favorites in the world. Maybe there have been some staffing changes in recent months that I haven't observed, but I was last there just in late Feb. and the service was just as it has always been-- great. Aha, I get it now after reading some of the negative reviews-- some people don't seem to get that this is a small, family owned place and that sometimes when it's busy they do sometimes get a bit overwhelmed. You just have to go in expecting that and make your peace with it. It's worth any wait you might experience, I think. In fact I'm such a huge backer of this place in part BECAUSE of the personal connection that the head chef, Midori, is so enigmatically able to form. I really like her and I really like that one of MSP's best sushi restaurants is owned, operated and chefed by a woman. She is NOT chatty, but she IS sweet and kind, in my experience. I used to love sitting at one end of the bar while her cute little daughter played at the other end. It was, as we say in Danish, "hyggelige" (meaning cozy, comfortable, pleasant, etc.). Also, one thing most reviews have in common, even the negative ones is "all the food is good". It is. Full stop. No, wait, it's freaking great. I've heard that several other sushi chefs in town come here to eat. They do that for a reason. Midori knows her stuff. And the menu is very wide ranging besides sushi as well so there's lots for that person in your group that still doesn't get raw fish. Also! The spam sushi is legendary. Apparently this is a Hawiian thing but it's a hilariously appropriate little tidbit for MN, too, considering this is the home of spam. I haven't used appetite on it in a while, but COME ON, you have to love two perfectly cute little pigs riding on top of the perfect sushi rice Midori's boasts. Where else in MN (or the lower 48 for that matter) can you get THAT? Oh, and the happy hour is great! Fantastic deals. I also love the ambiance. I do sorta miss the other small hole in the wall location but the big windows on the new one are, technically, a lot nicer. Parking has become more of a challenge as the neighborhood has developed, but it's doable.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Samantha D.
Let me first start by mentioning the food here, especially the sushi, is delicious. No frills, but quality, fresh sushi. Definitely the best I've experienced in the Twin Cities so far. Boyfriend, boyfriend's mom, and myself called early evening on Friday asking if they might have any reservations left - and of course, they were full. We were advised to show up after 8PM for a better chance at a table. We rolled in around 8:30PM. The restaurant seemed full, but not packed, and we were the only ones in line for a table. A disheveled waiter who appeared to be on the brink of a nervous break-down approached us with the news that it could be two hours for a table. Confused, mostly because there didn't appear to be that many people, we said we'd at least put our names on the list. Not even 10 minutes later, a table opens up. We happily take it and begin to peruse our menu options. However, when we tell our waiter we would like to order sushi, again his face begins to pale and he warns us that Sushi could take over an hour. I'm just curious if any one else finds it as amusing as I did that a sushi restaurant is unable to prepare Sushi on a Friday night.... If you went to KFC, and they said, "We have biscuits and coleslaw, but we're out of chicken", wouldn't you think that odd? We decided to take our chances, and while we could never exactly pinpoint why exactly sushi was taking so long, the food was fantastic. So, things to know about Midori's are as follows: 1) Call ahead for reservations, and make sure that they will be serving sushi. They sometimes don't allow take out for sushi, and even in the restaurant they have some things they won't/can't serve for some reason. 2) Come with a mild tranquilizer for the waiter, and basic knowledge of CPR in case he suffers a stroke. 3) Try to ignore the Andrew Lloyd Weber being pumped through the speakers - it makes no sense, but then, neither does a lot of what goes on there. 4) Regardless of how bizarre your experience at Midori's might be, the food is probably worth it.
(3)Paola M.
Had great expectations based on reviews and found the place just OK. Food was OK, maybe a little cold, and ambiance was really kind of sad. Don't think I will go back.
(3)Lori G.
I went there for lunch on a Saturday. It was really quiet with just two tables of guests. So the service was not as slow as some of the reviews mentioned. The food is OK. But I still prefer other places like Fuji-Ya and Nami. Their food is better and the dining environment too. I just didn't enjoy eating at Midori. The whole place is dull and cold...
(3)Robert F.
I'll keep it super short: Make a reservation, NO EXCUSES. You'll most likely be sorely disappointed without one on a Friday night. Serving staff quality - D Wait time for food - F Quality of food - B+ One chef for ten tables? Understandable speed of service. Two servers for ten tables? Shouldn't take ten minutes to get a water.
(2)AnandShruti R.
The quaint little neighborhood restaurant has great food and a cozy atmosphere. The service can be a little slow but that's because they take the time to make the sushi right!! Though we didn't even ask for it, we were comped our drinks for the long wait. The sushi selection isn't off the wall however it has all the classics and the presentation is just as delightful as the taste. We recommend the spicy salmon and the dragon rolls. You'll have to look up the timings and make sure they are open before you go because they are a little odd. Parking can be an adventure during peak hours, but it's worth the hunt. Great place for carry out too if you can plan it in advance. A place we'll definitely be coming back to shortly.
(4)Tamar A.
Waste of time! I do not understand how with seven employees working it took 10 min to get a menu 35 minutes after that for an appetizer and another 45 for an entree? The food was good that's why I gave this spot a two but the staff seemed clueless how to work in a restaurant. At one point the restaurant was half full and a table of six came in they were told it would be a 45 minute wait because the servers sat all the square four top tables first and left only the round tables that could not be pushed together for a larger group. I over heard this and since we didn't have our food my husband and I offered to move so they could push the tables together for the larger group. Our server looked confused, and said she needed to ask if they could do that? Really! Don't bother eating here they don't understand customer service or speed
(2)Jay W.
I miss Midori's! Moved to Seatlle recently and sure there is a lot of sushi and sashimi here. Some is even pretty good, but what many places lack is the atmosphere and the presentation of the food that you are getting ready to spend your hard earned money on. Midori's always had that, you know? Try their teas, too. Alas, Midori-less in Seattle...
(5)Conor W.
Now that Gyuhama (Boston) is closed this is my par sushi restaurant. Affordable, fresh, and tasty. Not the fastest service, but quite good. As noted in other reviews they do make mistakes, but they always fix them promptly which is more than I can say for many restaurants. The quality of the rolls is not up to master chef, but it is beyond what you will find elsewhere in the Cities, especially for the price. I do give some room for error due to the cost, but rarely is that a consideration. The best summation I can give is that I have always left the establishment smiling. The worst of this restaurant is the lack of parking and access to the location. This is not a place to bring unknowing business associates to impress, but it is a place to kick back and impress friends with a nice meal. As with Gyuhama the trick is to hit the restaurant before (or after) the crowds when the staff can give you proper attention. Shift your lunch time a bit as it is well worth it.
(4)Grant N.
After missing it by driving by - we must have been entranced by the plethora of liquor stores and multiple house parties going on around there that night - we found Midori's. We were pleasantly surprised as it was not what we expected. If I could give it a 3.5 (instead of a 3), I probably would have. Ambiance - I'm glad they put 'cafe' in their name as I would call it a sushi cafe. Less stuffy than Fuji Ya and far more cozy. Just a few tables and casual sushi bar. Feels like you are eating at a friend's who just opened a sushi place. Staff - They were very conversational and happy to answer questions. We got into a 5 min conversation about the servers eyeglasses before ordering. You might need to call them over for refills as they weren't the most attentive (hence the 3 stars). Food - All items we sampled from soups to salad to edamame to sushi was pretty good. Not the best but far from the worst. The presentation was nice and it filled us up. I thought the prices were very comparable to other places. Also, I don't think they serve beer or wine (looked but didn't find). Location/Parking - As I mentioned before, maybe it was the time of day, but the signage wasn't the best. To help others, it is pretty close to Town Talk and there is parking on the side street as well as a rail stop somewhat close by.
(3)Tim G.
I liked the sushi and the Darjeeling hot tea so well that I decided to buy a black long-sleeve t-shirt from the restaurant. It was my wife's birthday yesterday, celebrated from last weekend, and we decided to come here with her sister Rocky. The two ordered sockeye salmon, octopus balls, cream cheese avocado rolls, shrimp rolls and some small but delicious rolled fish. On the sly, I ordered spicy yellowtail--the best part of the meal; it was accompanied by wasabi and pickled slices of ginger. Mouthwatering experience, unforgettable!
(5)R. B.
Sushi was yummy...the wait not so yummy. Fun time but be prepared to wait awhile for the food - don't come too hungry!
(4)Kristi G.
While I can't say much for the decor, I did get to watch a little girl in the back (presumably someone's daughter) drwaing lovely pictures. :) The food was decent. Nothing spectacular, but reasonably-priced, and there was a nice variety available as well, which is more than I can say for some places. They also have some varieties that you don't see in other places all of the time, such as marinated daikon. The tuna was also very creamy tasting, and rich, which made it all the better. My waiter, however, made the night more entertaining, in that he kep talking to us the entire time. He was really sweet, and although he wrote down my order incorrectly, he was nice enough to comp the item that was wrong, and bring me the right one. Both of which were really nice, actually. Overall, i would go there again, but it probably wouldn't be the first place that I try if I want great atmosphere or anything romantic. However, if you want good sushi, with other Japanese foods available (including a delivious Korean-style kim chee), at a decent price, then this is a great option. Especially since it's easy to get to, being right off of Lake Street.
(3)Reggie S.
So I have been eating japanese food since 1987 and have developed quite a palate for good japanese. I really started eating japanese in NYC and been to many in California. My favorite used to be a place in Columbus OH which catered to a very strong japanese population due to the Honda plant being very close. Japanese has been ok in the twin cities and nothing special. But I have to say I really enjoyed Midori. Had sushi (salmon, tuna, and unagi) All fresh and NO fishy taste. Tempura was good. Did not come out hot. Noodles very good. Tanpopo a bit better. Gyudon was excellent Service was very good. did not have problems with slow service. Will go back soon and try some other dishes. If consistent will upgrade to a 5 star.
(4)Daniel M.
While the food was very tasty, especially their veggie sushi with slabs of veggies strapped to delicate rice, the service has been slow consistently. I clocked the first experience I had there and it took 60 minutes!! from the time my butt hit the seat to when we got our first taste of any food (miso soup as an appetizer). I'm unsure why the set up is so terribly slow, but it makes me hesitant to ever dine-in. Luckily, I live nearby, so I just order pick-up if I'm in the mood
(2)Sarah B.
Ok, I did it - I had sushi somewhere other than my favorite Bagu! ;) I went to Midori's with a couple of friends, one of which had recommended the place, and my first impression wasn't all that great. I think I had been picturing something more like Bagu - a place that feels a bit, well, classier, in lack of a better term. A great atmosphere is definitely missing at Midori (I was way overdressed) but I was happy to realize that the sushi was really good. Food-wise, I'd give this place a four, but due to the almost school cafeteria-like feel of the place I can't give it more than a three.
(3)Karen A.
still as awesome as ever, but now they have moved across the street and down a few buildings. Now they are right on Lake street. This place has a nicer atmosphere than the last place, still awesome food but again dress for the weather cuz it tends to be cold inside when it's cold outside.
(5)Hannani R.
Let me start by saying Midori's. Sushi. Is. Amazing. Dynamite and Caterpillar are my favorite rolls, and I've never had more flavorful sushi anywhere else in the Twin Cities. Masu's Dynamite had bland and flavorless fish with what looked suspiciously like romaine lettuce taking up most of the space in the roll. Midori's Dynamite was SPICY; I think she chops up little chillies to put in there too because one of the bites left me grabbing for my water. The Caterpillar was also INCREDIBLE. I had an Unagidon from the Kikugawa skyway joint, and I was kind of grossed out when the guy popped my Unagi in the microwave to cook then plopped it on rice. Midori grilled her unagi properly in an oven, and it was cooked just right. The avocado on top was plentiful and fresh, with no signs of black spots anywhere. Even the gari and wasabi used at Midori's was stronger and fresher than other Japanese restaurants; it's good to know she mixes the wasabi herself instead of squeezing it out of some tube. When we asked for extra gari (because my boy eats it like candy), we got a huge heaping pile of it! The takoyaki was tasty, but I'm so spoiled by real takoyaki from Japan that nothing will match up to that for me. There was plenty of takoyaki sauce on top so I was happy. We also had a kaiso salad each because I can never get enough of it. That's the same everywhere we go, though; but their shiro miso is the best I've had since Japan. I wanted to try their tempura, but my boyfriend doesn't like fried food so I had to opt out. Will be back again to try though, for sure. I had a tea from their huge tea menu. I knew I wanted green tea, and our waitress suggested the Cherry Green tea with a bit of honey because I said I wasn't a fan of weak tea. I never knew green tea could be so flavorful. Okay, enough about the food. I'm salivating again. I came in with my boyfriend during happy hour because of their super cheap rolls and takoyaki on the happy hour menu, and we sat at the sushi bar to watch the sushi chef (I think it's Midori herself!) make her sushi. We arrived fairly early, so the restaurant was still empty, but it started to fill up so fast we were glad we made it ahead of the crowd. Our waitress sort of stopped paying attention to us when the restaurant filled up because she was running around seating people and taking orders, but that was alright since we were in no big rush. We ran out of water for our spicy Dynamite and had to ask for it, no biggie. Sitting at the sushi bar, we watched the orders pile up in front of our eyes and we felt bad for the sushi chef. Other places like Masu, Tiger Sushi and Crave always have two or three sushi chefs, but here there's this one Japanese lady making huge sushi plates by herself. We left there as quick as we could because the she was starting to get exasperated, and we didn't want to bother her sitting at the sushi bar. But again, best sushi in the cities. Wil definitely be back to try some tempura.
(5)Erin S.
I just moved to Minneapolis in July of this year, and I have been trying to find a sushi place that compares to the place I adore back in my hometown. This has been the closest thing to-date. My husband & I are vegetarian, so finding a place that does decent veg sushi has been.... we'll say, interesting (mayo in sushi is effing disgusting, FYI, and I have, unfortunately, experienced that here, and have seen it on several other menus... it makes me want to rech). We both got the Vegetable Sushi dinner (16 pieces total for $15.95), which was a lot of sushi (also came with a salad & a bowl of miso soup) and we were both stuffed by the end. Some of the pieces I've never seen before, but that doesn't mean that it's bad. Although, next time around I think I would just pick and choose the pieces I like the most off of the sushi menu. It's definitely worth another try, as the food is pretty good. Just be wary that parking is on-street only, and the restaurant seats 43 people max.
(4)Suzz T.
Food was just okay and overpriced. Service was very bad. Took us about 1 hour to get just 4 entrees and the restaurant wasn't full. I had the salmon bento. Salmon wasn't very good. They seemed to just cook it with no preparation. I can do better at home. The seaweed salad was good. The fruit was pretty sad and they should serve more rice with it. Nothing remarkable about the bentos. I've had tempura there in the past. It was too oily. Great location though.
(3)Alice C.
To be quite honest, I was disappointed in Midori' Floating World Cafe, as the name within itself illustrates a beautiful image of delectable cuisine. As my guy and I arrived we were promptly seated as we were the only people in the restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to be presented with a vegan menu and ordered their cherry blossom green tea which was outstanding and their vegan gyoza for an appetizer. As I am huge into dumplings, momos, potstickers, etc, I was super excited to try these, however was somewhat grossed out when a plate of green dumplings showed up. I always break open a dumpling or spring roll before consuming to make sure they are meat-free, and when I verified with the waitress she said they were and just had vegetables. These definitely had some form of TVP, which I would have not ordered had I known as I dislike fake meat with a passion. The texture bothered me after one bite and I pawned them off to my dining partner. When it came time for the sushi I ordered the garden roll (minus the lettuce, since lettuce should NEVER be in sushi) and the vegan dragon roll which was supposed to come with yam, but instead came with tomato (are you kidding me?!). Unfortunately they served both items on the same plate as my guy's fish sushi, which is horrible as vegan meals and pescetarian should NEVER be on the same plate. I at least give them props for not smothering my rolls with roe. Also, who charges for extra pickled ginger? Really? That should be illegal...especially when you serve such TINY portions of the glorious stuff. Speaking of tiny portions, a side of rice is about two-average sized bites. Once again, REALLY?!
(3)Nathan S.
Very good sushi and traditional Japanese dishes. Service can be slow, especially on busy nights. Always worth the wait though
(4)Austin L.
Midori's Unagi nigiri is my favorite bite of sushi, and possibly food, in the Twin Cities. The portion is usually gigantic compared to other restaurants, and it's always served much warmer. It just melts in your mouth. It plays against my natural inclination to save my favorite for last, this beckons to be eaten immediately upon arrival. I've been to roughly half of the more well known sushi establishments in town, and I find Midori's fish to be amongst the freshest. I've never had anything even close to being "off". I am especially appreciative of the fact Midori's offers several non-boring vegetarian sushi options. The service, while generally friendly enough, can be glacial. But I'm okay with it. I can plan around it. I'm happy to see a Mom n' Pop sushi place putting out good food. There are plenty of big restaurateurs in town who could put a million dollar space somewhere in Uptown that doubles as a would-be nightclub with pitch black rooms and blaring music, but I'd rather eat in a cozy place like this.
(4)Terence A.
I've never been to Japan but I get the sense this is really authentic. You will find the menu very familiar, but it's the seasoning and taste that sets it apart. Hard to describe but if you like Japanese, I'm sure you'll try it
(4)Alison M.
I finally tried Midori's Floating World Cafe and am pleased to report fresh tasting, affordable sushi! I split 3 rolls with a friend and had a bowl of miso as well. The miso was some of the best I've had with just the right balance of smooth broth, tangy seaweed, and baby bits of tofu swimming around. The bowl was decently sized so next time I'll try to remember just 1 roll. Other friends had the dinner special which was a soba noodle dish and shrimp that was incredibly tasty (always share!) and soba noodles in broth with tempura. Based on just two bites I'd also highly recommend the tempura. There was a variety of summer squashes in the mix that I thought was seasonally appropriate and inventive. Also, the plum wines and house wines that night were all good. Service was quick and attentive. My one complaint is that this is the type of place that I wouldn't mind sitting around and enjoying my plum wine for longer. Maybe it's the lack of booths or the feeling that people might be waiting for your seat but there is something about the setup that doesn't make you want to linger.
(4)Ericka B.
After years of hearing about this place from friends my husband & I finally made it in ourselves. I was not disappointed with my shrimp tempura & avocado rolls. My husband dug his soup & vegetarian rolls, as well as the tofu appetizer he shared with our companions. He also likes that Midori's has more vinegar in their sushi rice as compared to Koyi Sushi Too. I tend to prefer the latter. Prices are pretty comparable to other restaurants. Neither the most nor least expensive sushi. The only things I wasn't happy with: it was pretty warm & it took them far too long to turn on the AC. Also, the fact that I had to step over another patron's baby to get to my seat. I don't care about babies, so it's not cute that I nearly tripped over one just to sit down. And last but not least, our waitress was like the low-talker from Seinfeld. I could barely hear a word she said & even then I mostly guessed at what I thought I heard. Fortunately it did not affect our meal & none of us ended up in a puffy pirate shirt.
(3)Alexis S.
In my heart of hearts I was hoping that this restaurant would be floating. Unfortunately this is not the case. It's still worth going to. Please don't let the lack of floating stop you from going. The sushi was great. I got a beautiful cup of art tea with a tea bud that when dropped in the water opens up into a gorgeous flower-like display. They have an extensive selection of tea and I am a slam bam big fan of tea. The tempura was also worth noting. I recommend it. It was a tad cramped in there but I don't mind sampling off my neighbors plate after they've left so it all worked out for the greater good.
(5)Cal M.
Maybe my favorite sushi place in the Twin Cities - the rice seems fresher and the spicy salmon/tuna rolls are actually spicy. There are a few other sushi places that are closer and a little cheaper, but I still always end at Midori's. Service has always been fast, and the place has a very family-owned feel to it (a few times when I've called for take-out, they've been like "Let me check with Midori on how long it will take"). The ambience is cute and colorful, and it's a great place for a date or catching up with friends since its usually quiet enough that you don't have to shout over the background noise.
(5)Matt E.
The food was fantastic! We ordered 6 sushi rolls and some dumplings as an appetizer. The food was extremely fresh, well prepared and well executed. We couldn't ask for anything more from the food. The cocktails also were wonderful. I had a green tea, sake and lemon drink that was one of the best drinks I've ever had. The cocktail menu was creative and unique, i really enjoyed it. If I was rating this place purely one food and drink, it would get a higher rating. The downside was the service. Right off the bat it was a bit awkward. Our server was not knowledgeable about the menu and was extremely inattentive to our table. It's a small restaurant and I believe they had three servers working which is more than enough to cover the tables they have yet more than once we had to get up and track down our server to order something. Water was never refilled, neither was hot water for tea. We were warned that food takes a little while since Midori (the owner) is also the only chef. It was obvious Midori loves making the food and is very good at it, so the wait was not a huge deal. However, with the wait for food our server should be checking on us, we would have ordered more food actually if she had asked us. Being sushi we wanted to order in waves but didn't have the chance since she didn't even stop by to ask how the food was. We were in no rush and were happy to hang out at the restaurant for a while on a Friday night, but being it's a restaurant we would've preferred to continue ordering food and not just sit at an empty table. The place could make so much more money if they just payed attention to the service aspect of the place like they do to the food. Sadly none of our group will be going back due to the service, it saddens us because we thoroughly enjoyed the food.
(3)Tim R.
Sushi and salads are above average. The service is slow and the soy sauce is virtually inedible. Please note: even when the place is 3/4 empty you will wait for service for awhile.
(3)Melissa H.
It breaks my heart to write this review. As someone who has eaten at Midori's well over thirty times since the place opened (and moved), we won't be back. We fully expected the "quirky" service, and know well that food can take up to an hour after ordering if you are there with several other tables. That said, we had a two-hour and twenty minute ordeal. By the time the food for our table of six arrived-- and only for two people in our party-- it had been an hour and 45 minutes, and three other tables who had arrived after us had been fully served. At her best, Midori is an artist, and she's a warm and wonderful person. The issue is that the venue has never figured out how to scale for service, and the waitstaff is entirely hit or miss on competence, with either no idea how to communicate or no permission to do so. If you go, choose a non-rush time; be ready to state your expectations openly and politely. The food is very good, and if the service issues can be solved, we'd happily return.
(2)Stephanie O.
I've gone to Midori's a number of times now, and my experience has largely been the same each visit regardless of what I order. Namely, the food is decent and the prices are pretty typical for non-happy hour sushi/Japanese food. That being said, it's not my *favorite* Japanese restaurant in the Twin Cities and I mostly go out of convenience because it's in my neighborhood. The restaurant itself is small and typically I've only seen one or two servers working at a given time. That being said, service is great and staff is always very attentive. They're also good about making recommendations and can answer most questions about the menu. They have a huge tea list, some specialty sodas, plus beer and wine - which of course includes sake. I've never tried their sake cocktails but they have a list of these as well and I'm sure I'll eventually give them a shot. If you're ordering sushi, it's good to check out the specials. They can be hit-or-miss but worth checking out just the same. You'll receive a slip of paper with the various sushi offerings and can make selections this way. I'm not sure if it's easier for the sushi chefs or if maybe this is a way of eliminating any communication confusion when people mis-pronounce certain rolls or something? Either way, expect that. I don't recall if any of the non-sushi menu items are also on this checklist. For appetizers, I've tried the edamame (good but standard), the vegetable gyoza (soft interior, slightly crisped exterior, good flavor, typical dipping sauce), vegetable tempura, seaweed salad (which I can't find on the menu...maybe it's called something else?), and miso soup. All were pretty good, the gyoza and seaweed salads being my favorite. For entrees, they offer some chef's choice sushi or tempura plates, bento boxes, noodle dishes, and rice bowls. Of these, I've only tried the Saikoro-donburi rice bowl ("diced raw tuna, salmon, hamachi, shrimp, egg, avocado, veggies, with spicy sauce over rice" for $17). Rice bowls come with a small soup (miso or shiitake broth) and a side salad. At $17, I was expecting a pretty mind-blowing experience. It basically sounded like it would be a deconstructed sushi bowl. However, it was EXTREMELY bland (where was the spicy sauce?!) and the bowl was mostly just filled with rice and then topped with skimpy portions of everything else. Needless to say, I was rather disappointed. For dessert, they actually have a few vegan options which I appreciate. I haven't tried the Daifuku ("sweet azuki bean paste covered in a soft mochi rice shell") yet but split the Banana Wontons ("four deep fried, wonton wrapped banana chunks, served with fruit syrup, whipped cream") with friends and was pleased. Of course, deep-fry anything and I'll probably like it. Check this place out if you're in the neighborhood, but recognize that it's not cheap. If you keep expectations in line, you'll probably have an enjoyable experience!
(4)Zenzele I.
This restaurant is amazing!!!!!!!!! I'm not even a sushi person and I eat here!!!! It is small but comfy. I love their food! I can't eat raw seafoods, and most sushi places have cooked sushi but it's just not good. But here... Amazing. Their tempura is extraordinary. Their. cooked rolls are too. The dining is a bit slow. But it is completely worth it. The best desert I've had there was the amazingly crunchy and sweet lemon custard stuffed wontons. Although the syrup tasted like sugar inducted cough syrup. It tasted great!!! Come here and have a experience you won't forget!
(4)Susannah H.
The sushi is a pretty solid 3.75; service is unfortunately a 1.25. Background: was craving the sushi. NEEDED the sushi and needed it asap. We were on a pretty tight schedule that night, so the manfriend called Midori's beforehand to see how long of a wait we would expect for a two-top. Ring ring - guy answers phone, proceeds to start dialing before he realizes someone was on the line. After a somewhat awkward exchange of conversation, we learned that we could get seated at the sushi bar really quickly since no one was sitting there and there were a few tables open. So, we rush over. Place was relatively busy...maybe 5 out of the 9(?) tables were occupied and the sushi bar was completely vacant. After standing around for a bit, we were eventually greeted by the waitress and told that the sushi bar was actually closed . We explained that we had been told otherwise no more than 10 minutes earlier, but all we got was a blank look and a shrug. Ok...table for two then. What happened after that was basically just a muddled mess of poor organization, management of time, management in general, and customer service. We sat for a while before receiving any attention or water although there seemed to be three different people running around...one person might have been from the kitchen, the other I think was only pouring waters leaving the one waitress, who was kind of in her own special world, to deal with everyone herself. Meanwhile the sushi chef, unfortunately suffering from a migraine (which is why the sushi bar was closed...why didn't the guy say anything about that earlier?), looked like she was in absolute misery and wanted to either serve everyone bad fugu or run screaming out of the restaurant. Anyway, the overall "vibe" we ended up getting was one of aloof, scattered indifference pretty much from everyone (except the poor sushi chef...I know your pain, fellow migraine-sufferer!). The sushi itself was really tasty - the rice was well seasoned and not overly gummy and the fish was super flavorful, especially the scallop. My reason for the 3.75 rating was how meager a slice of fish and egg we were given on our nigiri. Very thinly sliced, to the point where it was almost rice with an essence of fish; this was best demonstrated on our tamago sushi...seriously, it's egg. No reason to skimp on that. We spoke to some friends about our experience and showed them the pictures of our sushi, and they were a bit shocked at how thin the servings were and said that was unusual. Perhaps it was because of the migraine. I'll definitely give it another shot, maybe not on a friday night but a random weeknight. Hopefully I'll feel a bit more sushi-satisfied and the customer service will be less of a mess.
(3)Jay B.
It's been awhile since we had visited Midori's. Thank god they don't serve the regular size bento boxes for take out, the mini ones were plenty for me. Very good sushi, not great, but very good. And pretty decent prices too. We had the sushi and tempura boxes and enjoyed them. Tempura really needs to be eaten on site and not taken home and we will do that next time. Still very tasty.
(4)Nos N.
A group of friends came over the weekend for an early dinner. There were two other tables when we came. We were greeted and seared right away. But then no one came for another 15 minutes and no explanation or apologies given. The server seemed indifferent and appear just wanted to take down the orders and go. Our questions were answered mostly in one or two words. Perhaps that's a sign of how the dinner would progress. We ordered several specialty rolls, some nigiri sushi, and a plate of sashimi for the sashimi enthusiasts in the group. It took about half an hour for the food to come and we really hoped the food was worth the wait, and we were hungry by then. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The rolls had a lot if rice, I mean, a lot, an unusual amount of rice surround the ingredients, which weren't much flavor of themselves. The quality of the fish on the nigiri and the sashimi were mediocre. Better than the supermarket sushi but definitely not what we should get at a sushi place. We barely finished half of what we ordered and the server said nothing when she took those away. Overall, the service was disappointing, the food was even more disappointing. We really wanted to love this little place but don't see how we would ever return nor recommend to anyone.
(2)Hazel S.
Midori's is just a simple neighborhood restaurant, but it is by far my favorite place for sushi in town. I urge you to try their happy hour and stay for dinner. Without a doubt, they serve the best vegetarian and vegan sushi I've ever had. Their noodle soups are also superb and something I frequently crave. Consistently the best tempura I've had as well. It is always perfectly prepared and has a great variety of veggies. The atmosphere is pleasant but not super romantic -- so good, but not ideal, for a date.
(5)Greg C.
Complete disappointment at an overpriced price. Our party of 4 contemplated a few options one being a combo including sashimi and a California. A few of us don't like California rolls so we asked if we could sub for an equal or cheaper roll and were told NO. We all ordered miso, 4 rolls, and the sashimi plate. The miso tasted like water and the sashimi plate (chefs choice) was offensively undersized with paper thin cuts of meat. It looked like an appetizer. We were all still hungry but refused to order anything more. After paying the $85 bill we walked across the street and got pizza off the truck at Harriet Brewing. The service was unhelpful with no real suggestions or recommendations. Sorry Midori's there is too much competition that make a real effort to get my sushi business. We will never return.
(1)Jennifer S.
Delicious miso soup. Perfectly cooked rice with blackened sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Excellent quality of sashimi on my plate along with an attractive and simple presentation. Good service and decent prices. Pleasant and calm atmosphere. As I made my way out to leave, I passed in front of Midori's prep area and was amazed to see those jewel-like small slabs of fish - they looked to be so precious underneath that chilled cool glass case. I look forward to returning.
(4)Sun Yung S.
The location (Lake Street) and atmosphere are good. I appreciate that it's located in a diverse, non-upscale neighborhood. The vegetable udon is fresh and beautiful, and I appreciate that you can get Shiitake broth instead of bonito broth. However every time I've been here it's been very cold inside the restaurant. There's not double door or foyer so if it's winter, every time the door is opened a blast of cold air enters the small restaurant. The service is also spotty. Last night other people were served first because of a "mix-up" and my vegetable udon took one hour to reach the table from when we sat down at about 6. Also, the vegetable tempura appetizer is strangely small. When I asked if the temperature of the room could be turned up, the server said she would check, but then never gave me an answer. She also forgot to give us hot / moist napkins-in-a-bag (but other people got them) (No big deal, but, another detail ignored). Midori did come over and apologize and comped us our meal; I would have gladly paid and had good service. The restaurant was not busy, there were perhaps four or max five other tables filled (about half the restaurant). If Midor's can fix the temperature and the service (perhaps hire more experienced/older servers?) I would definitely return. As it is, I probably won't go back any time soon.
(2)Marcos L.
Yes, the service is slow. Unconscionably, mind bogglingly slow. But we're all Yelpers here so I'll assume you read the reviews and know the deal before you go. On to the good stuff, delicious sushi at a reasonable price, wonderful miso and lovely salad. But the star of the show, the absolutely most amazing thing available at Midori is the Saikoru-donburi. Imagine everything you love about a sushi roll in one delicious bowl of goodness. And I mean everything; tuna, salmon, hamachi, shrimp, egg, avocado and veggies. Served over perfect rice with the most amazing sauce in the city. Do yourself a favor and try this sublime dish. But be sure and try to find that sweet spot between hungry enough to savor your meal but not so hungry that the wait is intolerable.
(3)John C.
Small, quiet, and very "Mom and Pop" (That's probably Midori working the register) Can't speak for sushi because I'm not a fan, but the udon noodles, shrimp tempura and grilled eel are excellent. A little light on the seasoning for my taste but never a complaint when I ask for a salt shaker - or a fork. Midori's was also one of the first on this little Minnehaha/Lake St. corner before Town Talk Diner and others made it into a mini "Eat Street"
(4)Candace C.
I love to lunch there. It's restful, easy on the eyes and the art is wonderful. Sushi specials are great, tendon is really good, great tea selections, soups and salads have great flavors. Sometimes the service is slow but if I am not in a hurry, who cares?
(4)Rose M.
Good sushi! Nice atmosphere. Great lunch specials. Wonderful tea. I enjoyed the ginger latte. I had the chef's choice lunch special that included a small salad, really good miso soup and good sushi for a very reasonable price. I was full. They have a large tea selection too with eatable flowers that blossom open in you tea! I have visited Midori's often and I will definitely go back again.
(5)Lauren D.
I had such a terrible experience at Midori's Floating World Cafe. I was disappointed because it sounded great and had fabulous variety on their menu. I went with a friend around 5:30pm. There were a few other parties already dining (including one moderate sized group of 6 or 8). We were seated near the back of the restaurant quickly. We were immediately brought water, but we didn't receive the menus until a couple minutes later (not terrible, just odd). Our server left us alone long enough to choose not only our drinks, but the food as well. She came over a bit later and we ordered. I ordered fried tofu udon soup, tea, and a happy hour-priced dynamite roll. My friend had miso soup and a california roll. We sat and chatted and watched as most other tables got served before us. I shortly received my tea. After approximately 30 minutes or so, we were given the miso soup and a side salad. Why it took 30 minutes to make a simple soup and a premade salad (the bowl was cold, indicating it was already prepared and sitting in the fridge) is beyond me. After finishing those initial items and waiting an exceeding long time again, we received our simple sushi orders and my udon soup. The california roll looked okay, although it was served on it's side (strange). My dynamite roll was mostly seaweed and rice with a barely visible amount of fish. It was supposed to have two types (salmon and tuna I believe), and yet I could barely spot any fish at all. I'm glad I only had the pay the happy hour price for it! It was strongly flavored with hot sauce, but I didn't taste anything else besides the rice/seaweed. My udon had a nice broth, but the tofu had a soggy texture with a very sweet, peculiar flavor. I had a few bites of the tofu and couldn't eat anymore. Now after almost a few hour in the restaurant, we finally finished our meal. My friend reported enjoying her food. My tea was good, but everything else had flaws in it. Our server again took a long time to first bring our check and then pick up the check to charge our cards. In summary, Midori offered me truly awful service with mediocre food. I was considering getting some sashimi to make up for the lack of fish in my sushi, but after waiting so long for everything, I didn't have time to order/wait/eat it. I am sad that this local place that has such a large menu with vegan options was so disappointing. I wanted to talk to the manager, but as I mentioned, I had to leave since the meal took so long.
(1)Scotty T.
The sushi is pretty good, but the service is consistently horrible. We got there to place a to go order five minutes after they opened. There was one person in the restaurant. We were informed that ti would take 30 minutes for or order to be ready. It actually took more than 45 minutes. There is no way that you should have to wait that long for a very simple sushi order for three people. The rolls are very heavy on the rice, and really stingy on the fish. Not what I would expect from a place with prices that are on the higher side. There is much better sushi in the Twin Cities, with better service to boot. I won't be going back to Midori's.
(1)Jackie R.
Great great maki sushi. I tried the California roll and the shrimp tempura roll. Both were excellent! I did take out but when I went to pick it up I definitely thought the place had a nice atmosphere. I'm not sure exactly what their take out rules are. I know someone here mentioned they might not do it when they are busy, so I purposely waited until after the lunch rush. I called them at 1:20p (they close at 2) and the person who answered the phone had to ask if it was ok. Maybe I was too close to closing time. I don't know, but they made my sushi so I'm happy. :) I guess the best advice is to call ahead.
(5)Mike E.
After two visits to Midori's, I can't help but walk away feeling a little bit flat. And with a matchless name like Midori's Floating World Café, that is a crying shame. My feeling is really just a reflection of the energy in this joint; while the interior is aesthetically pleasing, with hardwood floors and tall windows, I have not yet seen the place buzzing. And for me, a big part of eating sushi is the overall vibe...there's still a bit of magic around sushi, but that excitement can evaporate quickly if the setting is botched. Perhaps it's a simple matter of too much sunlight, something I never thought I would say as a born-and-raised Minnesotan...aka a victim of many dark winters. The sushi itself is done quite well...the raw fish served up in the Sashimi Appetizer (lunch menu) was excellent, though I would rather have picked the types of fish myself (as opposed to Chef's Choice). The HH menu offers up four options for $4 rolls: California, Spicy Tuna, Dynamite, and Philly...it would be nice to see a broader menu of options during the Happy Hour. If you're looking for a quiet environment to please the sushi connoisseur in your life, Midori's is a great pick. If you're looking for a swanky, swinging, chic sushi establishment, look elsewhere.
(3)Steph L.
How did this place get such good reviews? Here's why I have a problem with it: - There were 8 tables, 2 servers. 1/2 the table were already done. It took 15 minutes to get our sake - It took another 20 for our sushi to come out - Our go mae appetizer unapologetically came out when we had 4 pieces of sushi left - My salad came out with the appetizer as we finished our meal - Took another 10 minutes for our bill after we finished and were clearly irritated If you've been there, you know it's super small. This type of service was ridiculous anywhere, let alone when the server had 4 tables. She repeatedly walked by ours and ignored the empty waters, the bill wave-down, and the 'we're starving' stares. If I want sushi, I'll be heading to Wakame. It's about the same or less expensive, has a way better ambiance, better service, and the courses come out in the proper order.
(2)Amy F.
Amazingly tempura! I don't eat sushi, so can't comment on that. However, the tempura is amazing. The are also very good about explaining and suggesting.
(4)Sal K.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in the Twin Cities. Two thumbs up for their vegan menu! Also, two even more enthusiastic thumbs up because they didn't put filler cucumber (the grossest vegetable in all the land) in the seaweed salad like most places do! I wish this was a better place to bring a group or a date...the atmosphere is really lacking. I completely concur with Alison C...it's not a place where you feel like you can linger.
(4)Risa Y.
I've come to this place quite a few times. It's a mom & pop restaurant..a husband and wife team, with exactly that, 2 or 3 people working, who originally wanted to open a Japanese teahouse but turned into a restaurant. They use, fresh , organic and vegetarian-inspired menus. Their tempura, is outstanding, and this is a place I come with family (by the way, I am from Japan!) or friends when we are craving tempura. My mom just adores the tempura here. Midori has moved from the old location where it was a a little hole-in-the-wall, 3 - 4 years ago and now they moved on to a bigger location...a slightly bigger hole in the wall, on East Lake Street. Midori and their service staff is always friendly and I always feel comfortable there. NOTE : I just mentioned their menu is vegetarian inspired - it is just that they only serve vegi/fruits - fish -eggs here but no animal meat, which could be upsetting to some carnivores - I know some need to eat animal meat at every meal.. so if that is your diet, this restaurant would not be for you.... Also, because this is a "mom and pop" restaurant, with Midori and her husband, doing most of the cooking, expect that the food will not come out immediately. So when you order, make sure to order tea (they have an amazing selection), edamame/or another appetizer to tie you over...I ususally get edamame to nibble with my tea...and don't come too hungry, because you will wait...sometimes for awhile ...which could mean close to an hour, sometimes. If you are okay with that and know what to expect with this restaurant,you will love the food, too. FYI: The Floating World of Midori's cafe, for those who can read Japanese characters on the menu, will notice is the translation of kanji "ukiyo" literally translated as "floating world" in English, referring to a conception of an evanescent world, impermanent, fleeting beauty in Buddahism.
(4)Prachee M.
Based on what I'd read about Midori, I went in expecting a less cafe-like ambiance. Reservations were a good idea on a Saturday night. Midori has over half a dozen sake selections; I had the Kurosawa Junmai. Served warm, it was smooth and very well balanced. Shitake soup was unexpectedly fishy smelling. I got over it after a few sips though... The appetizers were so-so: spicy asparagus, vegetable gyoza had some indiscernible mushy filling, agedashi tofu was too soft and the batter coating slid right off. Kimchee hand roll, crunchy spider roll, spicy tuna and unagi were all excellent, especially for the price. The sushi selection is decent for Midori's small size. I would increase my rating to 4 stars if I based it solely on the quality and price of sushi. DAIFIKU dessert of azuki bean paste in a mochi shell was satisfying but light. Service was very slow and the music was somewhat strange for a Japanese restaurant. Overall, Midori's is a low-key cozy neighborhood place. I think my experience was somewhat marred by the very casual atmosphere and a loud non-stop talkative young woman at an adjacent table.
(3)Kedar D.
Update: While I appreciate Midori's vegan menu, I think the choices on it are quite limited. How often can you get tempura or noodle bowl soup? The only other options are cold Japanese salads, but those don't quite hit the spot for me. Their dinner specials are not usually vegan or veganizable. Worst of all, their usually-reliable noodle bowl soup (udon or soba with mushroom broth) has declined precipitously in quality. The broth has no flavor and looks like water; their soba noodles are grey (instead of that beautiful purple hue), slimy and similarly flat, like the limp broth. In comparison, Tanpopo Noodle Shop in St. Paul offers a larger, heartier soba bowl, with super-fresh ingredients, bursting flavors and thick, rich broth. Tanpopo also has limited vegan options, but at least they do those options well. The atmosphere at Midori's is nice and I like their new location. This is an elegant place, to be sure, and I would take it over pretty much any other Japanese place in the Twin Cities (with the exception of Tanpopo), but it could really stand to revamp its vegan offerings and up the quality simultaneously.
(3)Tim C.
Had dinner there on a Saturday evening. We started with appetizer and followed with sake. We ordered a bento box and a sushi/spring roll entree. Everything was delicious, and the service was timed just right. We'll definitely go again.
(4)Mary M.
Sushi is one of my favorite foods and when it comes to sushi I'm pretty picky about the quality, that being said this place exceeded my expectations. The sushi is delicious, the tea is wonderful (seriously though, try the peppermint tea w/ honey.), and they have the best assortment of desserts! Defiantly would recommend this to any sushi lover!
(5)Kate C.
Food gets an A+. Service gets an F. Lets be real, I could have grown the hops and brewed my own beer faster than we got ours. The dining area is small, so groups of 2 or 4 at the most are best. Our group of 6 was kind of a challenge. I placed a reservation weeks in advance and when we arrived the table was in fact reserved, but it was also only set for 4, with 4 chairs. Minor delay, taken care of relatively quickly, OK. 25 minutes later, we still didn't get water or any service at all. I walked up to the counter where the server apologized profusely... and five minutes later we got water. We put our orders in for drinks and apps as we started to get hip to the time delay on things. Apps took about 45 minutes to come out. I think there were two servers and two chef/bartenders? So staffing seems to be a major issue. Two members of our group waited 40 minutes for their beer and one of them received the wrong one. I think every other word out of our servers mouth was an apology. Except the words that were in Japanese (bonus! one of our group members was Japanese) or the ones that amounted to "thats a lot of food, are you sure you want that much?" Don't doubt grad students who are eating on their department's dime. We could eat an entire supermarket out of food. The food was all quite good. The sushi (maki and nigiri) was all fresh and the rolls were done very well, nothing fell apart at all. We ordered half of the sushi menu and everything I ate was great and not fishy at all. Our Japanese professor ate the fried prawn heads or whatever they were. The rest of us were not quite as adventurous. It kind of weirds me out if my food is staring at me as I'm about to eat it. Anyway, our bill was pretty small for a large group of starved academics. So it is easy on the pocketbook, bonus. Food: A Cost: B+ ... but the service was so slow that I thought time had actually stopped while we were waiting for food. As if we had entered the fifth dimension of Japanese dining. I almost ate my own arm. Or the arm of one of my tablemates. If you go here, eat lots of stuff. And make sure you've blocked out half of your day.
(2)Mon P.
My review is from me and my friend experience last summer .. so quite a while ago. The food and the food quality was really good, but everything was super slow. We've heard about this place and how good this place is for quite a while, so finally we decided to go there. Because we've also heard that things are quite slow here, we decided to go there as soon as the place open. We actually stood out the front door waiting for the place to open, but we werent the first! We were a tad bit too late cos there was one guy already waiting right at the door. :D So we were the second table to order the food. We ordered sushi and sashimi lunch. The fish was fresh, and the rolls were all good. The problem though was that we had to wait for our food for more than half an hour. .. just a bit too long to wait for the food when you were the second customer of the day. It's definitely worth going back if you have tons of time to wait for food.
(3)Tiger H.
I so wanted to give this restaurant an excellent review but based on my lunch today, it was a 3-star experience. I will have to go back and try dinner though because I believe it will change my mind (i hope). I love that this place is a local restaurant owned by a very hardworking family- the vibe is pleasant and I loved spotting the bits of children's artwork and toys around. For lunch, I really wanted a Ten-zaru soba... something very standard in Japanese cuisine: cold buckwheat noodles with a side of tempura. They had basically the same combo but the noodles were in hot broth($8) yet they could not substitute cold noodles for me and I had to pay 15$ for a tempura appetizer and a small plate of cold soba. Their lack of flexibility tells me that they are not dedicated to customer service as I would expect a small local business to offer. My lunch took 25 minutes to come, too long for boiling noodles and frying tempura, especially since I was one of two tables in the restaurant!! The vegetable tempura was deliciously light and crisp. The shrimp was soggy and a bit raw inside. The tempura sauce did not have grated daikon and ginger, which is a standard that I can even get at fast food Japanese restaurants on the west coast. The service was polite but not welcoming. Overall I left feeling slightly unsatisfied with my lunch but I will go back for a second experience.
(3)Carla J.
Sometimes I just want a low key experience of good, solid Japanese food. Japanese food is dramatic enough, when done well. I like going to Midori's Floating World, because I can get a good bowl of udon noodles, good sushi, good donburi, and great tea without all the drama associated with other options in Minneapolis. I spent 2+ hours in the Floating World, leisurely, and it was a wonderful evening. Our service was good, not slower than any other Japanese restaurant in town. My Saikoro-donburi was great and my friend loved her tempura. We'll be back.
(4)Casey N.
This is my go-to sushi spot. I have been multiple times and have tried all of the veg sushi rolls. Everything always tastes great, and it's super fresh. Though I am not vegan (am vegetarian though), I appreciate that their tempura batter is vegan. Apparently that is pretty rare. I have never had bad service at Midori's, nor have I had to wait for a table. I am moving to Arizona in August, and Midori's will definitely be on the big list of Twin Cities establishments that I will miss.
(5)Tori M.
Finally got in last week for the Thursday korokke teishoku... I could have happily died after eating that. It was by far the awesomest meal I've ever had in the Cities' Japanese scene and the korokke were veggie so no meat involved! The accompanying sunomono, hijiki, tsukemono, and miso were also amazing. Highly recommended for people that love real Japanese yoshoku.
(5)Sen H.
Atmosphere: 4.5 The new location is especially nice. It's roomier, and there are plenty of windows to let in natural light. The decor and lighting (when the sun isn't out) give this place a bit of class. Very clean. Service: 3.5 Each time I've gone, the service has been good. Not stellar, but friendly and attentive. Food: 4.5 Midori's offers a number of vegan dishes, just make sure you ask for the vegan menu especially. The appetizers are by far my favorite part of the menu (the spicy asparagus is delicious). Unfortunately, this does make dining here rather pricey. The sushi and tempura were very fresh and tasty (bonus points for the tempura, since many Japanese restaurants I've been to use eggs in the batter).
(4)Jason L.
Our favorite local spot for a light dinner. The place we take out of town visitors to prove that yes, there is good sushi in MN. Consistently friendly service, warm playful decor, and delicious sushi/tempura.
(4)Allison K.
Floating world is right. Loved all the umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. Very cute place. Very small, quiet, and easy to have a conversation, which I appreciate. We got a table right away on a Saturday night with no reservation, but I'd definitely suggest making one just in case. The wait for our food was pretty long, but our server was very attentive and apologetic about the wait so I didn't mind at all. My friend and I tried the caterpillar roll and the number nine roll. Both were delicious, and the prices weren't too bad. I'd definitely go back for a nicer, quieter sushi experience.
(4)Chimeren P.
I'll start this by saying that I didn't try the sushi here so I'm not sure how that is. We decided to opt for the more traditional comfort food instead, maybe because it was a little chilly outside. The decor was cute , cozy and cafe like but definitely not upscale looking. The had all those Japanese paper umbrellas on the ceiling that I must say did you give a bit a of a floating world feeling. Overall the neighborhood is kind of shady and I live nearby so I know all the drama that goes on around there! We started off with the edamame and Agedashi tofu which where both good. We both had soups to warm us up , I had veggie udon and My BF had the tempura udon. My BF said I know your going to like your dish and I asked why and he said because it's very salty. He was right I did like it alot but I love salty food. He ate his and said it was okay despite the salt. The price wasn't all that cheap and while the food we tried wasn't bad, it wasn't amazing either. I think that if it were cheaper we'd be back more often. Since Moto-I is just about as far from our house and for a tiny bit more money the food and ambiance is much better, so I have a feeling we'll be going to moto-i more often than this place. I'm sure we'll be back here to try the sushi soon though and I'll update then.
(4)Sunny T.
After reading reviews, I was excited to try this place! We arrived not having to wait for a table since we made a reservation ahead of time. Let me start by saying... Service: F Food: C Price: D We ended up waiting for the food for about an hour. I ordered the saikoro-donburi, my brother ordered Gyudon, dad tokyo ramen, and mom ordered an assortment of rolls to share: spicy yellowtail, salmon, philadelphia, salmon skin, and dynamite roll. Our waitress told us right after ordering that the sushi would take awhile since their chef was very "busy" since they seemed to only have one sushi chef, and one chef back in the kitchen but we didn't mind the wait (little did we know what we were in for)... First my brother ordered a coke which didn't arrive until 20 minutes into dining. After taking our orders, our waitress informed me they could not make the saikoro-donburi b/c they didn't have enough fish, so I ordered the sushi and shrimp tempura bento box instead. After waiting about 45 min. our waitress continued to come over, apologizing for our wait and offered to bring us some edamame. She did this to the table sitting behind us as well, since I'm sure every table was waiting for what felt like years. After aging about 10 years, our food was finally brought to us. The rolls were ok, nothing special. Dad's ramen was reallllllly small for a whopping price of 11 dollars, brother enjoyed his beef rice-bowl...but mine was the wrong order! she brought me sushi and sashimi bento box! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? AFTER WAITING AN HOUR AND HALF THIS IS THE TREATMENT I GET?! I'm utterly disappointed... won't be returning here ever again, not to mention that their restaurant is freeeezing. Even my dad who never leaves a restaurant without having dessert had to opt out on this one, since he claimed he didn't want to "wait for another hour" to get it. Overall experience: D I suggest going to wakame in the calhoun village area instead.
(1)kyle g.
Midori's is my favorite sushi spot in the Twin Cities. I have been their 5 or 6 times now and everything I have had has been excellent. The fish is always flavorful, the rolls well-crafted, and the seasoning perfect. There are also a number of rolls I have not seen at other Twin Cities sushi places. I enjoy the atmosphere and our server was very nice. The service was not fast, but it also wasn't slow. If you are looking for a hip, bar type atmosphere with flashy decorations, multiple chefs, and flashy rolls filled with a variety of sauces , this isn't the sushi place to go to. If you want a more laid back atmosphere with excellent food than go here.
(5)Jennifer K.
Went here for my birthday today! YEAH! Always great...but our favorite was the spicy yellowtail tuna. Cool to have Midori make my sushi. Got a weird octupus appetizer with these fish flakes on top that kinda move (apparently because of the heat)..anyway...it kinda looked like it was alive in a sea urchin kind of a way. Good to eat, but I won't again. Fun to be having a birthday...fun to be eating sushi. The socketeye salmon sushi was just like butter.
(5)Jenny K.
We were in the mood for sushi and remembered this gem in our neighborhood. They have a lovely selection of tea and a surprising about of desserts to choose from. We had a garden roll, salmon skin, soup, gyoza, and ginger ice cream. All was delicious!
(5)Joni K.
Why didn't I find this place sooner! Great ambiance! Nice happy hour all day on Wednesday's with $3 beer and $4 rolls. The chirashi bowl was fantastic, $19 a fair deal especially with the avocado included.
(5)Kade K.
Delicious food in a cute tiny setting. Great miso soup and veggie tempura, inari zushi, matcha latte and kaiso salad. Personally I find the staff super pleasant, and service has never been too slow but maybe I've just never gone here in a hurry. It's noteworthy that it closes for a few hours each day, so make sure you check before you go.
(5)Kathy S.
In my hunt for great sushi places in Minneapolis, Midori's garnered up quite a few great reviews. Thought I'd give it a try. Though the service was fairly slow (which I expected), the quality of sushi was better than I'd anticipated! I enjoyed a shrimp tempura roll and spider roll and left feeling satisfyingly full. I'm still looking for other great sushi places, but this wasn't too bad...and of course, I enjoyed the quirky music everyone always mentions!
(4)Patti K.
Imagine that your eccentric Japanese aunt decided to move to Minneapolis and set up a spot for her homesick expatriate friends. She's got grandchildren coming through creating crayon and finger paint art, which she mounts on homemade hanging decorations. She created a whimsical space with origami, upside down paper umbrellas, and colors that remind you of a Japanese summer festival. All her friends crafted decorations from Japanese materials scrounged up from somewhere, the likes of which you will never see in Japan but somehow still remind you of Japan, not Pier 1. She cooks up food just like her mom made in postwar Japan, and she serves them on dishes that look like they've been collected in Japanese fleamarkets over the past half-century. In the background she plays some CDs that she scooped up on her last trip to Japan. It's stuff that she likes, not J-pop her customers might prefer. I have no idea if that actually happened, but that's exactly how I feel when I walk into Midori's Floating World Café. As Asian food increases in popularity and availability, my expectations for Asian food, particularly Japanese food, just goes down year to year. I completely did not expect this place to knock my socks off. It started with the salad. The salad dressing seems to have been handmade, with fresh herbs and a taste that seemed both familiar and new. The rice was cooked perfectly, not overcooked and no browned bits from the bottom of the rice cooker (which does happen in restaurants, believe it or not). The rice was sprinkled with black sesame seeds, a nice touch. My mackerel box dinner had just the right amount of food, and was beautifully arranged. The mackerel was tender and cooked perfectly. The meal also came with small portions of seaweed salad and somen (thin noodle) salad served in sake cups. There were small slices of banana, orange, and apple carefully arranged, with a small cluster of Japanese pickles in the center. The restaurant seemed to have no interest in catering to supersized American tastes, or the Midwestern custom of fried things with cheese (although I did see some kind of cream cheese wonton in the dessert menu). For me, the real showstopper was the yakiniku (thinly sliced beef cooked with broth and vegetables). Most places season it with sugar and soy sauce and call it a day, and on a good day you might get sesame oil and hot pepper for an extra kick. This dish was made with love. The beef was simmered slowly with small slices of vegetables such as red bell pepper and kabocha squash, with layers and layers of flavor. I couldn't identify everything, but I definitely tasted ginger and the proprietor (I assume this was Midori) said it was cooked in vegetable broth. The menu was relatively standard for Japanese restaurant. Don't expect pages and pages of exotic rolls named after baseball players or inventive dishes like burdock root sticks served with Camembert cheese. But I have a soft spot in my heart for places that focus on the basics, and do them really well. This restaurant fits in that category. I imagine most Yelp reviews will focus on sushi, ignoring the fact that most real Japanese people don't eat sushi very often. But for your homesick Japanese friend or relative who really cares about Japanese food, you need to take them here. I think they would be pretty happy.
(5)Marigold P.
A charming restaurant environment that will lift your spirits when you enter and sit down. Great place for lunch with girlfriends or a date. Prices are very reasonable. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Best tempura I've had! Try the banana wonton dessert!
(5)Jen K.
What's wrong with Yelpers? 3.5 stars? I don't get that -at all-. This is one of my favorite, if not my very favorite Japanese restaurant in the Twin Cities and -also- one of my favorites in the world. Maybe there have been some staffing changes in recent months that I haven't observed, but I was last there just in late Feb. and the service was just as it has always been-- great. Aha, I get it now after reading some of the negative reviews-- some people don't seem to get that this is a small, family owned place and that sometimes when it's busy they do sometimes get a bit overwhelmed. You just have to go in expecting that and make your peace with it. It's worth any wait you might experience, I think. In fact I'm such a huge backer of this place in part BECAUSE of the personal connection that the head chef, Midori, is so enigmatically able to form. I really like her and I really like that one of MSP's best sushi restaurants is owned, operated and chefed by a woman. She is NOT chatty, but she IS sweet and kind, in my experience. I used to love sitting at one end of the bar while her cute little daughter played at the other end. It was, as we say in Danish, "hyggelige" (meaning cozy, comfortable, pleasant, etc.). Also, one thing most reviews have in common, even the negative ones is "all the food is good". It is. Full stop. No, wait, it's freaking great. I've heard that several other sushi chefs in town come here to eat. They do that for a reason. Midori knows her stuff. And the menu is very wide ranging besides sushi as well so there's lots for that person in your group that still doesn't get raw fish. Also! The spam sushi is legendary. Apparently this is a Hawiian thing but it's a hilariously appropriate little tidbit for MN, too, considering this is the home of spam. I haven't used appetite on it in a while, but COME ON, you have to love two perfectly cute little pigs riding on top of the perfect sushi rice Midori's boasts. Where else in MN (or the lower 48 for that matter) can you get THAT? Oh, and the happy hour is great! Fantastic deals. I also love the ambiance. I do sorta miss the other small hole in the wall location but the big windows on the new one are, technically, a lot nicer. Parking has become more of a challenge as the neighborhood has developed, but it's doable.
(5)