Bar Rōnin

Finally got to stop in here on a trip to Erie. I had heard a lot of hype, and I was excited to try something so different for the area! The ambiance was very modern, industrial, and clean looking. Our server was attentive but never rushed us! We started with drinks, which I believe they change up pretty frequently, but I got their current gin-based cocktail made with an egg white, and it almost gave a gin sour vibe. I really enjoyed it! Moving on to apps, the gyoza looked too good to pass up, and they held true to their appearance! These were SO good, the chili crunch on top really made them stand out to me. I'd eat these again for sure! The fried chicken app was also tasty and came with a good portion size for sharing. The pieces were bite sized and not overly covered with breading. Also a win! I chose the XO noodles per the server's recommendation, and they were also really great. Bursting with flavor and a good portion size - I ended up with a bit leftover after all of the apps! This was a fabulous dining experience and I'm happy to see Erie getting some new and different flavors in town.

I don't even know where to start. I found this place on Yelp when I was searching for some good eats in the Erie PA area for my work trip. I booked this about 3 weeks out because it gave me a vibe that I would possibly be a fool for not booking this place. Upon entering the establishment, I was already excited by the giant wooden door that you entered in. Staff was l extremely friendly and calm, I couldn't ask for a better experience. The food blew me away. I got to try a handful of appetizers and I was blown away by every one of them. The food was 5 stars for sure.I got the crab donburi, 'fish and chips', chicken salt pomme frites, ginger-pork gyoza and some drinks, the kyoto daze. I am looking forward to returning here more than anything! I am coming back here for work in September and already have my reservation in line :)

We ordered some dishes for sharing. and almost every dish was tasty: beef shortribs, dan dan noodle, curry, etc. I like the gyoza, miso cod the most.

Prepare yourselves... this one is going to be long!Stopped in on a Friday night around 9:20! Seated super quick right away (this is awesome!)... super dissatisfied with overall experience. Right off the bat the server was trying her best to up the spend amount... consistently asked do you want cocktails (easily asked around 3-4 times). We started off with the Fried Chicken Karaage... best thing we had all night @ 7/10. With this strong start assumed that the rest of the food would be somewhat impressive. Again asked us 2-3 times do you want anymore apps. All right let's move onto main plates... we ordered the Japanese Prawn Scampi, Winter Vegetable Curry, Kombu & Carmelized XO noodles, and lastly the Brussels sprouts. Bonus: they made us some "vegetable lo mein"Japanese Prawn Scampi was probably the best main plate but there was nothing unique... I've had better shrimp dishes at this price point. The scampi lacked acid, somewhat on the sweet side. Nice attempt but not all the way there... I would give it 5/10. The sticky rice it came with was good though... 10/10. Winter vegetable curry was nothing special... super bland and tasteless. No flavor or aromatics. 4/10... cauliflower looked sad. Some of the squash was burnt!Kombu & Caramelized XO noodles... we had to send this back because the waiter and the menu failed to mention the XO sauce had ham (haram for Muslims, and one guest in our party happened to be Muslim). I know traditionally XO sauce has ham, but anytime I have had it here in the U.S. it's been without pork... even at super authentic restaurants. I'm gonna say 50% waiters fault for not asking about dietary restrictions + 50% ours. Anyways this gets a 0 cause it was not worth $14 regardless of the pork. To "fix" their mistake a "Vegetable Lo mein" was brought out with a side of a back handed compliment... the person who brought it out said "I like what you're doing here just trying to try the whole menu." This vegetable lo mein was off menu. The noodles were chewy and the proportion of noodles to vegetables was not appropriate imo. WAAAY TOO MUCH SOY SAUCE...I would give it 3/10.The Brussels sprouts were drenched in oil and didn't need the load of Parmesan on top. So 1/10?The decor of this restaurant is really awesome and the space they've created is very unique here in Erie... it's a shame the food sucks! Would I come back here again... most likely not... maybe just apps and drinks.*This was my second time... first time I just went for the late night food and that too was a joke... $7 for a regular school cafeteria grilled cheese . I had high hopes after the appetizer but I was disappointed.

Bar Rōnin feels far from Erie and true to itself. I enjoyed their selection of vegan options; the roasted cauliflower & golden curry was exceptional on every level (plating, freshness...) and the roasted white Japanese sweet potato was insane. I especially appreciated the decór and its customization! Rōnin leather placemats, Rōnin plates...the entire concept is such an experience in the fullest sense of the word. I liked the open kitchen concept, the drink menu seemed good and reasonably priced. Big fan and hope this succeeds.

Love being here. Bartender is friendly. Drinks good. I wish that they had more vegetarian options.

Absolutely DO NOT recommend this place. I made a reservation for three people EIGHT DAYS in advance for seats at the kitchen bar. We arrived early and were planning to go to the bar, but the hostess said she already had our table set up. Expecting to be taken straight to the kitchen bar, we followed her instead to a strange back room with a long table that looked like the back room kiddie table at a family reunion. It was in a room with ZERO decor. We were to be seated at the end of a table that was going to have others also seated at it. When I asked why we were not going to be seated at the kitchen bar, I got some odd story about a system glitch and how they somehow got overbooked and that "the system" doesn't show who made reservations first. Then they said we could be seated at the kitchen bar, but instead of having the two-hour time that we reserved, we'd have to eat and leave in an hour. We went to the bar to have a drink while they (supposedly) tried to figure something out. I doubt they tried to accommodate us at all, because some other woman then asked if we wanted to eat at the bar. When we said no, we wanted to eat where we reserved a place to eat, we got the same "system glitch" story as before along with total attitude. She also said that eating at the bar "is the same" as eating at the kitchen bar, that there is "no show" or anything when you sit at the kitchen bar. If that is true, then why even bother making reservations for it?We went to this restaurant planning to spend over $300 on a nice dinner with our daughter. Instead, we were treated like we were nothing. That's ok though. I now know where to not ever bother trying to spend my money again.

Amazing and creative food. Good wine service and a great bar. Really a hip place to hang out.

A pretty cool aesthetic on the inside: modern and industrial. For Erie , this is a unique place to eat. But the energy was very lackluster . It was NOT the vibe that we thought it would be . The food matched the vibe. Our server asked if we had been there before , we said no and expected some level of insight . Instead our server said , "ok cool let me know if you have questions " and walked away. We were there for a birthday and were looking forward to trying out a lot in the menu . The food runner brought our food over and said, "salmon?" My partner said "oh that's me" she put it down and then put my food down . She Walked away without another word or a smile or anything... almost like a stereotypical school cafeteria worker. The food is described with few, simple yet Complex ingredients. You'd think each ingredient would be a stand out , knock out., star of the plate . It definitely was not ! The salmon was a hefty size compared to other restaurants , which was a great thing. But there was no flavor to it whatsoever. Nothing reminiscent of salt and pepper , or the "sweet and Smokey soy" they described it as. It was basically low sodium chicken broth. Not sure if it was grilled like it was supposed to be ... it looked and tasted baked .... Maybe even boiled in plain water . It was soft and the skin was mushy. The smoked chicken ramen... meh ‍ rotisserie chicken from Walmart is more complex tasting . I'm not sure If the smoker was broken . The best part was the corn and cilantro , since it was the only things with flavor . I like a little bit of heat with my food and i was going to ask to tone it down a bit because the ramen was supposed to have "spicy ají " in it.... It was nowhere to be found. This would be great for someone who thinks bottled water is too seasoned. Didn't make any fuss about it but when the server asked how everything was , while also in movement away from us i said "it's ..... okay?" He said "good glad to hear it " I do want to end with some positive notes : the eggplant appetizer was plated well and tastes great. It was a very good start... like the beginning experienceOf the titanic. The fries were good .... We were told they are just regular frozen fries . They were ! No disappointment . The dipping sauces were a nice little touch : different aiolis . Not sure why this was on such a limited menu tho ... and so cheap ! 4.50 . I really don't mean to be rude . But it was disappointing all around . We skipped on a second round of drinks and passed on dessert. I wouldn't have minded paying the $100 for 1/10 of the food we got ... if it were something different than .... That.

One of the best foodie places in town Hip fusion menu with consistent updated menu that will bring you back