Umami

If I could have packed this lil spot up and taken it back to Charlotte with me I would have. Umami was the absolute highlight of my quick trip to Pittsburgh last weekend. I came off of the recommendation of a good friend and it did not disappoint. I came alone on a busy Friday and asked to sit at the bar, and it was packed in there. The host was SO kind to literally grab a stool from who knows where and squeeze me in at the bar. Truly so kind and so appreciated. I was perfectly happy to sit elbow to elbow with some really nice folks at the bar. Someone gave me some recommendations on food and the bartender was amazing too!For drinks, I ordered the "old osaka" which is their take on an old fashioned with tori whisky, china china and shiso honey. This drink was phenomenal!!! So flavor forward, but so well balanced. I also tried one of their rare liquors called "cor cor red" it's an Okinawa molasses rum and it was pretty dang strong and tasty. I had to try it because it's something I've never seen on a menu. The drinks were amazing and so was the food!!! For food I ordered spicy pickled cucumbers, and these skewers: wagyu beef, brussel sprouts and shisito peppers. They were all delicious! The absolute STAR OF THE SHOW though, was the "takoyaki" which are fried octopus balls. My goodness! These were so good I almost ordered a second helping. Seriously delicious!My entree was the gyudon which is a beef rice bowl and it was also really good!! The funny thing is I ate ALL of this food, all of it. I can't express enough how fun of a culinary experience this was. From great food and drinks to awesome service and ambiance. This was truly a dinner to remember and I'll visit this place every time I'm in Pittsburgh!!! Truly a 5 star experience!

We had a kitchen bar reservation for 7pm on a Friday and were seated exactly on time. Our waitress was super friendly & kind, patient and attentive. We loved our seat right in front of the grill as it was warm in an otherwise chilly room and we watched as they grilled, rolled and plated foods. We loved the dimly lit atmosphere and the DJ was a highlight. The music was fun without positioning itself as the focal point, but I caught myself grooving along all dinner. Now for the food -- Chirashi bowl (sub egg for scallop) - the tuna, scallop and octopi were our favorite bites Karaage- amazing crunch, tender chicken. Good size portion to share for 2!Grilled Trumpets - yummy, would likely not order again since there was so much else to try (3 pc). Salmon Skewer - Delicious! A fatty and flavorful bite of salmon (4 pc). Pork Gyoza - Comes as an amazing sand dollar- fried together dish. We loved the presentation and crispy bits between the gyoza. Sauce was flavorful and balanced the pork well. Plus- they had a great Asahi 0.0% nonalcoholic beer. One of my favorite nonalcoholic that I've tried!

If you're coming to yelp to see if this spot is worth the hype, it is. Nicer date night that won't hurt your wallet. Quality is great and the vibes are super Lawrenceville. If you're front Pittsburgh or familiar with the area you'll know what that meansAgain it's a highly recommended date night/sit down, do not take out. Go and experience it and enjoy the atmosphereAll the food we had was cooked perfectly and had great umami. I do wish I ordered the Chirashi Bowl. saw a lot of those placed

Came back again during the evening. This restaurant does not have many seats so it's quite hard to make reservations. You have to check at least a week before the actual meal. The meal was delicious as usual. The lighting is so red that you can't appreciate the natural look of the plates. But I guess they are going for a pub vibe.The servers are so busy and are not given enough time to take care of you. I feel the quality of service doesn't align with the price point they've set.

Such a great spot! It has the ambiance of a chic sushi spot that you'd find in NYC or LA, and the food definitely matches up with some of the better spots I've tried in those cities. We loved everything we ordered, especially the sushi - I only wish they had more sushi on their menu, because we tried (and loved) it all in just one visit. The drinks were good too, and like I mentioned before, it has a very "vibey" atmosphere that makes it perfect for a date night or night out. I can't wait to come back!

We made reservations on Monday for 5:30pm on Saturday and caught the tail end of happy hour that ends at 6pm. They have a handful of food items on happy hour menu plus it's $2 off all alcohol. I got got the chicken skin, shrimp, and pork belly robatayaki, the kaarage jr., the lychee 75 cocktail, and the miso torched salmon nigiri. My friend got the flying squid robatayaki and said it needed to be on the grill longer. Our food came out pretty quickly and we were done within an hour and a half with the check paid.

My favorite happy hour for good bites! The servers are so kind and guide you through the menu. Such a cool vibe to get drinks with bites with friends. Will always be back for more!

Went right at 5 when they opened and got a spot at the bar for myself. Definitely make a reservation if you aren't coming right at 5 and have multiple people. Service was attentive and friendly. Drinks, sushi, udon noodles and dessert were all delicious. The ambiance and being 2 flights up just makes the whole vibe super cool and cozy. Can't wait to be back!

Celebrated an anniversary and got savory pancakes and miso ramen! So very good. Even got a glass of Cava to celebrate! Love this place

Umami has and continues to be one of favorite spots in the city. It has been a staple for us over the last 8 years, and every time we go back we are reminded why! Friendly and attentive but chill vibes, fantastic food, amazing drinks, and a real neighborhood feel. Oscar always welcomes us and makes the experience next level with hospitality. The bartenders never cease to amaze us with their imaginative takes on classics. Special shoutout to our favorites: cucumbers, beef and salmon skewers, Gyokas and udon. One of the best gems in the city!!! It will immediately transport you to another city and make for a wonderful, delicious evening!