www.BostonGlobe.com - BostonGlobe.com
Osaka in Brookline serves up sizzling food mixed with theatrics.
www.Brookline.com - Brookline.com
Osaka Japanese Restaurant functions in two fantastically different ways: entertaining Hibachi grill show and quiet sushi room. The restaurant is literally split in two. The dual personalities of Osaka has a fun way of catering to its diners.
www.Thrillist.com - Thrillist.com
Replicating small-town-restaurant success in the big city is a challenge, as urban diners tend to be more discerning, critics more biting, and e-newsletters more prone to making sweeping, unsubstantiated generalizations about "small towns". Up to the challenge: Osaka Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse.
After crushing it for 11yrs in Northhampton, the Osakians have headed down the Pike to Brookline, morphing CC's former Kabbalah Centre into an expansive, fish-rollin', shrimp-tossin', hibachi...having... warehouse that slings a menu billed as Japanese Franco fusion, also Tokyo's top-secret energy system powered by James' boundless artistic curiosity.
The Digs: Downstairs, there's a lounge and full bar, but head up, and you'll find an eight-seat marble sushi bar and main dining room, which an elegant slate wall divides from six 12-person hibachi grills, aka what Paul Wall puts in his teeth during video shoots where he zanily tosses shrimp tails into his chest pocket.
The Eats: Filets are cooked tableside on a traditional stone grill, but if your Puritan sensibilities preclude you from watching others cook your food, there're also creative rolls like the Yellowtail on Fire (thanks to a yuzu soy and jalapeno salsa), and a spicy salmon/tuna joint (w/ avocado green tea & mango sweet chili sauces) called the Half and Half, so they're sort of milking the pun thing.
The Libations: Japanese suds (Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin) and sakes are complemented by exotic cocktails like the Asian Mist (coconut rum and melon liqueur), plus there are party-starting/-ending Scorpion and Lotus bowls, which're filled with rum/brandy/gin and dubbed "the mother of all drinks"... by them, but then again, they're from a pretty small town, so...
Yelp.com - Yael D. from Somerville, MA
Went as part of a six-person group tonight to check out the Boston location as we already loved the Northampton one. Sat on the table side, not the hibachi side.
First of all, the space looks great. Fancy enough to for a special occasion yet still totally comfortable and not stuffy at all. The waitstaff was very attentive throughout the meal: we were asked if we wanted drinks almost right away, they came back for our order promptly, and filled up our water glasses multiple times throughout the meal.
Our waitress asked us if we wanted separate bills when she took our order, which was perfect. The food came quickly and was excellent. Had a mexican roll and a spicy tuna roll, both of which were plentiful and delicious--some of the best sushi I have had in Boston. As we ate, we watched the sushi chefs prepare one beautiful creation after another.
At the end of the meal, we were offered dessert on the house. Had both mochi and fried banana, both excellent.
Overall, we went in with high expectations and they were not only met but exceeded. So happy that Osaka is in town, and would definitely recommend it to everyone for a special occasion!
