Nakama Japanese Steakhouse
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: (412) 381-6000
- Cross Street:
- S 16th Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Date Spot 2004, Group Dining 2004, Special Occasion Dining 2004
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 1pm-10pm, Cocktail lounge: Mon-Sat 11am-2pm, Sun 1pm-2am
Message from Nakama Japanese Steakhouse
Where good food meets good fun
- Voted Best Sushi in Pittsburgh
- Private party room
- Free VIP program
Paid advertisement by Nakama Japanese Steakhouse.
Editorial Review for Nakama Japanese Steakhouse – by Kristy M. Graver
The Scene
Appropriately, "nakama" means "friend" in Japanese. And whether you're sipping cocktails at the sleek, wrap-around bar, sampling raw fish at the sushi station, or dining at one of the large hibachi tables, good times and good people abound. Sitting in a dimly lit room with total strangers may sound awkward, but nothing brings folks together like the collective misuse of chopsticks. By the end of the meal, you'll be clinking Buddha mugs and ordering another round of sake.
The Food
A specially trained chef prepares food before your eyes. He slices, dices, and juliennes with lightning speed. All entrees--from sesame chicken to hibachi scallops--are served with a flambe, soup, and assorted sides. Starving? Spring for the Buddha Feast which gets you all of the above plus lobster tail for two, dessert and green tea. Nakama will even throw in a photograph and a traditional Japanese gong toast. Now that's what friends are for.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
The ExtrasSign up for Nakama's VIP program and start earning points for free food and drinks.
What to DrinkTry one of the specialty rum concoctions in a complimentary Buddha mug. It'll bring you luck.
ParkingLimited parking on the South Side is the only drawback to dining at Nakama. But it's worth a bus trip for food this good.
User Reviews for Nakama Japanese Steakhouse
07/17/2008 Posted by jvalal
Sorry this is going to be a bit long winded. I was visiting family from out of town and had never been here. I pulled up the dinner menu online and looked at the great selection. I then called to make a reservation and they said that only the Hibachi tables could be reserved. When I looked back at the menu the dinner items I was looking at weren't designated at Hibachi so I didn't think I needed a reservation. We arrived and I asked the server to get on the list and she asked if we would be eating a Hibachi meal. I said no we would like one of the other menu items and wanted to sit at a regular table and order a non-Hibachi meal. She then proceeded to say that everything on the dinner menu was a served and cooked on the Hibachi and the wait would be an 1 to 1.5 hours. I then proceeded to ask her how is someone that has never eaten here to know that everything on the dinner page is served at the Hibachi. She proceeded to point out 3 of the roughly 20 meals on the page that had the word Hibachi in it and state that can't you tell that these are all served on the Hibachi. I said no, what about the other 20 meals that aren't designated with that term. She didn't have a response. The basic point to this is that if it was clear by some designation or by even proper labels or text on the menu that "everything on this page is served at the Hibachi table" I wouldn't have been so confused. The staff offered no explanation and couldn't see how I couldn't understand how their menu / restaurant works. I don't work there and was not familiar with the set up. So instead of treating me like I worked there they should treat customers as if they never experienced the Nakama restaurant and help us understand how it works. I will never recommend this place for that reason alone. And preferably over the phone not when the customer is going to have to wait an hour or more.
06/01/2008 Posted by Pittsburghfoods
While Nakama is the perfect place for a few cocktails and some 'okay' sushi and steak, don't come here expecting the world's greatest meal. You will leave unsatisfied. A few things to understand before making your reservation at nakama: it is expensive, it is crowded, it is loud, and it is filled with 20 and 30-somethings. So, if you are looking for a more upscale but still young scene, Nakama is a great place. If you are looking for SUSHI, walk about 8blocks up the street to Sushi Too. There you will find better prices and MUCH better sushi. The review below me said new to Pittsburgh, and I am happy to tell you, friend, that luckily that is NOT the best sushi in Pittsburgh. Try these places: Sushi Too (south side) Little Tokyo (Mt. Lebanon) the Fish Market (in the Westin Hotel) and surprisingly, the stand inside Wholey's is great if you get there when its open (i.e. lunchtime) Hope you find a place you like:)
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