Kitayama

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101 Bayview Pl
Newport Beach, CA 92660

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(949) 725-0777
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Kitayama - Newport Beach, CA
Kitayama - Newport Beach, CA
Kitayama - Newport Beach, CA
Kitayama - Newport Beach, CA
Kitayama - Newport Beach, CA
Kitayama - Newport Beach, CA
Reviews
( 10 )
( 4 )
( 1 )
( 3 )
( 6 )

Best

My boyfriend and I had been here before, but the sushi bar was full, so we ate at the dining area. It was super expensive and not that impressive, but we had read the reviews abou...

Worst

Service is okay...it seems to take forever to get just another water and soy beans. The chef's do not like to accomdate to you. They will, but they are not very happy to do it. I...

DISGUSTING AND RUDE 7/12/2011

My boyfriend and I had been here before, but the sushi bar was full, so we ate at the dining area. It was super expensive and not that impressive, but we had read the reviews about the sushi bar and wanted to give it another try. I wanted to treat him to dinner last night, so we get the sushi bar. We have a few specials, then he orders the uni sushi, the chef tells him no..no uni..even though it's right there infront of us. So, instead, we ordered the shrimp, and I continued to conversate. I see my boyfriend's face turn white as he notices that the chef dropped the shrimp on the floor and picked it up and put it on our plate. WOW! As expensive as it is there, you would expect better service!!! NEVER AGAIN more
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THE BEST Sushi in all of OC, and LA 6/22/2011

I have been to many Sushi resturaunts in OC. This is the only US location, and represents Japanese cuisine phenominally well. Bento boxes are large enough, and their sushi is Tier 1. They have an old-style resturaunt interior, so you feel almost as if you were in Japan. I would recommend to anyone. more
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Best Sushi at Sushi Bar 5/4/2010

The Sushi chefs here are truly artists of the eye and the taste. Myself and 3 friends put ourselves in their hands and we were well rewarded. The toro was to die for. The combinations were amazing. Pros: Chefs create the best forward sushi, double toro! Cons: Expensive more
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Okay food and Okay service 1/7/2010

Service is okay...it seems to take forever to get just another water and soy beans. The chef's do not like to accomdate to you. They will, but they are not very happy to do it. It is expensive and I don't like too much there. I do like their seared snapper with peppers on top and their three kings roll. more
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A HORRID RUDE PLACE TO GO- NOT SAFE- VERY ANTI AMERICAN- BAD FOOD. 7/16/2008

A Horrible Experience. These people there and especially managment are apparently ANTI-American, RUDE, ARGUMENTATIVE AND GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT THEY MAY SPIKE YOUR FOOD WITH. If you go - do not turn your back on them. No more ""Pearl Harbor"" style sneak attacks again for me thank you. Twice was enough, as there are so many other fine Japanese restuarnatns and their employees that really enjoy serving people politely, with no attitude - and with much better and fresh food. more
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Traditional meets Modern Japanese Cuisine. 7/16/2008

The ambiance at Kitayama is out of this world. I have been going to there since I was quite young and try... more
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Traditional meets Modern Japanese Cuisine. 7/16/2008

Domino84 Provided by Partner
The ambiance at Kitayama is out of this world. I have been going to there since I was quite young and try to frequent the sushi bar at least once a... more
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Worst Japanese in Orange County 5/15/2008

Six adults visited this landmark restaurant for dinner. The restaurant has a nice glass walled garden that imitates the famous Ryoanji Temple rock garden. All great. But you cannot eat the gravels from the garden. The food is mediocre to downright poor quality, especially viewed from the high price they charge. For example, their featured Seafood Miso Nabe contained microscopic amount of seafoods. If you want to pay $30 for a bowlful of cabbages, go ahead. The hostess warned us that the kitchen is busy and either Sashimi or Sushi would take 45 minutes. We did not mind the waiting, but when the $60 sashimi arrived, it was a disappointment- you could find another Japanese restaurant within 5 miles that would serve much better and fresher sashimi for probably under $20. Sushi looked very funny- the fish pieces were formed a'la PlayDo, very unappetising! We heard that this restaurant is very popular, and big crowds show up for lunch hour. Let them pay dearly and eat poor food; I will never go back there again. Pros: Nice surrounding Cons: Bad food for high price more
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Do not pay with a credit card!! Unless you don't mind fraud... 5/3/2008

My girlfriend and I used to eat here constantly. One day while we were looking over the credit card statements, we noticed a few charges from Kitayama for exactly $280. The charges occurred on days that we hadn't even eaten there. We called the credit card co, they examined the situation and said the credit card charges were for TO GO orders. Needless to say, we never ordered 280 dollars worth of take out. We have never gone back and they lost two very good customers. I don't recommend eating here, but if you insist, make sure that you pay CASH! We have since moved on to Bluefin, which actually has better sushi and is in a way nicer location. Pros: They taught me to examine my credit card statements closely Cons: God only knows how much they ripped us off for before we noticed more
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Make reservations! 1/18/2008

I have to admit that dinner was a little pricy but lunch is a definite must do. Make sure you make a reservation. more
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Ambience is nice, way short on execution 12/29/2007

Beautiful Japanese gardens and nice dining areas. Yet, they are trying to do too much with the menu and, as a result, are doing very little well. Place has potential, but in Newport Beach as long as the place is one where people can be ""seen"" they probably don't need to waste the money and effort to produce a fine meal. Pros: Setting & Scene Cons: Food more
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DO NOT EAT HERE! 11/5/2007

I entered the restaurant with high expectations, and left beyond disappointed. We had a large group of people for a friend's bday, and our reservation was for 7:30PM. They started serving us at 9:30PM, half an hour before they close at 10:00PM. The waitors were rushing us out, cleaning up our dishes before we finished eating. One busboy had the nerve to take my friend's plate, and toss the remainder of her food onto the grill. All in all, we waited 2 hours to eat, then finished our food, or tried to, within 15 minutes. I've never had such an awful experience at what supposedly is a nice restaurant. Please take my advice, and forego this restaurant. It's not worth the time or money. Cons: SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE more
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Never come back again! 11/3/2007

I walked in Kitayama on Firday night, this restaurant wasn't busy at all. I made reservation for private room @6:45, I was there 15 min early, and they wouldn't let me seat in the room, their hostess told me that I need to wait unitl 6:45, I came back to host stand @6:45 to request to seat in the room, another host told me that I need to wait few more min.. I don't understand what kind of Japanese policy?? I'm a sushi lover, their quality of sashimi and sushi was horrible, I was so disappointed! less than 20 pc of tiny little bit slices sashimi charge for $60, their ""assorted sushi, $22"" looks like lunch special. It was my first time and also last time to visit Kitayama.. more
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Not cheap but the quality of the food isn't questionable. 6/5/2007

Not cheap but the quality of the food isn't questionable. more
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Not cheap but the quality of the food isn't questionable. 6/5/2007

Onigiri_Addict Provided by Partner
Not cheap but the quality of the food isn't questionable. more
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Kitayama 6/3/2007

You know how theres quantity vs quality, this is quality, and it is expensive. One of only a couple sushi... more
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Kitayama 6/3/2007

RL_Stine Provided by Partner
You know how theres quantity vs quality, this is quality, and it is expensive. One of only a couple sushi restaurants in southern california that... more
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Rudest Staff in any Japanese / Sushi Bar ever encountered anywhere in North America 4/25/2007

I have been enjoying Sushi restaurants all over North America; including Vancouver BC, Seattle WA, Miami FL, Boston MA, Chicago IL, San Fransisco CA, Los Angeles CA, etc etc, and have been eating Sushi and Sashimi since about 1984 and never in my life have I ever encountered a staff which is so rude. Everyone from the Hostess to the main Sushi chef were void of personality. The Sushi was over-priced and average, and actually not-so-fresh. The presentation was poor. I was treated like a homeless man who wondered in from the back alley with no clothing on. If you like snooty, pretentious people, then go here, if you like friendly service and great fresh Sashimi, DO NOT GO. Pros: Atmosphere, Parking Cons: Poor Service, below average Sashimi, Value more
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Great steamed egg custards & broths for sukiyaki 3/2/2007

Kitayama has great ambience. Our servers are always great- the kimonos are a very nice touch, and my husband and I find that charming (he is not Asian, but even being Asian, I find it charming as well). I love having the broth from our sukiyaki with rice at the end of our meal. Also, ask for specialties that are not on the menu- such as their seafood steamed egg custard. It is to die for. If you ask your server what specialties they can offer that night, she will let you know. The sashimi was only okay, not great, but there are plenty of other items to try on the menu. We always have a great meal here. more
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Our favorite Japanese restaurant in Newport Beach 7/9/2006

I have always had wonderful meals at this restaurant. The service has been attentive and the food fresh and flavorful. I love the booths and traditional Japanese dining rooms. Try the Shabu-shabu in addition to the sushi. Pros: Interior, Parking Cons: crowded at times more
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Menu for Kitayama


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Kitayama brings nature inside with panoramic views of its private gardens. Modern Japanese lamps and Breuer chairs juxtapose hip design with the waitress' kimonos in the sushi...

  • 12/19/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Lunch: Mon. - Fri. 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner: Mon. - Fri. 6:00pm - 10:00pm, Sat. 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Sun. 5:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diner's Club
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