Restaurant Sapporo

I've visited Portland for over fifteen years and have always been dragged by my business associates (locals) to restaurants which have Maine's best lobster rolls, lobster stew, crab cakes etc.\r After raising my cholesterol by many points, I would always glance at the waterfront and notice Sapporo. When I queried my companions, they told me, ""Oh don't go there, the owner is Korean and nobody in Portland makes really good sushi.""\r This year I changed my schedule and had some time for myself. I therefore made my first foray into Sapporo. First off, the owner is NOT Korean, but even if her were, his sushi preparation rivals some of the best I have ever sampled in California, New York and Chicago! I used to think that Katsu in Chicago had no equal in technique, but Hayashi in Sapporo is either tied or a very close second. In the future, I will forgo the lobster and make Sapporo my first dining choice in Portland. A truly pleasant discovery. more

I have been eating at Sapporo for over 20 years and believe me I have tried every Sushi Restaurant in Portland. None beats Sapporo. PERIOD Pros: Staff friendly, owner generous GREAT FOOD!! Cons: Sushi gets expensive :) more

Okay, I'm just going to make this brief. I did not have a good experience at this place. I gave it a couple of chances too. Our waitress was very nice and pleasant. The food was terrible. I had some toro. The fish was warm and a little on the bitter side. I put it aside waiting for my spider roll. Give it another chance right? So I did, and the spider roll tasted like it was fried in old frying oil. My boyfriend wanted me to tell the waitress and she talked to the sushi chef but then the owner of the place came to me and asked what the problem was. I tried to be polite but he was very confrontational and wouldn't listen to me. So we finally got up from the sushi bar to leave and he was very upset trying to defend his food and blocking our way so we couldn't leave the place. We paid for the food even know I only had one bite of each thing. Okay long story.......don't waste your time. I have heard from so many that Benkay is hands down the best sushi bar in town. I agree, it is! You gotta try it. So in the end the terrible food at Sapporo was a blessing in disguise, had I not had that terrible experience at Sapporo, I would of never had such a great experience and food at Benkay. Your going to love it! Cons: everything more

I have eaten at Sapporo probably 100 times in the past 10 years and have never, ever been disappointed. Their service and quality is consistent - always great. Wonderful atmosphere. Pros: can make reservations, great for birthdays more

Food was not authentic Japanese at all. I ordered some sushi, and it really was not pleasing to the eye. Toro (fatty tuna) looked like they cut a piece of very low grade chunk of tuna, and on uni (sea urchin), the amount of rice compared to uni was ridiculous. Also, they served deep fried shumai, which Japanese never do. Pros: Cheap, Good Service more

I would recommend SAPPORO to every one who understand the taste of the well prepared Sushi. From the taste of the rice to the fresh fish fillet should please the veteran sushi lovers. I have dined at many Sushi restaurants all over the world, and SAPPORO would be one of my ten best. Uni, Amaebi, Maguro are all from the local ocean. Other dishes from the kitchen are delicious. The service is efficient and pleasant. Nice ambiance. The owner Yoshi is delightful. Pros: Food, ambiance, Service Cons: , xx, xx more