There was little Murata had to recommend itself to me, other than the fact it held up other reviewers' claims that the restaurant was authentic. Come to think of it, Subway, Denny's and Applebees are authentic American dining experiences, and so it is useless to equivocate ""authentic"" with ""good."" I don't know what all the stir has been about Murata. There are plenty of better Japanese places in town; I think that my experience of eating at Murata underscores the sad fact that downtown Portland has no decent Japanese food venue -- you're better off on the east side, out Woodstock, or even eating ""fusion"" Japanese on E. Broadway. Food: The rice was perfect. saba was cooked for goodness sake (!) and served without shiso, perhaps not a crime, but odd enough. Fatty tuna was a tough cut. Presentation was unembellished, the edamame was as tired out as the staff, and we left there lighter in the pocketbook but all the world wiser. Good authentic Japanese food? Go West, go to Hillsboro.
Pros: Harsh fluorescent lighting made it easy to see the portions
Cons: The exit was too far from our table
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