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Japanese cuisine is often praised for its elegant simplicity, freshness, and meticulous respect for the seasons. With the opening of Nama Omakase in early summer 2024, Montreal has welcomed a unique new spot. This restaurant embodies a bold fusion of inventive French cuisine and the refined art of Japanese culinary tradition, promising a dining experience that is sure to delight even the most discerning palates.

Breathtaking decor

The decor impresses with its high concrete ceilings, its old brick walls, and modern, cozy lighting. The acoustics are perfect: the atmosphere is pleasant without the need to speak louder to be heard.

An omakase for $185: a daring proposition

We prefer tasting menus, but the omakase offered at $185 per person for 14 courses represents a significant investment. We would have appreciated a more affordable alternative. With alcohol and service, the meal totals nearly $500 per person, a significant sum for a recently opened restaurant. We therefore opted for a personal tasting menu type composition: appetizers, three starters, 12 sashimi, and a main course. Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to try the cocktails, which are highly recommended in online reviews.

Flavors that explode in the mouth

As a preview, the scallop aguachile stands out for its freshness and delicacy, served in a refreshing broth. Our three starters include roasted Brussels sprouts, tangy and crispy. Being fans of Brussels sprouts, we found these to be among the best that we had tasted, with a texture that was both crispy and soft. The eggplant katsu, which consisted of salad and fried eggplant, was delicious. The miso black cod, a reinterpretation of Nobu's famous cod, melted in the mouth. Then, the sashimi, as expected, was impeccably fresh, with a special mention for the tuna, which was surprisingly supple.

The ribeye was served with a sauce made of beetroot, raspberry, matcha, yuzu, and parsnip, which was absolutely exquisite. However, the only downside of the evening was the texture of the ribeye, which was difficult to chew. This was somewhat surprising and slightly disappointing. It’s possible that this issue was due to the cooking method or the quality of the beef used.

In summary

In summary, Nama Omakase is an elegant, almost glamorous restaurant, offering exceptionally fresh and carefully presented dishes. It is an ideal place for a special occasion, although the high price limits the frequency of visits.