Nori Sushi Bar & Lounge

I am giving this restaurant a hopeful 4 stars. The food itself was actually quite good but they had one server seemingly working the entire room and it showed in a big way. Everything took forever and sometimes we had to get up and ask someone for things as basic as soy sauce. I am hoping that they are just still newish and that this will improve. Ultimately I'll go to Yama because it's cheaper but if they can get their service up to par then I'd come here and spend a little more if I'm already in Hampden.

Nori is the 2nd new comer to the Hampden area sushi-wise (18-8 the other). I ordered the Shumai and Sushi Special platter, which is 18 pieces of nigiri and 2 rolls, it also comes with Miso soup. The shumai was very good. The wrapper wasn't oversteamed and falling apart, and the insides were large pieces of shrimp, which was a wonderful surprise compared to the normal more mashed shrimp you can sometimes get. Very good flavor, and the dipping sauce went very well with it. Presentation could have been a little more. But who cares when it tastes really good? The nigiri was 3 pieces each of Tuna, Salmon, Yellow Tail, Octopus, "White Tuna", and Surf Clam. All of the nigiri was very clean tasting, the octopus, surf clam, and white tuna all very sweet. The clam and octopus also werent overly chewy and were great to eat. The yellow tail, salmon, and tuna were all very large cuts, of clean tasting delicious fish. Exactly what you want. The rice is very well done. It isn't overly mushu and has the right flavor. The rolls were tuna avocado and salmon avocado. The fish, as above, was delicious and the avocado was bright and flavorful and the correct ripeness. The simple, while delicious, rolls were perfect for the plate - not needing one of the more fancy rolls. The server was very attentive, and explained why they were out of the flounder, otoro, abd uni and when they would get another shipment. Also explained the lack of, to my dismay, or tomago. The meal with tip ran just over $50 and was well worth it. For classic sushi, it falls only behind Nanami for me in Baltimore. It isnt as trendy as 18-8, and a little better quality than Yama for Hampden - so should be my new go to spot for takeout as well.

Hands down some of the best sushi I have had. My third time here and I was not disappointed! I ordered the Orioles roll, burrito roll, salmon sashimi, mackerel, and salmon avocado roll and it was amazing. The bartender Jamar recommended the sangria that he had made not long ago and it was delicious. He was so friendly and made sure we were happy with our meals and enjoying our night! Thanks Nori!

Not the best sushi I've had, but really great deals for decent food especially considering the location. I also like that they have more than just sushi so you can eat there with friends who don't like sushi. I had the salmon avocado roll and spicy tuna roll. Both were solid. Fresh fish, which is important for a sushi place!

I think Nori still has some kinks to work out and seemed pretty understaffed last night. Ordered the lychee martini and it was great! Sweet but not too sweet and came with two little lychees. I got the elm poke bowl with brown rice. The flavors we're nice, but it was small for being priced at $17. I had a bigger bowl in NYC for less money. The brown rice was cold and crunchy, it seemed like it had been sitting out for awhile. My spouse got Korean pork belly and they seemed to really enjoy it. I again thought it was overpriced for what it was. We split a "crazy Lou roll" and it was delectable! They were busy and we sat at the back bar, which was like dinner and a show because back bar tender Jamar is a one man circus. He moves so quickly and cranked the drinks out. If he moved any faster he would have bent the space/time continuum. He saved this restaurant from being a 3, but for gosh sakes, get him a partner! My spouse meal came out in a reasonable amount of time but mine took forever! So they offered us a free cocktail, which was nice, but nothing in my poke bowl had to be cooked so I was very confused. Nice decor, friendly staff. Long wait.