Venue Review: Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
The Charlotte Observer
Nikko was contemporary nearly a decade ago, and when owner Joanna Nix started with her cowboy hats and boas and sake bombs, people tended to fall into two camps:
"Cool!"
Or "Sacrilege!"
Now that Nix & Co. have moved to dramatically bigger digs and a more prominent South End spot, the look has gone to in-your-face cosmopolitan: etched glass, dramatic flowers, white leather chairs and a lounge reeking of Mies van der Rohe (tufted black leather and chrome chairs and benches) – plus an enormous colored screen backing the sushi bar that's caught your eye if you've been down the street in 2008.
Fitting for a place on the ground floor of the infamous "pink building" -- The Arlington, at Arlington Avenue. Hip and fun. (I was in the "Cool!" contingent the first time around, too.)
What's less obvious is that it's also better.
Service has warmed up a bit, the kitchen seems more confident, and everything I tried, with the notable exception of watery green tea, was vibrant.
Sushi is reasonably represented: The list is neither paltry nor expansive, although I was delighted that uni (sea urchin) was on the menu, in stock and excellent. (One begins to suspect at some places, after being told repeatedly a menu item is "out," that it might never have made it "in.")
One night, we ordered a sushi/sashimi omakase platter. Omakase means "entrust" and, usually, to say it with sushi means you are putting yourself in the sushi chef's hands, leaving the choosing of items up to her or him.
Here, it means you get two pieces of tuna, yellowtail, salmon, eel and shrimp, and just one roll and nine pieces of sashimi (fish without rice) as the chef wishes. We said we loved everything: We got tuna, yellowtail, salmon and flounder.
Disappointingly dull, though all were fine, so I'd suggest skipping the platter and going traditional: Sit at the bar, say "omakase" and go piece-by-piece.
For the sushi-leery, Nikko has plenty. A bright little plate of Korean-style slices of short rib. A simply brilliant piece of black cod marinated in sweet rice wine and white miso and served with a sautéed cake of wasabi-tinged mashed potatoes, sliced mushrooms and Napa cabbage. Udon in mussel broth. Tempura in many forms.
Dance music from the '80s has been the soundtrack on my visits, and with servers in all black and a big crowd, it gets clubbier and louder as the night progresses. Creamy orbs and angled cylinders light the place, and tall windows bring in street views – from which you can watch Charlotte continue to grow.
Look for a restaurant concept to be announced in the original Nikko spot: "We are not sure yet what we'll do," says James Nix, Joanna's husband. One can guess it will be interesting.
Write a Review
Wasn't a fan of the old location, and even less so of the new... others have commented on the poor service.
If you're actually there for the food, rather than just to pump up the ego of the owner- Jade in Ballantyne, any of the Sushi 101 locations, and RuSan will all be far-better choices.
Someone at work recommended this place for sushi, but I was not impressed. The service was not good and the prices are high compared to places that are just as good such as Rusans or Mizuho.
Nikko's sushi use to be the best in town at the old location. Since they moved the only thing that changed besides the location is that the prices increased and the rolls got smaller...and messy. Besides Lauren all of the other hostess are very rude, unhelpful and very unpleasant. The rule that you can't sit down until everyone is there is complete crap. You have to wait by the bar and drink a $10 plus drink is stupid. They even have valet parking now...but god forbid they open a door for you or even move out of the way. Joanna really needs to take a step back and make some positive changes.
Nikko was not great on sushi and serving. I think it was over price with very loud music and thought that I was in a club. I could not talk without yelling. Not worth your money, should have gone to Rusan.
I think the sushi at Nikko is wonderful. The decor is beautiful. But the service and atmosphere leave much to be desired. The hostesses acted like those who came in were bothering them, and you had to catch their attention to get on the list to be seated. And the music! It was so loud, I had to shout to have a conversation. Not something I expect when I'm having dinner at 8pm. I felt like I was dining in an uptown club. My suggestion - save the loud club music for after 10 or 11 pm.
It is true that the new Nikko’s location is much larger, ultra modern and offers a unique choice to the fairly limited Charlotte upscale restaurant scene. Unfortunately, where Nikko’s drops the ball is in the customer service/friendly department. Most notably at the hostesses stand up front. I have been to Nikko’s half a dozen times since the new opening, and I can honestly say that I have never seen anyone at the front stand smile. It is always a struggle to get seated and the condescending attitude is almost impossible to ignore. And if you have a large group, all bets are off. Even with reservations weeks ahead of time, they will not seat you unless 100% of your party is present. This happened to my party several weeks ago even at 6:30 on a Saturday night when we were the only people in the restaurant. My group of 14 had to wait on our stuck in traffic final party member to arrive before we were seated. The last straw for me was what I witnessed last week to a group of 6 patiently waiting with me in line. They were 5 minutes late for their reservation and the “friendly” staff gave away their table. They were then informed that it was going to be a 2 hour wait for another table. Happy Birthday! I have spoken to countless others who have had similar experiences at Nikko’s and do not believe that my observations are isolated. Everyone agrees that the ladies up front are horrible and reminiscent of Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi (I suppose Sushi Nazi would be fitting). It is truly unfortunate since at one point in time I really enjoyed the whole Nikko’s experience and have a lot of pleasant memories from the old location. Overall, I really like the layout, ambiance and above average sushi of the new Nikko’s but the horrible attitude of that unfortunately dominates makes it not worth my hard earned dollar.
Nikko sucks...staff incredibly rude, prices incredibly high, music incredibly loud, sushi incredibly on par with much less expensive places. Save your money - go somewhere with a staff that actually acts like they give a d@mn about you, where you can get a reasonably priced Saporo, andwhere "background" music allows you to enjoy a conversation with your friends. you will be much happier.
Nikko reminds me of a restaurant in New York City or South Beach, since Joanna moved it to the new space, I really can't think of one other place to eat in Charlotte, so much music, energy, great looking people, and great food, its THE spot
Nikko used to be the best place in town to grab sushi with friends, for dates or for a business lunch...I wouldn't say it is any of those things any more.
It's a bar.
It's a loud bar with poor service, mediocre food and seems more suited for the cosmopolitan drinking single twenty-something rather than the locals who've been enjoying her sushi for years.
The place is a lot nicer, but the service and food quality is worse. The drink prices are way overpriced. $13 for a short pour of Greygoose and Tonic? I pay that in NYC, but not Charlotte. Even the highend steakhouses in Charlotte don't charge that and they are much nicer. The barstaff does a great job. The sushi...I've eaten here several times and I never get everything I order, but they still charge for it. I have asked several times for rolls I didn't receive and they never come. Then when you try to get the bill correct, the waitstaff tells you the rolls were on the plate. If you want to be seen...eat at another sushi spot, come in to Nikkos's, get a drink and then leave for your night on the town. Oh...don't even think of going to Nikko's in Ballantyne! Its nothing like Southend. Save your money and goto Sushi 101 down the street.
The food is good and the new place is beautiful and chic. The service, however, is beyond poor. The staff, from the hostess to the bartenders to the waitstaff, act like they are doing YOU the favor whether they are seating you, taking your order, or filling your drink. I'd rather go to a less posh place and be treated like the one who is footing the bill.
Great food...almost better than Rusan's. Maybe better, I can't decide. Great atmostphere, very upscale. Only downside is annoying Owner.
Nikko was contemporary nearly a decade ago, and when owner Joanna Nix started with her cowboy hats and boas and sake bombs, people tended to fall into two camps. (Full review)
Nikko Restaurant owner Joanna Nix calls her new South End location "Super Nikko." For those who were regulars at the old location across the street, "Super Nikko" is a pretty apt description for the new restaurant, on the street level of the Arlington (the "pink building"). (Full review)