Ginko Restaurant | Sushi • Shabu-Shabu

William 2 months ago

If you are looking for a standout dining experience in Tremont, Ginko remains completely unrivaled. We came in last week to celebrate my birthday, and the entire evening exceeded expectations. The atmosphere in the underground space is warm, intimate, and vibrant without ever feeling rushed. From the moment we sat down, the hospitality was standout. Our server took the time to understand our preferences, delivering spot-on sake recommendations that paired seamlessly with our meal. The drink program here is top-notch. The kitchen’s execution was flawless: Salmon Starter: Elegantly plated seared salmon resting in a rich, tangy reduction, topped with crisp microgreens and scallions. The balance of acidity, fat, and umami was incredible. Maki & Specialty Rolls: Every single roll showcased pristine quality and artful technique. From the delicate green soy paper wraps housing crispy tempura to the soft shell crab roll with generous tobiko, every bite offered contrasting textures and ultra-fresh flavor. Even the classic maki rolls let the clean quality of the fish shine through. Ginko delivers world-class sushi with attentive, warm service to match. A absolute staple for special occa

Katelyn Inman 2 months ago

This restaurant came highly recommended, and I was genuinely excited to book a reservation. Unfortunately, it failed to live up to the hype, and the overall experience was incredibly disappointing. While the food itself was actually excellent, the specialty rolls are unique and delicious, the terrible service and chaotic atmosphere completely ruined the evening. Every single part of the dinner was agonizingly SLOW. It took over 10 minutes just for someone to take our initial drink order, and the sluggish pace dragged on all night, ending with another 10-minute wait just to get the check after we asked for it. I tried to rationalize it, thinking perhaps the servers' sections were simply too large to maintain effectively. However, by the end of our meal, the restaurant was half empty and the service *still* didn't improve. To make matters worse, the space is small, cramped, and becomes loud during peak hours, making it difficult to relax. TL;DR: Great food can't save a miserable dining experience. Between the glacial service and the loud environment, we left frustrated and will absolutely not be going out of our way to return.

Bradley Harvey 4 months ago

My wife and I have had this place on our radar for a long time but just decided to finally go. We had heard great things about this place and our expectations were exceeded. We splurged a bit on the omakase tasting menu and it was phenomenal. Easily the best sushi I've had and a strong contender for most delicious meal I've ever had. The place is tiny, so definitely get a reservation; especially for weekends.

Ma Ro 5 months ago

Ginko was overall just okay. The sushi was well prepared and fresh, but fairly basic. Nothing really stood out, and some dishes felt like they were trying a bit too hard without delivering anything memorable. The bigger issue was the service and atmosphere. Our server was efficient (and had lots of support) but noticeably short with us, rarely engaging and seeming almost bothered when we asked for anything. He never checked in after any of the food arrived or asked how things were which left me grabbing other staff to ask for simple things like extra water. What stood out more was seeing him laughing and joking with other tables, which made it feel less like a general service style and more like we just didn’t click. It’s ok not to click but to act like we are a bother to order an added roll or ask about a dessert made the experience far from enjoyable. The space itself was also quite cramped, which is understandable for the type of restaurant, but not what I expected going in. In short, decent sushi, but the service and overall vibe made it less enjoyable than it could have been.

Eman Chaudhri Edited 6 months ago

Best best sushi I’ve had in Cleveland. It’s such a perfect small restaurant with a really relaxed and intimate ambience (I love that it’s underground and that you don’t get signal and get to just disconnect). Their daily/weekly specials are so creative and fresh, and everything is so well made. You can watch the chefs put everything together in front of you if you sit at the bar which I would highly recommend. Seared salmon belly is to die for. Service was also great. They don’t have many cooked rolls so if you are averse to having raw fish, options are definitely there but limited. If you want to try raw fish in sushi as a first timer, I do recommend doing it here. This place definitely changed my mind about the sushi scene in Cleveland.