By: Susan and Peter Martin

NORI RESTAURANT: A HIDDEN GEM WORTH THE DRIVE
Some of the best restaurants are the ones you drive past every day without realizing what you are missing. NORI is exactly that kind of place. Susan and I have been talking about visiting NORI Restaurant for quite some time, but the road construction between Beachwalk and I-95 made it easy to put off the drive. Now that the road is nearly finished, we are here to tell you that the trip is absolutely worth it. When we were invited to review NORI, we jumped at the opportunity. We love sushi, and we are always excited to discover a place that approaches food with real passion and care. From the moment you walk in, NORI feels personal. This is a family-owned restaurant, and that warmth is immediately apparent. The owner, Nengah, has a genuine passion for sushi and hospitality, and after just a few minutes of conversation, you can see how deeply he cares about what he serves. Even the hand-painted murals on the walls tell a story. They were designed and painted by Nengah and his brother, giving the space character and authenticity you do not often find.

AMBIANCE AND DECOR
The atmosphere at NORI strikes a great balance between relaxed and refined. The sushi bar is inviting and offers an up-close dining experience, allowing you to watch the chefs work. Unlike many sushi restaurants, NORI also offers an impressive selection of wine, sake, and beer, making it just as enjoyable for a casual lunch as it is for a longer evening meal. Whether you are sitting at the bar or at a table with family, the environment feels comfortable and welcoming.

MENU AND DRINKS
One thing that really stood out to us was the menu. It is extensive without feeling overwhelming. NORI offers classic rolls and signature rolls, and you can even choose how the rolls are prepared and cut depending on your preference. The menu truly has something for everyone. Sushi lovers will appreciate the premium selections that allow the chef to prepare favorites specifically for your table. At the same time, there are hibachi dishes, Asian cuisine, wings for football fans, and options that make it easy to bring the whole family.

FOOD QUALITY
The food quality lived up to everything we hoped for. We enjoyed the Fuji Roll, which features shrimp tempura, avocado, and crab stick, topped with crab salad, spicy mayo, eel sauce, scallions, and masago. It was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. The St. John’s Roll was another standout, combining shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and crab salad, topped with avocado, seared salmon, spicy mayo, eel sauce, and masago. We also shared the Asian side of the menu and ordered the Mie Goreng, a spicy Indonesian stir-fry noodle dish with cabbage, carrots, onions, fried egg, fried onions, and shrimp crackers. It was simply outstanding. One of the newer items we tried was the krupuk shrimp cracker, which added a fun and flavorful crunch to the meal.

SERVICE
The service matched the quality of the food. As is often the case with family-owned restaurants, there is a level of care and attention that stands out. We felt genuinely welcomed and well taken care of throughout our visit.

VALUE AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE
NORI delivers excellent value for the quality and variety on the menu. There are kid-friendly options, generous portions, and pricing that feels fair across the board. Whether you stop in for lunch, plan a family dinner, or meet friends to watch a game, NORI delivers a great experience every time. It has quickly become one of our new local favorites. It checks all the boxes and then some.

THE CULINARY DUO RATING
★★★★★