Izanami Restaurant: Experience Authentic Japanese Cuisine in Santa Fe

Izunami is more than a restaurant. It's an experience. The staff take customer service to a new level with their in-depth understanding of the menu and special offerings. The chefs transform top shelf ingredients into delicious bites that are more than the sum of their parts. Since reviews often center on savory entrees, this post is to give much-deserved credit to the bar staff and the pastry chef. The Seasonal Plum Shrub I sipped yesterday was a crisp, complex delight. The Pavlova is pure magic - balanced, beautiful and light as a cloud - a perfect end to a delicious meal. Needless to say, I will be back.

This was an amazing pleasant surprise. This restaurant seems to be underrated. You know you found a great Japanese restaurant when they serve real whole made wasabi! The sashimi was superb, salads were phenomenal. The sea bass incredible. The A5 wagyu melted in our mouth... we had to get two orders! Panna cotta desert with coffee was the finale! Perfecto! Will be back again!

We had an excellent experience overall. Will definitely be going back to try more menu items. Best Cesar salad I’ve ever had. The sashimi was fantastic, particularly the salmon. The espresso cake dessert is amazing. The only negative is the fried chicken. Was brutally overcooked and not at all what you expect (no crispy breading) My wife wanted to try it since it’s gluten free but it was a big letdown.

We have been here several times. It it always a treat to be able to have dinner @ Izanami. The walk up was lovely at dusk - the waterfall at the entry covered in ice. Last night, the hostess graciously reseated us when it turned out the party behind us thought they were at an outdoor concert and were loud and obnoxious for the Zen spirit Izanami exudes. New table was perfect. Our waiter Aiverson, started by offering us a flight of 3 sakes to try when I was unsure where to land in their extensive list. That was so helpful - we made a choice perfect for us. I love that you can order things one at a time… so the table’s not crowded w/ food! We tried 2 of the Futo Maki rolls. The yellowfin tuna the clear winners now crab & avocado needed a little ‘jazz’- green chile? Aiverson checked on us often enough to feel taken care of, but not pestered. Really loved the Grilled Abocado & the Sea Bass. And the mushrooms were a wonderful flavor Really wish we’d have booked here twice during our trip.

We absolutely loved the food and experience. We reached ahead of time and explored the area. We started with cold sake. We wanted one on the sweeter end, and our server made a fantastic recommendation. Ordered multiple plates to share. Loved the black soba noodles, chicken karage and the ceviche. The gyoza was crunchy and soft with the meat well seasoned and cooked. Mushrooms were another hit for the table. We ordered some sushi rolls. The snow crab and the asparagus tempura were my favorite. And to take the cake was literally the passion fruit cake dessert. Had a wonderful experience well balanced between the food and ambience.

Treated myself here to a birthday lunch after the spa and it was immaculate! Jose, my server was amazing with his recommendations and his quick service! The food was incredible! I've heard great things about the smoked pork ribs and had to try them. Hands down the best ribs I've ever had! Will be back for other special occasions!

Chirstmas day lunch was such a treat at Izanami! Wonderful service from everyone we encountered. Our water glasses were always filled, even though we had a carafe at our table, dishes were cleared promptly, our server Arianna made excellent recommendations for drink pairings during the meal and with dessert. The recommendations really took our meal over the top! I was surprised, given how busy they were, that everything was cooked to perfection, salads were crisp, soups were warm, and the mains were absolutely delectable. We had two hours to eat and the courses were paced perfectly. I really appreciate that meatless and GF dishes are given equal attention and are not lacking in taste or presentation. I look forward to going back, but I won't be waiting for a special occasion.

One of the very few restaurants I have been to multiple times! I have tried many dishes and everything has always been delicious. The sake selection is great. It is beautifully located, and the staff is always friendly and professional. Extra plus for being dog friendly, and to be able to use the outdoor patio regardless of the weather is a blessing! We absolutely love this place and will definitely be back.