Ronin Sushi Bar Restaurant

05/07/2008 Posted by stroumphette

This is a restaurant that clearly puts more emphasis on its decor than its food, and for sushi, that is not a good thing. The service is slow, even when the restaurant is only half-full. Ronin charges New York prices for mediocre sushi. The rolls are mushy and the menu is overly complex. They would do better to offer fewer selections and make them of higher quality. I also tend to be suspicious of any restaurant that spends money (in energy bills) on piping music out onto the street, even though it's not on a corner that gets all that much pedestrian traffic. If you want a good, clean, Japanese dining experience, don't waste your money at Ronin.

Pros: location

Cons: food

02/10/2008 Posted by bachchan_100

Had a very poor experience with the service at this restaurant. Also, a bit too smoky compared to other bars. Food was ok. Would not recommend.

Pros: Valet service

Cons: Service, food

12/08/2007 Posted by gong123

I recently decided to try the new sushi restaurant in Royal Oak that everyone has been talking about, so with a big appetite I grabbed a friend and we headed down there. Since she is a smoker the hostess suggested that we sit at either the bar or in the "lounge". We opted for the later. The atmosphere was chill and the service always came with a smile. While I found the couches paired with extra small tables to be a bit awkward for eating, the food itself made up for any back pain that I may have suffered. Between my friend and I we basically ordered one of each from both the sushi and kitchen menu, and I can honestly say that I wasn't disappointed by any of it. We started with an enormous platter of sushi, my favorite being the roll that came wrapped in cucumber. For dinner we ordered the salmon and the filet. Both were absolutely amazing!!! Just when I thought that I couldn't eat another bite our waitress suggested the flourless chocolate cake for desert. How could I pass up chocolate? I couldn't. Thank god for my lack of willpower because I would have missed out on the perfect ending to an already unbelievable meal. I will definitely be headed back to Ronin sometime soon for another wonderful dining experience!

Pros: amazing food, great service, cool decor, nice atmosphere

Cons: small tables

12/07/2007 Posted by faygrimm

I have been to Ronin many, many times since they opened and will be back many more. My friends and I love it, the sushi is great and the atmosphere is really comfortable. The best part is there is always awesome music playing, not to mention the super hot bartenders.

Pros: Really great date place

12/07/2007 Posted by missh1024

I went to Ronin for the first time last night and LOVED IT! Arrived with a group of people and was told that there would be a short wait for the dining room. We decided to get a drink in the lounge, we liked the atmosphere of the lounge SO much, we decided to stay and eat. Beautiful, clean, comfortable set up....Restaraunt and lounge is decorated with natural materials like cedar wood, bamboo and soft candle light. Great place to go with a date or a group of friends. Sake is De-f-ing-licious! Multiple cold flavors and delightful warm sake as well, perfect for Michigans winter weather. Ronin is exactly what Royal Oak needed, a step up from the "basement bars" but not stuffy and pretensious like other neighboring bars and restaraunts. The sushi was the freshest I've had, better than our old Royal Oak favorite, and the kitchen food was dynOmitE! Ronin sliders, made with Kobe beef, melt in your mouth!! Great imported beer selection, including Japanese imports. Can't wait to go back and try there specialty cocktails!!

Pros: great food, great atmosphere, great fun

Cons: not open for lunch, no drink specials

12/05/2007 Posted by deals40deuce

Came to have dinner and the place was very busy. There was a bit of a wait in the dining room but ended up sitting at the bar and ordered from there. The service was great! The fish is the freshest I have ever had. Also ordered the diver scallops from the kitchen menu and they were outstanding! I would highly suggest this restaurant to anyone!

Pros: atmosphere

Cons: winter... no open windows

12/05/2007 Posted by wendywrobel

royal oak, michigan...known to a lot of locals as royal joke...has a real live gem that just popped up...raising up the bar on that classic detroit city status quo (READ: WHAT IS THE BARE MINIMUM OF QUALITY THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE SO THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT START A RIOT?) ronin is on the corner of fourth + lafyette...just far enough from main street...this place is no joke !!! beacuase of work we are out that way often + it has become a steady eddy type jawn for us...you'll recognize kaku + crew from oslo downtown making next level sushi...only this time he is backed by an army of young + innovative chefs in the kitchen !!! ( READ: DO NOT SLEEP ON THE KITCHEN MENU.) for sushi check the specialty rolls...we love the kakucumber roll...you feel like you are on a faraway beach !!! THE TUNA TATAKI !!! SO REAL WITH IT !!! also some classics like the jalapeno roll...oh can't forget the spicy scallops...off the chain !!! from the kitchen check the diver scallops, the pork gyoza (WHEN YOU'VE HAD ONE TOO MANY), of course the kobe sliders, and our favorite the chicken teriyaki (THIS IS NO ORDINARY CHICKEN.) you can really stretch out + get comfortable + at the same time it is a very warm atmosphere...wood, carpet, candles...super chill...YOU HAVE TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF !!! love it when we can belly up at the bar during the week so as to really silk it...grown + se*y on the weekends...grown + mellow during the week...YOU CAN'T GO WRONG !!! the clientele seems super ultra mixed...people are coming from the north, south, east, + west to check this top notch spot...foodies in the area...THIS IS YOUR OFFICIAL HEADS UP...bar life people...NOW YOU KNOW !!! This place, this style, this food - salvation from the mundane!!!!!!

Pros: super pro bar coupled with fine, fine dining.

Cons: open at 5pm.

12/02/2007 Posted by kitkat6

Went on a Monday and had a real cool time w/ a few people. The music was great as were the staff. Sushi was good and the sliders great. Its also a good place for a date, nice but not stuffy.

Pros: Lighting, tunes, vice

Cons: Long wait for a table on the weekends

12/02/2007 Posted by clementine7

Where do I begin... Ronin doubles as either the perfect date place or just somewhere laid-back to hang with friends. I can't tell which I like better: the food or the atmosphere? Everything is so reasonable (I secretly get carryout from there at least twice a week!) and the selections contain everything I'd expect as well as things I've never heard of or always wanted to try. The music selection and candlelit lighting make for a trendy yet romantic ambiance... And the smokin' staff is on top of their game! Definitely three thumbs up.

12/01/2007 Posted by yulmark

i think i just found my new favorite hang-out! ronin is really great! just exactly what royal oak needed. great food, nice ambiance, cool staff--with great service and good music too. i've been a handfull of times since they opened in the summer. each visit is delightful. the sushi is the best in the area. (try the seamonster roll, delicious!) the hot food was outstanding, with gorgeous presentation. really gives the feel of fine dining in a casual atmosphere. our service each time has been nice. the staff is friendly and personable; giving excellent recommendations of what to order. oh! also, not to be missed,,,,the specialty drink menu. i've tried the golden, the amber, the ginger peach and the sakito (a sake infused mojito). luckily each time i've gone i have a designated driver!!! ha! ronin is definitley a great spot for an intimate dining experience or you can chill at the bar (which is open til 2). highly recommended p.s. did i mention the music is great too? stereolab, massive attack, the strokes, blonde redhead, fela kuti, justice.....someone has good taste beyond the palette!