Master sushi chef Norio Yamamoto brings such an elevated level of experience and quality to the Big Island dining scene that we named the restaurant after him! A favorite among guests, visitors and locals alike, located alongside The Orchid Court breakfast restaurant on the garden level. The 60-seat restaurant features a 12-seat sushi bar and an 18-seat private dining room overlooking a serene koi pond.
Chef Norio's menu reflects a reverence for traditional Japanese delicacies including exceptionally fresh seafood such as sea urchin eggs (uni), Hawaii-raised abalone, octopus (tako), exquisite tempura dishes, sushi, sashimi, hot and cold appetizer selection, plus tantalizing signature items like oyster martinis and daily specials.
Chef Norio doesn't have to go far to get fresh abalone, flounder and other international delicacies for his outstanding sushi menu. Baby Japanese abalone, Atlantic flounder, prawns, Maine lobster and more are farm-raised 20 miles south at the Natural Energy Labs of Hawaii in Kona and Chef Norio finds creative ways to showcase them. He serves the tender baby abalone sashimi-style in its own opalescent shell; the delicate flounder is rolled raw with shiso leaf, sliced into ultra-thin sashimi called usu-zukuri, or served as nigiri-style sushi on a small pillow of perfect sushi rice. Enjoy with a bottle of fine chilled sake...oishi!
Guests can sit at the sushi bar to watch the lively sushi master create and entertain, sit in the main dining room, or choose to be seated in the private dining room to enjoy the Japanese koi pond and garden.
Includes house wine (selection may change), all gratuity and taxes.