If you’ve been dreaming of sushi, and missing Montclair’s beloved Daikichi, we’ve got good news.
Minoru has officially opened at 608 Valley Road, bringing Japanese cuisine back to the upstairs space above the former Daikichi. For co-owner Meiji Pattamasingcha—chef and co-owner of SLA Thai (596 Valley Road)—it’s a homecoming. She began her culinary career here in 2007, working under Daikichi’s longtime owner, Aki Kaneda, and in his Upstairs restaurant before launching SLA Thai in 2016. Now, with Minoru located upstairs, and the highly anticipated Jōnetsu Omakase set to open below, she’s come full circle.
The Space
Pattamasingcha wanted to make the long-shuttered building “come alive again” and is excited to deliver two distinctly different Japanese experiences to diners. Minoru is the more fun, casual space.
It’s the kind of place where you can meet up friends or celebrate a group birthday, says Pattamasingcha. A communal table, a centerpiece of the dining room, can be reserved for a larger group. A separate private dining room at the rear of Minoru will also open for private parties.
In Minoru, Pattamasingcha says there are reminders of Daikichi that fans of the former restaurant will notice. The four elegant, intimate wood dining booths are a nod to the four booths that were downstairs in Daikichi. She also points to a lantern-inspired light fixture. “If you remember the sushi bar at Daikichi, they had them. So I put this here to make people remember.”
What We Tried and Loved
Minoru doesn’t have a liquor license but offers a mocktail menu, as well as traditional Japanese drinks and tea. The Hani Momo Yuzo mocktail was the perfect blend of sweet and tart and would make a nice base for a shot of BYO gin.
The dish that jumped off the menu as one to try was the Shima aji & fig carpaccio. Featuring sliced Striped Jack fish, figs with yuzu soy dressing, and lemon zest. ($24) it was a bright, tangy and totally unexpected combination and a wonderful start to a meal. Then there is Wagyu uni truffle roll, Hokkaido uni, grilled mushrooms, truffle and chive ($37) celebrating the decadent pairing of uni and truffle with beef.
Sabazushi, pickled mackerel pressed on rice, ginger, chive, and nori seaweed
($20) is easy to share. Served with sheets of nori, it is fun to assemble and eat.
If you love ramen, Minoru serves up a Classic Tonkotsu, Spicy Tonkotsu or Black Garlic Tonkotsu all featuring pork. There’s also a Shoyu Truffle with vegetable broth. All are $25.
Minoru is open daily (except Tuesdays) from noon to 10 p.m.
Minoru, 608 Valley Road, FL2, Montclair, 908-275-1732, minorinj,com
