Uchi Houston

"Uchi is a contemporary Japanese restaurant known for its upscale sushi, sashimi options, and hot dishes cooked over an izakaya-style grill. The restaurant is recognized for using seasonal ingredients and has gained national acclaim since its first opening in Austin in 2003." - Emily Venezky

"Uchi serves up neatly presented small plates and sushi that are packed with layers of honest flavor. Imaginative dishes abound, like the oak-grilled walu walu with candied citrus and ponzu or its big-eye tuna paired with watermelon and fish sauce. Vegetarian dishes are given just as much thought, with rolls filled with tempura avocado, sun-dried tomato, or Japanese eggplant and nori. If looking to take the thought out of the experience, opt for Uchi’s 15-seat omakase experience, Oheya, which is tucked in the back of the restaurant. If both are booked, consider visiting its sister restaurant, Uchiko, in Houston’s Post Oak Place, which serves a mixture of sushi and innovative dishes imbued with smoke." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Verdict: While the Austin-based import Uchi has been in Montrose since 2012, seats at this Japanese spot are still highly coveted more than 10 years later. The best way to experience Uchi (and navigate the miles-long menu) is either through the omakase, or to ask your server to point you in the direction of the best nigiri, cold plates, and maki this place has to offer (just be sure that the walu walu makes it to the table)." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

"Though hailing originally from Austin, this modern Japanese restaurant’s Montrose location remains one of the city's best sushi destinations. Classics like the hama chili, spicy crunchy tuna, bluefin tuna selections, and the fried milk dessert are house favorites, but don’t be afraid to branch out to some of its other offerings. Its “hot tastings” include oak-grilled escolar with candied citrus, ponzu, and myoga, and a selection of Australian wagyu seared on hot rocks. Save some cash by making a reservation during weekday happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. when wine and food are discounted, and consider Uchi’s next-door sister restaurant Oheya, which offers a 12-seat, 15-course omakase experience for $175 per person." - Brittany Britto Garley

"A meal at Uchi, the Austin import that first hit Montrose in 2012, is the kind you save for birthdays or anniversaries. But a strategic Happy Hour is just as fabulous (just get there before 6pm). The menu here is jam-packed, and picking what to order feels like sitting down for a test you didn’t study for. Instead of busting out the ‘ole “close your eyes and point” method to decide, try the omakase. Or better yet, let your server captain the meal and guide you through scores of nigiri, rolls, seasonal specials, cool-tastings, and hot-tasting options with ease." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene