Momiji Restaurant     Rating: Very Good


43 East Market Street


Rhinebeck,New York


Tel. 845 876-5555


Excellent Sushi, Sashimi, and Sake

An aura of elegant understatement greets you at the entrance when you walk through the long glass and iron door at Momiji restaurant in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Owned and operated by Chef David Ye, the restaurant provides us a bit of that culinary sanctum that highly successful Japanese restaurants possess. Once you enter, an open bar area seduces with an illuminated large white and green sculptural leaf motif over the neatly arranged liquor, wine, sake and whisky on display. Chef David Ye designed the floor plan and procured much of the materials for for the interior decor from Japan. Four teppan-Hibachi tables on the far right of the bar are a splendid showcase for the extraordinary workings of Hibachi chefs Frankie Lin and Sam Lin, both who have worked in some of the finest Japanese restaurants in the world. The fantastic food they cook on the hot teppan attest to their experiences in Hibachi cuisine.

There are three main dining areas, the hibachi court, a formal dining room, and in the far back an elevated room for more private dining. The Sushi bar is attended by Chef Eric Ye and David Ye, both extremely masterful and creative in their umikase preparations. There is outdoor dining and indoor live music on Saturday evening.

Most people think of sushi and sashimi when it comes to Japanese cuisine, but in reality in the Japanese kitchen at Momiji there is a lot of cooking devoted to frying, grilling, steaming and simmering as part of the food the restaurant serves. Think of Tempura, Teriyaki, Sukiyaki, and Yakitori as a vital part of the overall food culture of Japan.

Momiji offers different Bento Boxes. A traditional very tasty bento dinner or lunch consists of seafood tempura, or Teriyaki beef, or chicken, or fish and seafood with steamed rice and pickled or cooked vegetables and salad, all is served in a beautiful wooden box container. Also appetizers harumaki spring rolls, and Yakitori grilled chicken are a real delight to have with some sake. The Sushi and Sashimi entrees prepared by Chef Eric Ye will assure a joyous palate once you taste the freshness of the sushi and sashimi dishes. Entrees pack a flavorsome punch. Try the wonderful special rolls with exotic names like Godzilla, White and Black Dragon ,Crazy Tuna and the Angry Dragon

The few occasions I have stopped in for dinner at the restaurant I was most pleased with an assortment of appetizers like oyster croquettes, and Chef David Ye's special Tuna Burger Salad, and two signature entrees. All entrees are served with soup, salad and rice.

The Grilled Filet Mignon was cooked to perfection, medium rare, and well seasoned. The 80z filet was served a top a melange of sauteed vegetables of mushrooms, asparagus, snap peas and carrots, and embellished with crispy noodles. The super tender filet was grilled nicely on top and bottom. It was slightly caramelized and charred around the edges just right, and enhanced with a minimal amount yakinuku sauce. When I cut into it, the filet revealed a mouthwatering sensation, a juicy and distinctly delicious pinkish interior with melt in your mouth flavor. Super delicious.

The Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass: This colorful dish of high grade Sea Bass
was cooked on point. The Sea Bass, adorned with thinly sliced and curled shallots and sweet black rice, sat atop a copious medley of fresh cooked vegetables--shitake mushrooms, yellow squash, snap peas, broccoli, and carrots, all ingredients blended harmoniously with the fresh Sea Bass. The fish in a zesty piquant Japanese soy sauce was properly cooked keeping delicate texture, crisp on the exterior and tender and moist within. Every bite brought about a sensational succulence on the palate.

I enjoy eating at Momiji. There are many tantalizing drinks and food to be had.
The excellent sake and Japanese Nikka Whisky they keep in stock is impressive. Sake greatly enhances the pleasure of eating a very good filet mignon and Kumamoto oysters or Kani, Toro, Hamachi, Saba, and Uni. And for those who prefer to drink beer, Sapporo, Asahi, and Kirin beer from Japan are also available to accent the genuineness of the dining affair.

Chef David Ye has made Momiji a standout Japanese restaurant , A place to go to in the Hudson Valley if you crave excellent Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere is friendly and casually elegant. Dining at Momiji is a culinary voyage to Japan with a great gastronomic tradition.

Rating **** Very Good- Excellent

Momiji has two locations: The Courtyard 43 East Market St. in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, and on 3469 Main St. in Stone Ridge, Ulster County. Tel.

Baron Corso de Palenzuela Von Habsburg is an international food and wine connoisseur, a chef and wine and chocolate reviewer who has written extensively on international cuisine. He resides in New York, Virginia, and Spain. He can be reached at 845 706-1244