moto-iDinner for 2This was my third visit and the food was excellent. Shared 5 small plates to start. We had the pickle plate, JFC (Japanese Fried Chicken), sliders, fried pork belly, and the sweet potato fries. All were really good but the two that wow are the pickle plate and the fried pork belly. We actually ordered one more pickle plate and fried pork belly. Moto does a quick pickle (I am guessing) so the veggies retain much of their snap and crunch. The veggies will rotate based on what they have. On our plates were carrots, celery (celery pickled is fantastic), daikon radish, fennel, and red onion. The fired pork belly is crispy goodnes. The sauce and the cilantro add fantastic flavor. If you love saki, they make their own in house and it is reallygood6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the small-plates menu.Love the small-plates menu. It was a perfect way for two of us to share a few interesting dishes. The pork belly bites were fantastic. The yellowtail sashimi was tasty, but overpowered by the spicy thick jalapeno slices. The mussels tasted fresh, if a little bit bland compared to the other dishes.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWish: a Moto-i in my neighborhood!Fantastic Sake, brewed on site, need I say more? Incredible range of styles and flavors - so food friendly! We drive in from far west Minnetonka just for the sake, it is that good. Pork belly bites - out of this world! Japanese-style savory pancake deep flavors, great textures, and dancing bonito - fun! Perfectly steamed and seasoned edamame, lucious roasted beets. Friendly and super helpful server - patiently answered all our questions. WOW!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful!My husband and I went on a Saturday for brunch at 1pm. It was very quiet and a great atmosphere. The food was amazing. Loved the asian inspired brunch menu.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMHadn't been to this restaurantHadn't been to this restaurant before but had a Groupon for brunch. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for something out of the ordinary for brunch. Mimosa Sake for $2 - taste great and what a deal. We had the pork belly bites for an appetizer and for entrees had the pork sandwich with scrambled egg, the ginger egg fried rice and the big boy breakfast. Will definitely go again.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGood Food, Good SakeThe menu has a good assortment of food. We chose to order a number of smaller dishes to share. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the sake and was able to recommend a fit for our taste.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat variety of food, sakiGreat variety of food, saki drinks and excellent service.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasant surpriseI had originally purchased a Group-on to Moto-I primarily because it was near a theater where we had tickets for a play. That event fell through and we finally got around to rescheduling our dinner at Moto-i this past weekend. Service was attentive. Food was good. We'll probably return.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMMmmm moto-iI wish the patio would be open, but sadly the Minnesota weather is not cooperating. The sake is tasty and the classic bowl of ramen is fattening and delicious. If there are two must have items, they are: spicy chicken steamed buns and the good luck cocktail. NOM NOM NOM!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOnce we got over the shockOnce we got over the shock of them being out of their beyond awesome pork belly bites (oh no!), we managed to have a lovely evening. Incredible sake, brewed on the premises, creative food choices, lots of small plates to share - range of flavors and textures, something for everyone. Lots of creative veggies, lots of fun meats and seafood, all presented in appetizing manner. And, superb service - our server was very attentive without being intrusive, enthusiastic and genuine. Oh, and the cucumber cooler martini, wow!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was good and tastedThe food was good and tasted more authentic than asian-fusion. The chicken rice porridge was GREAT; the crispy chicken strips definitely complimented the rice porridge. It was the perfect consistency and flavors. Only negative was that our rangoons and fried chicken were a little overcooked and a little burnt on top.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible SakeMoto-i brews their Sakes on the premises - they are wonderful, with a range of flavors adn textures offered, a couple truly beautiful. We were sad that they no longer offered the whole fish, but got over that when we ordered the pork belly bites - wow! Truly pork heaven on a plate. Awesome Japenese-style savory pancake, naughty-good Bulogi sliders. Server was terrific with recommendations and explanations, but perhaps a bit overwhelmed for a while, then another server joined in and order was restored. A wonderful spot for sake, nummy bites of food, and conversation.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was great and theThe food was great and the service was very fast. There was always one of the waiters or waitresses re-filling our waters or clearing plates, not just our own. Fun atmosphere and tasty food. The ramen is delicious!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat findWe went pre-theater with two teenage grandchildren and had a great time sampling many of the small dishes with Japanese flavors. Very busy and energetic on a Friday eve but the back booths allowed for good conversation. Our server was friendly and attentive, food cam our quickly - ever all a great experience!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMOrdered two fried rice optionsOrdered two fried rice options and a round of small plates for the table. Great sharing options and the food was quite good...not overly ambitious or adventures....but quite nice. We will definitely return.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMthis was my first time tothis was my first time to Moto - fabulous food - awesome staff!! Will definitely come again!!!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways good food and wonderfulAlways good food and wonderful sake. the menu changes just a little bit every time we go and that makes for a new experience every time. We really have never been disappointed. Great restaurant overall.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSome of the portions wereSome of the portions were kind of small but it all had great flavors.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for sake, meh for food.We had fun at Moto-i because of the combination of all parts, not so much because the place itself made that happen. The sake was really the highlight of the offerings from the menu. We tried 4 sakes between the sake flight and ordering another off the menu and they were wonderful. The food, however, was nothing memorable for most of our party. The general consensus was that it was "good" but not a lot more excitement than that. I had a mushroom ramen dish that I really enjoyed, but I was the only person who said they'd come back just for that dish. I think I would go there again, and maybe even recommend it, but with certain considerations. The expectation would be more on the social/cocktail/sake and very little around the food.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMNot the usual Japanese restoNice ambiance, perfect for a casual romantic date -- dimly-lit, more of a modern Asian feel. The servings are on the medium-light portion size, good to share between two (another plus for a romantic date!) They have a good selection of locally-brewed sake, which is fun for sake-lovers looking for new sake types aside from those you can find in the liquor store, or those who want to try something new. They serve unpasteurized sake, which makes sake taste crisper and fresher on the palate. Their Japanese food selection is not the usual fare you see in other Japanese restos. They don't have a big sushi selection, but they have Japanese and Western fusion dishes. I personally liked the okonomiyaki, and their noodles are pretty good.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went to Moto-I for my birthdayWe went to Moto-I for my birthday dinner. The food and service were better than I expected! Such a nice little restaurant! I highly recommend this restaurant!3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMI made reservations here becauseI made reservations here because it was across the street from the theater for which I had purchased tickets and it sounded like a decent, fun place. Upon arrival, we were seated in the end two seats of a long table. It was alright until people got seated next to us, at which time we literally had no elbow room. Our waiter noticed our displeasure and moves us to a booth right away. Aside from that, the experience was excellent. The food was delicious, the sake was the best I've ever had, our waiter was phenomenal and the prices are quite reasonable. I recommend moto-i to anyone wishing to try something a little different. Just request a private booth or table when making your reservation.3/2/2013 12:00:00 AM