Really Good!
I went there last night and I had a great time. We sat next to the hibachi grill and watched the chef cook right in front of us! Definitely will go back.    [14 Jan 2002 16:29:38]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: hibachi steak and pork

     ­Brendan   

Ugh, Will Never Go Back!
When we went to Japanica I was really hoping to have found a place near my home to have a good Japanese meal and good sushi.

When the waiter barely noticed us for what seemed like an eternity, it was a cause for concern but then the sushi arrived and it looked nice. But then I noticed that my California crab sushi had fake crabmeat! I was astounded that they would actually do that, and wondered if the sushi I was eating came from the nearby grocery store.

THEN our Suki Yaki came and it was horrible. I asked to send it back and ordered something more simple (chicken Teriyaki) which tasted like it was prepared at a grocery store. I was so disappointed I just wanted to go home but then the best surprise of all, the waiter refused to remove the offensive Suki Yaki from my bill. The manager came over and gave me such a hard time that I left the restaurant feeling not only like I had a bad meal, but that my hosts were rude and cared nothing about my experience.

I will not only never go back here but will tell every friend I can about how bad they are, with the hope that perhaps soon we can get a real Japanese restaurant in Farmington.    [07 Apr 2002 20:28:57]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: none, not even the sushi

     ­Matt DeLucia   matt at business-edge dot com

Japanica - Best Restaurant Ever
I arrived to Japanica for the first time, hearing nothing but good things about it.

I walked in to see a beautiful display of colors and authentic Japanese decorations. The waiter greeted my friend and I promptly and sat us down at our table. We ordered our drinks, and then for our orders. Being a vegetarian I worried that they may not have a very wide selection of vegetarian dishes, but the menu included over a page of dishes, specifically for vegetarians.

I ordered the stir-fried tofu, expecting it to taste like the kind my mom used to make. Good, but nothing amazing. I knew tofu as something with not much taste, but appetizing nonetheless. When my platter arrived, hot out of the oven, I was amazed. The tofu was glazed with a delicious sauce, and had a very pungent and delicious taste to it. I immediately ate the tofu off the plate, wishing that I had more since it was so good. The vegetables were also very good as well. Flavorful with a nice crisp texture.

Our waiter checked often to make sure we were doing ok. It was fun watching everything going on -- the sushi bar, the hibachi -- it was all great. I went there again for my birthday and tried the sushi which was delicious, and the service was just as good. My friends who were with me also enjoyed their meals very much. Before we left the waiter gave us each ice cream for free, which he had done on the previous visit, even when there was no celebration.

The food was not very expensive at all, although I had expected it to be. We left feeling very satisfied. I would recommend Japanica to anybody who enjoys delicious, authentic Japanese food. Dan Mercadante is evil.    [26 Jul 2002 15:50:21]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: stir-fried tofu, tofu steaks, octopus appetizer, the dish with the fat noodles (couldn't remember name but the description includes 'thick noodles'.) Basically all sushi, Very good food, very good service

     ­MikeyD   MikeyD5273 at aol dot com

Great Food, Nice Atmosphere
My husband and I went there the other day for lunch and we were very pleased. The owner was very friendly, and the staff was very efficient. The owner even came over to speak to us because he knew we were newcomers. Before we left, he even threw in a complimentary dessert for each of us. The food was just as good as I've had elsewhere, and the atmosphere was very comfortable.

Check it out for yourself though, you'll enjoy it more!
-Sally    [13 Sep 2002 22:39:53]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Anonymous   

Always a good thing
Each time that I have returned back to Farmington, I have never been disappointed! From appetizers, tempura, soups, salads...all was fresh! The sushi was fresh and delicious...all the House favorites...The owner Johnnie is always pleasant from my friends to my daughter. I'll be back soon.    [04 Oct 2002 15:16:37]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: any

     ­Leah   

A regular favorite!
My husband and I have both been going to the restaurant and getting take-out from it for years. The food is wonderful and the service excellent. Johnnie always recognizes us when we come in and notices when we have been away for awhile. (As has been the case since moving from West Hartford to Wethersfield.) But it's worth the trip from anywhere in my opinion!    [12 Mar 2003 17:50:53]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Shu mai, Shrimp Hibachi, Chicken Katsu

     ­Sara V.   

Amazing Sushi!
I have been to Japanica numerous times with my wife Stacy and our family. The restaurant is decorated in authentic Japanese tradition and the food is beautiful. We have always been seated promptly and the food is never better. A wide variety of food on the menu pleased everyone, including our kids. Japanica has the largest portions around and the presentation is wonderful.    [10 Sep 2003 09:07:23]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Sushi Deluxe, Party Sushi- Anything and everything!

     ­Jonsey!   FizEd at yahoo dot com

Had A Great Time
A bunch of us went there to try for something alittle different and sat at the habachi everything was great. It was a 2 hour experience. service was great and the food was incredible. Would definetly go back    [18 Mar 2005 15:15:54]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: habachi

     ­Kathy   

The best of the best!
I found that Japanica had great food! the appetizers were delicious and the sevice was fast. The waiters were kind enough to tell me what some words in Japanese were and then explained the food. I have a great time!    [05 Apr 2005 18:36:46]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: EVERYTHING! chicken katsu

     ­Happy person   Chocomocha at hotmail dot com

ONE OF THE BEST
End to end customer service. Once you arrive you are welcomed with a smile and asked your seating preference. You can choose from a booth, table, habachi or sushi bar. We had a group of 8 & reserved the private, traditional dining area. The food was wonderful, but I didn't care much for the soup. Everything was fresh, flavorable and placed beautifully. Unless you are a complete sushi snob, this is a great place to get started and enjoy.    [20 Oct 2005 12:03:22]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: All sushi and habachi dishes

     ­Anonymous