MOTTO HandRoll Bar

Sandra

5.0

A great new spot that opened less than a year ago, very cozy, with amazing staff & good house music playing in the background at night.

It's a small, intimate space where the chef prepares your hand rolls & sushi right in front of you. There are no reservations-first come, first served-& seating is limited to about 1 hour & 15 minutes per group.

The food is excellent. The A5 aburi wagyu ($22 per piece), imported from Japan, is definitely a standout. They also offer off-menu items, like a sea urchin hand roll (also from Japan), along with options like salmon, toro ($20 for 2 pieces), & bluefin tuna ($15 for 2 pieces) nigiris.

For tighter budgets, they also offer set menus of 3 to 5 hand rolls at a fixed price, which ends up being more affordable than ordering everything à la carte.

I tried the negui toro, spicy shrimp, bluefin tuna, lobster, & hamachi handrolls, as well as the bluefin tuna & scallop crudo (both $20 for 4 pieces). Everything was fresh & well-executed. My favorite was definitely the toro.

Salmon is from Canada.
Tuna is from Mexico.

We also tried ice cream mochi as dessert.

We also met the owner, who pays close attention to every customer & makes sure everyone is well taken care of-super nice & welcoming.

If you're waiting or have finished eating, there are booths around the bar where you can sit & enjoy drinks. It's a perfect spot for a date or a fun night out with friends.

The drinks are great too-we had an unfiltered sake bottle, & on another visit, a bottle of wine, with a bunch or other cocktails & drinks.

I'd definitely go back.

There's no street parking, but you can find paid parking nearby or park on neighboring streets.

May 2, 2026

on Google

Andrea

5.0

Incredible! We came in before closing & had the most incredible dinner & drinks. Such great service & food. Our server Raluca & the chefs were amazing. Thank you!!

Apr 5, 2026

on Google

F

2.0

I normally don't go to this kind of place, as it always makes much more sense to me to pay for more tangible values. I only went because of a friend's birthday & that she is into fine dining, so it was my treat. I was also curious about her tastes too.

First we were told they charge a $5 per person to drink their filtered water. The waitress boasted a bit about their superior filter & that apparently justified the price. I'd usually back out when I hear this since I take it as a bad sign setting the tone for what comes after, but it was too late at that point. Sorry to say, but the water machine at my office makes crisper water.

Then comes the food. You got to be careful here as this place serves overpriced snacks, so your hunger might not be satiated in the end unless you order more. I let my partner order as she knew more about what was on the menu as an experienced foodie, but I ended up regretting it when I saw the $300 bill ($150/person) + tips starting at 18%. Now I can say with absolute confidence a $15 fried rice with a 100% tip at the nearby Chinatown is a much better deal, & does a better job satisfying hunger than $150 of small handrolls & miso soup in a tiny cup. The food didn't taste extraordinary either, & sushi anywhere else has similar flavors (not to mention more filling).

My partner even apologized to me as she didn't know it'd be this pricey for such a small amount of food. I was fine with it solely because it was her birthday. The way I see it, this is a place for people to feel like they are in slightly higher society, & of course being able to update their Instagram account.

For anyone who focuses mostly on the food itself, this isn't the place. This experience simply reinforced my notion that hole-in-the-wall & no-frills restaurants are much more realistic choices. Sadly, this place just reminds me of jokes like how a dash of chocolate on a plate with a leaf on the side can cost double digits.

Mar 25, 2026

on Google

Tray

5.0

Beautiful intimate place. Food was impeccable! Delicious & fresh, they took note/care of allergies. The service was outstanding, Khoi was amazing to us. Informative, creative & very entertaining. Drinks & shots on point. Perfect Mama's night out! Thank you Khoi!

Feb 28, 2026

on Google

Pedro

5.0

Great vibe & even better drinks. The bartender really know what they're doing & were super friendly the entire time. The atmosphere is fun but relaxed, making it a perfect spot to hang out with friends or unwind after a long day. Definitely a go-to hand bar- the waiter Will created a amazing vibe shout out to him. I'll be back for sure

Jan 14, 2026

on Google

Jana

5.0

Really good vibe, beautiful space & fun atmosphere. It's a new spot so give them some grace but this place will do really well. Very fair prices for cocktails & food considering the quality. Service was a little slow for drinks but picked up once we were seated. Will definitely be back

Nov 22, 2025

on Google

Alicia

4.0

Overall good - but i wouldnt go back for dinner, i think the move here is really just drinks & a snack'

Beautiful resto - Cool vibe - Fresh fish & tasty rolls - Nothing blew my mind / nothing was life changing - Rather expensive for a full meal.

Oct 28, 2025

on Google

Maddison

5.0

Great service & atmosphere. Food was good too, but small portions. Expect to pay 100 for a drink, a tip, & enough bites for a meal!

Oct 22, 2025

on Google