Nami Nori in Montclair

STYLE

Opened in October, this entirely gluten-free Asian place is inviting and airy with blonde wood, high ceilings and clean lines. There are small tables and two bars with stools, where you can watch the chefs at work. It feels like a beach house.

THE SCOOP

Nami Nori specializes in open (or taco-style) sushi hand rolls, called temaki. The restaurant was started by three friends who worked at Masa in Manhattan, the only three-star Michelin sushi location in the United States, where omakase sushi costs $750 per person. They wanted Nami Nori to be low-key, fun, affordable, but with high-quality ingredients; temaki was the answer. 

THE MENU

Choose delicious temaki like tuna poke with crispy shallots or coconut shrimp with green curry, lime and cilantro. We ordered the signature set, which comes with five different temaki for $28. My favorites were the crunchy ones, including the shrimp and the avocado toast with pickled beets and carrots. The restaurant serves Japanese-inspired snacks and appetizers, along with tea and alcohol-free cocktails. 

HEADS UP

The place is small, so be sure to reserve—even for lunch. Don’t miss the mochurros with lemon curd (churros made with mochi), and the temaki cannoli with mascarpone, orange compote and cocoa nibs.