AJI Bar & Robata - San Jose (CA)

5 /5 Jordan Sinclair: The moment I sat down, the bartender made the whole place feel welcoming with genuinely friendly service. The menu surprised me in the best way-creative American and Asian fusion dishes that taste just as good as they look. Prices lean a little higher, but the quality absolutely matches what you’re paying for. The food hits the spot, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s a perfect place to bring someone for a casual date or a quick, tasty meal. I’ll definitely be coming back!

5 /5 E R: Sunken open bar inside lobby of Signia by Hilton hotel. Surprisingly good food and a very friendly attentive server. No coffee. I was by myself and this is a great place to comfortably hang and have a bite to eat, without feeling awkward by yourself.

5 /5 Derrymon Derry: AJI Bar & Robata AJI Bar & Robata is known for its authentic Japanese robata-style grilling and a vibrant bar atmosphere. The menu offers a variety of skewers, sushi, and creative small plates, emphasizing fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The ambiance is cozy yet energetic, making it a great spot for casual dining or drinks with friends. Service is generally attentive, and the cocktail selection complements the food well. Perfect for those who enjoy Japanese cuisine with a modern twist.

5 /5 iya P: We came here for San Joses Restaurant Week for a special tasting plate which was a great deal! We racked up the bill anyway by getting drinks and individual desserts, so it was about $50+ each before tip. Everything was really tasty. The plates were a sampler of some of their menu items. I wish I could order it again in the future. Included: -Potstickers with a ginger citrus miso sauce: Light spice, nice thin wrapper and good texture. I missed the slight sweetness of potsticker sauce. -Dynamite California roll: Very simple roll but well done. -Tiger prawn roll: I loved the delicately sliced tuna on top, everything melded together well and the tempura was still crisp. -Bao bun with gochujang bbq fried chicken and pickled veggies: Delicious sauce, a perfect snack that I would eat every day if I could. Might be too sweet for some, but I loved it with the refreshing veggies. The breading on the chicken still had a good crunch too. On top of that, I got a pomegranate margarita, tasty and a good strength. They also had nice non-alcoholic drinks--my friend liked the strawberry soda. For dessert, we tried the matcha cheesecake and yuzu flan. The matcha was super thick and smooth, excellent matcha taste, not too sweet, and it was a perfect sized square to share or eat by yourself if you have a sweet tooth like me. The flan was very mild/light but refreshing, paired well with the fruits, although a bit small for the price--our server recommended the other two desserts if you want to share. We liked the server a lot, very attentive and friendly, and forthcoming with recommendations which was helpful. It looked like the folks by the bar were having a good time too, but we chose some cushy corner seating. It was pretty empty tonight and the seating was open so there were all kinds of settings and types of chairs available, which was nice. The music was a good low volume for easy comfortable chatting, and the ambience suited the time of day. I wouldnt normally go to a hotel bar to eat, but Im glad I tried this out. Overall, very happy with the experience, just more of a pricey treat.

5 /5 Dasha Elgart: Beautifully remodeled new bar/lounge inside of Signia Hotel. Amazing food with intricate and delicious flavors. Although most of the dishes a pretty spicy. If you don’t like spicy food, you can ask them to not add the sauce and hot peppers.