Sushi ii

Verdict: Worth the Effort to Book, but Go In-Person

Getting a seat at Sushi ii takes planning. This is not a walk-in spot, and at the $$$$ price tier, you should treat it like the considered reservation it is. Chefs Koji Takahashi and Norio Izawa have held a Michelin Plate in both 2024 and 2025, which puts Sushi ii in a small group of recognized Japanese restaurants on the Orange County coast. If you are returning after a first visit, the question is no longer whether the kitchen can deliver, it is how to get the most out of the next time. Book directly and book early.

The Space

Sushi ii sits on the second floor at 100 West Coast Hwy in Newport Beach, suite 202, which immediately sets a different tone from street-level casual dining. Second-floor omakase-style rooms in this format tend to be compact and counter-focused, which shapes the entire dining experience: the physical distance between diner and chef is short, the room is quiet enough for conversation, and the pacing is set by the kitchen rather than by a floor manager turning tables. If you are coming as a pair, this format works strongly in your favour. Larger groups should confirm whether the configuration accommodates them before booking, because a room designed around a tight counter does not always flex well for four or more.

On Returning: What to Focus On Next

If you have been once, you already know the kitchen's baseline. The Michelin Plate recognition in consecutive years signals consistency rather than a one-season performance, so the fundamentals will hold. For a returning visit, the angle worth pursuing is timing: a counter seat at a quieter service window gives you more direct engagement with the chefs than a peak Friday booking. Japanese dining at this price tier rewards the guest who pays attention to pacing and asks questions, and that is easier when the room is not at full capacity.

On the food itself: without confirmed current menu data, the safest approach is to let the kitchen lead. At a Michelin-recognized Japanese counter in the $$$$ range, the omakase format, if offered, is almost always the higher-value choice compared to ordering individually. You are paying for the chefs' sequencing and sourcing judgment, and the tasting progression is where that shows. Check current availability and format directly with the venue when booking, as hours and menu structures are not confirmed in current data.

The Takeout and Delivery Question

This is a point worth being direct about: sushi at this level does not travel well, and the physical format of Sushi ii matters to the experience. The counter setting, the interaction with the chefs, and the precision of temperature and texture at service are core to what you are paying for in the $$$$ tier. Takeout from a Michelin-recognized sushi counter is a trade-off that strips the experience of most of what justifies the price. If convenience is the priority on a given evening, there are better-value options in Newport Beach for off-premise dining. If the question is whether Sushi ii's food holds up in a delivery container, the honest answer is that it holds up less well than the in-room experience, and at this price point, that gap matters. Reserve Sushi ii for in-person visits where you can engage with the format fully.

For off-premise Japanese in Newport Beach, the $$ and $$$ tier options will serve you better per dollar spent when eating at home. Save the $$$$ spend for the room itself.

Ratings and Recognition

Sushi ii holds a Michelin Plate for 2024 and 2025, indicating consistent quality recognized by the guide's inspectors across two consecutive years. The Google rating sits at 4.4 from 82 reviews, which is a solid signal for a specialty counter with limited seating. Low review volumes at high-end Japanese counters are normal: small seat counts produce fewer reviews than high-volume brasseries, so 82 reviews at 4.4 is a meaningful data point rather than a thin sample to dismiss. For context, Michelin Plate recognition places Sushi ii in the same tier as restaurants flagged as quality destinations without yet reaching star level, a tier that includes many genuinely compelling counters across California. If you are calibrating against starred Japanese experiences in the state, Providence in Los Angeles operates at a higher Michelin tier, and The French Laundry in Napa represents the ceiling of California tasting-menu recognition more broadly, though neither is a direct sushi comparison.

Booking Logistics

Booking difficulty is rated hard. The website and phone are not confirmed in current data, so the most reliable approach is to search for the current reservation method directly before your visit. Second-floor suite restaurants of this type in the Newport Beach area often use reservation platforms rather than phone booking, but confirm this rather than assume. Given the Michelin recognition and the likely small seat count for a counter format, plan to book at minimum two to three weeks ahead for weekend service. If you are flexible on day and time, a midweek booking is the more accessible route and often the better experience at a quiet counter.

How It Compares

See the comparison section below for how Sushi ii sits against Newport Beach peers including Bello by Sandro Nardone, Fable & Spirit, Marché Moderne, and Bourbon Steak Orange County.

For Japanese dining benchmarks further afield, Myojaku in Tokyo and Azabu Kadowaki in Tokyo represent the reference tier for counter Japanese globally. Domestically, Lazy Bear in San Francisco and Smyth in Chicago are useful comparisons for tasting-menu counter formats at similar price points, though neither is Japanese cuisine.

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FAQ

Is the tasting menu worth it at Sushi ii?

• At the $$$$ price tier with back-to-back Michelin Plate recognition, the tasting format, if available, is where the kitchen's sourcing and sequencing judgment is most apparent. It is worth it if Japanese counter dining is the format you want. If you prefer a la carte control, confirm whether that option is offered before booking, as not all counters at this level provide it.

What should I order at Sushi ii?

• With two Michelin Plates behind them, Chefs Takahashi and Izawa are leading trusted to sequence the meal. Let the kitchen lead rather than directing individual pieces, and engage with the chefs directly at the counter for the most out of the experience. Current menu specifics are not confirmed in available data, so check at the time of booking.

Does Sushi ii handle dietary restrictions?

• Phone and website details are not confirmed in current data, so contact the venue directly when making your reservation to discuss restrictions. Japanese counter formats at this price point typically accommodate dietary needs with advance notice, but raw fish and shellfish are central to the format, so confirm specifics before booking if allergies are a factor.

Can I eat at the bar at Sushi ii?

• The second-floor suite format at 100 West Coast Hwy suggests a counter-style setup, which is common for Japanese restaurants operating at this tier in Newport Beach. Whether walk-in counter seats are available depends on current policy. Given the hard booking difficulty rating, securing a reservation rather than counting on counter availability is the practical approach.

What are alternatives to Sushi ii in Newport Beach?

• Marché Moderne ($$$, French) is the closest peer in terms of ambition and price, and is more accessible to book for groups. Bello by Sandro Nardone ($$$, Italian) is the better choice if you want a special-occasion dinner without the booking difficulty. Bourbon Steak Orange County is the right call for a group that wants a high-spend, high-energy room rather than a quiet counter. Fable & Spirit ($$, Californian) drops the price considerably and works well for a casual evening where Sushi ii's format would feel like overkill.