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Maru
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese French, Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
24250 Town Center DrSte 180
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 290-2595
Announcement
Valentine's Day: Make your reservations early before we are booked for our 7 course tasting menus. We only do it once a year. $89 or $75
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Tue-Fri 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 2:30 pm
Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
175 reviews for Maru
Review Highlights
"...stress enough how fantastic the spicy tuna meatballs are."
(in 7 reviews)
"Admittedly, the duck risotto was fantastic."
(in 18 reviews)
"For dessert I tried the chocolate and bread pudding."
(in 7 reviews)
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175 reviews in English
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Review from Brian B.
Valencia, CA
2/2/2012
Living in Santa Clarita for 10 years and having eaten at nearly every high end restaurant in Los Angeles, I can unequivocally give Maru 5 stars, wishing there were 10. This is as good as it gets people. Everything from the fresh, farm to fork food to the prime steaks, high grade sushi, and an extraordinary wine list, Maru does it well.
If the food wasn't good enough, let's talk about their service, because it's impeccable. We're talking about an extremely knowledgeable wait staff. They know their wine, they know everything about the food being served, and make amazing recommendations. Honestly, you'll be blown away.
This restaurant is easily Michelin Star quality. Find out for yourself. -
Review from Josh B.
Santa Clarita, CA
1/19/2012
To say I am impressed with Maru would be an understatement. I have eaten here twice now and both times have experienced both incredible food as well as incredible service. My first time was a few weeks ago. A buddy and I met for lunch. I had heard great things and wanted to experience it myself. We sat down and our drink orders were taken. After asking a few questions about the menu we both ordered from the sushi menu. I had a 911 roll as well as salmon and tuna nigiri. The fish came out quickly and was some of the freshest and best tasting sushi I have had. The entire meal our waiter (Alex) was extremely attentive and I left feeling very satisfied.
A few weeks later the same friend was planning a birthday dinner for his wife and he decided to go to Maru. We made reservations and asked specifically for Alex to serve us given our last experience. There were 10 of us and we were sat promptly at 7:30. I decided to venture onto the French side of the menu. I told Alex that i was wanting to be adventurous and that i wanted him to surprise me. (normally I wouldn't put my dinner in the hands of someone else but I decided to roll the dice.) I was not disappointed. I was brought a dish consisting of pea raviolis topped with a vanilla bean sauce and 3 seared scallops. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. As before our service was top notch. I have been to a couple of famous restaurants where we paid significantly more for the food (and tips) and the service at Maru was comprable. Our glasses were never empty and Alex went above and beyond to make our evening enjoyable.
To sum it up, you need to eat here. -
Review from K T.
Bakersfield, CA
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pros: Clean, very amazing staff. They are very friendly and willing to do what they can to please you. Their dishes are unique and taste amazing. I can not stress that point enough. We went here expecting something unique from all of the reviews that Ive read, and they did not disappoint!
Cons: They are cute and trendy, but that poses three issues that combined, are a turn off. Normally a place can get by with one or two of these turn offs, but three is just a little too much. 1) They are small, with close quarters 2) They are pricey 3) The portions are horribly small and they recommended even sharing our dishes. Also, parking can be a nightmare, but that is not their fault.
Now its possible that we just ordered the wrong things, but the Pork in Puffed Pastry was rather small, and so was the Pumpkin Cheesecake which is the size of a small tart. Again, we were advised to share.
I understand perfectly the idea of you get what you pay for, but this was just a little too much for my tastes compared to what you get.
I couldnt rate the sushi as we tried something that was rather unique for us.
Overall, its nice if youre looking for something new and unique. Be sure to make reservations! -
Review from Crystal N.
Sylmar, CA
2/6/2012
I had lunch here with 2 other friends and we ordered the 16 piece sushi with spicy tuna. We also ordered an alaskan roll and a crab shrimp hand roll and I have to say it was delicious! Probably some of the freshest fish I have tasted in a restaurant that was not located near the bay. The staff was very attentive and knowledgeable. Our waiter (Juan) had explained that their ingredients were fresh, organic and hand made from scratch. I gave it 4 stars because it's a bit pricey for the amount of food you get. Although the quality of the food is what you pay for. I would definitely pay another visit to this place.
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Review from Leslie B.
Santa Clarita, CA
2/8/2012
not a sushi fan, so can't review that, but the french american side is to die for. I once walked by going to the mall and decided to stop in for a Crispy Duck Risotto by myself! YUM! Desserts are not the high point but who needs that when you have the yummy apps and entrees. Service is attentive but cold and don't even think about bringing kids here, it basically says they hate them on the bottom of the menu.
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Review from PAUL F.
Venice, CA
1/14/2012
Over rated , and over priced food. Slow service.
Ive traveled extensively thru out Japan..and we eat Japanese food 3-4 nights a week either out or at home.
If you want to impress your date with a trendy little place and dont really care too much about authentic Japanese food and customary japanese service then this might be your place
If you want quality authentic Japanese food and service..Pass on this place -
Review from scott a.
Santa Clarita, CA
12/15/2011
Well, I am not real happy about writing this one and it will probably get filtered anyways but here goes.
One of my favorite restaurants here in Valencia is Maru. We have been to this place dozens of times since they opened. I try to support these types of mom and pop places.
But, Maru has a "bait & switch" thing going on with their happy hour prices. It's not a ton of money maybe, but it's just not cool.
We usually go here on the weekends and didn't even know they had this happy hour thing during the week - (1/2 prices on all appetizers and 2 for 1 beer/ wine before 6:30PM). So, we stumble on this deal one day and figure, geez a Sapporo is almost $9 so what a deal! Then I notice they appear to slow roll your table if you order beer or wine. No big deal, I was ready to pay full price anyway.
Then we experience it again a few months later when we meet some friends for an early dinner. It seems like they are timing us. I figure, no problem, I don't come here to pig out and drink 6 tall Asahi's anyway. I pretty much blow it off again.
Well, tonight, it was apparent that they are training their staff on some quite dubious tactics. This was a different waiter than the other times. We stop in after work around 5:45 for an early dinner. Two of us order a couple beers and once again get a bit giddy when we remember they have this happy hour deal. I say, "oh yeah they have this happy hour thing, but don't they do some weird stuff with it?" We all laugh and get on with dinner. The waiter comes over with one bottle of beer and splits it between both glasses. I look at him and with my best gumshoe detective demeanor and say, "that's 2 for 1? as in pour one beer in two glasses? from 1 bottle? in two glasses? 2 for 1?" No way dude...and we all bust out laughing; not loud and rude or anything, but whatever, bring on the fish.
We suck down the glass of beer in about 10 minutes and we call him over and say, "soooo, do we get another beer now? or order a different one and pretend it was the first one? Or is this the free one now? or how does this work? He says "yeah you get 2 for 1. I'll bring over the other beer." OUCH!! DAMN IT!! I AM DOING BEER MATH IN A SUSHI BAR AFTER WORK!!!
I HATE that.
He eventually brings over another beer and splits it in the glasses again.
So, our food comes at around 6:20. Remembering the happy hour game ends at 6:30, I start looking for the waiter and the candid camera, simultaneously. Suddenly, the wait staff is literally nowhere to be seen and the two managers are sort of scanning the room as if we were in a classroom "timeout" period. It was strange, absolutely hilarious, and is making this a comedically enjoyable dinner. It was SO obvious to us, but to them this must be standard operating procedure so they either couldn't see how obvious it was or they really didn't care because they save some dough.
We finally spot our waiter and ask, "hey can we get another beer?" He says, "what time is it?" We show him the time on our cell phone and it shows 6:30 on the nose. It was as if time slowed down at that moment; waiting for his answer while worrying that we may start laughing again, but this time it would be overtly "at him" and not "with him."
He looks at the phone and says, "oooh .....the bell tolls. Sorry. It's all computerized. Automatic. Know what I mean?"
He was like Mr. Smith talking to Mr. Anderson in The Matrix. I almost expected him to say, "Mr. Anderson.....how can you order another beer ... if ... you... can't...speak ...."
......and then my mouth morphs into my face just like Keanu Reeves. Ahhhhhh!!!!
Anyways, now we're clearly seeing what I would call a shady practice and it's the 3rd time at this place. We really aren't tight asses or we wouldn't be going to Maru which is one of the pricier sushi joints to begin with and even though I am having some fun with this, the "principle" factor does strike me as a bit wrong.
Finally, we finish our meal; we get the bill; no discounts show up. WHAT!? We start laughing again, but then start wondering just how deep this happy hour trap really goes. Perhaps it's a finely tuned masterpiece of deception all the way to the cash register - fooling us into THINKING we drank so much for FREE that we wouldn't even check our bill!!!!! AHA!
Okay maybe not that bad, but it makes you wonder.
We point it out and he fixes it. We sort of look at each other and realize that they are definitely doing this on purpose and ... well, we weren't laughing quite as much anymore.
In fact, I'm sort of bummed out because even though we like this place, I can't give my money to a local restaurant that does this sort of thing while thinking that maybe, just maybe there may be another place out there trying to make it in these tough times that would never do this sort of cheesy play, especially to regulars like us.
It was very funny at the moment - but was also very disappointing to us at the same time.
So I wrote this.
That's all. -
Review from Trent R.
Valencia, CA
10/23/2011
This is a trendy little space tucked into the upscale shops and restaurants near the Westfield mall in Valencia. We were given a choice of tables (there were only a few open as this is a small space and the restaurant was filling up) and we were seated quickly. We had a very friendly waitress who suggested a few different dishes and provided some insight into the menu. After a few recent experiences in Hollywood where the wait staff tends to treat you as an inconvenience instead of the reason they are there, it was refreshing.
We started with the spicy tuna meatballs which was basically spicy tuna with a crumbly topping surrounding a mixed green salad. It was a good item to share and I enjoyed it.
The main course was the skirt steak which was sliced sections of steak, almost medallions, over pasta with a creamy sauce and a small side of blackened kale. I'd never had blackened kale before and I was a big fan. It had a crunchy texture and a smoky, salty taste. The pasta was covered with a creamy horseradish sauce that was kind of blah. Honestly, I would not have known it was a horseradish sauce had it not been written on the menu. The pasta was fine as far as it goes, but I was expecting something that had some pop, some zing. Alas, I was left wanting. The skirt steak was tender and flavorful but the portion was rather small, as I suppose is common in French restaurants.
For dessert I tried the chocolate and bread pudding. The bread pudding was warm and moist - flavorful - and the chocolate was a nice compliment along with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. It was all kinds of sinful goodness that makes me smile even now as I key this review. I definitely recommend this dessert if you try Maru.
In summary, the space was intimate and modern, charming and fun. The wait staff was friendly and timely and the appetizer and main course while tasty were not mind blowing. The dessert, however, was all that and a scoop of vanilla ice cream! -
Review from John W.
Valencia, CA
1/16/2012
We used to go to Maru. The food is excellent and consistent. The prices are reasonable. We stopped going to Maru - our female server brought a sea bass dinner entree instead of the sea bass sushi roll we ordered, and after we pointed out the error we were told that we would have to accept the meal and pay for it. We were (to say the least) shocked that the server's mistake should now be our problem. As she pompously sashayed away, her nose couldn't have been any higher... We asked to speak to the manager and were told that he was not in. We refused to pay for the meal and upon leaving spotted the manager/owner standing nearby. The lack of ethical treatment of customers caused Maru to lose our business and we tell everyone we know what happened. Unbelievable.
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Review from Scott B.
Santa Monica, CA
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow! Great food. I'll keep it short and sweet. MAKE SURE YOU ASK TO BE SEATED IN ALEX'S SECTION (no disrepect to the other servers).
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Review from Tony B.
Santa Clarita, CA
9/12/2011
This place is overrated.
It's passable sushi but nothing special.
If you're at the mall and feel like sushi but don't feel like getting in your car, then by all means stop by this place.
just keep your expectations low and you'll be fine.
the best sushi i've had in the scv so far has been at Sushiya.
and just so you know i know what i'm talking about my all time favorite sushi spot is Sushi Nozawa!!! -
Review from Ara A.
Santa Clarita, CA
1/16/2012
The wife and I have been going here since 2005. It was better when Kimo their original sushi chef was there. Still excellent. The owner is kind of a jerk, but does make good food. I like Kabuki much better these days.
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Review from Merrill G.
Provo, UT
8/11/2011
I don't normally spend $80 on dinner for two, but when I do, I prefer Maru.
If you're going to eat at Maru's, please, please, please, go there for the sushi selection. I heard great reviews about the steak, but when I ordered it once I found it to be quite flavorless and not even up to par with what I could make myself at home (but many times more expensive).
With that said, ORDER SUSHI AT MARU. They have great rolls here if you want to save some money, but their real advantage is their special sushi menu - they have amazing Hamahama oysters, Ootoro, and other fish you won't find anywhere else. Although a bit pricey, if you go here with the intent to try some of the freshest fish you've ever had, you won't go away disappointed.
Definitely my favorite restaurant in Santa Clarita and my favorite sushi place in all of SoCal. -
Review from Faisal H.
Canyon Country, CA
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I made reservations at Maru for my mother's birthday celebration after hearing from several friends how unique this restaurant is to the Santa Clarita Valley. Boy am I glad that I did. The excellent service paired with the delectable food was a very special experience for our family to share together. I can't help but mention that much of the evening's mood was set by the detailed and personable attention of our server, Alex. He truly made our dinner special by taking the time to explain the story and intricacies of each entree and why each wine or sake he suggested paired best with it. He was impressively right on with every pairing. My mom tells everyone she talks to about her dining experience at Maru and about Alex, and it's been a few weeks since the evening transpired!
For our starting course we ordered the crispy duck risotto and the tomato soup to share, as well as a cherry tomato salad at Alex's recommendation. My sister is a vegetarian, and she thoroughly enjoyed the tomato soup-which is good because we were all oooing and aahing over the deliciously perfect risotto and the amazing almost melt in your mouth duck. The sauce was killer, I don't recall what was in it, but it was amazing. The salad was a unique version of a bruschetta, and we finished every bite.
For our main course, my dad ordered the live sweet shrimp and a sushi plate, my mom had the monkfish, I ordered the skirt steak which came with a creamy horseradish sauce over pasta, and I'm sure my sister had something vegetarian but I just can't remember. The live sweet shrimp had a deep fried head with an out of this world presentation. It looks like a carnival on a plate- my dad loved it. Not many places do live shrimp and Maru not only has it, but it tastes amazing. The monkfish came over a bed of rice, with a sake soy reduction. My mom never finishes anything she orders and she scraped her plate. I can't attest myself to how it tasted, because there was none left. My skirt steak was awesome. I especially loved the crispy fried kale on top which was a perfect contrast to the tender meat and creamy pasta. All paired together it was the perfect bite.
By the time dessert came around, none of us were sure we had room- but Alex told us to not try dessert at Maru would not be experiencing one of the 8th wonders of the world. At his recommendation we had the chocolate bread pudding, strawberry shortcake, and a scoop of guava sorbet. I wasn't sure about the sorbet, but boy was I wrong. The sorbet has a smooth and creamy texture but still tasted like the truest flavor of the guava fruit. It's unlike any sorbet I've ever had. The bread pudding is a wonder how they make it. I still don't understand how they can get every piece of bread crispy, yet have the chocolate fudge be in every bite and extremely delicious. Topped off with the fresh made vanilla bean ice cream...wow. The strawberry shortcake was like no other strawberry shortcake in this world. The strawberries were like candy. Alex explained to us that Maru's chef goes to the farmer's market each week and picks his produce, and this was most evident when looking at the strawberries. Never have I seen a berry so red all the way through.
All in all, this was truly a night to remember. I've been wanting to write this review for a couple weeks so that I didn't forget any detail- but I just now had the chance. I hope that although I had a time lapse, I did the food and service justice. I can't wait to go back. I am somewhat of a food nerd, and I have thought about Maru's food many a time since my visit. -
Review from K K.
Lake Balboa, CA
9/21/2011
What a pleasant surprise! A wild-guess gift cert from a distant friend sent us to Maru for the first time in many years. It's not too much to say we were shocked at the inspiration of the menu and the execution! To think that for all this time this gem has been right under our noses as we bemoaned the woeful dining choices in Santa Clarita.
Those reviewers who are dissing the sushi here have missed the point. I like sushi, but they're virtually all the same, might as well be a national chain (no, not places like Nobu's, which are in another galaxy), and we assumed Maru was just another cookie-cutter sushi joint. NOT SO! It's the OTHER menu that you should concentrate on: Asian/French/ California fusion, outstanding seasonal/local ingredients, a deft touch in the kitchen.
So, I can't speak to the sushi, but why bother when you can enjoy the fruit of the labor of the best chef working in the Santa Clarita Valley?
I would only suggest that they change the name: Maru Sushi is way too misleading. -
Review from Frankie B.
Santa Clarita, CA
6/3/2011
Found this place through YELP!! :)
After much dissatisfaction from the lack of QUALITY Sushi in the Santa Clarita Valley I went searching for BETTER food through this Amazing site! And BAM, I was lead to this place!
I always sit at the bar. I have "Danny", Sushi chef, make all my sushi orders and my mate often orders an entree. The food served here is definitely delicious and FRESH! Unlike the many other sushi restaurants in SC their rolls are not saturated in eel sauce and tempura flakes.
I always order: "Spicy Tuna over 'Extra' Crispy Rice"YUMMO!
It takes a little time to get your order, the cost probably a TAD bit higher than other sushi restaurants and the menu is fairly short. If you want to order something you are use to ordering at other restaurants and you don't see it on their menu.... just ask Danny if it's possible for them to make it for you.... SIMPLE as THAT! Try this place!!!! I definitely tell everyone to eat here! -
Review from Alex W.
Irvine, CA
9/8/2011
Very good Japanese restaurant. Excellent sushi bar. Fatty tuna, fatty salmon, fatty yellowtail, live sweet shrimp, live scallops... What else is there to say. Expensive but excellent quality!
The only thing I would recommend would be changing the decor and removing the big plasma TV. The appearance of the restaurant does not match the price. -
Review from Dan C.
Santa Clarita, CA
1/2/2012
Finest restaurant in Santa Clarita. This is truly a Euro-fusion French Japanese restaurant ..and that's where they get my 5 stars. Very good service and truly unique unusual food---portions are eurostyle which may offend those used to the Outback and their bucketful of food (picture Mr.Criosote from Monty Python's Meaning of Life). Their sushi is good..and their teriyaki is amazing (not just squirted jelly on meat). Salad is fantastic, both conventional and seaweed. Anything from their euromenu blows away anything else in town of that type (Salt Creek, The Social, etc). My idea of the best sushi in town was Nik Sushi which unfortunately is no longer in business (across from the Mercedes dealership in the minimall).
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Review from Tai F.
4/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wednesday night is date night for my parents. Every Wednesday since I can remember, since I was five. That's a long standing, super cute tradition. Since the wonderful SCV only offers so many options when it comes to delicious eats they often end up at Maru. It's not a chain and it's not lame. It is expensive. That's why I almost never come here. It's very expensive. A few nights ago my mom was busy so my dad put it to my brother to choose the dinner place. Davis chose Maru. Because it's expensive and he knew my dad would pay. Tricky.
When we got there there was no room at the sushi bar so we had to settle for a table. No big deal, it was Friday so that's expected. Our waitress was super friendly and efficient. She didn't even snarl in disgust when my brother's creepy friend kept shamelessly picking up on her. What a trooper!
I ordered salmon with avocado, unagi, seared albacore (they were out of white tuna), and yellowtail. My tray came out quickly but the order had been doubled. I told the waitress that I had meant two pieces not two orders and she was super apologetic. She offered to take it back but my dad said that he would eat the other pieces. She said if we didn't want to finish anything that she would take it back and not charge us. We, of course, finished every bite.
I enjoyed all my sushi. It was very fresh and tasty. The salmon belly was super yummy. Maru is the only place I have seen do this but they place a clear strip of something on top of the sushi. It reminds me of those melt in your mouth breath fresheners. It's not mint flavored, sort of tangy. I imagine it's meant to complement the fish but I don't care for it. I take it off. Maru is nigiri or sashimi heavy. They have your typical specialty rolls but nothing super unique. It's more fish focused which is very nice these days.
Davis ordered the short ribs as a side and everyone enjoyed those. They are crazy tender and just fall of the bone. You can pick it clean with your fingers; no knife or fork necessary, and that's just the way I like my meat.
If Maru weren't so expensive I might go here once a week. But, since it is, I will leave it to my parents to frequent this special sushi place.Listed in: We Will Rock and Roll You
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Review from Jennifer M.
Palmdale, CA
5/22/2011
I went here recently for my bf's birthday lunch. Very tasty sushi. Not a huge selection of roles but the fish was very fresh. After reading the reviews i chose this over others in SCV due to the desert selection. It looked interesting. We ordered the banana cream pie, which was not a traditional pie at all. It was fresh bananas, walnuts, and graham cracker crust in a ceramic ramekin, baked with cinnamon and some kind of yummy sauce! Sooo good. I would go back again just for desert!
FYI: if you don't know exactly where it is, it can be missed as the name of the restaurant is up higher on the building, not on the door or windows. -
Review from Johnny T.
Valencia, CA
6/16/2011
Walked in at 5:30pm and the place was empty. The hostess was friendly but asked if we had a reservation.
I was discouraged as to why a reservation is required when the place is empty and was asked to wait for 30 minutes.
Turned away and never looked back.
Snob -
Review from Mischka E.
Santa Clarita, CA
9/21/2011 21 Check-ins Here
I'm not sure Valencia understands the true "diamond in the rough" restaurant that we have in Maru. Yes, it is French. Yes, it is Japanese. Yes, that just blew your mind. Would you like to be further impressed? Avert your eyes to the lower corner of your menu where you will see a date. Not just any date, today's date. This means the menu was created for you to enjoy specifically on that evening. Which also means it will be exceptional, and fresh... incredibly fresh. The ingredients don't come from a Sysco truck like every other SCV restaurant. The chef hand picks the produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market, and the fish are flown in overnight from Japan. If you have failed to understand why this is so amazing, please stop reading now because it will be lost to you and you are meant to eat a BBQ chopped chicken salad from every chain in Awesometown for the rest of your life. To those of you who DO understand the concept of fresh, read on.
I've read some of the other reviews here, and I think it's important to mention that there is a right way and a wrong way to dine at Maru. Don't come in here if you're in a hurry! When food is made fresh and baked to order- it takes time. Don't order the filet and expect it to come out in 5 minutes. The food here is truly an art, and an artist should not be rushed. If your server shows you the dessert menu while you're still enjoying your entrees, they're not trying to rush you. It's because the kitchen still has to mix the batter for your chocolate cake and the server is trying to ensure your meal moves along at a pleasant pace. (Sidenote- ordering dessert is completely necessary. They're only $9, splurge a little! The chocolate bread pudding is more than worth it.)
I highly recommend, (as another yelper Tanya did,) that you sit in Alex's section. Dining at Maru with Alex at the helm is a real treat. He is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the food, and will patiently help guide you into ordering the best of everything. Every time we go we request him. I swear his descriptions of the food make it taste even that much better.
I would tell you what to order, but this review would go on for far too long. Just know this- I have never tried something here that I did not like, and I've ordered quite a bit. Whether it be from their Sushi menu or their French menu- it's all delectable and exquisite. My mouth is watering just thinking of what I will order the next time I am there.
All that said, dining at Maru is a must. But be warned, after eating here...you won't want to go anywhere else in Valencia. -
Review from Laura G.
4/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Why is Maru listed under FRENCH food?? Just curious.
I've eaten here many times and it's good. Not the best sushi, but good.
I had a bad lunch here today. Sat at the Sushi bar, and in my best Japanese (I speak really good Japanese for a white girl) I said, "good afternoon, how are you?" Much to my chagrin they looked at me like I was speaking Japanese (they were Korean and didn't understand a word I said).
I had salmon, yellow tail and albacore sushi. The salmon was good, the other two didn't seem that fresh. I also felt like I was at a 1/2 price sushi bar because the sushi had VERY LITTLE rice and the fish was small. REALLY SMALL. I LIVED IN JAPAN FOR A YEAR - Sushi is my favorite food - it was small.
OK, I'm still hungry, so I order a spicy tuna hand roll - it was just pre-made spicy tuna mush wrapped in seaweed with rice. No veggies, no sesame seed, no spicy oil - it was marginal.
Still hungry - I ordered a Blue Crab had roll with baby greens. OK, I assumed for $8.50 it would be a hand roll and greens on the side. Nope! Salad - baby greens with a vinaigrette in the roll, the crab was soo cold it I would bet it was frozen. Not good.
Still hungry but $35.00 later I learned my lesson - should have ordered the lunch special for ten bucks.
I am giving them 3 stars because I've had good dinners here - nothing that blew me away but good. I need a cupcake. -
Review from gary l.
Santa Clarita, CA
11/13/2011
"OMG" make your reservation now !
Hold out and wait for waiter ",Justin" He was the KING of our culinary experience this night.
On our first time we were a bit lost and Justin greeted us and asked a few questions . I'll be right back ...within two minuets he is back with glasses and
a smile ." Please tell me what you taste of this sake. Justin states cold is the only way to go. We were given a glass per couple , sip,sip,sip. Now try this , What a difference the flower leaves make in the taste of Sake ! ! ! From this moment on Justin would ask a question or two and bring us appetizers, entrees and yes some of the best fatty , belly, sushi my guest and I we have ever tasted. The duck ,the short ribs and fillet Mignon were all GREAT. Now for desert he would only tell us what was the front runner's in sales. Who would think of creme brulee with pumpkin and the made to order Berry pie ! !
I am sure we will see you sooner than later.
Thank you Justin ! ! !
Gary -
Review from Amy S.
Newhall, CA
10/18/2011
I've been going to this place since it opened and I have never been disappointed buy I must admit, I haven't gone in years. I ALWAYS got the teriyaki beef with rice, an amazing house salad, tempura and miso soup (a combination, of course) and it is always delicious as expected. I haven't been back since I started to actually explore food and try new things I recall I have tried some sushi and it was dry and not as tasty as other sushi places around. All in all, this place is good for delicious entrees but I wouldn't go here for sushi because it's really expensive and the sushi isn't worth the bang for your buck.
You can tell it's a nice place-impeccably upheld inside and out plus in a very pricey spot on Town Center I'm sure but if you're looking for some good sushi at a fair price, this is not your place. If you want a nice night out with some good food, fine wine, very cordial staff and don't mind spending a pretty penny-Maru is definitely the place to go! -
Review from Imuya K.
Canyon Country, CA
6/5/2011
The food may be delicious but the service will leave a bad taste in your mouth.
My husband and I went to Maru for dinner. We had been to Maru for lunch once before when it first opened. Our first experience was nothing worth mentioning or remembering, however, we decided to try Maru again after reading the rave reviews from Yelpers.
I had a miso cod dish and my husband had short ribs. The portions are a bit small, but the food was fresh and tasty.
I give the FOOD 5 stars *****
The major problem/issue I had with Maru was their service. The service was rushed and pushy. We had barely gotten settled in our seats when the waitress returns a minute later and asks for our order. We asked for a few minutes while we thoroughly browsed through the menu. Again like clockwork, one minute later the waitress returns and asks for our order. We asked for more time and she left as if she was annoyed. Now I am not a slow reader, nor was I preoccupied with anything else, so I don't know what was her hurry. She didn't offer any suggestions or recommendations. She was just plain pushy. The restaurant wasn't busy. There were only about 4-5 other people in the restaurant at that time. By the third time, it was apparent that she was annoyed with us and we were annoyed with her rushed manner, so we just hastily ordered something that caught our eye just to appease her.
The food arrived in a timely manner and we enjoyed every morsel. We had barely finished the last bite of our food when the waitress comes and scoops up our plates. She didn't offer any refills on our drinks. When we turned down dessert, she promptly put the check on the table. I don't know why this waitress was in such a rush to get us out. It wasn't as if the restaurant was packed and they needed to turn over the tables for the next sitting.
I think this waitress should be working at a fast food joint, instead of a sit down restaurant if she prefers the fast paced clientele. I say if Maru is going to pride themselves as a "classy" restaurant then they should work on their service.
I give the service 1 star *
1 star service and 5 star food = 3 star average *** -
Review from K R.
Valencia, CA
I just tried this place for lunch with my sis. Being a long time santa clarita resident, I have been wanting to dine here but never had the opportunity to do so due to the long wait. We had the spicy tuna and catepillar rolls. Both were fresh and tasty. The service was good and quick. The place seemed a bit cramped but clean and modern. I will return again for dinner with my hubby. One of the best sushi restaurants in santa clarita.
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Review from Lauren Y.
San Fernando, CA
7/14/2011
Maru Sushi, I'm a fan! WOW - went here today for a lunch meeting with some people who know Jason, the owner. He shops at the Santa Monica farmer's market for some of his ingredients and seems pretty hard core, you can read more about how serious he is on their website. I was told that the cuisine is not a Japanese or French fusion but it's separate Japanese and separate French dishes.
The place itself is very clean and calming and pretty empty (then again it was 11:30 a.m.)
And now for the food...
Yes, it's pricey but recommend the "bento" lunch which comes with miso soup, salad, rice and a few other small sides. The bento lunch allows you to choose either a 2 or 3 item combination, and I chose beef teriaki and gyoza.
The highlights for me were the BEEF TERIYAKI - fresh tasting and amazingly cooked not at all fatty and very tender and delicous. Then there was the MISO SOUP which I loved because it was hot and it STAYED hot. I know this seems silly to like this about their soup but I've noticed that in many Japanese restaurants the miso soup gets cold quickly because miso soup bowls are such small servings. Lastly you have to try their ICE CREAM - banana chip 'nough said. -
Review from Sarah Y.
Buena Park, CA
4/4/2011
Delicious! I had dinner here with friends in mid-March as part of the fundraiser for Japan (all proceeds were donated). We made reservations as it was a packed night (for a Tuesday night mind you). Here's what we ate:
scallops
monkfish
short ribs
prime rib
ice cream sorbet
bread pudding
Everything was delicious! My favorite by far was the monkfish with crispy brown rice. The brown rice is cooked in chicken stock and dashi and yet still crispy in texture with thin strands of orange zest. Great flavor, texture, color. Reminded me of risotto but with an Asian twist and more texturally varied.
The short ribs I ordered were so tender that I could tear it apart with a fork. It was even better as leftovers the next day. Also, the dish came with fries and usually, they're soggy and gross the next day, but these fries weren't (oww..magic fries!)
The pineapple sorbet was hands-down my favorite dessert and I was impressed by the high quality of the ingredients in the bread pudding (valhrona chocolate).
I came a previous time and ordered their curried butternut squash soup. Mind you, I came after having a light dinner. The soup was so good, if it wasn't for propriety, I would have sat there licking the bowl clean like a kid eating a bowl of ice cream for dinner. Seriously, I've made this soup at home and it doesn't taste nearly as good.
Again, I wish I lived closer. I want to come back and try other dishes. Everything is so satisfyingly good. -
Review from Dwight O.
Santa Clarita, CA
10/25/2011
When it's a date night, we almost always end up at Maru. Make a reservation as odds are you'll need it.
Food is always good but I have one gripe. Chef Jason, could you please allow for substitutions? For my last meal at Maru, I ordered the Rib Eye but instead of the fingerling potatoes, I wanted the Yukon Gold fries (like my wife got with her Short Ribs) but the waiter said the chef doesn't allow substitutions. I got four tiny and bland fingerlings. The fingerlings are too waxy to pair with the sauce prepared for the steak as they don't have enough "absorption" qualities).
In trying my wife's fries, I didn't miss much as they were soggy and should have been topped off at a higher temperature oil before plating to crisp them. -
Review from Kevin S.
Santa Clarita, CA
3/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Hold the phone: French and Japanese? In one place? I'm intrigued...
Went for lunch and got bento boxes, the only reasonably priced things on the menu. (It's a classy place with decimal-less prices, for the most part.) I did have to sub in the cauliflower soup for the usual miso, and boy, was it immensely satisfying. I got salmon teriyaki and gyoza (was that andouille I detected?) which was served with salad, rice, and a slice of orange. We were tempted to stay for dessert, but there's only so much a stomach can hold, especially at lunch, so we skipped it.
Definitely a good find, and should we have the coin, we'll be back. -
Review from Jonathan N.
Arcadia, CA
5/9/2011
This place can be easily missed since it's in the shopping area, but make sure you don't miss it!
The service is pretty good, no complaints there. They've got one tv, but can only be seen by about 1/2 the restaurant. It's a pretty classy looking place, but definitely casual if you go.
The price is about $20+ depending on what you want. I got the chirashi bowl which is usually about $30 at other sushi restaurants, but it was smaller. Still, I was still really satisfied. The fish was very fresh and even the mackerel was really good, I'm normally not into mackerel. The rice came with a pickled vegetable which added a sweetness to the rice. The chirashi bowl was fresh and satisfying. IT'S NOT JUST SUSHI HERE. They have plenty of choices ... COOKED choices.
The other dishes around me looked tasty. We had ordered the steak skewer which had a sweet wasabi sauce to it. It was REALLY good. I never thought it would work together, but I was really surprised with the subtlety of the wasabi and the pleasant sweetness of the sauce which didn't hinder the steak flavor. Also, the short ribs looked super juicy with a good glaze. Looks like it was very well marinated and stewed for a good time. My family told me it was good, but I didn't get any. The duck risotto was also good, or so I was told. It had a strawberry reduction sauce that was really good. Yea, I got to try the sauce, but not the duck. My whole family enjoyed their meals and was not disappointed by anything.
At the end came ice cream. They gave us the ice cream free, but we were all full, plus we had two portos cakes waiting at home. Still, we tried it and THIS ICE CREAM WAS AWESOME. Flavors: Strawberry, chocolate, mocha, green tea, vanilla, and banana. First, strawberry, chocolate, green tea, and mocha were really good. Second, the vanilla was super smooth with a great vanilla bean taste. It was just right, and not overwhelming. Finally, the banana had some chocolate shavings in it, but was only there for texture. The banana ice cream is by far the best that I've had, even better than the banana heath at Fosselman's. It didn't taste artificial at all! Also, everything was home-made. SERIOUS PROPS.
The only reason I dropped it one star was because the wait was a bit, but that might be due to my table size of 9 and they wanted to bring out the food all at once. -
Review from Jackie B.
Santa Clarita, CA
9/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Sushi is extremely fresh! Service was good, atmosphere is great. Def recommend this place.
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Review from Leah B.
Sylmar, CA
1/30/2011
I have been going here for quite a few years and it just keeps getting better! The sushi is grade-A and all their cooked food & dessert are amazing! I highly recommend the fried tofu appetizer. It smells like comfort food and tastes like heaven!
They have an good variety of sashimi & sushi for everyone... from hesitant triers to well versed sushi diners.
BUT BE AWARE ~ if you are planning to go on a Friday or Saturday night you will want to make a reservation, even if its just for a party of 2. This is a new suggestion because their popularity is apparently growing and in a recent visit I didn't make a reservation so it took over an hour to get a table. But the staff more than made up for the wait when we finally sat down. -
Review from Joshua O.
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
BEST place in town to eat!!!!
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Review from Wona C.
Milford, CT
3/15/2011 3 photos
Great Great Great!
They know what they are doing! exceeded my expectations!
incredibly good fresh sashimi & sushi. Their dessert & coffee was amazing too! Can't wait to go back! -
Review from eric s.
Marina del Rey, CA
1/30/2012
wow... really disappointed with this one. i went there on a date and had the most embarrassingly terrible service i have ever experienced at a restaurant. i ordered a bottle of saki and it never came... i had to ask for it 3 times. eventually i gave up and went to the bar and asked for it. we ordered a sushi platter that's meant for 2 - you'd assume that meant you got 2 miso soups and 2 salads with it as well... nope, just 1 - how is that designed for 2? we requested no octopus in the sushi platter and the server also told us that he would make a special exception for us and substitute something else. we said that's fine, just no mackerel. the platter came back with octopus. when we brought this to his attention, he rudely took it away and brought back mackerel. we had long finished our dinner and kept asking for the check. i had to ask 3 times... and then i asked the hostess if she could get our check. i was stunned at the negative attitude of everyone we met there. really an unpleasant experience.
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Review from Michael C.
Saugus, CA
Went to lunch here with a coworker and I was surprised to see that they have a new lunch menu. I 'm not really sure if it's new, but they have chicken katsu curry, a sushi/sashimi set, or a beef bowl for lunch. Here's the shocking part, they are all less than $10.
I decided to give the katsu curry a try. I had to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The chicken was breaded in panko and was very crispy. The curry is more of a home style curry. Thick cut vegetables in a thinner curry sauce. More of what grandmother and mom would make for me when I was younger. I would recommend it if you enjoy katsu curry.
I'll be back sometime to try the beef bowl.Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/14/2010
I just enjoyed Maru's delicious fried chicken dinner. I want to thank Yelp for the $5 discount, it… Read more »
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Review from Tanya N.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This review is topped off with a fifth star, thanks to Alex my fabulous server! He flawlessly orchestrated the perfect dining experience for me. Starting out with the sake selection and then his uncanny ability to know when I needed more sake poured. I went it thinking I would probably order mostly sushi. Well, Alex had other ideas. He suggested a sushi appetizer, but strongly recommended ordering off their daily dinner menu. He was right on! I had the toro as my app & it was everything I dreamed it would be...silky, meaty, melt in your mouth! MMMMM! My dinner was amazing as well--scallops (and not just any scallop)...these were huge & so sweet, cooked to perfection. Served with pea ravioli (but the ravioli are closer to won-tons...light) and topped off with a lavender infused broth. Now, Alex gently recommended I put an order in for dessert. Well, I'm really not a dessert person, so I was gonna pass on it. But Alex was quite passionate about the desserts, so I decided to try one out....in house made sorbets---i chose: lychee, plum, and guava. WOW---exceeded by exceptions BY FAR!
Bottom line: If spending $ on fresh, delicious food with a twist, and excellent service...you should go to Maru now! Just don't forget to ask if you can sit in Alex's section. Its a must! =-) -
Review from Ciara G.
9/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
Where can you get Fried Chicken, Mexican Cokes and Sushi all at the same place? Well only in Awesometown of course!
So us South Bay, Westside and NoHo, Yelpers made the drrrriiiiiiive to the far off land of Valencia home of Magic Mountain and Maru. We got a little lost in the huge town center and made a minor detour through the mall and finally saw our dinner spot for the night. We arrived to see some awesome yelpers already waiting for us. My new yelp bud Rodney H. was there so I HAD to say HI right away.
Once our whole group was seated they came around to take our orders and we of course all got the fried chicken dinner. Some in the group partook in their 2 for 1 Sapporo special which was a pretty good deal considering it was for the large size ones. Mexican Cokes were soon delivered and then we waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Conversation was great amongst our group but it took well over an hour for our food to be delivered. We were starving and as soon as the food hit the table there was silence except for when someone asked if you could pass them the potatoes.
I was a little surprised that our meal was served Family Style. I can see how it would be a little easier but I didn't feel like I got my moneys worth that way. The fried skin was crispy but needed much more umph in the seasoning. Chicken was moist, juicy and piping hot. I'm not a mashed potato fan but I preferred their first batch of "runnier" ones compared to the second batch. Cole slaw needed pepper like a mother and the horseradish in it needed to hit the road. Corn on the cob was boring and butter for it would have been nice. This meal was totally missing a biscuit. I know it's a Sushi joint and all so fried chicken night is a stretch so how about a compromise Maru and next time whip up a Mochi Buttermilk Biscuit.
We also REALLY needed something to snack on while we waited for our food. Edamame maybe?? My chopsticks were lonely. I was digging on the Mexican Cokes since I was driving and drank 2 and a half so I was up a little late that night to say the least. I'm going to skip dessert bc as a lover of all things sweet it was sour.
The staff at Maru was stellar and even went out of their way to...
1- put a candle in Anthony N's dessert and sing happy birthday even though it was not his birthday
2- packaged up all the leftover chicken for those who wanted to take it home (Lucy Y. said she actually enjoyed the chicken better the next day and it was cold!)
3- OFFERED to split the bill per person
4- gave us a discount on the dinner
5- let us hang out and chat waaaaayyyy past closing time
If it wasn't for the awesometown yelpers I was able to meet- Rodney H., William S. (the CD Swap legend who was so kind to give us a ride to our car that was parked in a galaxy far away) and the lovely Trisha M. this would have been a Meh review for me. So HOORAY for CM genius Katie B. for uniting yelp nations with this UCMYE (it's unofficial bc there is not a event listing) and for the awesometown yelpers being there making everything A-OK!!!!
