Pacific Rim By Kana - Ann Arbor (MI)

3 /5 Isabelle Anderson: Had fairly high hopes for this as I love Asian fusion and was only somewhat impressed. The atmosphere of this restaurant is lovely and the cocktails are both unique and delicious. The food left something to be desired, particularly as a vegan diner. The scallion and zucchini crepes seemed to me to be akin to a traditional scallion pancake seen at many Asian fusion restaurants but were actually quite soggy and not too flavorful. I think the amount of zucchini is really what brought this unsavory texture; they would have been quite good if they were crispier. For my entree I ordered the Thai peanut noodles. These were advertised as having caramelized tofu but the tofu pieces arrived much drier than the description implied. The noodle sauce was alright, but not very flavorful. Kind of one note—might benefit from more umami or citrus flavor. I also have to note that it took us about an hour and fifteen minutes to get our entrees. When one of my party members asked our waitress about the wait time, she said that she was following the standard dining service and that it was our fault because we ordered an extra appetizer slightly later than the first two. Overall, this is advertised as a pretty high class experience and while the environment fulfills that ideal, the food and service didn’t quite make it there when we were here on a Saturday night. The menu and cocktails are very promising and I think there’s just a bit more work to be done!

4 /5 Sathiyan Kutty: Went here for a birthday dinner and we had great service from the staff. They really made her feel welcome. We had the salmon and calamari and the vegetarian crepes. The calamari was a good portion and perfectly fried. The salmon was medium and also perfectly cooked. Overall a really great experience!

5 /5 Yunong Shi: Pacific Rim by Kana offers a warm, polished dining experience with refined pan-Asian flavors and thoughtful service. We ordered a variety of dishes and loved every one of them. The Tuna Tartare with Taro Chips was a crisp, textural starter with a bright, clean flavor. The Unagi Terrine was a standout—served warm over sushi rice with avocado and finished with a bold, green mustard sauce. Rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying—one of the best bites of the night. For mains, both the Japanese-Style Sablefish and the Korean-Marinated Ribeye were excellent. Served over rice, they evoke donburi and bibimbap in elevated, plated form. The sablefish was silky and miso-glazed, while the ribeye was charred and tender, topped with a soft egg that brought everything together. Dessert was just as thoughtful. We had a Pistachio and Mascarpone Crêpe, and a Crème Brûlée Tasting with green tea, key lime, and ginger. The brûlées were distinct and well-balanced. Our server even added a birthday candle—unprompted and kind. Service was quietly exceptional. Our young server (possibly a student) was attentive, sincere, and never pushy. The setting is elegant without being fussy—warm lighting, natural wood tones, and subtle pan-Asian décor make it perfect for a special dinner that doesn’t need to show off. Just quality, quietly done right.

5 /5 Blaine Lewis: Good Fusion restaurant with heavy Japanese flavor influences. Extremely unique food and drinks. Good visual atmosphere. Tables are a bit tight, but presentation is top notch.

3 /5 Yohan Park: Tried Pacific Rim recently. The Thai calamari appetizer was excellent and set the bar high, but the entrées didn’t quite match up — both the tenderloin and salmon were surprisingly bland. The atmosphere and service were decent, but for about $120 total, the meal didn’t feel worth the price. Overall, not a bad experience, but I was expecting more given the cost.