Aoyama, a  Japanese and Chinese Restaurant
8 E. Main Street
Mendham, NJ 07945
973-543-9700
www.AoyamaNJ.com

Our experience at this restaurant was fabulous. All of the dishes were thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. Four of us picked 3 appetizers to share:
They may sound strange but they were terrrific. We had Monkfish liver pate' with a lovely garnishing on the side; a rice roll with eel and vegetables with a delicate sauce; the third was very adventurous: salmon wrapped arounf asparagus in a coffee sauce
The entrees were Chinese and included Lamb Two Ways, including interesting sauces and vegetables with the meat; shrimp with spicy peanuts and tiny pieces of diced zucchini(we aksed them to tone down the use of peppers and it was perfect).and Mai Fun noodles from Singapore, a delightful dish with a subtle curry sauce. They also have more traditional foods, but we were with a chef who goes there frequently and really is admiring of what they do.

The menu is extensive and the staff is very accommodating. If I can get this onto Zagat's website which I am trying to do, I will give it a 27 out of 30. This is a gem and it is very reasonably priced. It's BYOB and is in the King's Shopping Center, all the way down on the left at the end. The restaurant is very pleasant and has a private alcove for larger groups. It is truly a gem.

Reviewed by Jane Kendall, 3/22/11