Junto sushi opens inside Motto hotel in Bentonville

The new Motto by Hilton in downtown Bentonville is just as much an amenity for those of us who live here as those booking a room — mostly thanks to the sushi restaurant inside.

🍽 The vibe: Junto is an upscale restaurant on the bottom floor of the Motto with a modern aesthetic. It fits right into the downtown restaurant scene and is just a beautiful place to spend an evening.

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🍣 How it works: The menu is almost entirely small plates and sushi rolls that are made to share and come out as they're finished. I'd plan on ordering at least four items for two people.

🐟 What to try: The Chilean sea bass temaki ($12) comes with creamy avocado and a miso mayo smashed up next to some crispy white fish. Temaki is a type of sushi where the fillings are hand-rolled up in seaweed, and the menu also includes lobster, salmon and veggie versions.

• The tuna tataki sushi roll ($18) with shrimp tempura, avocado, tuna, spicy aioli, fried shallot and sweet soy is also delicious. You're not going to go wrong with a classic sushi roll like a spider roll, either.

🍸 Zoom out: Don't forget the cocktail menu. The Sugar & Spice ($15) with vodka, passion fruit and fresco is exactly the kind of light drink I want with fish.

The spider roll (left) and tuna tataki roll (right). Photos: Alex Golden/Axios Pork buns and the Chilean sea bass temaki. Photos: Alex Golden/Axios

💰 By the numbers: My dinner for two including one drink each and a shared dessert totaled about $140. I'm not mad at the price given the quality of the food and the experience, but this does go down as a special occasion restaurant in my book.

📍 Stop by: 5-10pm Monday through Monday through Thursday; 5-11pm Friday; 10am-2:30pm and 5-11pm Saturday; and 10am-2:30pm and 5-10pm Sunday at 229 S. Main St. Suite 100 in Bentonville

Go deeper: Read more about the Motto and other hotels popping up in NWA