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Categories: Sushi Bars, Asian Fusion
Neighborhood: Short NorthMon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
My beloved and I visited Haiku last night in order to celebrate our nine-year anniversary. Marriage of that length for relatively young whippersnappers is something of importance, and I thought (due to my previous experience with the restaurant during a friend's bachelor party) that Haiku would work well for this. It didn't let me down.
Jenn had gone into the evening expecting and hoping for Thai food, which wasn't something Haiku's menu necessarily caters to, being generally of the Japanese and pan-Asian persuasion. I admit that I may have fudged on details a bit to get her in the car and through the door of the place, but I knew she'd like it. When I pulled into the parking lot at 6:30PM (on a Wednesday), there was a valet (sort of) in place to take my keys and park my car. He was actually sitting in his car, and as I'm honestly not too used to such extensive parking treatment, I simply parked the ol' RAV-4 myself. He then took my keys, and handed me the ticket, leaving me wondering what I should do to actually get those keys back at the end of the night (you can see how much of a valet novice I really am). Once inside, we were quickly seated by a friendly hostess in the main dining room. At that time of the evening, the dining room only featured a few other couples (and I do mean 'featured' - more on that to come), and we settled back to enjoy your time. Our waitress (I apologize for crappy memory with names) was friendly and informative, answering my wife's questions about the menu with grace and aplomb.
To begin with, I ordered us the lettuce wraps (seasoned chicken, lettuce, vegetables & hoisin sauce - $8.50) and two bowls of the miso soup ($5.00 total). Wrapping the chicken and veggies in the lettuce was both fun and delicious (making us question why we don't use this approach to sandwiches more often), and the miso was, as before, absolutely wonderful. We followed the appetizers by ordering the Kani Su Crab (crab, cucumbers & seaweed seasoned with vinegar - $7.50) and the Spider Roll (soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber & masago - $7.95). I'm admittedly not a crab connoisseur, so I have no idea whether or not it was surimi (fake crab) or the real deal, but the Kani Su was thoroughly enjoyed by both of us despite the crab reality mystery. The vinegar was sweet and tart, perfectly complimenting the crisp subtlety of the cucumbers and interesting textures of the seaweed. At one point, I half-jokingly referred to wanting to drink the remaining vinegar - I'm not necessarily into the idea of pickling myself, but the stuff was so dang good. The Spider Roll was also tasty, but with it being (at least in our case) at odd numbers (5), it made evenly splitting it interesting (Tree Country Bistro in Cleveland has a Spider Maki roll that does easily put it to shame, however... just sayin'). If we'd sat and given all of this time to digest for a bit, I'm sure that we would have been happily content, but occasionally we get rash in the hunger department. As a result, we ordered the High Street Roll (tuna, salmon, avocado, cream cheese & masago topped with spicy mayo - $7.50) to finish things up. It was pleasant, but the thick combination of cream cheese and avocado didn't necessarily score massive points with me. At this point, our waitress, having seen that Jenn and I were reading through our vows that we'd put together nine years ago, asked if we were reading for pleasure or business - when informed that we were celebrating our anniversary, she congratulated us, cleared the table, and returned to quietly ask us if we were interested in a celebratory cocktail or ice cream. It could have been just a smooth upsell, but we said yes, ordering some strawberry mochi (rice paper-wrapped strawberry ice cream - no price listed). We'd never experienced mochi before, and loved it, commenting on its unusual, fun texture to our server (who suggested we head over to Trader Joe's to pick some up afterward, which we did). In total, our bill came to approximately $38.00, which I found to be reasonable considering the amount of good and varied food that we'd consumed. We didn't order from the broth noodles, noodles, or large plate menu, however - doing so would have likely kicked up our bill by $10-15 per person.
Throughout the course of our meal, Haiku had gradually filled to brimming with couples and groups of trendy, beautiful people (quite a number of whom appeared likely to have had some artificial assistance with attaining said beauty - I'm no judger, however, so let's just say everything was natural). With the high number of matching Coach purses and shoes marching through the door as the evening progressed, we felt fine exiting when we did (circa 8PM). Our keys were returned by the valet, and with stomachs that were nicely full, but still relatively light and at ease, we set out to hunt down more mochi at Trader Joe's. All in all, a fun, scrumptious experience.
From the tempura,
To the sushi offering,
Haiku is horrid.
Not worth the money you're going to spend here. Really.
I mean, it's okay for a sushi place in the Midwest. And I'll admit to being wary of such establishments, especially since I grew up on the west coast. I don't mean that to sound snobby, but the quality of fish is kind of suspect when you live in Central Ohio.
The fella and I were lured into Haiku by its beautiful outdoor patio and the chance to try somewhere new. Things started out...okay. Our server was friendly, but spouted out so many frickin' specials and ingredients that my head started spinning. She also aggressively tried to upsell me. Come on now, you've got to be subtle and tactful about that. (Especially with me, because I LOVE food but am pinching pennies at the moment.) We started out with the spring rolls, which you should stay away from. They're actually fried, tasteless egg rolls filled with cabbage and carrots and served with an overly sweet, neon orange marmalade. When our rolls arrived, they were (much like what preceded them) pretty blah. I mean, my California Roll had fake crab in it. Yuck. On the upside, their Spider Roll was quite tasty.
If this is the best sushi Columbus has to offer, I'm screwed.
In a word, underwhelming. I'll admit that I have that possibly irrational suspicion of seafood establishments in the midwest that comes from growing up on a coast. Now, with that in mind, listen closely so as not to be deceived.
When you step into Haiku you will likely be enamored with the exquisite outdoor patio, the large colorful plates of sushi and sashimi sitting on everyone's tables, and, well, the patio. That's what gets this place two stars. The ambience and charm end here. My lady and I ordered spring rolls for appetizers. How can such a nice establishment f**k up a spring roll you ask? Imagine yourself staggering into a 24-hour China #9 joint and asking for the 1.25 deep fried cabbage-and-stuff roll; that's what this is. But, even worse, it comes with an overly tangy sauce that is closer to orange marmalade than anything one usually finds at a sushi joint. The sushi itself was okay, but very, very overpriced. I suspect you could find rolls of similar quality for a fraction of the price at Giant Eagle.
Buyer beware.
Haiku would score higher if I was evaluating them on their non-sushi offerings, but in general, the sushi rolls involve too much rice, and little craft. Haiku gets an extra star in the summer when you can dine outside... then it's possible to steer around nouvelle rolls and just order the sashimi and enjoy the air.
Went there this past weekend. Too bad I didn't get to experience the outside patio since it was raining. Interior inside is ok, overall food is ok. The sushi is not great but not bad. I do love the hot & sour lobster soup - the lobster pieces are miniscule but the broth is lovely.
Haiku is the sushi favorite of mine for the Columbus area. I have been to many of the other sushi joints but I always find myself talking up Haiku to others.
I have been there on many occasion and while the prices are higher - the selection is greater. They offer many original rolls along with the traditionals.
The setting is trendy, with a dimly lit main dining area. The outdoor section is nice, but once it turns cooler - make sure you have a sweater - as they do not have any outdoor space heaters.
Our waitstaff has always been incredibly kind, helpful and prompt - even on busy days such as Mother's Day.
The live music nights are awesome and add to your experience. The music selection on other nights is bleh, but inside you are not consumed with it. However, outside the music is loud enough as if they were trying to cover the noise of traffic on the street with trendy pop music. However, the noise is not bad and is not an interrupter.
The food is great, atmosphere is trendy but nice enough that you can wear jeans with a nicer shirt but if you wanted to dress up you would feel comfortable as well. In addition, they have free valet, but you can also park your car if there are open spots.
I highly recommend Haiku for short north dining and sushi.
I am pretty open-minded about Japanese cuisine and, while I really enjoy traditional settings, I am a huge fan of Haiku. This is one of the trendier sushi restaurants in town offering the more urban, modern Japanese dining experience.
The two dining areas have slightly different atmospheres. One is smaller and more intimate, with a narrow booth along the wall and low tables- perfect for couples or small groups. The main dining room, where the cool sushi bar is located, is spacious and noisy- much better for larger groups or couples who enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant, which Haiku has been from the day it opened.
I have found the service to be somewhat slow, but for some reason, I never minded it here. I suppose it's because there's a lot to keep you distracted... the beautiful people coming and going, black-clad servers hard at work, sushi chefs creating their edible art, and reading the handwritten haikus (Japanese poems) hanging on the walls. I really dig the vibe.
As for the food, it's pretty good. But, I definitely go to Haiku for the atmosphere. The energy and ambiance is much more memorable than anything I've eaten here. Being situated at the northern end of the Short North, Haiku can become extremely packed on weekends, especially during Gallery Hop nights.
This is also one of those cases where its street front patio overlooking High Street, is a good thing. I don't normally like to sit outside right on the main drag, but the large patio is enclosed with lattice and plants. It still offers an element of privacy, but still allows one to feel infused in the city's hubbub.
I love Haiku and will certainly return over and over again.
My first experience at Haiku was laughable because of my own naiveté.
I had just gotten into sushi and dragged Greg there to expand my repertoire. It was late afternoon, and we had missed the lunch rush but were well ahead of the dinner crowd; we had the place entirely to ourselves. Our waiter sat us at a table in the back and handed us two hot, wet towels. Greg and I looked at him, thanked him, and set the towels on our saucers. When the waiter left, Greg nudged me: 'What are we supposed to do with these? Clean our own table?'... 'I don't know; it looks clean to me.' There was no one else around to set an example. We left the towels on our saucers and sheepishly looked at our menus until our waiter returned and removed them. Later, while watching a movie, I learned we were supposed to clean our hands with the towels. I share this embarrassing story with you in confidence.
With the towel incident behind us, Greg and I ordered - again embarrassing. I got three octopus rolls and the orange chicken. Greg got his usually General Tso's. Our waiter emerged with two large, steaming plates filled with chicken and rice and three smaller plates lined with sushi rolls. I had intended to eat three rolls...total.
The orange chicken was the best I've ever had. It was perfectly crisp, the sauce was scrumptious, and I had no nasty chewy chicken pieces like you find in low-end joints. The sushi was fresh, and Haiku had soy rolls for people like me who don't enjoy the tangy zip of seaweed (plus ten points). I somehow managed to finish my chicken and one plate of the octopus and humbly had the other two plates boxed.
Though I was red-faced pretty much the whole meal, I had an astoundingly good time and have had a good time each time I have gone back. Haiku is gorgeous and creates a perfect mood. I love the artwork and all the handwritten customer haikus pinned to the support beams and walls. The dark, mysterious feeling of the restaurant reminds me of the ancient orient. The real Japanese sushi chefs - not Mexican like those you will find in Lima, OH - are both funny and polite. And the patio is stunningly beautiful; it's like being in a Japanese garden on High St. There are koi ponds under the bridges and tiny lanterns hanging from the masculine terrace.
A lot of people I know are afraid to go to Haiku because they don't like sushi. To this, I say 'pish-posh!' Haiku has wonderful, wonderful food that anyone who has ever had Chinese take-out can relate to. But it's much, much better than take-out.
I've eaten at Haiku three times now and have had a similar experience each time. While the atmosphere is definitely the focus (and worth checking out), it's difficult to enjoy when overly crowded - which it frequently is. The first two times I visited the restaurant, waits for a table were very long. Obviously, this could've been resolved by making sure we'd had a reservation. But come on - you can't PLAN for the sushi cravings, they just happen. At any rate, we spent more time at (or around) the bar than at the dinner table.
The restaurant has a variety of seating, including a spacious (and charming, I must admit) patio. Whether seated inside or out, I recall waiting for a long time for our server to show up, a longer time for the food to arrive. Granted, amazing sushi takes time, but the quality of Haiku's rolls doesn't reflect the time it takes to get them to your table. Some of the specialty rolls are worthwhile, but the standards (the spicy tuna or dragon rolls are the marks by which I typically measure) left something to be desired. Prices were standard (pricey, that is) for sushi. I'm happy to splurge for quality food, but this just narrowly missed the mark.
That said, making a reservation and a good deal of patience are vital to a good trip to Haiku. Perfect for a first date, now that I think of it - a vibrant, romantic setting and lots of distractions if things aren't going so well and PLENTY of time for long conversations if they are.
(Oh - and if you're considering takeout, perhaps rethink that choice. It took us as long to get our to-go order as it would have to just get a table. And sushi definitely suffers when it's boxed up and taken home.)
Haiku is just OK imo, but they do offer a full menu that makes it easier to eat with a group of people. The concept and general decorations are good. The food is not the best. It is by no means bad, but I have had better sushi so I don't tend to go here that often.
I will suggest though that you order the green tea and red bean ice cream. They were both quite good the last time I ordered them.
They get an extra star for all the fun haikus my friends and I have come up with there.
I went for lunch today for the first time. I was served a complimentary soup and salad. The soup was cold and the waitress looked like the tattooed lady at the state fair. Not a good sign. My lunch was the "Sashimi Lunch" special off the menu. I'd like to know why, on an $19 lunch, they'd serve surimi (fake crab). Another not a good sign. The fish was cut long and thick so that was good. But it wasn't off the same quality that I'm used to getting from other sushi houses. The atmosphere might be great in the evening but it didn't do much for me.
I'm not one for stylish pseudo-trendy sushi places, as I prefer places that focus on sushi and don't worry about glamor. That being said, Haiku is the best of that lot. The food is rather good, but when you factor in parking hassles, the somewhat crowded nature of the place, and the higher than average (though better than Skoku) prices, it drops to 3 stars. I'd be more accommodating if they had top notch service, which they sorely lack. I suppose the difference between expensive trendy sushi places I've been to in California or Florida is those establishments have awesome service (not just prompt competent waiters, but a large responsive sushi staff) and are innovative with the sushi, not just the decor.
They offer a decent selection of other dishes, and I wouldn't be worried to take someone who doesn't eat sushi there (not sure its a great place to go when no one in the party wants sushi).
An entirely mediocre sushi establishment with an excellent patio during the summer.
Dark, dank, and full of wannabe sushi fans, there is little to love at Haiku. Fishy in smell and overly expensive for the quality of the fish, this restaurant has been getting by on location and name for far too long. While it may indeed be one of Columbus's longer established places to consume raw fish, it is far from the best.
The wait staff attempts a "too cool for you" act which is far more tolerable at a restaurant like Nobu SoHo or Koi LA.....certainly not in a midwestern town generally geared to college kids.
The jazz in back is occassionally entertaining, but the limited room is awkward as noted by others. I don't drink, but my buddy says the prices are too high for cocktails and the sake list too limited.
I've not tried the non-sushi items, but the prices appear a tad more proportionate. Lunch is affordable, so long as you're willing to accept a set menu. Certainly not the worst sushi in town, but possibly the most overrated. Their green tea icecream is top notch, thus the 2 star rating.
I went to Haiku just this past weekend for the third or fourth time. It was mid-evening on a Friday night, so my friend and I had to wait about an hour for a table. They don't take reservations for just 2. Overall it was a great meal, our server was very helpful explaining the sake choices, which they have decent sized selection. The place is much easier to enjoy when it's less crowded. They have this little 2 seater table set up in the middle of the room near the bar that just looked atrocious to sit at. If that were the only table in the place available I would have refused it.
Crunching Buckeye roll. That's all I have to say. It is one of my favorite rolls at Haiku, and I can't find anything like it at the various sushi restaurants I have visited across the country (ok...Florida and Chicago..). This roll is a sweet concoction of eel with candied pecans - sounds a bit weird, but oh so delicious!
The atmosphere is also great at Haiku, though I have had some so-so service experiences. It's a great place to have dinner before walking around at the Short North Gallery Hop (the first Saturday of every month)!
The food tastes good, yes, but this place is a little yuppie for this Asian. Too pricey too! I like no frills sushi made the traditional way. this place comes close but no cigar.
Good sushi definitely beat out the crappy service, so lucky for them they have good food! The tres amigos roll is good but enormous, think futo maki style enormous. I liked the grilled spicy scallop roll. I usually prefer the scallops raw, but the grilling added a nice flavor in this case.
The waitress we had was not particularly nice or attentive, and her tip reflected that, but the food is definitely a winner in my book!
Haiku is sort of hard to describe. While their food is good, I personally find the ambience abhorrant. It's like they WANT to be hipsters but fail miserably. The music is awful - it's mostly ancient techno mixes, and the servers are pretentious and terrible. There is one in particular who also works at Evolved (a tattoo and piercing shop next to the OSU campus) who is a terrible waitress - total space cadet, messes up orders, doesn't check on you enough, etc. Most of their mixed drinks (what is it with everyone and fake martinis anyway?) are a bomb, too.
If you go on a Friday night, they have those ambient TVs, playing that awful music, and aging (30s or so) hipsters sipping chocolate peachy keen martinis, or whatever the hell they come up with.
The sushi and dishes are excellent, though. In terms of plates, I love the tao tofu. All the sushi I've had there is good, though nothing sticks out in particular.
In sum, If you don't care about mediocre service and some of the worst music* ever, then it's worth braving.
*Note: I don't usually obsess over music, or what people play that I consider to be in poor taste, but their music choices are an atrocity.
People say this is the best sushi in Columbus and I would agree, but the sad thing is there simply isn't any really fantastic Sushi in Columbus.
The decor inside the restaurant is great - I love going when they have a jazz trio playing in the back. I found drinks at the bar to be a little pricey (remember, you're in Columbus, people).
I have always been satisfied with the food here. The "standard" rolls are great but you would be remiss not to try one of the chef's special rolls.
There is a cold noodle appetizer that is simply delicious!
Miso soup is the best I've had outside of NYC.
Food prices really aren't bad for what you get.
Service is generally poor, which I don't understand. I guess when you're the only game in town you can get away with that!
Although I've grown to love this Short North "Asian-Fusion Bistro" over a few visits, my first impressions of Haiku were not of the highest order. It's impossible to imagine a place filled with dudes in blazers and v neck t-shirts with their waif-like pseudo-bohemian girlfriends to be a bastion of authenticity in such an area, and I've more or less come to grips with the fact that said assertion is more or less true. That being said, I can say with confidence that I've grown to thoroughly enjoy the evenings I've spent here on most occasions.
Like I alluded to at first, the decor and ambiance of Haiku is as Short North as it gets- clean black and white lines running across the perimeter of the dining room, modern-looking Japanese plants tucked away here and there for good measure, and a trellised patio that is certainly one of the finest in the area. Throw in some mood lighting and a stylish tiki torch here and there and you've got yourself quite the progressive dining experience if you ask me.
I always stick with the sushi when I come here, and I'm never disappointed. I was with a large group of about 8 last time I was here, and being avid sushi fans we managed to order just about every single roll that was available on the menu. The California rolls and the shrimp tempura rolls seems somewhat flat and disappointing, but everything else was right on. I especially recommend their take on the Buckeye Roll (a local favorite for obvious reasons) as well the two different rolls that involved eel- delicious!
I've heard pretty bad things about the service here as well, and over the span of a few years I'd have to give it a general rating of average. Some times it can be better than normal, but it's usually a tad on the slow side. It's not really an issue if you're here to just relax and enjoy the company of friends, but if you end up here on a date that's taking a turn for the worse, then it's likely to make things worse. Otherwise, this is a stylish and fun place to get sushi with friends on a Friday or Saturday night.
I've always had a great experience at Haiku and am surprised by the number of people saying they disliked the service. Perhaps I've always visited earlier than most, but we've always received great service and had no complaints. I love that the menu offers non-sushi options for my seafood-hating boyfriend, and I think that the mixed drinks are good, though martini purists would disagree.
For $10, I can order avocado and cucumber rolls and a miso soup and be completely full. There are also other tempting options - vegetables tempura, the various noodle dishes, the tofu dish. (The tofu dish! Order it all crispy, instead of half-crispy half-soft. It is SO good.) My boyfriend swears the pad thai is the best he's ever had, and you can smell the peanut sauce from a mile away.
I think this is the best sushi in Columbus - better than Shoku, TONS better than Zen Sushi. Try visiting for an early-ish dinner and see how the service stands up. The patio is very cute for a weekend lunch on a nice day.
My only gripe is that on weekends, valet parking is mandatory (though free) even if there are open spots in the lot. It seems silly to have a valet park your car 2 feet away from the valet stand, and then feel that you need to tip him. I would recommend starting valet after the parking lot fills up.
Overall, though, I think that Haiku gets an A.
Rated Best Sushi in Columbus by The Other Paper in July 2007.
Contemporary decor and excellent service make this asian fusion bistro a must-visit when stopping in The Short North.
Try the Philly Roll, Rock n' Roll, California Roll, Avocado Roll or various sushi platter combos. If sampling from the regular menu, start with edamame and then try the Haiku Beef or Noodle Pillows (a tasty mixture of crunchy and soft noodles mixed with seared vegetables in a tantalizing brown sauce). I recommend Haiku!
I have eaten at Haiku 4-5 times in the past 3 years. I have never been that impressed. Not that the food is bad, just not great. Not good enough to warrant the wait that this place often has on weekend.
Full disclosure - I am not a sushi eater so my opinion is based on rice and noodle dishes.
Columbus Finest
Tasty Sake and Sushi
Happy Belly Time
It seems only fitting that my review for Haiku be in the same format as its name.
I've been here about three times in the past couple of years. When in town on business I keep giving it a try. This was my first time sitting outside. The food is only marginal. The edimame was average, the yellowtail tasted a bit old and the tuna was a bit fibrous. On the positive side, the fresh salmon was quite good. We also had a spicy tuna roll that was very good. The High Street roll was the featured roll for the night. We got one. If you like cooked salmon, mayo and cream cheese, this roll will probably appeal to you. That stuff doesn't thrill me, so I'd have preferred to skip that choice.
The very best thing we got was freshwater eel. Just melted in my mouth.
Tall Asahi's are hard to beat too.
Sitting outside is a great option, weather permitting.
Haiku is the urban posh sushi bar extraordinaire in Columbus. The atmosphere is slick, but to me the high prices are not warranted, because --from what i've tasted--the sushi is standard issue. The times i've been there the servers seem they are lost in space. I do appreciate Haiku's efforts toward a stylish environment, and some folks who want the "we've arrived and are hip in the city" experience will eat it up. But somewhere along the line i grew averse to style over substance in restaurants and so a place like this does not tempt me much.
Ive been here several times and the sushi just isnt that great. I dont remember ever trying a non sushi dish tho. I think I could overlook the not-so-amazing sushi if the wait staff was attentive.
we had a large group so gratuity was automatically included.. which meant it took 45 minutes to get drinks (no lie) and another 35 to get our food. on a tuesday nite! the place was DEAD besides our table. it the attitude like that which kept me from ever going back. I can deal with the prices and the meager sushi if the staff was atleast friendly (aside from the hostesses... too bad the waiters ruin it for them and the tips they split).
I like the decor/ambiance. its well laid out with plenty of interesting things to look at. parking is awful unless you valet, but thats to be expected in that location. overall, when people ask me if they should go to Haiku, i say no.
my favorite haiku: (stolen)
I watch when you sleep
I start to lick your Big toe.
You think im your dog.
With our two friends from Tokyo, we were four for lunch.
Every lunch comes with a small salad and miso soup. Spider roll was as expected, I didn't really go out on a limb. Others were happy with their dishes. Reported that it's not the most authentic Japanese food available in the area, but it was quite good.
Our service was actually VERY good, I was surprised by the other reviews. Our server actually brought me another sake because they ran out of the one I ordered... I got a smaller amount, but not by much, so this was very generous.
You can write your own (paper) edo to clip to the wall.
October 2007
Despite the overwhelmingly strong scent of seafood when you first enter, Haiku is perhaps my new favorite restaurant in the Short North. The restaurant is not new, but it was new to me on this outing and I have been there three more times since.
The service was excellent, the food was fantastic and their prices were reasonable. Twice I have eaten indoors and twice I have eaten on the patio - on a hot day when the fish smell isn't desirable, the patio is the perfect solution.
I love sushi, and I've gone to many places in search of the good stuff. This is very good sushi, and if you want to eat outside their patio is wonderful for atmosphere. They have some great specialty rolls, too. Try the Crunching Buckeye Roll (my favorite). They have a full selection of pricey pseudo-martinis, too, which they serve in funky glasses, and I generally distrust restaurants that are all atmosphere and glitz, but the sushi is quality despite the fakeness. Yum.
What's good about Haiku is the outdoor patio in the short north. It's a great place to relax and catch up with friends. And you'll have plenty of time for that because the service is slow. The sushi wasn't mind boggling, just average. The seaweed salad isn't made correclty so skip it! If you're looking for the best sushi in Columbus try Kooma off Vine Street. If you want to eat outside go here.
I went to school an hour outside of Columbus (aside from growing up there), and on rare occasions when we decided to get fancy, Haiku was the destination. The atmosphere is pleasant and feels like an escape, especially on nights when there's live jazz. There's a bar at the back to grab cocktails while you wait, which puts you next to the music - though there's very little standing room, which gets awkward when it's crowded! The more people you can bring, the better, as there's tons of enticing rolls on the menu you'll be dying to try. Not to mention the excellent noodle bowls. Manages to come off hip and cozy at the same time.
The pros: It's convenient place to get together with friends for sushi when you have no idea at the last minute.
The food & the ambiance are great.
The cons: Service sucks there at least most of the time when we go. I don't usually like to give places a rating of 3 or below stars but I give this place purely for service.
I ate here for sushi, my favorite food, and I was quite dissapointed. I like the ambience, but the sushi made me sick to my stomach. If I was someone who did not live and breathe sushi, I would think okay sushi is just not my thing (HEAVEN FORBID!!!), but yeah this place made me sick to my stomach, and I was up all night, my boyfriend almost took me to the hospital. ICK
I'd never imagine in a thousand years that I would find a great Japanese (let alone Asian) restaurant in Columbus, but my hopes were gladly dashed when I first ate here. The weekend nights can be a real bitch to put up with given its location in the Short North, but other than that the food is suprisingly amazing, especially their sushi. Their tamago is the best I've ever tasted on both hemispheres, it's almost that good enough for me to move back to Columbus. Almost.
Very nice atmosphere combined with great fusion make for a consistent dining experience. Every meal I've had here was delicious and always made me wanting more...
Neighborhood: Short North
Category: Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Short North
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Upper Arlington
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Gahanna
Category: Asian Fusion
Neighborhood: Crosswoods
Category: Japanese
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