Islands Sushi and Pupu Bar

 

4

13

Jonathan M.

San Diego, CA

Wish I could give 6 stars. Great food, (check) Great Service (check) Great happy hour specials (check)

Thanks yelpers once again y'all came through, I read the reviews yesterday and had to check out this place.

I have just found my new sushi spot,  it has the BEST sushi in San Diego, HANDS DOWN!!!

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2

12

Pam L.

San Diego, CA

I don't understand.

Driving around town looking for another sushi place to eat at. I yelped it on my blackberry and this seems to be one of the top places we have yet to try. So we plugged the address into our navi and couldn't find it. Had to call them and find out it was in a hotel. A little odd, but ok, we're up for it.

So we walk in expecting a restaurant and what we got was a 2 star hotel bar. We're not ones to walk out without eating, so we sat down. The food was...generic. The bill was ridiculous. For the same price would could've eaten at Ra Sushi (which has a bigger selection) or Sushi Ota (which has fresher sushi).

I can't believe all of these other reviews. 3 star maybe...but 4, 5 and wishing for a 6 star? That's pushing it.

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Elite '08

71

65

Ian C.

San Diego, CA

although it's located inside of second rate hotels lobby, this is probably the first place i'd go to for sushi in SD.  the décor is generic and is something you'd find in most hotel bars, but don't be too shocked--you are eating sushi in a hotel lobby. surprisingly, the service here is excellent.  the staff is friendly, and the servers are on point.  there are no complaints from me in this department.

i really don't eat sushi often (or even know much about it), but  i'm also never against it if someone wants to go.  therefore, me not remembering what i had really isn't much of a surprise.  actually, there's another reason--we usually just ask the chef to make whatever they feel like. i can honestly say that i've never been disappointed.

the one thing i do know about the sushi here is that it's good.   the ingredients are fresh, and the sushi is prepared appropriately.  also, if something had a particular flavor going on (e.g., sweet,spicy, tangy), it wouldn't be too overpowering as to drown out the other flavors.  they're also good at coming up with their own creations.  normally i don't know, or care what i'm having, but there was this item that was good enough for me to ask what it was.  it was something Leonard (our chef for the evening) made on the spot for us.

i can't remember the names of the items we had on my last visit, but i do remember the one that Leonard made up for us.  i'm pretty sure it was salmon wrapped around rice with some sort of creamy yellow topping. everything from the creamy topping to the delicate texture equaled perfection.  i'd go back just for that again.

dessert isn't something i normally get, or care for, but i couldn't say no once it was brought out.  simply put: vanilla ice cream, with sliced fried bananas, topped with a caramel and fudge.  enough said.

the one thing i learned from going here: the menus are for tourists.

* what i liked
- pretty much whatever's made for us - so basically ths sushi, and the sushi like items.
- the vanilla ice cream, with sliced fried bananas, topped with a caramel (or was it fudge?) sauce.

* what i didn't like
- not remembering the names of the things that i'm eating.

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Elite '08

307

222

stephen l.

San Diego, CA

All of these other Islands reviews are giving me a bit of a complex. I'm starting to wonder if I'm stuck up or something. I've always thought that I was pretty laid back. I'm blue collar, I dig dive bars and taco shops. Hell, I hardly ever wear shoes. And if I'm not wearing jeans or shorts I'm probably at a funeral. But I read these reviews and I just can't figure out what I'm missing here.

This place seemed bizarre to me. One reviewer described the hotel that Islands is in as "swanky" and not for the "white socks and fanny pack crowd". Seriously? I thought these people WERE the white socks and fanny pack crowd. They all looked like they were from Minnesota or Canada(no offense Minnesota and Canada). They creeped me the fuck out. As far as being "swanky", huh?

Devon, baby, if you read this review PM me. I wanna take you out sometime, maybe a 'fancy' dinner at the cheesecake factory? I know a great theater where we can avoid the prying eyes of others and still sort of watch a movie and when we're done we can cruise out to sunset cliffs and listen to the waves crash... and stuff. It will be soooo 'romantic' (don't read any of my reviews of those places though, it'll ruin the magic). Hell, bring some of your sorority sisters, that'll make it extra romantic.

Another reviewer wanted to give this place 6 stars. 6 stars? You need to get piss tested. Dude, here, I've got three left over, you can borrow my extras and give Islands 8 stars! YaY!!!!

Cougar B and I came here and I thought that the atmosphere kinda sucked, it felt cheesy to me. The service was pretty inattentive. I don't think we ever  made it past our first drink order* (because the bartender never bothered to check with us). Finally, the food was okay, but not great.  

We ordered the Pikake PuPu Platter, Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos, and Spicy Tuna, Poke Salad.

I'll briefly review these:

Pikake PuPu Platter**- meh, the wings were ok. The shrimp weren't that good and I think the gyoza and the eggroll were the same thing just in different shapes. The edamame was fine but really, can you fuck up edamame?

Mahi Mahi Fish Taco's- not even close to the best fish tacos in SD. Probably wouldn't even be the best fish tacos in freakin Nebraska (no offense Nebraska).

Spicy Tuna- this was probably my favorite dish and I don't really like sushi.

Poke Salad- never showed up. Coug B was craving octopii and she got none. =(
I was doing the opposite of craving octopii so this could be viewed as good or bad depending on your perspective. =)
I gave Islands the second star for not bringing this abomination to us.

So really, what gives? Am I fucked up? Conceited? I just don't get this place at all. Somebody help me out here.

Maybe I'll try it again, and maybe I'll wear a fanny pack so I can fit in.

___________
* which for us is completely absurd, we're talkin COUGAR FUCKING B here, bars order extra bottles anticipating her presence

** You thought I was gonna make a pupu crack, didn't you? Too easy. I'm better than that.

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273

264

Elise F.

Oakland, CA

Islands hides out in the Crowne Plaza...ignore the "Hanalei" part, you'll get lost trying to find the place if you look for that. The CP is one of the swankier hotels in Hotel Circle, and Islands is certainly not for the white socks and fanny pack crowd. The whole shebang is so nice, my sorority had its formal there my senior year of college (but more on that later).

The food itself was delicious. The three of us, being ever so mature, decided it was absolutely necessary to get the Pupu Platter. When I ordered it, I lapsed into a fit of giggles (yes, I'm a prepubescent boy, sexy huh?). Overall it was decent, if not a bit uneven - coconut shrimp (meh), egg rolls (yum!), edamame (needed to be heated up and salted), gyoza with dipping sauce (yum!), and chicken wings (didn't have any, but word on the street is that they were SPICY).

The Pupu Platter (hee!) was an awful lot of food for three chickens, so we each only ordered another roll. While the fish itself didn't seem to be any more fresh than any other sushi place I frequent, I did appreciate the inventiveness of the dishes. My companions got the Dragon and Rainbow rolls, which were pretty typical. I got the Duke roll, which was AMAZING: spicy tuna and cucumber inside, avocado and spicy seared ahi on the outside. I was especially impressed with how big they were, and yet how neatly they were made. (That's what she said!)

We also enjoyed some of the drinks - daiquiris and scorpions, which were sweet and potent. They did a good job of staying attentive with the water refills, too. After drinking all day, it was nice to have something to clear out the system.

Two caveats, however:
1) They have a policy of "sit at any open table." This works well with a couple, but anything bigger and there can be a hold up. There was a bit of a line behind us as we waited for two tables to open up so we could smush them together. In other words, RESERVATIONS are your friend.
2) The food did not come out in order. We got the drinks first, yahoo. But our food came out oddly: sushi, pupu platter, miso soup. The sushi and pupu could come out together, but we realized that miso soup tastes pretty terrible after all of the spicy food...no bueno.

(This place still gets four stars, because they had to put up with inane requests of drunk sorority girls at 11 pm a few years back. You don't TRULY know annoying until you have to serve to a bunch of trashed coeds. But they were chill, and kept us quiet with bowls of complimentary edamame.)

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1

3

Torin H.

San Diego, CA

This is my favorite sushi spot. And I know those of you that rated this place  poorly might not get it yet, so by way of an explanation, here has been my experience.

4 years ago, I was recommended to the Hanalei by my friend Collier for a small party. I showed up early,  hung out, talked to Randy (We miss you, Makua).

I did the ordering in the only way it is ever smart to order at a sushi restaurant riddled with bland-ass San Diegans and tourist hotel visitors: I let Randy make whatever he wanted. No restrictions on his creativity-- just have a great time. And NO CALIFORNIA ROLLS.

That night may have been the best sushi experience I or my friends had ever had.

Since then, I would go there ~3 times a month, do the same, and bonded with the Chefs.

If you have a smidgen of personality, take a seat at the bar and interact with your Host instead of ordering the crap that 'you know you like'.  They hafta make that same dish for every damn haole that comes through the door.
Be original.  Let him do what he can to excite your palate.

And he's not just a cook, the guys there are definitely the Hosts.  They're the one making you incredible off-menu items that rival anywhere else in NY, Dallas, LV, LA (easily), and everywhere else I've been. I travel a lot, and only eat seafood and veggies.
Come in by yourself, sit back, strike up a conversation and enjoy the company.

I did.

The ahi poke is as good as at the Kahuku superette (and if you don't know--quit pretending you're up on Hawaiian fare), and the hospitality here always makes me feel like I'm at home. Thanks for the great service, Jen, Scott & Claire.

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9

10

Chandra K.

San Diego, CA

Random location, but surprisingly good sushi. A little pricey so go during the happy hour and it's well worth it. The waitress was VERY nice but yes it was a bit slow. When we did get our food we were glad we waited!

Check out the sweet huge angel fish in the fishtank!

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3

18

Slim S.

San Diego, CA

I took my friend here for his birthday.  It's in the Crowne Plaza hotel, formerly the Hanalei.  Parking is validated in the hotel/restaurant so that was the first plus.  Second plus is that for a happy hour sushi locale, at around 6:30 pm, there was no line and the majority of tables were free, although the sushi bar was getting pretty full.  This was on a Thursday evening.

Prices for happy hour are a little on the steeper side, with only select rolls discounted.  They have some good beer prices and signature drinks at a discount for the happy hour as well.

Our waitress was really nice, attentive and helped out my friends who are vegan in choosing something for them to eat.  She also put their orders on the "buy one get one free" happy hour price, even though they were not on the menu.  The waitress went above and beyond (along with the cooks) when I told her about my friend's birthday and inquired if they do anything special on the occasions.  She said that when they are not busy and if the chefs feel up to it, they will do something.  She said not to worry.

Well she brought out a nice big ice cream and banana flambe' for the table.  They didn't charge for that, so I left a great tip on account of her being so great.

The sushi is VERY fresh here, especially if you go later in the week, as opposed to Monday through Wednesday.  In fact, I try not to eat sushi happy hours on Mondays or Tuesdays since the fish selection is probably left over from the busier weekend.  The rolls here are FAT and have a nice amount of sushi rice.  Speaking of, the rice here is what really compliments and makes the fish stand out in the rolls.  They do a very good job in the proper vinegaring and cooking of the rice, resulting in a wonderful consistency and proper flavor.

All in all I give them four stars.  They don't get the last star since there are a few large flat-screen televisions with sports playing, something that I dislike in restaurants - period!  I go to dinner to eat and enjoy the food and company, not watch television.  The ambiance is nice, with darkened lighting, and the tables and chairs are a nice dark wood.  Get rid of the TVs and pipe in some music and it's five stars.  But that's my personal taste I guess.

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Elite '08

8

64

Steve M.

San Diego, CA

This is cool.  A great sushi place without a wait.  Well ok we have never actually sat at the sushi bar because it is always packed, but we have also never waited for a table.  

The food here is OUTSTANDING.  The fish is very fresh and yummy.

Did have one bad experience.  When the place gets busy, the staff gets overwhelmed and service goes down hill.  Spoke to them about it the next time we were there, their recommendation: Call the hotel and ask for the bar.  When the bar answers ask them how busy they are.  The place doesn't take reservations and being a hotel, a tour bus could pull up at any time.  But calling ahead pays off.

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Elite '08

190

121

Lucy E.

San Diego, CA

"Sake-to-me!!!"
       "Miso-horny!!!"

Great news - you won't find "THAT GUY" at this place.  

*sigh of relief*

Even better news - if "THAT GUY" did show up, Big Mike, Leonard or Daniel (the sushi chefs here ) would definitely have him removed in an instant!!

On top of that, add the freshest fish possible combined in a way specifically for you if you're a regular.  If you are not a regular, worry not- the guys are friendly, mellow and will get to know you.

With the casual vibe, the good service and the friendly staff AND customers, you WILL become a regular.

The menu is large and isn't just sushi.  It includes sandwiches, salads, chicken wings and fish tacos.  However, the sushi is definitely the star of this place.  No wonder they have such a cult following.  

M-F from 5p-7p is "happy hour".  Select rolls are 1/2 price.  And not just a silly california roll.  I mean, 2 handrolls for $5.50.  Not teeny hand rolls either.  These floweth OVER!  In house specialties like the "Hanalei Roll".  Eel Roll dipped in batter and deep fried and served with two sauces.  I repeat.  These rolls are large.

Once the guys get to know you, let them do what they do best.  Create.  Get to know them and bring them treats.  They always get dessert from me.   My friend Danielle brings them Monster Drinks.  It's just a sign of appreciation.  Once you eat there, you'll understand.

You can bring a group but you won't sit at the sushi bar.
There is a parking lot (since it is now inside the Red Crowne, former Hanalei Hotel on Hotel Circle) and you can have your server validate your ticket which covers the first few hours.

Full bar.  Nice bartenders.

Tip generously.  The whole staff deserves it.  They'll soon be your friends.  They're definitely mine!!!!!!

*update 11/30/07*
daniel moved to iowa or ohio, somewhere random like that, but big mike is still rocking the house!  sushi is just as fresh as ever and he's there when he is NOT at Zensei!!!

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7

40

J S.

San Diego, CA

Aloha!  Put on your favorite Hawaiian shirt or skirt (or not) and head to Islands Sushi and Pupu Bar during happy hour for some excellent sushi.  I actually like the fact that they are in a hotel for some reason...I guess it makes me feel like I'm on vacation?  If you've read my other sushi reviews you know that I always recommend that you sit at the sushi bar.  If you do- you will enjoy the Hawaiian sushi chefs who are very friendly and can make a mean roll.  If you do not, you can either sit at the real bar or sit at a table in one of their comfy chairs but be prepared to wait a little for your food since service can be a little on the slow side.  No worries though...just order a drink (sake!!) and watch the fish swim in the huge tank next to you or watch the game on one of their three T.V.'s (there aren't any tunes for you music lovers).  My bf and I always try to stop in during happy hour to get their $2.50 hand rolls since they are large and in charge!  After dinner one evening we decided to get a quick tour of the hotel.  We had such a fun time walking around with one of the workers.  It's really pretty in the courtyard/pool area at night when they have all the lights in the trees turned on.   I would rate Islands as one of the top sushi bars in San Diego to hang.....loose.  Don't forget to get your parking receipt stamped/validated before you leave.  Aloha!

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Elite '08

13

170

Amelia R.

Oakland, CA

I've got one word for you:  

MIKE!!!

Mike is THE MAN at Islands. He is, without question, the best master sushi chef in all of California. He made us about two dozen DIFFERENT vegetarian sushi rolls.  Each one a coin of pure perfection.  Perfect sweet rice, crisp cucumber, buttery avocado, meaty shitake mushroom. Oh, sweet glory.

I'm coming back in August, just to visit with you, Mike. I might have to commit hari-kari if you're not behind the counter when I get there...

UPDATE: Went back and was not only not disappointed, but had my expectations exceeded. I now need to add another word for you:

LEONARD!!!

He and Big Mike are still there and rocked my veggie sushi into a fantasy realm. Whew, I've returned home in kinda a sushi coma-overload, but in a good way.  Mahalo Nui, boys...

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0

19

Richard S.

Brentwood, CA

This restaurant is located in the Crown Plaza hotel lobby area. There is a gated hotel parking lot and the restaurant does validate parking. I would have liked to give this place a 2 star rating if it weren't for the fact the food was decent. I had no complaints about the quality of the sashimi I ordered.

What did bother me was as follows.
- Service was slow. Our waitress was friendly and all but getting water took about 15 minutes. It was an indication of how the service would be.
- The food came out at different times. My sushi came out first then 5 minutes later my parents turkey sandwich and salad arrived.
- I inquired about why the 9 piece combo said underneath that it was an 18 piece combo. I was told it was a typo. (wouldn't that be a typo to fix on all the menu's?)
- My 9 piece combo seemed a little pricey. For $16 I would have at least liked some rice or a salad.
- I was here on a Saturday night and there were only 2 people serving. Our server seemed to be having trouble keeping up.
- The place was fairly noisy. Seemed like the typical hotel restaurant where people get food, get drunk and watch football. Not the most relaxing atmosphere.

Overall the food was acceptable but I would not recommend this place.Our waitress, after a night of slowness did finally surprise me. She asked if we needed our parking validated just before I was about to ask.

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13

21

Janet P.

San Diego, CA

Sushi in SD has been mediocre at best. But this gem in the middle of Hotel Circle is great! Hawaiian fusion sushi, made by hawaiians, and it's not just for tourists! lots of locals flock here to munch on the goodies. great creations (pizza roll, deep fried eel roll, etc) and slurp the strong tropical drinks. Happy hour M-F 5-7, discounted rolls and drinks! Sushi's fresh and delicious. go here for a good time!

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4

7

Alanna M.

San Diego, CA

While the restaurant looked like a hotel lobby from back home in Hawaii, the sushi was actually really very good.  We ordered a couple of rolls for happy hour, and a couple of fruity drinks.  I was not super impressed with the maki rolls or the drinks, but the handrolls were to die for, and once we figured out how tasty they were, we only ordered handrolls.  The eel handroll was the bomb--stuffed with lots and lots of eel, perfectly cooked and seasoned.  The nori was crispy--not soggy like how it is on some handrolls, and the size was generous.  At $2.50 a roll for happy hour, it was a great deal.  Our server was very nice, and made sure we got our last order in before happy hour ended.

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Elite '08

13

84

Marie G.

San Diego, CA

Update 8/10/07:
The Hanalei has been purchase by another Hotel Group, The Crowne Plaza Group, but I'm happy to say the Crew is there, including our favorite waitress, CLAIRE! Claire, you rock, you know what I want and you come over and get it out of the way ASAP! Still can't find a Crunchy Roll to beat this place, and the Asian style hot wings really hit the spot! Of course, no monthly trip to Islands Sushi and Pupu Bar is complete without a nice beverage, still love my Scorpion!
_______________

I love to go here for happy hour sushi time (M-F 5-7). Island style sushi and more. Seat yourself and enjoy great tropical drinks like the Lava Flow, Pirate's Cast-away, or Scorpion (my personal poison), beer, wine. Rolls we love to order:
CRUNCHY ROLL- Tempura shrimp, crab, cucumber, avocado, rolled in tempura flakes and topped with sweet eel sauce.
DUKE- Spicy tuna, topped with seared tuna, avocado and masago and with spicy garlic sauce.
BIG KAHUNA- Soft shelled crab, with seared albacore, avocado, sesame seeds with spicy garlic ponzu sauce
and anothe CRUNCHY for the road!

A little pricey, so bring a lot of friends, more fun that way anyways. Just keep away from my drinky.

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1

9

Kim B.

San Jose, CA

Really, I vote 3.5 stars, but we all know it's not an option.  

One full star off for the slowness. Holy crap, people.  We ordered one poke, one Big Kahuna roll, one avocado roll, a hamachi, and inari.  It took, no joke, about 35 minutes to get our food.  And it wasn't like it was insanely crowded there; there were maybe 20ish people there.  I've seen sushi chefs in action.  They can whip out even the most complicated of rolls in 5 minutes or less.  Really no excuse for the wait.

The other half star off was for the portioning/pricing.  My friend asked our waitress (a sweet girl who bore a striking resemblence to Kate Hudson) how big their avocado roll was.  She was told that it was 8 pieces, so my friend only ordered one set to go with her inari (she's vegan, so this is the stuff she lives off of at sushi places).  It was six of the small kappa maki-size rolls that took up the space of less than a pack of cards.  And it cost $4.50.  C'mon people...

My other friend ordere the poke ($12.50) which came in a martini glass. He asked for the mixed seafood, and it came only with tuna.  It was also 80% seaweed salad (which is tasty, but shouldn't command such a price tag).

I got the Big Kahuna roll (which, thankfully, *was* big enough to command its price of $11) and it was very very yummy.  I also asked for one order of "whichever nigiri the chef thinks is the absolute best today" and got the hamachi, which was fantastic. Melted like butter in my mouth.  So I'm feeling I got my $$ worth there.

So yeah, I suppose if you have money to burn, it's worth going to.  I don't regret it, but I wish we would've ordered ahead of time and gotten it all to go.  Then we wouldn't have wasted valuable Tiki Oasis time.

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Elite '08

34

433

Joel G.

San Diego, CA

pros...this is pretty much my favorite sushi place.  great time had by all, do you like sports?  large t.v.'s? super huge nemo inspired aquarium?  fun wait staff in hawaiian shirts?  well this is the place for you.  the rolls are huge, you pay for it, but they are really good.  

you have your regular or typical rolls and then you have more island inspired rolls, big kahuna, smoove, duke, and all good.  my wife really loves the drinks, especially the scorpion, sweet but with a wicked sting!  great wait staff, shout out to Claire, she's the best!

cons...parking, it's plentiful, but you have to pay for it, it is in a hotel.  seating is first come first serve, so don't be shy.  if you see an open table go for it.  if you don't one of the regulars will.

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11

118

sophie a.

San Diego, CA

the sushi is actually not that bad here but my main beef is with the drinks - it used to be that you could just order a tropical fruity ridiculous drink and have it served in a clam shell or volcano or other Disney-type beverage container.  these were served with 18 inch straws which allowed you to surreptitiously dip into your companions' drinks when they were otherwise engaged.  ever since um, maybe 4 years ago, they stopped serving these drinks, now you have to buy the clamshell to have your drink served in it.  when i go to cheesy hotel bars i want my drink served in a plastic novelty glass with at least an 18 inch straw.

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