Zenbu Sushi Bar & Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

purple rain

Joined 4 years ago

Disappointed. Sitting at the sushi bar and there was only one other person at the sushi bar. I ordered salmon sushi and wasn't served for almost 10 minutes while I watched them make to go orders for people who weren't there.

The sushi roll was skimpy. It had scallops in it and there was such a miniscule amount of scallop it defeated the entire purpose of having scallop at all. There was a fish draped across the top of the roll and it too was very skimpy and frugal. The roll was uneven and the ends of the roll, the two pieces out of 4 were small and the rice wasn't packed tightly so that it was difficult to dip into the soy sauce.

Aside from that there was a very lively atmosphere and seemed like diners were having fun and enjoying themselves. I left quickly without ordering my usual amount of sushi.

Maybe the cooked dishes are better, but I went there for sushi.

Recommends

EARLKAY

Joined 5 years ago

Good for a date night. The Interior is well decorated. Staff were nice, not the best that I've had, but I guess that's because my friend and I dressed a little bit too casual for the store's taste; however, they made sure that I had a full glass of ice tea, so two thumbs up for that!

We ordered rolls and nigiri. It might have been chef's fault, but the rolls weren't tightly rolled at all. I fell apart as soon as I grabbed a piece of it. Nigiri wasn't prepped correctly either; seem like the chef just grabbed a small portion of sushi rice and stuck a piece of sashimi on the top of it; It wasn't prepped correctly. Sushi tasted well, so chef needs a little more training. I know I shouldn't expect Japan quality sushi in America, but being born and raised in Japan, I was expecting a little more care in Nigiri, since IT IS the sushi that I know (I can care less about rolls, since they are not sushi that I grew up with anyway).

I would go back if I'm trying to have a casual sushi night with a date.

Doesn't Recommend

Erin Chambers

Joined 7 years ago

La Jolla sushi spot also features Pacific Rim specialties and a happening bar scene on weekends.. In Short
Tiki-inspired decor softened by candles and uplit palm trees gives La Jolla's see-and-be-seen sushi bar an authentic but casual feel. Sushi dominates the menu with the specialty rolls that change with the season and freshest available seafood. An accessible wine list and flavored sake cocktails tempt the young couples and La Jolla locals that pack the place every night of the week.

Recommends

foodysf

Joined 7 years ago

Best sushi on the west coast.. Zenbu is simply the best sushi I have had in the past decade. While living in La Jolla for a couple years I ate at Zenbu at least 3 times per week and was never anything less than thrilled. I am extremely picky and I eat sushi for about 70% of my dinners. The fish is extremely fresh, inventive, fabulous rolls and great cocktails. The atmoshere is totally unprentious, but very loungy and zen...there are a few tables outside, but not as peaceful as the vibe inside. It's a little hidden if you're not from La Jolla, but it's most def. worth the trip.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Singles and couples gather in this moody sushi bar before, after or instead of going to its nearby relative, Zenbu.. In Short
In the same complex as lively Zenbu, Koi was originally designed as spillover space. The two restaurants still share a menu, but Koi has its own personality. The long, narrow space is dark and sparsely decorated, except for several gilded mirrors lining one wall and a bright koi mural on the opposite. With DJ-spun electronica pulsing in the background, well-dressed patrons sip specialty cocktails and nibble sushi rolls crafted by the chef behind the counter.