Restaurant review-Fuji Sushi & Grill

Fuji Sushi & Grill is a small, unexpected 'hole in the wall' in a strip of other small unexpected hole in the wall eateries at 14th and Pine Lake in South Lincoln. Bordered by Lincoln Southwest High School, several small companies ranging from software providers, dental offices, and office parks, it is nestled in a location that will most likely guarantee it's continued success. Parking is adequate since they share the communal parking lot with Zesto's, Arista Hair Salon, Wilderness Perk, Juice Stop, an Army/Navy/Marine Recruiting Center, Amigos, and a Tuffy's among other things, but it could get strained getting in and out off of 14th or Pine Lake if there was a rush.

The building space could comfortably seat about 20 people, and there is a small bar seating area near the back as well, though it seems more suited for waiting for an order rather than eating. The small corridor that runs between it and the register to cash out goes further back to an Employee Only door and two restrooms (men/women). The establishment is well lit but dim enough to be cozy, and was pleasingly absent of the typical 'oriental' ethnic-themed muzak that seems to be pervasive at most any ethnic, sit down eatery. There is a fish tank immediately upon entering, and a small table to the right, though, so be careful right when you come in. The fish case is small, but the things I saw in there looked well chilled and fresh. The salmon and tuna had a nice ruddy red color, and the slabs sit on their own and not on ice, so the fish is not burned by the cold. This was their opening day, and unfortunately for me they ran out of rice! At 2:30 pm there were 9 diners there-two parties and one individual, besides me. School had gotten out at two, but the kids didn't seem to know what to make of the place, and so it was quiet and not beset with the after school crowd.

I was greeted warmly twice in the 12 feet from the door to the counter, once by a waitstaffer that also took my order and once by an older woman that cooked and prepared my tastings. The counter is cluttered here and there with bric-a-brac and oriental themed Hello Kitty statuettes. Two congratulatory bouquets were on the high counter off to the side, showing that it was still opening day. Two menus were presented to me-1 was the sushi list and the other was the entrée/sit down menu. One thing that was lacking was a dictionary or description board or printed description on the menu of what it is you are actually going to eat. This would be helpful in the future for the uninitiated, though their menus don’t have a lot of space to add descriptions of the different kinds of sushi preparation right now. A small alcohol selection is also available behind the counter and near the ceiling. It was a little hard to read some of the labels, but from what I could see they have: Grey Goose, Skyy, Crown Royale, Citron, Capt. Morgan. For the beer selection I saw: Ashai, Sapporo, Ashtinga, Budweiser, Miller, Miller Light, and Corona.

I ordered Sashimi, because they were out of rice, and because I did not have the time to sit down to try any of the main entrees. I had salmon, shrimp, fried shrimp, and a side order of Calamari. The Calamari was fried, but not too crispy, in a batter that tasted kind of like funnel cake dough without the sugar. The pieces were chunks and not the stringy sort of calamari you find at other restaurants in the Lincoln area, and were cooked through but not too hard or rubbery. It was served with a light teriyaki type au jus dip sauce that had some sesame seeds in it, and it was tangy, but not too sharp or spicy. It could have been just a little more spicy, but that is a personal taste. The leftover dip worked well for the other sashimi that I had as well. The shrimp and salmon was served on a cardboard plate with a cover (remember, I got it to go) that was decorated similarly to what you find at Hyvee and other cold case stores that make and sell pre-made sushi. The cover snapped on very tightly and was somewhat difficult to remove, but it DID seal in the food very well-its intent. The sashimi was served on a bed of string cut carrots that were very thin, and garnished with an ample amount of ginger and wasabi off to the side. The color of the salmon was very firm and pink and, and the flayed shrimp were firm and a mouthful in size without being too large. The portions were ample for the 4.00 and 4.25 I paid for each, so for 9 dollars I got 4 shrimp and two pieces of twinkie sized salmon, with garnish. The Calamari was 4.95. The total for all 4 sashimi dishes and the calamari was just over 21.00.

I look forward to sitting down and actually trying their entrée’s at a later time, and their other sushi offerings as well (sushi, maki, tempura). I was thanked upon my leaving, and told to come again. Once they work out their minor logistical/stocking concerns (it WAS opening day, after all) I think they will be a hit with the foot/lunch traffic from the school and the lunch crowd from the surrounding area.

Good luck.