The FoCo Sushi Spot You Can’t Ignore
In Fort Collins, you’re likely to see a sushi restaurant on almost every main street. Most online review sites have a handful of people that claim their favorite sushi restaurant is the best. However, these opinions are biased because most people only review their favorite or least-favorite restaurants. In order to avoid the sushi bias, I have hand-picked a random sushi establishment that can be found in the heart of Old Town: Jeju Sushi and Japanese Restaurant.
Ambiance
When you walk into Jeju Sushi in the late evening, the main dining room feels as though it is glowing. Individual light bulbs that hang from the ceiling are the only source of light in the dark room. Large, black leather booths encircle the dining area, which give the opportunity for privacy with friends. When mixed with the delectable aroma of Japanese cuisine, an environment similar to a hip New York City lounge is created. The aesthetics certainly are not lacking at Jeju.
Service
I’d like to say the service is equally as pleasing, but there are areas where it can improve. Although the host is helpful and kind, he seemed lazy at times. The waiters are attentive to their tables, but lack enthusiasm. The end of a shift can often be the most difficult time to work, however the customers experience should always be on the employee’s mind. If a worker seems lazy it comes off to the customer that he or she does not care. Energy and suggestions would make the customer feel more valued.
Food
Where the service falls short, the food makes up for it 10 times over. If you order any sushi roll, the delicious, warm miso soup is included as an appetizer. The flavors in the soup are just the right amount of salty, and the tofu is soft and savory. This appetizer is definitely a tease for the main course that will come next. For sushi, you can pick nigiri, sashimi or sushi rolls. The spicy tuna, yellowtail and vegetable tempura rolls are highly recommended. If multiple rolls are ordered, a beautiful array full of the sushi’s vibrant colors is served. Each roll comes with about 6–8 pieces. The sushi at Jeju is a delicious, intriguing fusion of asian flavors.
Price
The prices at Jeju are mid-high range, which is reasonable for a downtown restaurant. The basic sushi rolls are about $7-$8, and the specialty rolls range from $13-$14. In comparison to other sushi spots in Fort Collins, the prices aren’t exactly student friendly. However, Jeju hosts one of the best happy hour deals in town. If you make it in to eat between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 pm every Monday-Thursday, you can enjoy $4 rolls and $3 appetizers. So, this upscale sushi hot spot can very easily turn into an affordable outing.
Overall, Jeju Sushi and Japanese Restaurant is a pleasant, adequate dining experience. The food and posh environment sets the bar for sushi in Old Town, and the prices are sensible. However, the personnel could benefit from freshening up their hospitality skills to improve the customer experience.
