Douzo
★★★★☆ 3.9 (1303)
"Oh Douzō... you were doing so well, and I was about to sing your praises! Then I made a "mistake"... I ordered the Spicy Yellowtail. That's when the experience took a nose-dive off a cliff. I initially ordered the Caterpillar Roll & Crunchy Roll. The Crunchy, while different than what I usually get, was fantastic. Crunchy and soft textures, and an interplay of savory, salty, and sweet flavors. The fireworks show that well-executed dishes should be. The cuts of tuna & salmon up top were very generous, so even though there wasn't fish inside, it worked for me. The cucumber added freshness, and the tempura and fried onion added crunch. Rounding it out, the mango sauce was not at all overpowering, lending a gentle sweetness. Meanwhile the roe added a pleasant, subtle salinity. The Caterpillar was a phenomenal iteration of one of my favorites: the eel/avocado/cucumber roll. While not as intricate and complex as the Crunchy, it still worked well. There was a fair amount of eel, which combined with the avocado and eel sauce amplified the soft, sweet, and savory flavors. The cucumber and spicy mayo, meanwhile, were subtle and not at all overpowering.The rice, up to this point, was high quality.Then, I made my "mistake." I was hungry for more and ordered the Spicy Yellowtail. Things went downhill a little, then a lot. First, the rice was mixed with scallions. Now, while I don't like scallions, I don't deduct points just because of personal preference. Where this roll went wrong is the sheer amount of tempura combined with a tiny piece of fish. Unlike the Crunchy, the fish was fully lost within. I brought this up to my server who offered to change it to one that is how they usually make it. Ok, great! I went for it. I ended up regretting my choice, especially since I didn't want to send something back a second time. What I was served reminded me of gas station sushi. The whole roll was a little limp and didn't look super-appetizing. Though, it's the taste where it really flopped. The yellowtail here was the kind that was pre-made: chopped, mixed with too much mayo, and stored in the fridge. Thus, a limp roll with a cold, bland, mayo-heavy filling, and nothing else. Especially after the Caterpillar and Crunchy, it left a bad taste in the mouth - pun very much intended. Finally, before I wrap it up (pun not intended this time), I have a few more points to share. Don't worry, these are positive!1. The service was excellent. It was speedy, knowledgeable, and attentive.2. The vibe is modern and upscale. So much so I questioned if I was underdressed, even though my daily attire is business casual.3. Their menu is fantastic in that there are pictures for most everything. Even with items I am familiar with, it was great to be able to visualize what I would be ordering before ordering it. It is due to their exciting menu that I want to give Douzō a second chance. However, one thing's for sure, I will be staying far away from the Spicy Yellowtail (or regular yellowtail, for that matter)."
"I loved this place so much, I decided to come back again the next week! This time, I decided to try their omakase. It was delicious and it was different from other omakases I have tried. They served all of the sashimi in one boat rather than course after another course. Nonetheless, it was still good and worth it for the price, especially if you like raw fish. The foie gras was my favorite, as well as the otoro. The service here is amazing, every time. Definitely give Nagomi Izakaya a try if you're in the area and have not yet tried!"
"The food here wasn't as impressive, but the tab was. The items are so overpriced and none of them wow'ed me. A plain vegetable udon noodle soup was $20. What? It was super salty and sadly doesn't live up to its price tag. Would like to try their lunch specials one day but I'm usually not keen on non Japanese owned Japanese establishments. But will try the lunch here sometime and update!"
