UMI SUSHI — Restaurant in Ann Arbor

I've never written a review for a restaurant before because I've never found it necessary to criticize a restaurant (I've had family members who worked as dishwashers in restaurants and understand they can be stressful places) nor do I think I need to praise great restaurants because others will naturally compliment them in reviews. My experience with Umi Sushi was my second worst meal in the US (I moved here in 1995) and the only time I've felt borderline discriminated against for whatever reasons (my significant other and I Chinese). My significant other and I walked into the restaurant at 7PM on Friday. It was a somewhat cold night and only two groups were in the entire restaurant. There were 5 booths open and I thought it was reasonable to ask for a booth. I politely asked for a booth and my request my promptly shut down by the waitress/manager woman. Feeling a bit awkward, we sat down and ordered our food; the food quality was fine but our tiny table was very cluttered (two udons, two salads, two mugs of tea, sashimi appetizer, and two orders of maki rolls). Again, this would have been much easier had we been given a booth. Around this time, the next two customers (a Caucasian couple) walked into the restaurant. The same waitress greeted them with a HUGE smile and happily directed them to the booth I had requested. As upset as I was at this point, I asked the waitress why she didn't allow us to sit there but let the other couple, she smiled to be and said 'it happens'. Also, I ordered a Nabeyaki udon this time and it was served without any shrimp tempura. I've ordered it so many times in this restaurant before and it was always served with shrimp tempura. However, when I asked the waitress, she told me this udon was vegetarian. I wonder if she just made that up. It was a very disappointing and unpleasant experience. I have spent ~$300 dollars at Umi in the past two years but they certainly lost a very loyal customer tonight. I will gladly drive the extra 30 miles and eat my udon at Ajishan in...

I'd really prefer to give 3.5 stars because it was good just not fabulous.

Three of us in our party and we ordered....

Edamame, simple yet satisfying to eat out of the shell.

Alaskan soup, lots of egg with plenty of lobster (or crab, I can't remember which it had) and shrimp. It comes out in a wonderful cast iron pot. Plenty to share or a meal for one. Good flavor.

Salmon Avalanche roll, the salmon was good, a bit mushy mouth feel for me but still good. The sauce on top was just sweet enough not to overpower.

White Tiger roll, my favorite from tonight! All around great taste. Crunchy top with plenty of crab meat salad and a yummy tempura shrimp.

Each roll came with a cup of miso soup and a small salad. My soup had 2 tiny squares of tofu but good taste. The salad did have a very nice, light dressing.

Spicy chicken and shrimp, delicious. We ordered it medium and it was pretty spicy, glad we didn't go hotter. We ordered it with brown rice and that was an extra $2!

Service was fair at best. Our food came out quickly and the correct temperatures. However, our water and soda was never refilled but the ice tea was, hmm?

For the three of us we got out of there, with tip, for $70. So a bit pricey and I would have preferred better service for that cost. There was, however, enough food for us.

Parking could be an issue during busier times but we got here at 6ish and were lucky enough to find a parking space right in front. There's more parking at the back of the plaza with a short walk.

We were visiting the area so if I'm here again I'm not sure I'd be back, the cost may be a...

We have an annual tradition of coming here with all the kids to celebrate and of school year lunch. While the kids enjoyed the crab rolls they got, the the bento lunches were not good. We got beef teriyaki, chicken katsu and shrimp tempura. The California rolls were slopily made and felt premade. The rice in the bento boxes seemed like it was day old and dried out. The gyoza were over cooked. While in the past I have enjoyed Umi Sushi, this visit was disappointing. My son complained that his sushi wasnt cut properly or fresh. My wife and I got the Michigan special roll with tuna, salmon and deep fried. Unfortunately the salmon tasted mushy and spoiled. The whole roll was almost inedible. It seemed like it was premade and stored in a fridge and probably a day or two old based on how all the ingredients were mushed together. We spent $120+ for lunch. This may have been just a lunch service issue since we've enjoyed them in the past for carry out. But we won't be going here for our celebration...