AOI Sushi & Izakaya — Restaurant in Boulder

I've known Yuki-san from when she was working at Izakaya Amu. I'm so excited she and Keizo have their own place now! I got to go opening night, and it was everything that I wanted - a few old favorites, with a good mix of new dishes. I didn't get a chance to sit at the bar with my friends, but I guess that only means I need to go there again. :)

The food is delicious, and comes out fresh and hot; and absolutely transport me back to finding the little izakaya gems in and around Kanto and Kansai whenever I'm back in Japan. There's so much on the menu to enjoy and share (although I tend to hog it for myself!), and it's good to know that there's still plenty for me to try that's new and exciting.

I can't recommend the place enough, and I plan on making it a local haunt for me, for as long as I can!

UPDATE: 5/7/20 I’m updating this during the COVID-19 pandemic because I think it’s a good and right thing to do. I’ve been through an incredible amount of chaos in this time period and the year since I last reviewed this establishment.

My review changes slightly.

I have come to appreciate and treasure this place more than ever before. During my abrupt divorce, loss of income, and personal tragedies (losing multiple friends), Yuki-san and Keizo-san have been there to support and comfort me through the food at AOI. It’s hard to describe the feeling of relief and reassurance that comes with food. Biting into tempura or ika geso age and feeling calm and relief from the day is something precious and is rare for me these days. It’s hard to express good will and sympathies/empathies in general, but sometimes even harder from behind a counter. Yuki-san has been an incredible pillar for me through her food. Being able to escape from trouble, if only for a moment, through her food is invaluable to me.

I can’t thank them enough, or recommend the restaurant enough.

Please support them as much as you can, especially in times like these.

UPDATE: 6/16/21 What a year. A hell of a year.

I can't continue to recommend AOI enough. I think I have said more than need be said about this place. Go. Go and be a patron. It is rare to find a restaurant like AOI, and rarer still to find people like Yuki-san and Keizo-san at the helm.

I have had to move away from Boulder for a job, but their friendship and the food means so much to me, and I will never forget it. The restaurant, and everyone that works there, has left an indelible mark in my heart and I don't know how my life would have been without them there to be an anchor for me for so long through the pandemic and my divorce.

Thank you so much, all of you for everything you have done for me.

It is not hyperbole to say that I make it a point to buy a plane ticket just to go to Boulder to see everyone and eat their food. It doesn't feel like a destination restaurant. The people there have worked hard to make it feel like home.

I miss home such an...

This place has a limited but very delicious menu! I've been here several times and the staff is always welcoming and friendly. The chefs really know their stuff and you can tell their specials are always fresh, based on availability of ingredients. Tonight I had 3 specials including real wasabi, which I never expected outside of Japan. They didn't mind us bringing our dorky lightsaber chopsticks. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because I made the reservation in advance and as you can see, my name is Missy. The very gregarious hostess who has been there a long time, called to confirm and called me Lucy. I legitimately tried to correct her 6 or 7 times during the confirmation call, during which she called me Lucy about 3 times. Then again when we got there in person. I said "the reservation is under Lucy but that isn't right, it's Missy." And she said "reservation for Lucy at 5:30, that's right." Like she was partially listening but not really. For me, that really downgraded my experience, especially as I was the one paying for my husband's $200 birthday celebration, a party of 2, and we always tip well. I can tell by the call that they try to personalize for the customers and call them by their name. But it helps to hear the right name! It's insulting otherwise, and I almost wondered if she was messing with me. My recommendation to her is, close her mouth and open her ears. She talks much, listens little. Again, over multiple times eating there, this is my experience with this one staff member. Still giving 4 stars because the rest of the staff and chefs are super and the food is wonderful! Keep up the great work in your small restaurant! But please don't call me Lucy or I might...

My summary grade for AOI Sushi & Izakaya is: A

Facilities are nice, tables due to the pandemic are spaced widely apart and there is outdoor tables with heaters placed by the tables.

Menu is complete and has a few extra surprises I was not expecting.

Drink options are varied and include some great Japanese beers - which I enjoyed.

Food - amazing for the most part. Please do yourself a favor and try the fried chicken. Since traveling to Japan last year, I had no idea that there was such a reverence and excellence in Japanese fried chicken. The AOI chicken is amazing and the sauce - they should bottle the sauce, I would buy a bottle of that sauce every week. Gyoza were spot on, crispy on the bottom, soft and flavorful up top. We ordered a variety of sushi, and some sushi that was on their Specials menu. I don't think I have ever had Hamachi belly (please forgive my inability to remember the Japanese term for this), but WOW! So good - my wife and I re-ordered it and were lucky enough to get the 2 last pieces. There was really only one item that we didn't wow at, the Spider Roll, which was fine and tasty, but not amazing.

Service - We were seated by the hostess as well as served by her. Of course she was very busy but was very accommodating and knowledgeable about the entire menu.

Overall: We were very pleasantly surprised by AOI's food, drinks and good service albeit, the servers were all busy. The next time I'm in Boulder, I will absolutely go out of my way to make it back to AOI for a great Japanese dining experience. You will not be...