Izakaya Amu — Restaurant in Boulder

We have been to Amu for years, since 2009. I have lost count of how many times we've been to Amu and it has always been a joy to eat here. It is definitely comparable to izakaya places in Japan that we have been to and an absolute preference over Izakaya Den in Denver. Every single time has been amazing but tonight was the worst $162+ tip for two person we have ever spent. The miso doesn't have the usual enoki mushroom and it was quite diluted, only contains the usual stuffs you expected from any regular Japanese restaurant, nothing outstanding. We had to sent the yaki onigiri back because it was horribly burnt. The okonomiyaki was also burnt but we decided to just power through it instead of sending a 2nd dish back. The vegetables were starting to wilt on all the dishes that they normally have them as companion. The koma soba wasn't drained properly, there was tons of cold water sitting at the bottom of the noodle. The Panna Cotta, both vanilla and green tea were not set either. The saving grace was the carpacio and gyoza which were delicious. I don't normally write review but I hope the establishment will take this into consideration and providing adequate support to their staffs and not cutting corners on their dishes. We have brought and introduced so many friends and family members to this place over the years. I hope this was just a fluke on a bad week, a rough day, and not the norm. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk. I just really loved their food and want to come back in the future. Please don't make this...

Small portions. Boulder prices. $18 for chawanmushi that was served in a little tea cup with one overcooked shrimp, 2 inches of chicken and one chunk of fish cake and no decorative carrot flower. The custard was broken and completely watery, and the dashi beyond weak.

The female sushi chef working this past Wednesday evening slammed two "complimentary appetizers" in front of us and barely said anything about it, barely looked us in the eye. Explain what is in the dish and be polite. The "complimentary dish" cost less than a dollar to make and was made out of unsatisfactory ingredients. The taste was inedible, awful and a great reflection of what kind of an attitude this so called chef had.

We also tried the "mini" uni rice bowl and for $18 bucks, again.. not worth it. The precious uni (or lack thereof) was mangled and the presentation was completely lackluster. If you’re needing to stretch out your ingredients, take it off the price. The hotate aburi was the only saving dish during dinner. Kewpie mayo will save any dish... yes that is sarcasm.

I can get a foie gras with duck chawanmushi done right with excellent service for $14 in Kata Robata in Houston and cheaper Uni in Los Angeles at Sushi Enya. Sushi Leo in Longmont is less expensive and overall a delicious restaurant. Plus the prices are almost comparable to Uchi, but instead you are actually treated with respect and dined properly. I would never suggest this to anyone that has experienced real izakaya. A celebratory dinner this was not, come back -...

I'd give 10 stars if I could because this place seriously deserves that. I've searched all over USA for an authentic izakaya like this - a place that would not compromise its values so that the customer will get the most authentic experience.

The team who works here is very passionate and serious about what they do. When you walk into this place, you can feel the essence of Japan. You're greeted with fluent Japanese (and not the mispronounced broken words a lot of restaurants try to pass off as Japanese). You'll be asked if it was your first visit to izakaya. Then shoes off and you're seated.

The food was incredible. So much care and thought put into preparing and cooking your food to absolute perfection. Quality ingredients. I've had so much Japanese around the world and can say some dishes were the best I've had of that type of dish. E.g. buckwheat noodles and onigiri was hands down the best I've ever had anywhere - dishes that look so simple yet so hard to get just right. Even their miso soup was properly made from scratch and is none of that "just add water to paste" that so many other Japanese restaurants are guilty for.

Anyway, if you're looking for a casual Japanese sushi place, this is not for you. Sushi Zanmai next door already fulfills that. Only come here if you desire a true izakaya experience.

Oh, as you can guess, this place is not cheap but honestly is well worth paying for.

Remember to tip well (25%) because the level of attention and thoughtfulness they put into serving you definitely...