Izu-Sushi — Restaurant in Denver

Average sushi and smallest sizes I've experienced anywhere for regular types ie: spicy tuna, salmon,New York etc. Pretty sure fish is not sushi grade fish as it was pretty tasteless. Redeeming the restaurant was bit more expensive rolls, $11 for 5 pieces was fabulous tho, can't recall if it was Dragon rolls or Naruto? The sauce and texture... just melted into my mouth /drool. Gyoza's were good as well, bit better than others places locally. I will likely give them another go since it's near by and try some other options,like if they have any handrolls lunch specials or something? Every place that is decent for first visit deserves a 2nd try.. Ordered for take out and felt akward picking it up as there isn't a good place to meet and pay without feeling like standing in dining room. Place looked very clean inside and employees looked fresh and energetic 😀 I not appreciate that I had tipped prior to pick up online but when rang up and signed receipt there was no indication that I had tipped online but I did double take, and my tip online was included in the total. Confused me for moment, there was again a tip line on the receipt I was signing, not professional and worry about employees being jipped or hoping to be tipped twice? Please adjust software to reflect tip AMT on receipt. I added 15% for take out which imo is quite generous. Also, I found the menu to be a bit confusing. As ordering online, no questions. Interested in ordering "Sushi for 2 people", but didn't want to risk that as that can be very subjective, approximate amounts like 5-7 , or 2 or always 6 is very very helpful to most customers. To be fair, I have been spoiled about sushi in general growing up in Asian neighborhoods in Seattle area. Doubley spoiled by having lived down the street from the best sushi place I've found in 20 years in Denver area (Broomfield), place isn't great on outside but fabulous inside and can taste pure love in every morsel. Won't name the place, inappropriate but not in direct competition with you since it's like super far from away. Just hoping Izu-Sushi steps up their game as they are in a wonderful location and suburban places surpass them in quality fish hands down. Maybe they should stop by there is reason I gave couple hints, come on guys ! I love fish, I could eat fish every day and every meal and have done that at various points in my life That one change, tastier fish would make world of difference to me as customer and I think you'd like it too 😉 I'll come again and revise...

Sushi is very dependent on both the quality of the fish and the expertise of the chef. It is surprising to many people that landlocked Denver has extremely high-quality seafood. You see, there's this thing called airplanes that evens the playing field with coastal locations. Denver has some of the top seafood wholesalers in the country with contacts all over the world plus an airport with many international connections. Super fresh fish flies in every morning. So, despite Denver's location, restaurants have no problem obtaining top quality product.

That leaves the chef as the main variable to finding good sushi in Denver. I've been going to Izu since they opened eight years ago. They are just a few blocks from my home. The quality has always been up and down--mostly good, sometimes fair, and, occasionally, not so great.

My latest visit was a revelation. I brought a friend who is very, very picky and has extensive experience with ultra high-end sushi. We both agreed that this was one of the best sushi dinners we had ever experienced. Every item was super fresh, flawlessly prepared, and presented with elegance and visual flair. We polished off every speck, down to the last grain of rice and fish roe. We're still talking about the experience several days later.

We started with the Hakutsuru Junmai Dai Ginjo. This was a truly excellent sake. Very subtle, but extremely flavorful. The waiter then surprised us with an amuse bouche. This was a beautifully presented large plate with some coils of tuna in a vinaigrette-style sauce, accompanied by a shrimp, an edible flower, and some shaved bits of various vegetables. A great start to the meal.

A gorgeous platter then arrived with our Hawaii Dragon roll, Toro, White Tuna, Mackerel, and Uni, accompanied by various sauces. The Eel arrived a few minutes later, in a large spoon-shaped dish. Again, everything was beautiful to look at and tasted even better.

I'd like to see the head chef's resume. I hope Izu can hang onto him. We'll...

EDIT EDIT: New owners took over Spring of 2019. Not currently impressed. First time I went there and asked for the Happy Hour menu, woman INSISTS that all day happy hour was NEVER offered here and that "it was a mistake on a Yelp! review." I have been coming here for 4 year -- lived around the corner. If there are new owners and you no longer offer happy hour all day, fine. I even told her that I don't need happy hour if it is no longer offered, but please don't tell me that I don't know what I am talking about. But she ARGUED with me about how I was wrong. There was literally an "ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR" banner over the damn store all last summer. Left a terrible taste in my mouth, on top of that the woman arguing with me was clearly tipsy while hosting and also very obviously upset that I dared question her. Will likely not go back. Disappointing as this was one of mine and my friend's favorite places.

EDIT: New owners took over in April 2018 -- have eaten there twice. Still very good, but going to write a new review once I have eaten here a few more times. The happy hour menu is CRAZY now though, totally worth it and they practically give away sake! All day every day, go!

This place is absolutely wonderful. We come here all the time, we have tried many places all around the city but none of them top Izu. The fish is extremely fresh, I get the sashimi as well as rolls and you can tell freshness easily. The rolls are delightful and inventive. We have tried many different kinds and love most of them. The service is always quick and kind, I have never had to wait for a table either. Is seriously the best. Please give it a try, these guys deserve all the business & we love living...