Update: Now that I live in Vegas, I'm happy that I get to dine here as it makes me feel as if I'm still in Hawaii. This last visit, the server was awful, but... the guy who's always there always saves the day. He's awesome and well attentive. The female worker did not even check on us or offered water. I had to ask. Also, our food was delivered and there were no utensils. Errr. I'm glad the guy server noticed and came by our table, etc. I'd obviously still return because the food is food.
‐------------------ Came here over the weekend because my fellow 808 friends loves this place and swear that it's as close as it gets to home. Us Mainlanders now gotta be on the lookout for Hawaii style cooking. :)
So for starters, they have daily specials and I wish it was a WEDNESDAY because they have Meat Jun. Hopefully it tastes just as good as Dong Yang in my hometown in Wahiawa. Definitely need to make my way out to Vegas during the weekday.
Food: Tako Poke Shoyu Poke with limu Spicy Ahi poke bowl Friday's special - Lau Lau plate with rice and long rice Fried Noodles with Kalbi And lastly for dessert 1 dozen malasadas
When you first walk in, there are dessert choices on the left hand side. Also, looks like that's where you can order "to go" items. Keep walking in and go straight to the POKE station where you'd find lots of different types of POKE. On the right hand side is the dine in with a sushi bar.
Our server was alright and nothing really stood out. Our food came quickly and everyone was really nice. We even met the owner. Aloha!
For the food here's my opinion: Poke was on point considering that I've had the opportunity to try all different places from San Diego's Best Poke and the infamous Foodland POKE so Island Sushi is good. The lau lau was dry, unfortunately. It was overcooked. Fried Noodles and Kalbi was also good. The kalbi was on point however the noodles lacked flavor which is fine so I added soy sauce. (I like salty food so that's my fault) Now for the malasadas. Lots of places claim that they have good malasadas. I will say that so far on the mainland, Island Sushi & Grill has the best. We opt for 6 malasadas to eat at the table then took 6 to go. It was good that I had to return before leaving Vegas for San Diego. I called in my order and when I got there my order wasn't quite ready. :( Which is fine so I waited. The young lady (on a Sunday morning) grabbed a box from the warmer and filled a couple with custard. This time around the malasadas wasn't as good. Not sure why, it was also not as hot. :( I think I should've ordered when I got there instead. It probably would've been hot.
Aloha and Mahalo Island Sushi & Grill. Definitely a restaurant I will return to when I'm in Vegas. ...
Read moreI went here on Tuesday (9/1/20) for lunch. Saw they were allowing people to dine in so I requested to be seated and I let them know I had a service animal so they wouldn't be alarmed or deny entry thinking she was a pet or an emotional support animal. The manager came over and initially said he wouldn't allow me in with my service animal. I was incredulous. My well trained, well behaved, service animal I use to increase my accessibility due to my legitimate and diagnosed disability was denied entry. I assumed he thought my animal was maybe something other than a service animal so I tried to tell him she IS a service animal and service animals are allowed anywhere the public is allowed for the most part with very few exceptions. He TOLD ME I MUST PROVIDE proof she was a service animal IN THE FORM OF a certification card or for my dog to wear a service vest. I CALMLY tried to explain even the ADA website specifically states certification cards and service vests mean NOTHING because anyone can buy them from various websites and pass off their pet as a service animal. I even went as far as offering to show him the letter from my doctor explaining my need for a service animal and the manager continued to insist I show "proof" she is a service animal. At this point I decided to let it go and order my food to go. I told him it was nothing personal. I just wanted to make sure he was informed and I told him he was violating federal law and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He then asked for my name and number and said he would research it that evening AND IMPLIED HE WOULD CALL ME so we could discuss it further. I made sure he wrote down my number correctly, and in spite of being denied dine in access, I ordered my food, left a generous 25% tip to show no hard feelings, and my order was still wrong! This entire discussion happened with the door opening, closing, other people walking by, and several other distractions while my service animal sat there quietly and patiently. When I got home I saw they gave me white instead of brown rice and macaroni salad instead of regular salad IN BOTH PLATES. To top it all off, it was the manager that took my order. Food was disappointing and incorrect and the service was obviously terrible. I sincerely hope they change their policy and train their staff to understand a simple federal law. It would be A SHAME for them to lose their business DUE to a lawsuit... but maybe the new owners would be more...
Read moreUpon my visit to Island Sushi and Grill, I was initially drawn in by the promise of all-you-can-eat (AYCE) sushi, guided by a Google review that, unfortunately, turned out to be outdated or inaccurate. Despite this initial hiccup, my dining experience at Island Sushi and Grill turned into a delightful surprise.
The menu may not have featured AYCE sushi, but what they did offer was nothing short of culinary excellence. The poke bowls and sushi rolls were a testament to the chef's skill, presenting a symphony of flavors that left my taste buds thoroughly satisfied. Each bite was a burst of freshness and quality ingredients, showcasing a commitment to culinary craftsmanship.
The staff at Island Sushi and Grill played a significant role in elevating my dining experience. Their warmth and friendliness were evident from the moment I walked in. They were not only attentive but also helpful in guiding me through the menu and offering recommendations based on my preferences. This personalized touch added a layer of hospitality that made the meal feel more like a shared experience than just a transaction.
The ambiance of the establishment contributed to the positive atmosphere. It was clean, well-organized, and had an inviting charm. The attention to detail in maintaining a tidy and welcoming environment did not go unnoticed, further enhancing the overall dining experience.
In conclusion, while the initial expectation of AYCE sushi may have been unmet, Island Sushi and Grill more than compensated with their delectable offerings, attentive staff, and inviting ambiance. It turned out to be a culinary journey filled with pleasant surprises, making it a place I would...
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