Yoshi Sushi Fusion — Restaurant in Huntsville

When I first moved to the area, this place was excellent. The staff was fantastic and we had no issues with our family's gluten allergy concerns.

Unfortunately, we've seen a steady decline in the quality of food and significant reduction in the customer service.

The other day was our last visit and I suggest no one visit here again. Drive over the mountain and go to I Love Sushi.

When I called to make our order, I was very specific about everything needing to be gluten free. The hostess who answered the phone understood very clearly our requirements. I emphasized that our house was gluten free because of allergic illness issues and not because of trend dieting. She was very understanding. Not only did she ensure to write it on the order multiple times, she verbally conferred with the chef.

When I picked up the order, I didn't look at it because the hostess repeated the need for gluten free and gave us gluten free soy sauce which made me believe our order was as requested.

However, when I got home, everything was contaminated because the chef used imitation crab which has gluten and made our sushi rolls with tempura which is an extreme amount of gluten.

When I called about the $135.00 order being inedible, I offered to bring the order back for a replacement. The chef, who is also the co-owner, refused and offered a 20% discount on my next visit. So I had $135 of food no one in my house could eat and a chef who refused to fix their mistake.

Did I mention this was for my wife's birthday? Because I informed Yoshi and the chef still refused to fix the order.

After some work by the hostess, she got the chef to agree to make some replacement food. However, the chef refused to remake any of the rolls or nigiri and would only remake the sashimi. So we would only be able to eat half of what we ordered.

The hostess gave us a partial refund and the few pieces of sashimi.

When I got home, the cuts of fish looked like someone used a hacksaw and horribly uneven. 2 pieces of fish also had the skin still attached and extremely thin. (See photo) It was obvious the chef was giving us the middle finger with such horrible replacements.

I truly hope this restaurant goes under. To treat a customer so terribly...

This might be the best tasting food I've ever had in Huntsville, and I try quite a few restaurants.

This is the second time I've been here. The first time was an incredible experience. I ordered the "Chef's Choice", and was presented 10 different dishes, individually presented and described. A few of my favorites were the Sake Carpaccio (Scottish Salmon wrapped around Orange Slices), the Tanzanian Sea Bass served in a glass filled with smoke, Enormous Russian King Crab, Bluefin Tuna Toro (it was so flavorful and tender it practically melted in your mouth), and finally the Wagyu beef to finish. It was some of the best sushi I have ever had in my life.

I came again today to make sure it wasn't a fluke, and was definitely not disappointed. I ordered the Tanzanian Sea Bass as my first bite and just had to close my eyes and savor it for a couple minutes. And once again, the Salmon and Citrus was what I chose next, and it was just as divine as I remembered.

However this time I decided to try one of their cooked dishes. The Tonkastu Ramen was recommended. I wish I had taken a picture because it was presented so beautifully, and traditionally. It tasted like being in Japan. Every bite was incredible.

I finished my meal with their homemade Creme Brulee. I'm a sucker for a good creme brulee. The presentation was wonderful, and it had a nice shell. That said, as wonderful as it was, I can't help but think back to the sushi. Every bite a piece of heaven.

If it's your first time, take the time to ask the server for recommendations. You...

You should try it. Not a traditional sushi bar, so may appeal to folks who don't care for sushi.

THE GOOD: Excellent, well-made food. Very good service. Pleasant casual atmosphere. Good sake selection. A couple unusual specials that were winners. Plenty of attentive employees.

THE BAD: I've eaten sushi at maybe 150 different sushi bars all over the planet and these were some of the smallest portions I have seen. Same for some cooked items (such as a pork rib appetizer that consisted of a single medium-sized pork rib--c'mon now). Nigiri was tasty but ranged between small and tiny, depending on item. Heard other diners commenting on this. Rolls were a much better value, but I'm not a roll guy. The absence of soy sauce and wasabi because almost everything came "pre-sauced" might be a turn-off for some people. The staff wasn't totally dialed in yet. Asking for a hand roll required a management conference (after I was first told they only make them at lunch). I think they just need to mature because everyone seemed to be trying.

We will be back because the overall experience was very, very good. When we were there it was for weeknight dinner and the place was uncrowded.I want them to become the kind of restaurant they are trying to be. I hope they succeed because Huntsville/Madison/Decatur is woefully short of a higher-end...