★★★★☆ Food quality
★★★★★ Service
★★★★★ Ambiance
★★★★★ Value
★★★★★ Menu selection
★★★★★ Location/Accessibility
★★★★★ Overall experience
When hunger strikes and you're in the mood for a tasty rice bowl, Fusabowl is a great choice. Located conveniently within walking distance from my workplace, I decided to check it out today. I invited my coworkers to join me, but only one of them, KK, was up for it. We decided to take advantage of the limited-time promotion of 25% off any order on Doordash and placed our order online for two bowls.
Upon arrival, we noticed only one customer waiting in line and were pleased to find our order ready and waiting for us in a neatly branded plastic bag. With our utensils in hand, we settled down at a nearby table and took in the atmosphere of the restaurant. The spacious setting was thoughtfully designed with ample seating to accommodate large groups of diners; two glass walls let in natural light and brightened the interior. The decor gave off a vibe reminiscent of a traditional American family diner, complete with a drink fountain and fridge against one wall. A huge counter dominated the space, behind which the kitchen staff was hard at work at stations I wasn't familiar with. I couldn't help but notice the fresh vegetables lying on the chopping block, a clear sign that the staff prepare the ingredients fresh as soon as they receive the order. Their commitment to delivering the best service, coupled with the freshest ingredients, is truly commendable.
As for the food, I ordered the Grilled Eel Poke Bowl with brown rice, sriracha, sweet soy sauce, onion, mushroom, jalapeño, corn, avocado, cilantro, ginger, sesame seed, and tempura crunch. My first impression was that the bowl looked absolutely scrumptious, with all the veggies and eel arranged neatly on top of the bed of rice, and the sauce drizzled over everything. However, upon attempting to pick up the food with my chopsticks, I found it to be too flowy and disconnected. It didn't take long for me to switch to a spoon, which worked much better for this particular dish. The eel, while cooked to a tenderness that melted in my mouth, lacked the expected firmness that would have allowed its flavor to stand out. Despite the overwhelming sauce, I could still detect the subtle taste of the eel. I appreciated the spiciness added by the sriracha, which balanced out the sweetness of the sauce and made for a pleasant tasting experience. The pickled ginger provided a welcome sourness that refreshed my palate with each bite, making every mouthful feel like the first. My only complaint was that the sauce was a bit excessive, and tended to overpower the other flavors in the dish. Nonetheless, it prevented me from overindulging, which was probably for the best. I rated my bowl a common 4/5.
As we dove deeper into our meal, KK's Chicken Hibachi Bowl with white rice caught my attention. The vibrancy of the colors and textures in his bowl were a pierce contrast to the more muted tones of my Grilled Eel Poke Bowl. The well-cooked and tender chicken, coated in teriyaki sauce, paired perfectly with the crisp and fresh veggies. The broccoli, onion, carrot, cucumber, avocado, cilantro, ginger, and sesame seed all came together to create a symphony of flavors that danced on KK's palate. KK enjoyed his meal and rated it a respectable 5/5.
In terms of value, I believe that Fusabowl's pricing is reasonable considering the quality of ingredients and the preparation. Moreover, the 25% discount that I received made it an even better value.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with Fusabowl and would recommend it to others looking for a satisfying and healthy meal.
[UPDATE] During a recent visit to Fusabowl, I had an unexpected interaction with the owner. The owner was quick to address my concern and assured me that I could request the sauce to be placed in a separate container whenever I placed an order. I am grateful for the owner's reassurance and will definitely keep it in mind when I visit the restaurant again.
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