Izakaya Amu
| Address: | 1221 Spruce St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA |
| Phone: | +1 303-440-0807 |
| Site: | izakayaamu.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–10:30PM 5–10:30PM 5–9:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
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Christy Lee
Id give 10 stars if I could because this place seriously deserves that. Ive 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. Youre greeted with fluent Japanese (and not the mispronounced broken words a lot of restaurants try to pass off as Japanese). Youll be asked if it was your first visit to izakaya. Then shoes off and youre seated. The food was incredible. So much care and thought put into preparing and cooking your food to absolute perfection. Quality ingredients. Ive had so much Japanese around the world and can say some dishes were the best Ive had of that type of dish. E.g. buckwheat noodles and onigiri was hands down the best Ive 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 youre 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 deserves it.
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Adam Lasnik
Absolutely outstanding! 4.5 stars, rounding to 5. Food was fresh, charmingly presented, and simply delicious (er, except for one thing). I tried: - Kinpira: very tasty salad with lotus root, daikon, and mild miso sauce - Miso soup: I feel silly saying this, but it was the best miso soup Ive ever had - Ebi shumai: Decent, but not out of this world - Some sort of salmon-belly-in-sake-sauce: Foodingly orgasmic. Get this. - Vegetable roll wrapped in "kobe" beef: I wish American restaurants would be honest and call this "kobe style" beef like it is, but it was still an awesomely delicious roll! - Nato: Fermented soy beans (and I got a side of rice to put this in). Um... not for me. But I had asked for something interesting and unique, the waiter suggested this with fair warning, and, well, Im glad I at least tried it once :). - Panna Cotta: Refreshing and not-too-sweet but not especially memorable. Of particular note, all of this seemed quite reasonably priced ($41 before tip), though keep in mind that I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so perhaps I have a skewed perspective ;). Anyway, Im definitely eager to go back. This is a friendly, great-fooded gem that has so much more I need to explore! :)
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Austin C
Delicious and one of my local faves! Its tiny, but the atmosphere is great. I almost feel like Im back in Tokyo. The food is even better. Read on... This place is NOT a sushi bar, thank god (which they told us the minute we entered). It bothers me that almost all Japanese fare is concentrated solely on sushi and noodles when Japan has so much more to offer, so props to Amu! Instead, they offer small plates of delectable Japanese bites. They have noodles, raw/cooked seafood, chicken, beef, and so much more. The portions are very small, but appropriately priced (think appetizers at other places). I found them perfect for sharing four or five courses with my girlfriend while still spending about the same I would anywhere else. Be warned, you will be challenged to put things in your mouth that your brain simply doesnt approve of... and then youll find out how delicious they are! If youre not afraid of strange textures, try the unagi. I also loved the mussels and the fried octopus. Yum! The green tea was also good, and fit perfectly with my meal. Next time I go Ill have to try the sake...
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Lorel Rockley
My husband and I love fish, especially when prepared to Japanese styles. Weve savored cuisine at Japanese restaurants where you can drop $400 before you blink. Even there, we have been given more food per dollar. At other Colorado Japanese restaurants, weve received far better prepared food with more volume for the same or smaller price as well. We ordered only three dishes at Izakaya Amu. One, king mackerel, had an inconsistently smeared wasabi sauce that gave no seasoning for one piece of fish and was nauseatingly overwhelming on the next. Our unagi was burnt, as was our friends dumplings. Each portion was unbelievably small, yet for the three items alone, our bill was over $60. To give credit where credit is due, the staff was very friendly and knowledgable. However, the food is the most important part of a restaurant, and I certainly found no reason to return.
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Erica Rubin
Absolutely love this place, my boyfriend and I eat here at least once a week if not two! Love the staff & service. A complete shame that their manager is so absolutely rude & unprofessional, left a horrible impression. If 15% tip on a $70 bill w/o alcohol is too little to warrant him to say something in front of the entire restaurant, then include gratuity in your bill . Honestly debating whether or not they will be receiving our business again, completely disappointed. Altered our entire perception of this restaurant. In retrospect if your manager had put his energy into taking care of his tasks rather than embarrassing customers over a 15% tip he would be making more money in the future from our continued business. Keep treating your regular customers like this, you wont be able to pay anyone on your staff when you begin loosing business.
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Greg M
I lived in Japan for several years and was always impressed with how delicious the food was. There are plenty of places where you can get sushi, but was afraid that the other dishes would have to stay in my past. When I found Izakaya Amu and tried the "Chefs Choice" option, it was like I was back. Not just back in Japan, but at a really good restaurant there. Do yourself a favor and try it, even if you dont like the Americanized Japanese foods you can normally get. You will love this place. Be sure to make reservations though and leave a decent tip.
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A Private User
You could walk right by this place and not know it.. it is such a gem, and one of the best places in Boulder for a quiet, unpretentious, incredibly unique and deliciously light meal. I cant claim to know Japanese cuisine well but this place has an authenticity in its presentation and flavor that I would trust. We have never waited for a table there and the staff always feels genuine and warm. And: you can buy your own big bottle of sake and leave it there with your name on it for the next time you come in. Try the mochi!
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Paulanne Balch
Fabulous meal...as usual..I almost hesitate to let the cat out of the bag, as its hard enough to get in..the seared salmon with sea salt was divine, hamachi special and hamachi carpaccio delicious...the eggplant also wonderful..and the sake flights of 3 sakes were both different, well explained by our waiter..and tasty. This is by far, the best Japanese restaurant in Boulder! Our server, Keenan, was gracious, informative, and prompt.
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Elizabeth Paucar Harris
When I walked in with my family, staff was very uninviting and rude. If you are looking for a cozy welcoming place DO NOT GO THERE. ambience was dry, dead, even slight nostalgic. People say the food is good but Id rather eat in restaurant where the staff are warm and welcoming. Im a true foodie but customer service is a must, important part of experience when dining! So disappointed.
