Sushispotting is a multipart series to review all 15 sushi restaurants in Downtown Bellevue. See the whole Sushispotting series here.
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#6 Sushispotting: Flo Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
So I’ve had a lot of a comments on my Sushispotting posts, telling me I must go to Flo. Well, today I did. (note that this is not the first time I’ve been here- I’ve been to Flo many times over the last few years.) And let me say that I get why this place engenders such swooning devotion; the sushi is truly delectable. But I am the kind of person who feels as if there are diminishing returns in a restaurant’s deliciousness the higher its prices go. So while Flo is amazingly delicious, with a proper sushi ambience (including attentive tea-bearing servers, skilled sushi masters behind the bar, and even Japanese tinkling fountains), it is also quite punishing on my wallet.
I ordered the bento box, which included one of the best tempuras I’ve ever had, miso soup, salad, rice, a crunchy hamachi roll (also yummy), and nigiri so buttery it made me want to lick the box clean. But my lunch tab was nearly $20, which rather puts this joint out of reach for everyday, go-to sushi. Now, many of you are willing to pay $20 a pop for a delectable sushi lunch; I applaud you! I, however, am rather a cheapskate…though I would be happy to have YOU buy ME lunch at Flo any day of the week. And dinner, too.
Freshness: 5 fishies
Roll/Menu Variety: 5 fishies
Value/Cost: 2 fishies
Downtown Bellevue Core Walking Distance: 4 fishies
Proper Sushi Ambience: 5 fishies
Overall Deliciousness: 5 fishies
TOTAL: 26 fishies
Flo Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
1150 106th Ave NE
(425) 453-4005
Monday-Thursday 11am-2pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm
Friday 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Saturday 4:30pm-5pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Sunday 5pm-9pm
#7 Sushispotting: Safeway’s sushi bar
Now, what would be the complete, polar opposite of Flo Sushi? Well, as I was walking down Bellevue Way, I saw Safeway’s reader board advertising freshly made sushi. I figured hey, I’m committed to this Sushispotting idea, bring on the raw fish.
Needless to say, as a sushi snob, I wasn’t expecting much. But I was actually pleasantly surprised. I would normally avoid pre-made, grocery store sushi like the plague because it’s not fresh, and the cold rice makes my happiness die a bit inside. But lo and behold, Safeway has a real sushi bar. With real people rolling sushi to order, if you don’t want to grab one of the pre-made boxes (and I didn’t).
For about $5, I got a surprisingly good, fresh spicy tuna roll box, with 12 small rolls. And as any sushi lover knows, 12 rolls is plenty for anyone’s lunchtime appetite (even mine). And as for a value-cost ratio, $5 is amazing for sushi. So if your sushi-jonesing bar is low, or it’s 3am and nothing but sushi will do, Safeway, like Motel 6, will always have the light on for you.
Freshness: 3 fishies
Roll/Menu Variety: 2 fishies
Value/Cost: 4 fishies
Downtown Bellevue Core Walking Distance: 5 fishies
Proper Sushi Ambience: 0 fishies
Overall Deliciousness: 3 fishies
TOTAL: 17 fishies
Safeway
300 Bellevue Way NE
It’s always open. ‘Nuff said.
flo sushi is ultimately the best sushi in bellevue, period.
agreed, I’m not even sure if there is anything else in the same league quality-wise. Can do better in seattle, but as far as the east side this is case closed.
Ginza, to me, is far better. I love the real Japanese feel to it.
MMMMM Sushi. Hope shushi spotting is going to check out Seastar too. Fresh, clean, and delicious!
haven’t tried Flo yet but will soon since i live right next to it!
speaking of good sushi, Shiro’s in Belltown is so far the best sushi i’ve ever had
Yep, Shiro’s is the best in the state. He won that Seattle magazine award this year. Nice guy too, I ran into him a couple times at Pike’s market.
Sushispotting definitely has SeaStar on the list- just have to warm my wallet back up after Flo…:)
Love Flo Sushi in Bellevue. What about Sushi in Joy? Sorry, you might have already reviewed it. I’ll have to go back and check. Excited your reviewing Seastar Restaurant “and Raw Bar” – I like their sushi options. I like Ginza but haven’t been in awhile. I always thought Shiro’s was a bit over rated and think Nishino in Madison Park is the best in Seattle. Flo is right up there w/ the best in Seattle..don’t give Seattle too much cred:)
Sushi In Joy is on my list. The only problem (and with I Love Sushi) is that it’s not walkable from the core, so I have to get on a bus or my bike…
I went to Ginza on a Friday and it’s jam packed. I really hope some good Seattle institution considers to open a place in Bellevue, some times the drive to Seattle is too troublesome and all the good restaurants in Bellevue are packed.
I think Sushi In Joy is not near as good as Ginza yet cost wise is quite a bit more. Still have not tried Flo, guess I better.Have had pleasant not-too-fancy sushi at SushiMe in Crossroads.