What happens when you are seated at a table and don’t know how to use any of the utensils? You quickly learn how to use what you get, whether it is the chopsticks provided or even your hands in a really quick emergency (although this is, of course, your last option in a crowded restaurant). What if you don’t know what anything on the menu is? That’s easy to solve: pick something with at least one word you can recognize, for example, chicken.
This was my experience at the Fuji restaurant halfway down Exchange Street in Portland’s Old Port. Not having much experience with Japanese restaurants, the outcome was surprisingly pleasant and well worth the 15-minute walk in the 37-degree weather.
You really can’t miss the restaurant with its neon signs that quietly lure the unsuspecting customer in. Once in the front door one may be confused as to where to go. Do you go straight ahead to the dining area or down the stairs to the Hibachi room? Since this was the first time dining here, it was best to see the dining area.
The dining rooms are cozy and very personal, although it would have been nice to sit on the fun, brightly colored cushions in the room directly behind our table. From what I have learned in all my art history classes and the occasional TV show, these are the traditional settings for furniture, with the table low to the ground and instead of chairs, cushions. The artwork hanging on the walls is very unique to the culture and makes the dining experience all that more appealing. What stood out the most was the attention to detail and the crimson-colored lights hanging over each table. Absolutely beautiful with the dark wooden tables, the designers from Trading Spaces couldn’t have done better.
To begin the meal was the Miso Soup ($1.50). This broth with saut?ed tofu is a light start to the dinner. Sesame Spinach ($4), which looked a lot like sushi rolls, consisted of spinach rolled up like sushi, then slathered in sesame oil. The spinach was cooked yet served cold with just the right amount of sesame. This was very tasty and along with that, a garden salad with a bright orangey-yellow dressing which was sweet and sour in a way, but very delicious.
The Vegetable Maki ($4.50), a type of vegetarian sushi roll, consisted of cucumber, carrots, lettuce and artichoke surrounded by rice and seaweed. The seaweed, which is a bit salty, may be hard for some people to take because of the texture or taste.
The main course was equally as fantastic. The Teriyaki Chicken ($12.95) which comes with white rice and vegetables arrived at the table on a sizzling hot plate. The sweet teriyaki chicken was bubbling from the heat, so a little caution was taken. Not a lot though, it was just too good to hold back.
After dinner was over we, of course, wanted dessert. When it comes to dessert, there may not be a better place for Fried Ice cream ($6). With the sad news that there was no more vanilla, chocolate was our choice. They also offered green tea ice cream, but that may be a little too daring for my taste. The ice cream was fried in a flaky batter that was sweet and very pastry-like in texture. This was cut into four triangle shapes and covered with whipped cream. Sweet, sweet creamy goodness. As soon as the customers seated next to us saw how fabulous our dessert was, they promptly ordered some of their own. Hooray for starting a trend!
I look forward to eating there again and maybe next time I will head downstairs to experience what else Fuji has to offer. I recommend this great restaurant with its quaint dining room, exciting downstairs with hibachi tables, and fine cuisine.
Atmosphere: cozy and personal
Location: Exchange St
Rating: 4 out of 5 squid tenticles
Price: 37.19