Fugakyu
Brookline, MA 02446
Phone: (617) 734-1268
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Harvard Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Japanese Food 2007, Sushi 2007, Japanese Food 2007
- Hours:
- Daily 11:30am-1:30am
Editorial Review for Fugakyu – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
The city's largest Japanese restaurant has a dynamic interior that wouldn't be out of place in Disney World: From the sushi bar's moat (and its circling, sushi-carrying wooden boats) to the bi-level dining areas' screened-off private rooms and projection screens, a meal here promises a unique experience. Bilingual, kimono-clad waitresses wear headsets to ensure that nothing gets lost in the translation with the kitchen and sushi bar. There's also a stylish, discreet cocktail lounge, ideal for an intimate rendezvous over a pear saketini.
The Food
From the kitchen's delicious tempura and seafood dishes to the sushi bar's unrivaled variety of inventive rolls, Fugakyu covers Japanese cuisine with aplomb. While many patrons stick to familiar fare like pork dumplings and shrimp teriyaki, adventurous diners gravitate toward offbeat offerings like thinly sliced ostrich steak. Don't leave without trying a palate-pleasing dessert of lightly battered green-tea ice cream with red-bean paste.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyOn a budget? Stop by during lunch hours for a bargain sushi combo that includes miso soup, salad and fresh fruit.
ParkingMost parking spaces in heavily residential Coolidge Corner are taken by dinnertime. Save yourself the headache and spring for the $8 valet service, offered Wednesday through Sunday nights.
The ExtrasIn honor of Boston's newest sporting hero, Fugakyu is serving a "Matsuzaka Menu" that features special items like the Matsuzaka maki roll (including Matsutake mushrooms and lobster meat) and the Matsuzaka martini (vanilla vodka, creme de cacao and Godiva white chocolate liqueur).
User Reviews for Fugakyu
04/23/2008 Posted by mmllkk
Went there for a b-day last week. 15 of us at one table. Great service, great food, great drinks.
03/10/2008 Posted by pattyelston
I lived in Boston from 1999 - 2002 and during that period I went to this restaurant several times. Each time was a great experience - fantastic sushi/sashimi and nice waitress talent that made the meal even more satisfying. I returned just last Friday and things are very different and I don't like what I see. To start, the hostess "team" (there were 3 people standing there) are useless. First, they don't understand English at all, which is a bit strange in Boston. I asked if I could park in front of the restaurant since no meters were present and all I got back were blank stares (from all 3). I repeated my question 3 times and still no response. So, not getting an answer, I just walked around to the sushi bar and plopped down. The waitress was very nice. I sat there, had a cold sake and the sushi/sashimi lunch. Not once during the entire meal did one sushi chef make eye contact with me, greet me, give me a taste of something, say goodbye, nothing. There were 3 chefs, the place was empty and they stood there staring at the ground. Usually when you sit at a sushi bar you can at least expect to have some level of service from the chefs but these guys clearly don't want to be there. Now, to the food. The miso soup was just ok, the salad was not great and the sushi/sashimi were above average. I agree with a previous post that I was very turned off by the size of the tuna sashimi. I received 3 pieces each a half-inch thick. I actually gagged trying to eat one so I took the rest home and sauteed it quickly just to be able to get it down. Shouldn't have to do that. As I read through all the reviews, it's clear something happened around 2003/2004 that changed this place. Either their success has spoiled them or they have new, and not appreciated, management.
Pros: Asian talent, good selection of sake, quality fish
Cons: Hostess, parking, general service, sushi bar lacking courteous chefs
