What appears to be a non-descript storefront on the outside proves to be a full-service and elegant Japanese steakhouse inside. From the moment you walk through the doors, the Fuji Hana staff makes your dining experience at par with what going out should be. The taste and quality of the food are really the foundation for the restaurant's aesthetic. From the first martini sip to the last bite, you’ll be struck by the freshness of the ingredients and the unique taste of the food preparation.

By Stephanie Granada; Photos by Sean Kelly

Two-In-One
Entering Fuji Hana, you step into a different world—two worlds, actually. With its wood-paneled walls, Asian art, modern light fixtures and glossy bar, the dining room is a nice place to enjoy a sushi dinner or a casual lunch. Enter the doorway on the right and you find yourself in a room of large, stainless steel vats. An emperor's kitchen, a samurai's playground.

The Real Deal

With menu items like grilled squid ($7), and beef negimaki ($6), the chefs challenge your taste buds, in a good way. We recommend the yellowtail jalapeno appetizer ($10). The strips of fish are served fresh with cucumber, a jalapeno medallion and tobeko in the center, with spicy mayo and ponzu sauce. The combination is unexpected and tastes refreshing and smooth.
The extensive sushi menu is best highlighted by its signature roll, the Fuji Hana Roll—a combination of spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail and salmon, wrapped in pink soybean paper and decorated into the shape of a flower ($13). The roll represents the restaurant well: complex, smooth, authentic, fresh and beautiful.

Dinner and a Show

In the hibachi side, seasoned chefs take on the role of entertainer as they chop and sizzle an array of ingredients before your eyes. The hibachi meals start at $12 for dinner and $8 for lunch, and come with soup, salad, fried rice, noodles, grilled vegetables and dipping sauces. The Honey for Two hibachi ($42) feeds two people, and allows you to sample the diverse menu, which includes shrimp, chicken, steak and scallops. If you've never tried grilled lobster, try it here, where the buttery softness of the lobster meat has a hint of smokiness and an edge of crispiness.

Top Shelf

Fuji Hana's martini menu, created by front manager Jian Daniels, is tailored to suit the restaurant's authentic Japanese menu. All martinis are made with top-shelf alcohol and range from $6 to $8. Drinks like Asian Pear and Jade Buddha highlight Fuji Hana's commitment to authenticity and creativity. Our favorite drink was the Strawberry Basil, made with real strawberries and basil. The sake, or rice wine, for which the restaurant has cold and hot options, is the perfect companion for the sushi rolls.

The Icing On the Cake
Fuji Hana is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday. The hibachi grill offers seating for up to 18 people around two facing grills. The best part is that the birthday boy or girl eats free. At the end, the Fuji Hana family comes out for a birthday song, complete with a gong and a candle lotus. The lotus, which the restaurant imports from China and is difficult to get, starts out as a closed flower; as the candle burns and fizzles, the petals open into a display of miniature fireworks.

Fast Facts

Phone Number: 352-337-0038
Web site: www.gainesvillefujihana.com
Address: 3720 NW 13th St., Ste. 1 (in Publix shopping plaza)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-2:30pm & 4:30-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-2:30pm & 4:30-10:30pm; Sun 12-10pm
Price Range: $$-$$$ (out of $$$$)
Dress code: Business casual
Delivery: Take-out orders welcome, delivery through Gatorfood.com
Parking: Plenty in front
Freebies: The restaurant offers free Wi-Fi and free tea
Tip: Go on your birthday for a free meal and a free rare Chinese lotus candle

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