Fuji Japanese Steak House

Where to start …
Negatives: The food is terrible, in fact calling that sushi is almost criminal. The restaurant is all wrong for the food style, owing to its origin as a failed American eats place called «The Log Cabin» (that should answer some poor tourist’s confusion). The menus are as re-​purposed as the structure.
Positives: Decent location.
I’ve wondered how this place remains open. I’ve entertained the notion that it’s a front for the Yakuza or some other nefarious entity, which keeps cash at a sufficient level to pay the bills. You would have to pay me to eat there a second time. Go to Mitsuba on the other side of the town for halfway decent nigirizushi and temaki.

I’ll admit, from the exterior I was a bit skeptical, but I’m so glad we tried it out! Being in Rome, NY I was not expecting much. The Log Cabin motif is a little odd, but the hostess sat us immediately and was quick with the service.
My husband and I have been there about a half dozen times and we always order rolls. Every time I go I am impressed with the quality. They use very good quality fish, and they use more fish in their rolls than other local sushi places. Also, the rolls are never drowning in sauces.
Their lunch specials are very inexpensive, and yet they never skimp on the quality.

Not sure to what to think from the outside, a log cabin as a Asian restaurant.
While they do offer hibachi, do go seeking a show as they do not have any hibachi tables. Meal was ok, service was ok, nothing really screaming you have to come back.

As the prior review said — interesting vibe!
We started with appetizers of shumai and edamame. The shumai were really tasty, the edamame was, well, edamame, tough to get wrong!
For entrees my husband got the salmon hibatchi, I got the filet and shrimp. The meat and the veggies were excellent. The downsides and the reason I am giving only 3 stars is the salad was literally floating in dressing and the fried rice had clearly been fried well in advance. One of my favorite things about hibatchi is that the rice is always freshly fried and crispy but not a Fuji.
Service was very fast — we were surprised how quickly we got in and out. Even though the menu says otherwise, hibatchi is not prepared tableside.

I love sushi and have been waiting for a place to offer it to open in Rome. Finally!
I’ve been here three times so far and have only had either the basic rolls (seaweed on outside, basic ingredients ie tuna/​salmon) and chef special rolls. Each time I’ve gone with one person and we have collectively ordered 4 rolls so I’ve sampled 12 and have loved every single one.
Quality of sushi — I’d rank it higher than the sushi places in Utica and more on par with some of the places in Syracuse (Ouishi, Namu specifically). The chef’s rolls are pretty creative and that’s nice to see in a town of Rome’s size.
Environment — Fuji is in a log cabin that was previously used to house a steak or BBQ place I believe (hence, the appropriateness of a log cabin). While the décor is indeed unusual, it makes for easy and fast seating; all the tables are very accessible with wide areas between each. Big as well as small parties can find seating easily. Every time I’ve been there, I haven’t had to wait.
Waitstaff — wonderful. I hope Fuji will be able to maintain as many waiters and waitresses as it has to be as accommodating as it is. The ratio of waitstaff-​customers is perfect.
Parking — lots of parking, something I always consider when choosing a restaurant.
My one critique — I wish they would have *more* rolls with seaweed on the outside. Aside from that, it’s a great place.

A very interesting vibe. Log cabin meets Asian cuisine… the hostess was warm and friendly, the food was good-​we only had sushi, so I am not sure about the hibachi. The service however was poor. Took forever to get our drinks, our food and anything else we needed. I would give it one more chance in a few weeks in hopes that they get some of the kinks worked out.