Direct from Tokyo...it's Fujimamas

Yesterday, in my e-mail's inbox, I received the following press release from Lauren Shannon with Fujimamas in Tokyo.  The announcement is for the grand opening of Fujimamas in Kailua-Kona.

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Fujimamas Restaurant & Bar
With ~Sushi on The Side~

Direct from Tokyo, internationally acclaimed Chef Mark Vann and Restaurateur ElliottSmith, welcome you to the newest dining spot in Kona, Hawaii. Making its home in the location previously known as Izakaya Kai, Fujimamas’ doors are open to all guests at the same 75-5719 Alii Dr. location, directly behind Crazy Shirts.

Like its flagship restaurant in Tokyo, Fujimamas Kona offers a variety of dining areas each with a unique atmosphere and all tastefully designed with South East Asian details. A 40 seat patio for al fresco dining, a private seating tatami style room, a main chic space with Vietnamese silk lamps, a sushi counter and a full service bar/lounge lit at night with candles and marbled glass pendants, offer all our guests- both local and visitors alike, an intimate experience paralleled with world class service.

Fujimamas winning concept is based on Chef Mark Vann’s original culinary creations featuring Asian influences and Far East inspirations. The dishes are offered “Ohana style” (family style) with emphasis placed on freshness, superior ingredient quality and fabulous presentation, served for reasonable prices by a team of friendly, professional, hospitality ambassadors.

The bar at Fujimamas is equally sensational. The creation of co–owner Elliott Smith, the bar brings a style and pizzazz new to Kailua Kona. Including a full service dining lounge, the bar boasts a memorable menu of fresh fruit martinis, saketinis and asian inspired original cocktails. In addition, our team has carefully selected New World wines and Japanese sakes for a  small, high quality list. Both local and Asian beers are available on tap and by the bottle.

For further information contact: 808-327-2125
Or  Lisa Vann at lisa@fujimamas.com

• Concept: Asian Inspired Original Menu Featuring Big Island Sushi
• Current Hours Of Operation: Tuesday thru Sunday 5:00 pm –11:00 pm
• Average Check: 35 dollars
• Dress Code: Casual
• Extras: Childrens Assorted Bento Meals, Special Menu Packages for Parties with 10 guests ++
• Languages Spoken: Japanese, English, French, and Spanish
• All credit cards accepted

Fujimamas Kona
75-5719 Alii Drive   
Kailua-Kona, HI  96740
Telephone:  808.327.2125
Fax:  808.327.2117
website:  www.fujimamas.com

(photos courtesy of Lauren Shannon)

Click on photo collage to enlarge.

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If any of you have dined at Fujimamas in either Tokyo or Kailua-Kona, I would be interested in hearing what you have to say about your experiences there. 

Personally, after looking over the Tokyo location's lunch and dinner menus on the company's website, I'm looking forward to my next visit to Kona so that I can sample the food for myself.  The selection of dishes looks interesting and the photos make me wish that the restaurant had opened in Honolulu instead.

Comments

[wordsandthings]

Fujimamas is where white-collar Tokyo gaijin who are too afraid to try anything else go. The food is mediocre at best.

[Lizzie]

I have been a big fan of fujimamas in tokyo for years. My japanese collegues and I go there often. Great value and delicious food.

I travel to the big island once a year or so, and can't wait to try out the new kona location!
Thanks for the heads up!

[tony isihida]

this is good place. please enjoy

[Nadine]

I've eaten at a lot of restaurants in Kona and this restaurant is definitely my new favourite.

The food is over-the-top delicious; the drinks I had were super tasty and like nothing I've had anywhere else on the island; the service was warm and friendly.

This place has a really cool vibe about it - candle lit, a funky asian-esque decor, and great music. If you're looking for a new place to hang out for a drink w/friends, check out Fujimamas on a Thursday night and reserve a spot in their tatami room...you'll have a great time.

[Sebastian]

I'm getting ready for vacation over on the big island, so I can't wait to try this place out. If the place in Harajuku is anything to go by, this is a great place to bring a date.

[Mark Greenberg]

I think i went to this place in japan. They had really good brunch. in fact it was the only edible breakfast we had. Including the park hyatt!

mahalo!

[Reid]

Hi wordsandthings,

Thank you for stopping by my blog and thanks for sharing your opinion with us.

Can you tell me what you didn't like about your experience there? I'm curious to know which dishes were sampled.

Hi Lizzie,

Thank you for visiting and providing your feedback.

After I looked over the menu, there were quite a number of dishes that seemed interesting to me, although many could be classified as "fusion". Which are your favorites?

Hi Tony,

Welcome!

I'm glad you like Fujimamas. What is it that you find good about this place?

Hi Nadine,

Thank you for leaving a comment about your experience at Fujimamas on the Big Island.

Are there any food/drink items that you would like to recommend?

Hi Sebastian,

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm not sure about the menu, but if you are going to visit the one on the Big Island, I'd be interested in hearing how it compares to the one in Japan.

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the blog!

The best you had in Japan? Hmmm, the food must be great! I'm going to stop in Japan (hopefully) on my way to Singapore this year. If I have a chance, I'm going to check this place out.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[Gail]

Hi Reid,

I've dined at the Tokyo one and it is quite good. And, contrary to the first comment here, many of the customers there are Japanese. I have several Japanese friends (young professionals) who like it for cocktails and wine dinners. Granted some of them went to school in the US and Europe, so maybe they're not "real" Japanese anymore j/k! It is also popular with young mothers for lunch and tea as the restaurant is very kid friendly. Our BI reviewer will be dropping by soon. I hope it's good!

[lshannon]

HI again, it is great hearing everyone's comments, hope you will all give fujimamas a chance either on the big lsland or in Tokyo

I am posting up some of my amateur shots of the new place, please take a look at http://konasnaps.blogspot.com/

thanks.
Lauren

[Reid]

Hi Gail,

I kind of thought the first commentor was a "troll" (I think that's what they are called). =)

I trust your judgement in these sorts of things and I am hoping to make it over to the Big Island soon. If not, I will just have to visit the one in Japan en route to Singapore later in the year!

Hi Lauren,

Got your e-mail and posted a collage of the photos. Don't know why I'm not able to enlarge them more. Must be a Typepad thing. *sigh*

By the way, were the photos taken with a camera phone?

[lookaa]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your opinion with us. I really like the above photo collage, that is good place.

[Reid]

Hi Lookaa,

Thank you for visiting my blog.

I'm glad you like the photos. Have you ate here before? If so, I'm curious to know what you thought of the food, the atmosphere, etc.

[chirashizushi]

Fujimama's has a fantastic atmosphere, amazing drinks (try the lychee martini), lousy service, and good but overpriced food. Try the chirashi sushi, it's the best deal. (Last time I had to wait an hour and a half for mine, wtf, but they took it off the bill and it was delicious.) Side note: They're also affiliated with Huli Sue's barbeque joint in Waimea, which is the lamest bbq joint i've ever been to.