Izumi

We only purchased the three-meal specialty dining package, so since we ate at an Izumi on another ship, we were going to pass on it on the Anthem. However, we were encouraged to give it try by Dan, the specialty dining manager. We had nothing planned for that night and the rest of our friends had other things they already had planned, so we took a chance.

When we previously went to Izumi on the Grandeur of the Seas, on Mother's Day 2014, we had Izumi for lunch before getting off the ship in Bermuda. I ordered what I normally would have ordered at a sushi bar and quite frankly thought it was similar in quality to what I would normally get at a sushi bar.

This time, when we got to Izumi on the Anthem of the Seas, we were seated and greeted by our waiter, Pol. He asked if he could make some suggestions for our dinner and we decided to give it a try. I cannot express how glad I am to have agreed to his suggestions. I would have just gotten what I have always ordered and, once again, been satisfied with the meal, but not wowed.

He started us out with a Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna. It was a creamy tuna, masago, spicy aioli, chili garlic oil, hot crispy rice and topped with a jalapeño. That was paired with a Tuna Wasabi, which was tuna sashimi, house ponzu olive oil, wasabi aioli, masago smelt egg, garlic chips and a jalapeño. I also added on the tuna and yellowtail sashimi, not that that was something he suggested, I just really do enjoy the sashimi.

Next came the Ahi & Albacore Tataki salad. It had chunked tuna, seared albacore, smelt egg, daikon sprouts, dried chili thread, cucumber, spring mix, carrots, ponzu, sesame & chili oil. Then came the Albacore Tataki with Sesame Dressing and Crispy Leeks. This had seared albacore sashimi, house ponzu olive oil, creamy sesame dressing, fried crispy leeks, garlic oil, daikon sprouts and black sesame seeds.

For the main course we had the Champagne Lobster in Yuzi Wrap Roll. It was lobster, avocado, daikon sprouts in a yuzu fruit wrap with a champagne sauce and dried chili thread. Our second roll was the Izumi Ryu Futomaki Roll, or as our server Pol called it, the "Jackpot Roll." It was various types of tempura fried sashimi, scallions, spicy aioli, champagne sauce, unagi sauce, cream cheese, house ginger, teppan dressing and spicy chili thread.

For dessert, they had a small selection of either crispy sesame balls with red bean & strawberry sauce, or assorted mochi ice cream. We chose the latter. They came three to an order, but there were four flavors. Since we could not decide between the strawberry, mango, green tea and chocolate, Pol suggested that he make it easy and just brought us all four flavors. They were all good, but I think the green tea was my favorite, or maybe the chocolate. I guess I can decide between the two next time I go to Izumi, which I am sure there will be another opportunity soon.

This experience at Izumi taught me that if you just keep trying the usual, you will never get to experience the extraordinary. I am glad we gave it try and ventured out to try something different. It paid off in a big way.

Izumi is an a la carte dining venue, however if you have a dining package, you are given a $35 credit towards anything you would like. You would only need to pay for the amount above the $35 per person.

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