I'm a longtime fan of the Lucy Ho dynasty. Longtime residents know that Lucy Ho's ventures in Tallahassee have had many incarnations in multiple locations. Insider pro-tip: the bourbon chicken place in Governor's Square Mall is also a Lucy Ho business. Lucy herself is a Tallahassee institution. One of my fondest memories was an invitation to the graduation dinner for an international graduate student mentee of Lucy's -- the dinner was held in the old Parkway location of Lucy Ho's main venture. I have no idea what the dishes were called but the food never stopped coming to the table and it was some of the best food - Chinese or otherwise - I have ever had. At Azu, the Lucy Ho reputation is upheld with solid renditions of traditional Chinese favorites. Azu has, hands down, the best hot and sour soup in Tallahassee. For sushi, you cannot go wrong at Azu. I alternate between Azu and Masa - another Lucy Ho owned establishment - for my Tallahassee sushi. I am not saying other restaurants in Tallahassee do not offer decent sushi because that would be a disservice to a thriving sushi subculture in the capitol city but for the best sushi in town, go to Azu or Masa. On last night's rainy Friday evening after work visit, my husband and I started with the superlative hot and sour soup. We both ordered sushi. When I go with my girlfriends, we order a bunch of rolls and sample everything. Ordering sushi with my husband is a different experience. He commits to his choice of rolls and wants them all to himself. With that in mind, we each chose two rolls to enjoy and I resigned myself to sushi envy and did not try to snag any portions of what he calls "triple tuna" but the menu titles as "tuna tuna tuna" though it looked amazing and the struggle was very real! My dragon fly roll was as pretty to see as it was delicious. The sushi chefs pride themselves on pretty plating and their liberal use of sauces and various roll accoutrements provide the artistic flourishes that make for a visual presentation treat. If you have not yet visited Azu, you are missing out on some of the best Chinese and sushi in Tallahassee. I admit, I have yet to try to the dim sum Sunday brunch but people tell me it is wonderful. Go and tell me what you think!
(4)
Francesca T.
There aren't many asian places in Tallahassee to choose from and out of our limited choices, this is my mum's favourite. Whenever I want to eat out, she suggests Azu especially since it's close to our house. The other night I came here again and my experience was quite good. Their menu selection is quite large and our server was really nice and enthusiastic. I ordered an avocado roll and a veggie roll without any sauces. Since they were veggie rolls, it's hard to be blown away. My mum ordered the mongolian beef and her friend ordered the mahi mahi. They also got steamed dumplings and tuna tartare to share and according to them, all their food was delicious. I would definitely come back for some more vegan sushi or maybe explore other potential vegan options on their menu.
(4)
Daniel P.
Peking Duck on the menu is a bonus - but... It wasn't prepped table side. I'm from the "Peking Duck is to be prepared table side" school. Don't get me wrong - it was very good! As good as China Delight's (see review) - in fact, I'd say the accompaniments were even more enticing. Nonetheless, part of the magic is table side prep... The menu is comprehensive - with signature dishes (Lucy's) and standards. Sushi/sashimi is comprehensive as well - featuring standards and innovations alike. That said, the two times I've come, Uni wasn't available. This is not the case at two other sushi joints in town (Kiku's and Kitcho's consistently have Uni). Kirin is on tap - nice. There is a decent range of sake from which to choose. The appetizer options are great - and it's tempting to order more than might be necessary! We like it here. Table-side Peking duck coupled with stocked Uni gets five stars from me - until then, 4 will do!
(4)
Jean L.
This is the closest to Asian cuisine in little old Tallahassee. The first time I ate at this restaurant, the bento box was so amazing that I came back the very next day for the same exact thing (Kung Pow). The meals are always fresh and they keep the cups full.
(5)
Natalie O.
We ate here on Sunday for their brunch buffet. It was delicious. It's a great value at $13.95. They had 2 sushi options, about 4 sushi rolls, and Tuna poke. I wish I could have eaten all of it, but since I'm pregnant the raw fish was hands off, but my husband said it was great. Lots of options for hot food, from salt & pepper shrimp to coconut curry chicken. The dumplings & egg rolls were fresh and tasty. My 2 year old son loved the noodles, fresh fruit, and cake. The service was very efficient and friendly, always cleaning plates and refilling our water. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Hazel P.
Had a surprisingly great time at Azu. Walking in, seating looked a little bit cramped, especially with it being crowded as it was. Tables are organized in the middle with small booths surrounding them, we luckily had the chance to dine in in a booth near the window. Service was great we were attended to shortly after and stayed pretty much happy with the service throughout the night despite it being as busy as it was. As for the food... it was surprisingly really good! I only say surprisingly because the restaurant is now the third restaurant to open up under Lucy Ho in Tallahassee, and after eating at Masa and the other million Chinese restaurants located in Tallahassee what more can you expect... but Azu surely dumbfounded me. I was feeling under the weather so I ordered a pot of hot green tea. The waitress soon came out with this classy, elegant type tea pot. I have no idea why I was and still am amazed by the tea pot... it just looked really nice, but the green tea was really good too! It had a nutty hint to it, something I've never had at other Chinese restaurants, so when I opened the top it had the green tea leaves with what looked like pieces of popcorn and pecans in it. I know... weird, you will just have to get some one time. Okay enough about my odd amazement with their green tea and to the food... We ordered the chicken lettuce cups to start with, very similar to P.F. Changs, but with more flavor and crunch to the bite. Stir-fried chicken with green and red peppers and water chestnuts covered with their sauce and placed in a lettuce cup, absolutely delicious! We also had to try their sushi and ended up getting the E.T. roll, as recommended by the waitress. She had mentioned their eel was really good, so we gave it a try... no disappointment there. As for the entrees, portions are more than reasonable for the price. We ordered the beef and green pepper stir-fry and the Taiwanese pan fried noodles. The noodles were absolutely amazing. They give you a little more meat and vegetables than noodles, but it was delicious! We really had no complaints about this place. We wanted to try their Ramen noodle dish, but they were out. We will definitely try and head out there again. We live on the other side of town, but it's well worth the money and drive to try this place out!
(4)
Tiffany D.
There sunday brunch buffet is super yummy.
(5)
Whitnae P.
Best sushi in town. The rolls are soft, moist and delicious. Everything is made beautifully and deliciously. The staff is friendly and attentive. This place could compete with big city restaurants if it wanted to. I came there with my ex boyfriend and I still had a good time.
(5)
p d.
Finally. Lucy returns to the Parkway! Wonderful, if sparse, menu. Sushi offerings are about what you would expect for this part of the world, but the quality is excellent. Not that I ever remember any bad service at one of Lucy's restaurants, but the service here has been exceptional for each of our visits. And YES...they have the pear sake at AZU like they do at Masa.
(4)
Sean H.
Fantastic, average $$. Extensive cocktail menu. Their Thai food is terrific. Ambience is relaxing/trendy. #1 spot for sushi in town, believe me....I've done them all.
(5)
Jeremy F.
Excellent Asian food probably the best fried wontons I have had anywhere!. They were delicious. Also the pineapple shrimp with strawberry was sweet but ooh so filling an delicious. Will definitely be back on my next trip to Tallahassee.
(4)
Sue C.
We had a very good meal. We chose from the Chinese menu. We had chicken lettuce cups, Peking duck and stir fried bokchoy. Everything was prepared well. The Peking duck came with the more contemporary dumpling pillow instead of mandarin pancakes and they were good. We ordered extra pillows. Service was friendly and prompt.
(4)
Rachel M.
I had a craving for sushi and having previously driven by this place before, I figured I'd give it a shot. I ordered the Spider Roll and the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll for take out. Although other reviews criticized the atmosphere, I thought it looked nice upon entering. The food however was only decent. I preferred the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll to the Spider Roll but neither was worth ordering again. The Spider Roll was cut into HUGE pieces - it was difficult to eat each piece in one bite. It wasn't very good either. - the crab had been overcooked and it didn't taste to be very fresh The Crunchy Spicy Tuna was okay but I've definitely had better. The quality of the tuna was sub par...it's doubtful that it was actually sushi grade. Prior to ordering the sushi, I didn't realize that the restaurant is actually considered to be Chinese, so perhaps the other entries on the menu are better.
(2)
Christina J.
Sunday Buffet is wonderful....but always packed and definitely on the pricey side (about $12.50/person before tip and drinks)
(4)
Rodney H.
Pretty awesome and never slammed crowded. Driving by you would think its kinda a dump because its in a strip mall but once you walk in you see they know what their doing. This is our favorite place to eat sushi in Tallahassee.
(4)
Art s.
My party shared probably 8 appetizers and another 8 entrees and they were consistently excellent. I've had Asian food all over Asia, as well as NYC, Vancouver, and San Francisco, and Azu is a match for any of it. The decor is elegant and understated, and the service was friendly and attentive without hovering. There wasn't a false note the whole night. In nearly 20 years, this is the best dining experience I've had in Tallahassee.
(5)
Alan L.
I went there for dinner. I was the only one in there, waitress was pleasant, food was good. I ordered 3 different sushi rolls. Price and proportions were what I expected. I wouldn't say it was great, but would definitely go there again. I didn't think they had as wide of a variety of sushi as I expected either.
(4)
Madison H.
My husband and I visited Azu on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee on March 12, 2010. Yes, I am happy to know that Lucy Ho once again has a presence in Tallahassee. We were greeted by Masa upon arrival. He is always personable and remembers us every single time we visit. This was our fourth visit since the beginning of December 2009 and I had waited to post a review. We ordered Pork fried rice ($10) and beef and broccoli ($12.00). The food is consistently good and the portion size is ample. What has always been a problem at Lucy's restaurants is the waitstaff service. Lackluster just springs to mind when trying to think of a good description. Though that's probably an adequate response for the majority of Tallahassee establishments. Water and tea take a while to receive. Water takes a long while to be refilled. The food presentation is courteous and pleasant. Masa checks back, rarely the server returns. Getting the check takes a long while and please don't be in a hurry because the server is probably going to take drink or food orders from other guests before returning to complete the transaction. This visit was particularly noticeable because when you give 2 - $20 bills on a bill of $31.00, you expect change to be provided from which you will provide a tip. A 20 percent tip would be about $6.20. If you are a server, don't ask the guest if they need change. That question will elicit a negative response and right away the server has reduced their tip by asking! Bring the change. The guest will leave the applicable tip. And please don't be in a hurry for your change either because the waiter went on to take care of three other tables before returning to slap the folio back on the table. Believe me hon, you aren't getting a $9 tip on $31 with an attitude like that. So, to sum up, the food is consistently good (3), but the wait service is just ho-hum or average(2).
(3)
Rick P.
Went there on Christmas Eve for our first time there. The place was almost full, but we had great service. We were really pleased by the range of the menu -- there are lots of great things to choose from. We ordered soup, appetizers and entrees, and they were all delicious. We thought the prices were really reasonable, too. Can't wait to go back and try something else!
(5)
Don L.
Food is delicious and staff was great! I will definitely return.
(5)
JD D.
If you enjoy Masa, you'll definitely enjoy Azu. I've eaten there a couple of times with foodie-type friends. We put high demands on the servers and the kitchen, and they always cheerfully complied with our requests. The appetizers and sushi are fresh and perfectly executed. Given the high quality, the price is a bargain. The beer, wine, and sake selections are limited (no spirits), but the star of the meal here is the food.
(5)
Marit E.
After being a long time Masa goer, we moved closer to the Apalachee area and needed a good sushi place closer to our house. After looking at other reviews on Yelp, we decided Azu was our best bet. Well, believe the hype, this place is awesome! Decorated nicely, but not over the top, with fun sumo wrestler statues on a wall of lighted bamboo. We got seated immediately (was a Thursday night so not too busy), and our server showed up within a few second to take our drink orders. I got a Kettle One and Tonic, my boyfriend got a Maker's and Coke and they were great. There are a lot of fun martini's and mixed drinks to choose from as well if you'd like. We got the lettuce wraps first and they came with this sweet chili sauce- delish! For my meal I ordered the Red Dragon roll, and my boyfriend got the Sesame Chicken. The sushi was amazing. Just what you want- fresh, flavors that went together perfectly, and presented with yummy sliced ginger and wasabi. The Sesame Chicken was great as well- not overly breaded like some, just enough crunch and the perfect amount of sauce. At the end of the night we had extra food and our waitress boxed everything up for us, giving my boyfriend extra rice for when he had round two, and giving me some soy sauce packets and napkins for the road. The food was great, the service was wonderful, nothing to complain about here. Can't wait to go again!
(5)
Kate M.
I've never eaten in, but I've picked up take out half a dozen times. Sushi is consistently fresh, well packed with quick & kind service. Usually grab the Philly or Alaska rolls, but I've had the dragonfly which was highly recommended, sorta over sauced for my taste. Boyf orders lo mein, which he reports to be "pretty darn good."
(4)
Ben O.
The computers were down so the service was a little delayed. Besides that, the Paradise and crispy spicy tuna rolls were on point. Ended the night with a delicious Mai Tai. Nice setting, reasonable prices, and good sushi. Definitely will be going back.
(4)
Linda G.
We love this place. It is a bright spot of well-prepared Asian Fusion cuisine, as good as anything we experienced in the SF Bay area. Order the scallion pancake appetizer, so you have the curry sauce to use throughout your meal.
(5)
Helen L.
I was craving some Asian food and ended up back here. I think the last time I came I had ordered some sushi. This time I ordered this scallion pancake but it was not as I expected. It had a lot more batter and browner than I expected. Where were the scallions? I ordered the Taiwanese rice noodles because I was craving it. I wasn't used to the red onions in it but otherwise it was decent. The rice noodles itself didn't have too much flavor but the vegetables were great. I also ordered the egg plants which was smothered with sauce that I could barely taste eggplants. They were cut in thin strips but I had a hard time finding it under the powerful sauce. The order came with rice or fried rice.
(2)
Zee H.
Food here was great. Got the dragon roll and a tofu dish for take out. Service was fast, the people were friendly and the prices are reasonable.
(5)
Marit E.
After being a long time Masa goer, we moved closer to the Apalachee area and needed a good sushi place closer to our house. After looking at other reviews on Yelp, we decided Azu was our best bet. Well, believe the hype, this place is awesome! Decorated nicely, but not over the top, with fun sumo wrestler statues on a wall of lighted bamboo. We got seated immediately (was a Thursday night so not too busy), and our server showed up within a few second to take our drink orders. I got a Kettle One and Tonic, my boyfriend got a Maker's and Coke and they were great. There are a lot of fun martini's and mixed drinks to choose from as well if you'd like. We got the lettuce wraps first and they came with this sweet chili sauce- delish! For my meal I ordered the Red Dragon roll, and my boyfriend got the Sesame Chicken. The sushi was amazing. Just what you want- fresh, flavors that went together perfectly, and presented with yummy sliced ginger and wasabi. The Sesame Chicken was great as well- not overly breaded like some, just enough crunch and the perfect amount of sauce. At the end of the night we had extra food and our waitress boxed everything up for us, giving my boyfriend extra rice for when he had round two, and giving me some soy sauce packets and napkins for the road. The food was great, the service was wonderful, nothing to complain about here. Can't wait to go again!
(5)
Rachel P.
I'm a longtime fan of the Lucy Ho dynasty. Longtime residents know that Lucy Ho's ventures in Tallahassee have had many incarnations in multiple locations. Insider pro-tip: the bourbon chicken place in Governor's Square Mall is also a Lucy Ho business. Lucy herself is a Tallahassee institution. One of my fondest memories was an invitation to the graduation dinner for an international graduate student mentee of Lucy's -- the dinner was held in the old Parkway location of Lucy Ho's main venture. I have no idea what the dishes were called but the food never stopped coming to the table and it was some of the best food - Chinese or otherwise - I have ever had. At Azu, the Lucy Ho reputation is upheld with solid renditions of traditional Chinese favorites. Azu has, hands down, the best hot and sour soup in Tallahassee. For sushi, you cannot go wrong at Azu. I alternate between Azu and Masa - another Lucy Ho owned establishment - for my Tallahassee sushi. I am not saying other restaurants in Tallahassee do not offer decent sushi because that would be a disservice to a thriving sushi subculture in the capitol city but for the best sushi in town, go to Azu or Masa. On last night's rainy Friday evening after work visit, my husband and I started with the superlative hot and sour soup. We both ordered sushi. When I go with my girlfriends, we order a bunch of rolls and sample everything. Ordering sushi with my husband is a different experience. He commits to his choice of rolls and wants them all to himself. With that in mind, we each chose two rolls to enjoy and I resigned myself to sushi envy and did not try to snag any portions of what he calls "triple tuna" but the menu titles as "tuna tuna tuna" though it looked amazing and the struggle was very real! My dragon fly roll was as pretty to see as it was delicious. The sushi chefs pride themselves on pretty plating and their liberal use of sauces and various roll accoutrements provide the artistic flourishes that make for a visual presentation treat. If you have not yet visited Azu, you are missing out on some of the best Chinese and sushi in Tallahassee. I admit, I have yet to try to the dim sum Sunday brunch but people tell me it is wonderful. Go and tell me what you think!
(4)
Francesca T.
There aren't many asian places in Tallahassee to choose from and out of our limited choices, this is my mum's favourite. Whenever I want to eat out, she suggests Azu especially since it's close to our house. The other night I came here again and my experience was quite good. Their menu selection is quite large and our server was really nice and enthusiastic. I ordered an avocado roll and a veggie roll without any sauces. Since they were veggie rolls, it's hard to be blown away. My mum ordered the mongolian beef and her friend ordered the mahi mahi. They also got steamed dumplings and tuna tartare to share and according to them, all their food was delicious. I would definitely come back for some more vegan sushi or maybe explore other potential vegan options on their menu.
Peking Duck on the menu is a bonus - but... It wasn't prepped table side. I'm from the "Peking Duck is to be prepared table side" school. Don't get me wrong - it was very good! As good as China Delight's (see review) - in fact, I'd say the accompaniments were even more enticing. Nonetheless, part of the magic is table side prep... The menu is comprehensive - with signature dishes (Lucy's) and standards. Sushi/sashimi is comprehensive as well - featuring standards and innovations alike. That said, the two times I've come, Uni wasn't available. This is not the case at two other sushi joints in town (Kiku's and Kitcho's consistently have Uni). Kirin is on tap - nice. There is a decent range of sake from which to choose. The appetizer options are great - and it's tempting to order more than might be necessary! We like it here. Table-side Peking duck coupled with stocked Uni gets five stars from me - until then, 4 will do!
(4)
Jean L.
This is the closest to Asian cuisine in little old Tallahassee. The first time I ate at this restaurant, the bento box was so amazing that I came back the very next day for the same exact thing (Kung Pow). The meals are always fresh and they keep the cups full.
(5)
Kate M.
I've never eaten in, but I've picked up take out half a dozen times. Sushi is consistently fresh, well packed with quick & kind service. Usually grab the Philly or Alaska rolls, but I've had the dragonfly which was highly recommended, sorta over sauced for my taste. Boyf orders lo mein, which he reports to be "pretty darn good."
(4)
Ben O.
The computers were down so the service was a little delayed. Besides that, the Paradise and crispy spicy tuna rolls were on point. Ended the night with a delicious Mai Tai. Nice setting, reasonable prices, and good sushi. Definitely will be going back.
(4)
Linda G.
We love this place. It is a bright spot of well-prepared Asian Fusion cuisine, as good as anything we experienced in the SF Bay area. Order the scallion pancake appetizer, so you have the curry sauce to use throughout your meal.
(5)
Natalie O.
We ate here on Sunday for their brunch buffet. It was delicious. It's a great value at $13.95. They had 2 sushi options, about 4 sushi rolls, and Tuna poke. I wish I could have eaten all of it, but since I'm pregnant the raw fish was hands off, but my husband said it was great. Lots of options for hot food, from salt & pepper shrimp to coconut curry chicken. The dumplings & egg rolls were fresh and tasty. My 2 year old son loved the noodles, fresh fruit, and cake. The service was very efficient and friendly, always cleaning plates and refilling our water. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Brandon C.
I gave a three only because they came through just before closing. I had the whole peking duck and was quite disappointed. Flavorless and dry. Again I did catch them late, but that's not an excuse for ordering the most expensive item on the menu ($40) and it tasting bad. Actually no real taste at all. Maybe another dish is great but skip the duck. Had high hopes but sadly let down.
(3)
Jennifer I.
There is seriously a lack of good Asian food in Tallahassee. This restaurant serves quality food at a reasonable price. The weekend brunch buffet is also a great deal. They also serve good cocktails (I like the lychee martini). Service is always friendly, and they are willing to make substitutions for food allergies and preferences.
(4)
June M.
Our first visit to this restaurant and what an awesome experience! Very professional and friendly staff, cozy and inviting atmosphere. Dining area was laid out perfectly. The food was EXCELLENT and pleasantly affordable. Highly recommend. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Helen L.
I was craving some Asian food and ended up back here. I think the last time I came I had ordered some sushi. This time I ordered this scallion pancake but it was not as I expected. It had a lot more batter and browner than I expected. Where were the scallions? I ordered the Taiwanese rice noodles because I was craving it. I wasn't used to the red onions in it but otherwise it was decent. The rice noodles itself didn't have too much flavor but the vegetables were great. I also ordered the egg plants which was smothered with sauce that I could barely taste eggplants. They were cut in thin strips but I had a hard time finding it under the powerful sauce. The order came with rice or fried rice.
(2)
Zee H.
Food here was great. Got the dragon roll and a tofu dish for take out. Service was fast, the people were friendly and the prices are reasonable.
(5)
Ivan B.
AZU or Lucy Ho's, whatever you want to call it is quite delicious. A nice Asian restaurant tucked in the corner of a shopping strip, you can find lots of food from different countries. I have been here a few times and it always has been a good time. The service was always friendly and the waiters always kept asking if my party was doing good. A little pricey, but a little bit more classy. The food is a mix between sushi, Chinese dishes, Japanese dishes, and maybe a little Korean as well. I have had their sushi and most recently the Poke Bowl. Oh how excited I was to find some legit Hawaiian Poke when I sat down. It was a little pricey for the portion, but still delicious raw fish! The regular sushi dishes are not bad either. Another time I ordered Katsu, which had an odd tasting sauce, but the meat was very good and nice with rice. One other thing I had was Mapo Tofu and it was a little too salty, but the flavor was on point and I ate the whole bowl. Definitely recommend this place on a night you and your friends want Asian Food but cannot decide on one particular culture. A good mixture right here for sure.
(4)
Megan Kristen M.
I've never been disappointed in a meal, here. One of my favorite dishes I ever had was a tempura octopus sushi roll. It was beyond yummy, like most of their fare.
(4)
Keith H.
On Sundays between 11-2:30 Azu does a Sunday Brunch Buffet for about $13 a person. This is by far the best "chinese" buffet in town. The foods are fresh and replaced regularly because so many people come to eat at the buffet. I haven't had a single dish that I disliked. Even when there is a wait it isn't long and the staff is attentive. I took one star away for the desserts. For reasons unbeknownst to me, no "chinese" buffet can seem to get these finger desserts right. They always look nice but rarely taste like anything.
Sunday brunch is quite wonderful here with a variety of standard options found at a typical Chinese buffet but presented with more elegance and cooked in small portions. It also includes punch, sushi and some dessert. The ambiance is nice and kid friendly which is always a plus in my book.
Absolutly must get the Seafood Martini!! SO SO good. It has seaweed salad, crab, crawfish, spicy tuna, mango, avocado...served with wonton chips. The sushi was good too. We got sweet mama and mango madness which were recommended by the waitress. Mango madness had too much mango mayo on top...I think thats what they call valcano? idk but it was just alot of mayo for me. the sweet mama was better. I like the slightly cooked salmon. I'd recommend this place!
(4)
Chansone D.
Big disappointment! Everything tasted stale and old. The wonton soup was cold. The yellow tail/scallion sushi tasted like old fish and smelled fishy. The fried soft shell crab tasted bitter and stale. The fried string beans was rubbery and watery as if it had been boiled and the sauce was syrupy. The only thing that was decent and edible was the hot and sour soup and the grilled hamachi. Not going back.
(1)
Frank S.
AZU last night, summer 2015 was a big disappointment in some regards. Service was excellent in attitude and delivery. Sushi roll was good and enjoyed by our 8 member party. However the the Rangoon were too large, too full of creme cheese, not delicate at all. Never thought I'd say that about rangoon but it was overwhelming, no one at the table cared to finish them off. Also fried too long for my palate. . Lucy Ho's Chicken and Cashew recipe has drifted far far away from the delicious chicken and cashew of the late 70s. The sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken and chicken cashew were no better than that commonly found in a buffet. That was so disappointing, next time, I'll just go to a buffet, at least if I dont like something I can go get something else.
(2)
Matthew S.
I have been here a handful of times for dinner lunch and brunch. The portions, atmosphere, and service are excellent. The price is fair. I'm a big fan of the brunch but if you want to miss the crowd go early.
(4)
Larissa S.
I went to the sushi buffet. It was really packed but fortunately we reserved a table in advance. They have a decent selection of sushi and other Asian dishes which were all good. I can't say it's the best sushi/food ice ever had but it's definitely worth the money or rather even more than I expected... At other sushi buffets I was always disappointed at the dessert. At Azu the dessert was very good. They had a couple of different cakes and fresh fruits.
(4)
Keeley M.
The buffet on Sunday was delicious! They had a Mother's day brunch/lunch, so it was very packed, but I called ahead for a reservation (reservations definitely recommended). From what I've heard, it is typically packed on Sundays, but the food and atmosphere is worth it! (Try to call ahead!) The Sunday brunch had a variety of sushi and your typical Chinese dishes and everything I tried was delicious. Price for the Sunday brunch was reasonable and you can't beat the options/variety of food you can select from. This is a place I would definitely come back to!
(5)
Lady D.
When we arrived at Azu for their Sunday lunch buffet (which is only on Sunday- every other day it is order from the menu), I was a bit dismayed to find my Open Table reservation had disappeared from their system. The owner said it was there minutes before we arrived but poof, it was gone. (we were early too!) My dining experience was great. I've been here many times before, just never for their Sunday lunch buffet. Get all other thoughts of a Chinese buffet out of your mind! This had quite a fresh assortment of salads, sushi, curry, veggie dishes, and the regular fare- presented beautifully and tastefully. I think it was $12.95 a person and my bill was the lowest I've ever had there - with the exception of lunch one day. My experience was great, the food artfully presented and our server was attentive. I was pleased by the assortment of sushi - it was not all Krab crud! I'll go again!
(4)
Amy M.
My husband and I stopped in for a late lunch there was a skeleton crew and service was slow. We asked for recommendations and ordered 3 appetizers, only 1 was edible. I left hungry, disappointed, will not return.
(1)
Kevin W.
Carried my daughters there after reading the recommendations on yelp and trip advisor we all had Sushi dinners a chefs choice selection with 8 pieces nigiri sushi and a California roll we all opted for tuna rolls instead of the California... The Sushi was fresh but little else could be said, the chefs choice, a boring one consisting of 2 each salmon, tuna, Mackerel and shrimp for 16 dollars each I've had worse that said still trying to figure out why AZU got such high ratings.
(3)
Helen C.
We went here again today but I learned a new lesson while going here.....stick to coming here for lunch and not for dinner. It was loud and packed, our waiter was running around like a chicken with her head chopped off lol. We waited quite a while to order, for our appetizer and even longer for our meal. Luckily the owner (I think he is the owner? The older asian guy who stands at the front always) kept an eye on our table and noticed us constantly waiting for everything or we might have been waiting longer. He even came to pick up our appetizer plate after we finished, and again to tell us our meal might take a while because the waiter dropped our food/the plate (I feel bad for our waiter because I don't think the owner was happy with her according to his body language.) They handled the situation correctly by compensating with a 10% discount on our meal. Thank you owner! ^-^ He is always nice to us when we come in and I love that :). Oh, the food though as always, was good. Clean presentation as always, sushi rolls nice and tight, and fish quality is good. We missed the movie we were going to catch because we had to wait so long to order to getting our main course sushi rolls but its okay. I think I learned my lesson that the best time for me to come is during lunch time/late lunch time when its nice and quiet and not busy. The waiters then are able to be tentative and since the sushi chefs aren't as busy we get our food faster. Even though I didn't have the greatest time tonight I still like this place and will recommend this place but maybe will recommend coming here during lunch/late lunch for a better experience because dinner is pretty busy so you might have to wait longer and its louder.
(5)
seth o.
Great fried crab, good sushi, sad ramen. This is a very American style sushi restraurant, and it will probably appeal to lots of the casual Japanese diners in Tallahassee. Try the fried crab, it's tasty. However the sushi is mediocre and the ramen noodle soup was just sad. The thin, watery chicken broth and bland noodles were edible, but disappointing, and did not in the least satisfy my ramen craving. Granted I have a West Coast mentality toward Japanese food, and I'm not saying Azu is bad, but it's not authentic. It is, however, a nice restaurant for Tallahassee standards, even though it would not survive a hot minute in San Francisco.
(3)
Brianne T.
Sunday buffet is the best thing you could ever do! We have been every Sunday since we have found out and nothing gets old. Good quality food at a great price!
(5)
Karly O.
Visiting Tallahassee and found this awesome restaurant. Sushi was so different then any other place I've been. I had the bang bang mango and had to go back before I left to get it again...my husband was really impressed too! We took our two young children and they feasted on the honey chicken kids meal. I'm only giving it 4 stars b/c it wasn't super kid friendly. Enjoy!
(4)
Marie F.
Best place to eat in Tallahassee hands down. I have tried pretty much everything and nothing comes close in town. Great location, beautifully decorated, and excellent food. Unfortunately I can't say the whole menu is super (only thing that was NOT perfect was the ravoli) - but plenty of great options and huge portions. Quality of food is worth the cost so you will not be disappointed. Great for social gatherings. (Romantic date and Birthdays - this palace is the ideal venue.) Just call ahead to make sure they can accommodate your party. Sunday Brunch Buffet is a MUST. AZU's Sunday Brunch Buffet is very popular, so much so that many customers and even employees are making it part of their routine. Every Sunday from 11:00 - 2:30 pm.
(5)
Daca D.
Went in for lunch today. Had the lunch bento box (grilled chicken teriyaki). The food was good, it was not crowded- overall great experience.
(4)
Scott S.
We don't go here nearly as often as we should living so close. The food is consistently great and, with one glaring exception, the service is top-notch. I don't have a lot of experience with the buffets. Our most recent visit was a dinner on Friday. We ordered a variety of sushi, dumplings, and Chinese fare. All great. Can't recommend the General Tso's enough. And I'd put their coconut curry sauce on anything. I will say, though, I've almost never had luck with their egg drop soup. Very hit or miss.
(4)
Molly H.
Unlike many other asian restaurants in town, this one is not vegetarian friendly. I ordered avocado rolls to be delivered and upon opening found fish eggs all over them. Not intentionally- whoever was making sushi was being sloppy. I had to pick out all the tiny fish eggs that were scattered all over the rolls. The rolls were also 90% rice with a sliver of avocado in each one- pretty disappointing for the price. I can get more avocado for half the price from basically anywhere else in town. I paid $15 for rice, fish eggs and seaweed. Bummer. I'm giving them two stars because I've had rolls from them before that were good. But when you're having food delivered you can't just send it back to be fixed. I wish I had ordered elsewhere.
(2)
Amy V.
The Sunday Brunch Buffet at Azu is a steal. For $12.95 you get a nice selection of sushi and hot entrees, replenished often and served fresh. Fruit, salad, and dessert, too! From the standard menu I like the Edamame with Spicy Dipping Sauce and Beef w Broccoli. For sushi I recommend the Paradise, Mango Madness, and Seafood Volcano rolls. The staff is friendly and attentive. Azu is an all around great choice for Sushi and Asian Fusion.
(4)
Katelyn B.
Went here for the lunch buffet. Presentation was nice. The crab rangoons are alright and the pork dumplings were great. The sushi wasn't that great, but I understand it's the lunch buffet version. The coconut curry is amazing. Super creamy and the coconut didn't over power the curry or vice versa. It could have been more spicy but I like my nose running at the end of my meal. Or if curry isn't your thing, the honey bourbon chicken is great too. It's pretty sweet, I would've liked a little more spice here too, but overall good flavor. Service was good on a very busy Sunday.
(4)
Valerie G.
Alright, y'all, this one is gonna be quick and painless: 1. I was here once a while back for their Sunday Brunch and it was quite forgettable; therefore, I am in no position to base this review based on that visit. 2. My most recent visit was for dinner, the service was ehh-okay particularly given that there were a total of 4 tables on a Tuesday night. However, their fried rice is TO. DIE. FOR! I think it may be the best I've ever had and I love me some fried rice. It's fresh and delicious and the portion is HUGE - I had enough for lunch the next day. Safe to say I'll be back for some more delicious fried rice and probably to try Sunday Brunch again since I'm a sucker for breakfast :) go try their fried rice, guys, naoooo!
(4)
Nicole Z.
My boyfriend and I had heard Lucy Ho's name associated with good food since we moved here, and weren't disappointed in our experience at Azu. I was able to make a quick and easy reservation online through their website. The food smelled wonderful, even in the parking lot. The restaurant is located at the end of a strip mall, and despite that, there was still curb-appeal. We were greeted and seated immediately. Seating is cozy, but that doesn't bother us. The decor is minimalistic and quite lovely. With my back to the wall, I saw a lot of what looked like regular patrons stopping in to sit at the bar area, which is in a separate section. On weeknights there is a 2-for-1 happy hour special before 7 p.m., so we ordered two hot sake carafes. We also ordered a tempura shrimp appetizer -- cooked perfectly -- and the side of mustard cream sauce was fantastic! For entrees I had Japanese-style salmon with mushrooms and asparagus. It was absolutely wonderful, with a sweet glaze and peppered just right. I told our server that I am on a low-carb diet, so she substituted rice with a side of steamed vegetables. My boyfriend ordered a beef curry that was divine. I couldn't decide whose entree was better! With the happy hour special, the meal was within our price range, about a $50 check. We will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. Azu is now at the top of my list of favorite Tallahassee restaurants.
(5)
Hannah G.
We came through Tallahassee on the way to a work conference in Mobile (from our honeymoon in Orlando; we're from Kentucky). Based on reviews, we decided to come here, and were not disappointed! Would have given a 5, but for the fact that the sauce on my scallops with black bean sauce was very salty. However, my husband ordered the coconut curry chicken, and it wasn't too salty, so it may just be certain dishes. Overall...probably the best Asian food I've ever had! I ordered the hot and sour soup as well, to start, and it was so fresh and yummy! Wait service was friendly and fast. Other than the saltiness, I have no complaints!
(4)
Chris S.
I wish this place was around when I went to school there. I got this food to go when I was up in Tallahassee for a game weekend. I ordered the E.T. roll along with the 3-1 salad. Both were excellent. My wife had the gyoza and a very basic roll which she liked very much. The food was great and I thought moderately priced. A definite must try if you are looking for a change from MASA, Mr. Robot or Osaka.
(4)
Jared B.
Despite exterior appearances, the restaurant is larger than you would think and has a great atmosphere. My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice dinner and Azu really came through for us. The Peking duck is absolutely delicious as are all of the appetizers and the sushi. In ordering, we didn't hold back or pay any heed to the prices so when the check arrived, I was a little hesitant to look. When I did, however, I was amazed at how reasonable the total considering the quality and quantity of the food we ordered. I definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to go on a lovely date. My girlfriend, the foodie in our relationship, recommends the Peking duck and the salmon rolls. You shouldn't necessarily trust my opinion about what's delicious but you can certainly trust her's.
(5)
Aventura E.
I see a lot of reviews below me for lunch specials and the buffet, I can't speak to those positive experiences, we went one evening and ordered sushi. The wait time to get the food took way to long despite the fact that there were only maybe 3 or 4 other tables of people and the sushi was nothing special. A long wait, lousy attitude from the waitress, bland sushi creations and to top it all off everything is overpriced. For the quality and atmosphere the prices should have been half of what they were, this was my first sushi experience in Tallahassee, I will try the others, hopefully they won't be as disappointing as this one.
(1)
Hanako A.
Azu is a fabulous venture from the one and only, Lucy Ho. They offer classic Chinese dishes and Japanese seafood favorites. I frequent Azu for both brunch and lunch and never leave disappointed. If you are a patient person and have never been here, I recommend going to their Sunday Brunch, as it is a great way to sample several dishes and their sushi offerings. It will be crowded and it will take a while to be seated, but it's definitely worth it. If you aren't up for a busy brunch, you should go in around 11:30am during the work week and order of the affordable lunch menu. For $8 you can get a bento that comes with rice, chow mein, vegetable of the day, eggroll, and one of the many meats. They also offer a sushi platter for $10 that comes with two rolls and soup or salad. If you've only had take out and buffet style Chinese, please forget all you know and wow your senses with Azu. Please order the hot and sour soup and a pot of green tea or oolong tea.
(5)
Jinbo F.
I've been here for buffet several times. The entrees are boring all the time. But I do like the sushi and other Chinese desserts or appetizers, by the way I like the seaweed and dumpling. The reason I give three star is because it's below my expectation especially the entrees in buffet time. It's still a good choice on Sundays and I am going there now!
(3)
Lakshmi R.
Been there for lunch... 8$ nice deal... Had cashew chicken... Food is good....Recommended as well
(4)
Dan K.
I do not take bad reviews lightly and I am hurt that I have to do such especially when it comes to sushi. I have eaten sushi for a long time and experienced different takes on it all over the US. Honestly I am writing this only to save others from the terrible experience I had, and possible illness I feel coming on. My dining experience in chronological order 1. As I approached the restaurant there was a group of customers holding the door open blocking the entrance conversing loudly among themselves. 2. After pushing through them to get in, I look up and realize I through the door and smack into the dining area. ( I am literally standing next to tables with people eating.) 3. This should have been my first warning to run, I find the empty hostess podium which is fine because I was planning on eating at the sushi bar anyways... BUT WAIT there is no sushi bar! There is an actual alcohol bar with plates around it. 4. I stood at the bar waiting to be greeted but the only woman behind the bar had her back turned and it was later apparent she was just taking take out orders. I was eventually half greeted by a woman who looked half asleep and was dressed way to casual for serving dinner. 5. My waitress comes, she was very polite at this point and took my drink and my miso soup order. As I am sitting here I look around for where the fish is being prepared and spot the area back in the corner hidden from view so you cannot see how it is being prepared or what the fish looks like, as I continue to look around and examine the area, my second clue to get the hell out appears, there is not one Japanese or asian period working at this place all mexican line cooks! Now I am not racist but again from experience, if you cant see the fish and there is not at least a head sushi chef overseeing preparations its not going to be good. 6. My miso soup and drink comes. I had to chug the miso, because it was lukewarm and I didn't want it to get any colder before I ate it. When she brought those items I ordered Maguro and Sake sashimi. (of course the japanese names were not on the menu only "Tuna and Salmon" 7. I asked if the did half orders because I wanted to try the Dragon Fly but didn't feel like I could do a entire order. No half orders... So I told her I was going to have it but I wanted to wait until I finished the sashimi and fried rice first. 8. Sashimi came... little ginger to cleanse the pallet and Sake sashimi is first (its my favorite)... Absolutely disgusting and an embarrassment to sushi. It disintegrated in my mouth and I swear the flavor was horrible! Imagine a lobster tank at the grocer or Red Lobster... Now imagine drinking the water from that tank and what it would taste like. THAT is what the salmon tasted like. 9. Tunas got to be better right? Yeah it was only in that it was absolutely flavorless, completely dry and almost brittle like it had just been sitting out all day. 10. I tell waitress I have become full and decided against the dragon fly and asked for the check. She then proceeds to walk over to the mexican line cook preparing the sushi holds a menu blocking her face so I couldn't see her and tells him to cancel my order for the dragon fly, I can just hear him asking her why I dont want it and what he is going to do with it now and they talk back and forth a bit more and she walks away... Next thing I hear is so other mexican over by the register saying "I knew it was too much for him". 11. Against everything boiling up inside me and my desire to go all Gordan Ramsey in that place right then and there, I realized it a bad idea as it would most likely get out of hand so I quietly payed my bill and left without a word to anyone. I hope this is read by whom ever is in charge of the operations of this place. This was the poorest dining experience I have had in a very very long time, from the service to the layout of the place to the disgusting fish they tried to pass off to me as sushi. Please get a real Head Sushi Chef in there that knows what he/she is doing, please teach your staff some etiquette and enforce a dress code. Most of all Please Please Please stop serving fish until you can figure out how to get sashimi grade and serve it fresh. Future customers be very very careful of the food, I am not joking one bit when I say I seriously had thought about gagging myself so as to hopefully not get sick after eating here and may still do so before the night is up. Sorry I had to do this review but I would shut this place down if I could. Terrible. :\
I've eaten at every single sushi place in town and Azu is hands down the very best. After moving out of midtown and all they way down the parkway we tried it out of convenience ... it exceeded all expectations. The staff is great and the sushi is phenomenal. We like to get the sashimi dinner and request white tuna & yellowtail (SO GOOD). You can also substitute the cali roll for a specialty roll and just pay the difference. Lucy Ho is very hands on with her restaurants and has done such a great job with Azu.
(5)
Austin D.
Terrible service. There was a freakin sweet and low packet stuck to the inside of my glass. The waitress was rude, food was edible but I'd rather be duct taped to a Tasmanian devil than to ever go back.
(1)
Ronald J.
The food is amazing. The sushi is amazing. Some times there is a wait. But it's worth it. Last time I actually ordered take out. I got special sushi. It was packed well and the presentation held up till I got home. It tasted amazing!
(5)
Cherry J.
Went back for round two, and was not impressed... my Crunchy roll ($5) was COMPLETELY ice-cold: rice, fillings, and all. Clearly it was prepared ahead and sitting in a refrigerator... guess you get what you pay for. Yet again, there was WAY too much cream cheese... and it was extra gross being so cold and thick and chewy! Bluh.. We branched out a bit by trying some fried rice and the chicken lettuce wraps. The fried rice was odd.. it contained HUGE chunks of scrambled egg, instead of the normal egg pieces you find in fried rice. The chicken lettuce wraps were also strange, with red and green peppers better suited for Mexican cuisine...
(2)
S N.
Great Chinese and Japanese food, I recommend any of the specials. The atmosphere is great for a night out with friends or a date. They offer a very nice Sunday buffet, get there early (around 11 or so), to get a table without wait. The locals love this place so it can get crowded fast.
(5)
A A.
Do you know what the best thing about brunch is? It somehow becomes socially acceptable to have a cocktail in the middle of the day. Unfortunately Azu doesn't serve any (not that we were offered any, anyways. More on the later). We finally decided to get up early enough to go to Azu for their brunch buffet. The decal on the door says they're open at 11:30 on Sunday, but the sign inside and the website says 11:15 so I'm not sure which it is. We came at 11:10 and the parking lot was completely empty. When we came back at 11:35 the restaurant was half full. I'm not a fan of the seating arrangement. Everything is squished together so you have no privacy and the buffet is set up in cramped quarters as well. So it's a pain to get to what you want, and you're likely to get food knocked all over you if someone turns around. Service was the most horrible I've had in Tallahassee, worse than Ray's Steel City Saloon and far worse than Applebee's (gasp). Our waitress brought us our drinks and our check and we never saw her the rest of the time. Now I know Azu is not the most expensive restaurant in the city, but it is at least heralded as nicer than your average sushi bar. You would expect better service when you're paying more money, right? On to the food, the day we went it was a spread of mostly Chinese chicken dishes, and a few other proteins. Of these the best was something labeled as Sha Cha chicken (which actually tasted like a mild curry), the salt and pepper shrimp, and the tilipia. The other dishes I tried tasted worse than most takeout places. There was also tuna and salmon nigiri, two or three rolls, seaweed salad, and a fried shrimp with krab salad on top. The rolls were strange and mostly stuffed with cream cheese, but the salmon nigiri has been the only edible raw fish I've had in Tallahassee. Dessert was three kinds of forgettable cake, and an assortment of fruit. Overall the price was not worth it for me for the quality of food and the level of service. If you came solely for the nigiri I could see you getting your money's worth, but not otherwise. I won't be coming back for the buffet, but maybe I will try their bento box or shashimi for lunch and update accordingly.
(2)
J. H.
The food is surprisingly good, reasonably priced, and the portions are generous. Eat in service has always been good. Going for takeout is a different story. The food is usually ready sooner than they tell you, so you get there, see it bagged at the bar, and no one helps you. You're waiting, watching your dinner get cold as the guy pours drinks, talks to the kitchen and doesn't seem to care that you're standing there. Probably won't get takeout there anymore.
(3)
KyungAh L.
This place is super delicious. On Sundays, they have a Sunday brunch buffet and let me say, it's a pretty good deal for all the food you get. But, besides Sunday, they always serve really good food and the service is nice and the waiters are all extremely friendly. If you want a good fusion of Asian foods, then definitely come here.
(4)
Rachel M.
I had a craving for sushi and having previously driven by this place before, I figured I'd give it a shot. I ordered the Spider Roll and the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll for take out. Although other reviews criticized the atmosphere, I thought it looked nice upon entering. The food however was only decent. I preferred the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll to the Spider Roll but neither was worth ordering again. The Spider Roll was cut into HUGE pieces - it was difficult to eat each piece in one bite. It wasn't very good either. - the crab had been overcooked and it didn't taste to be very fresh The Crunchy Spicy Tuna was okay but I've definitely had better. The quality of the tuna was sub par...it's doubtful that it was actually sushi grade. Prior to ordering the sushi, I didn't realize that the restaurant is actually considered to be Chinese, so perhaps the other entries on the menu are better.
(2)
Christina J.
Sunday Buffet is wonderful....but always packed and definitely on the pricey side (about $12.50/person before tip and drinks)
(4)
Rodney H.
Pretty awesome and never slammed crowded. Driving by you would think its kinda a dump because its in a strip mall but once you walk in you see they know what their doing. This is our favorite place to eat sushi in Tallahassee.
(4)
Art s.
My party shared probably 8 appetizers and another 8 entrees and they were consistently excellent. I've had Asian food all over Asia, as well as NYC, Vancouver, and San Francisco, and Azu is a match for any of it. The decor is elegant and understated, and the service was friendly and attentive without hovering. There wasn't a false note the whole night. In nearly 20 years, this is the best dining experience I've had in Tallahassee.
(5)
A A.
Do you know what the best thing about brunch is? It somehow becomes socially acceptable to have a cocktail in the middle of the day. Unfortunately Azu doesn't serve any (not that we were offered any, anyways. More on the later). We finally decided to get up early enough to go to Azu for their brunch buffet. The decal on the door says they're open at 11:30 on Sunday, but the sign inside and the website says 11:15 so I'm not sure which it is. We came at 11:10 and the parking lot was completely empty. When we came back at 11:35 the restaurant was half full. I'm not a fan of the seating arrangement. Everything is squished together so you have no privacy and the buffet is set up in cramped quarters as well. So it's a pain to get to what you want, and you're likely to get food knocked all over you if someone turns around. Service was the most horrible I've had in Tallahassee, worse than Ray's Steel City Saloon and far worse than Applebee's (gasp). Our waitress brought us our drinks and our check and we never saw her the rest of the time. Now I know Azu is not the most expensive restaurant in the city, but it is at least heralded as nicer than your average sushi bar. You would expect better service when you're paying more money, right? On to the food, the day we went it was a spread of mostly Chinese chicken dishes, and a few other proteins. Of these the best was something labeled as Sha Cha chicken (which actually tasted like a mild curry), the salt and pepper shrimp, and the tilipia. The other dishes I tried tasted worse than most takeout places. There was also tuna and salmon nigiri, two or three rolls, seaweed salad, and a fried shrimp with krab salad on top. The rolls were strange and mostly stuffed with cream cheese, but the salmon nigiri has been the only edible raw fish I've had in Tallahassee. Dessert was three kinds of forgettable cake, and an assortment of fruit. Overall the price was not worth it for me for the quality of food and the level of service. If you came solely for the nigiri I could see you getting your money's worth, but not otherwise. I won't be coming back for the buffet, but maybe I will try their bento box or shashimi for lunch and update accordingly.
(2)
J. H.
The food is surprisingly good, reasonably priced, and the portions are generous. Eat in service has always been good. Going for takeout is a different story. The food is usually ready sooner than they tell you, so you get there, see it bagged at the bar, and no one helps you. You're waiting, watching your dinner get cold as the guy pours drinks, talks to the kitchen and doesn't seem to care that you're standing there. Probably won't get takeout there anymore.
(3)
KyungAh L.
This place is super delicious. On Sundays, they have a Sunday brunch buffet and let me say, it's a pretty good deal for all the food you get. But, besides Sunday, they always serve really good food and the service is nice and the waiters are all extremely friendly. If you want a good fusion of Asian foods, then definitely come here.
(4)
Hazel P.
Had a surprisingly great time at Azu. Walking in, seating looked a little bit cramped, especially with it being crowded as it was. Tables are organized in the middle with small booths surrounding them, we luckily had the chance to dine in in a booth near the window. Service was great we were attended to shortly after and stayed pretty much happy with the service throughout the night despite it being as busy as it was. As for the food... it was surprisingly really good! I only say surprisingly because the restaurant is now the third restaurant to open up under Lucy Ho in Tallahassee, and after eating at Masa and the other million Chinese restaurants located in Tallahassee what more can you expect... but Azu surely dumbfounded me. I was feeling under the weather so I ordered a pot of hot green tea. The waitress soon came out with this classy, elegant type tea pot. I have no idea why I was and still am amazed by the tea pot... it just looked really nice, but the green tea was really good too! It had a nutty hint to it, something I've never had at other Chinese restaurants, so when I opened the top it had the green tea leaves with what looked like pieces of popcorn and pecans in it. I know... weird, you will just have to get some one time. Okay enough about my odd amazement with their green tea and to the food... We ordered the chicken lettuce cups to start with, very similar to P.F. Changs, but with more flavor and crunch to the bite. Stir-fried chicken with green and red peppers and water chestnuts covered with their sauce and placed in a lettuce cup, absolutely delicious! We also had to try their sushi and ended up getting the E.T. roll, as recommended by the waitress. She had mentioned their eel was really good, so we gave it a try... no disappointment there. As for the entrees, portions are more than reasonable for the price. We ordered the beef and green pepper stir-fry and the Taiwanese pan fried noodles. The noodles were absolutely amazing. They give you a little more meat and vegetables than noodles, but it was delicious! We really had no complaints about this place. We wanted to try their Ramen noodle dish, but they were out. We will definitely try and head out there again. We live on the other side of town, but it's well worth the money and drive to try this place out!
(4)
Tiffany D.
There sunday brunch buffet is super yummy.
(5)
Whitnae P.
Best sushi in town. The rolls are soft, moist and delicious. Everything is made beautifully and deliciously. The staff is friendly and attentive. This place could compete with big city restaurants if it wanted to. I came there with my ex boyfriend and I still had a good time.
(5)
p d.
Finally. Lucy returns to the Parkway! Wonderful, if sparse, menu. Sushi offerings are about what you would expect for this part of the world, but the quality is excellent. Not that I ever remember any bad service at one of Lucy's restaurants, but the service here has been exceptional for each of our visits. And YES...they have the pear sake at AZU like they do at Masa.
(4)
Sean H.
Fantastic, average $$. Extensive cocktail menu. Their Thai food is terrific. Ambience is relaxing/trendy. #1 spot for sushi in town, believe me....I've done them all.
(5)
Alan L.
I went there for dinner. I was the only one in there, waitress was pleasant, food was good. I ordered 3 different sushi rolls. Price and proportions were what I expected. I wouldn't say it was great, but would definitely go there again. I didn't think they had as wide of a variety of sushi as I expected either.
(4)
Madison H.
My husband and I visited Azu on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee on March 12, 2010. Yes, I am happy to know that Lucy Ho once again has a presence in Tallahassee. We were greeted by Masa upon arrival. He is always personable and remembers us every single time we visit. This was our fourth visit since the beginning of December 2009 and I had waited to post a review. We ordered Pork fried rice ($10) and beef and broccoli ($12.00). The food is consistently good and the portion size is ample. What has always been a problem at Lucy's restaurants is the waitstaff service. Lackluster just springs to mind when trying to think of a good description. Though that's probably an adequate response for the majority of Tallahassee establishments. Water and tea take a while to receive. Water takes a long while to be refilled. The food presentation is courteous and pleasant. Masa checks back, rarely the server returns. Getting the check takes a long while and please don't be in a hurry because the server is probably going to take drink or food orders from other guests before returning to complete the transaction. This visit was particularly noticeable because when you give 2 - $20 bills on a bill of $31.00, you expect change to be provided from which you will provide a tip. A 20 percent tip would be about $6.20. If you are a server, don't ask the guest if they need change. That question will elicit a negative response and right away the server has reduced their tip by asking! Bring the change. The guest will leave the applicable tip. And please don't be in a hurry for your change either because the waiter went on to take care of three other tables before returning to slap the folio back on the table. Believe me hon, you aren't getting a $9 tip on $31 with an attitude like that. So, to sum up, the food is consistently good (3), but the wait service is just ho-hum or average(2).
(3)
Rick P.
Went there on Christmas Eve for our first time there. The place was almost full, but we had great service. We were really pleased by the range of the menu -- there are lots of great things to choose from. We ordered soup, appetizers and entrees, and they were all delicious. We thought the prices were really reasonable, too. Can't wait to go back and try something else!
(5)
Don L.
Food is delicious and staff was great! I will definitely return.
(5)
JD D.
If you enjoy Masa, you'll definitely enjoy Azu. I've eaten there a couple of times with foodie-type friends. We put high demands on the servers and the kitchen, and they always cheerfully complied with our requests. The appetizers and sushi are fresh and perfectly executed. Given the high quality, the price is a bargain. The beer, wine, and sake selections are limited (no spirits), but the star of the meal here is the food.
(5)
Tiff D.
Absolutly must get the Seafood Martini!! SO SO good. It has seaweed salad, crab, crawfish, spicy tuna, mango, avocado...served with wonton chips. The sushi was good too. We got sweet mama and mango madness which were recommended by the waitress. Mango madness had too much mango mayo on top...I think thats what they call valcano? idk but it was just alot of mayo for me. the sweet mama was better. I like the slightly cooked salmon. I'd recommend this place!
(4)
Ivan B.
AZU or Lucy Ho's, whatever you want to call it is quite delicious. A nice Asian restaurant tucked in the corner of a shopping strip, you can find lots of food from different countries. I have been here a few times and it always has been a good time. The service was always friendly and the waiters always kept asking if my party was doing good. A little pricey, but a little bit more classy. The food is a mix between sushi, Chinese dishes, Japanese dishes, and maybe a little Korean as well. I have had their sushi and most recently the Poke Bowl. Oh how excited I was to find some legit Hawaiian Poke when I sat down. It was a little pricey for the portion, but still delicious raw fish! The regular sushi dishes are not bad either. Another time I ordered Katsu, which had an odd tasting sauce, but the meat was very good and nice with rice. One other thing I had was Mapo Tofu and it was a little too salty, but the flavor was on point and I ate the whole bowl. Definitely recommend this place on a night you and your friends want Asian Food but cannot decide on one particular culture. A good mixture right here for sure.
(4)
Megan Kristen M.
I've never been disappointed in a meal, here. One of my favorite dishes I ever had was a tempura octopus sushi roll. It was beyond yummy, like most of their fare.
(4)
Keith H.
On Sundays between 11-2:30 Azu does a Sunday Brunch Buffet for about $13 a person. This is by far the best "chinese" buffet in town. The foods are fresh and replaced regularly because so many people come to eat at the buffet. I haven't had a single dish that I disliked. Even when there is a wait it isn't long and the staff is attentive. I took one star away for the desserts. For reasons unbeknownst to me, no "chinese" buffet can seem to get these finger desserts right. They always look nice but rarely taste like anything.
(4)
Keeley M.
The buffet on Sunday was delicious! They had a Mother's day brunch/lunch, so it was very packed, but I called ahead for a reservation (reservations definitely recommended). From what I've heard, it is typically packed on Sundays, but the food and atmosphere is worth it! (Try to call ahead!) The Sunday brunch had a variety of sushi and your typical Chinese dishes and everything I tried was delicious. Price for the Sunday brunch was reasonable and you can't beat the options/variety of food you can select from. This is a place I would definitely come back to!
I've eaten at every single sushi place in town and Azu is hands down the very best. After moving out of midtown and all they way down the parkway we tried it out of convenience ... it exceeded all expectations. The staff is great and the sushi is phenomenal. We like to get the sashimi dinner and request white tuna & yellowtail (SO GOOD). You can also substitute the cali roll for a specialty roll and just pay the difference. Lucy Ho is very hands on with her restaurants and has done such a great job with Azu.
(5)
Austin D.
Terrible service. There was a freakin sweet and low packet stuck to the inside of my glass. The waitress was rude, food was edible but I'd rather be duct taped to a Tasmanian devil than to ever go back.
(1)
Ronald J.
The food is amazing. The sushi is amazing. Some times there is a wait. But it's worth it. Last time I actually ordered take out. I got special sushi. It was packed well and the presentation held up till I got home. It tasted amazing!
(5)
Cherry J.
Went back for round two, and was not impressed... my Crunchy roll ($5) was COMPLETELY ice-cold: rice, fillings, and all. Clearly it was prepared ahead and sitting in a refrigerator... guess you get what you pay for. Yet again, there was WAY too much cream cheese... and it was extra gross being so cold and thick and chewy! Bluh.. We branched out a bit by trying some fried rice and the chicken lettuce wraps. The fried rice was odd.. it contained HUGE chunks of scrambled egg, instead of the normal egg pieces you find in fried rice. The chicken lettuce wraps were also strange, with red and green peppers better suited for Mexican cuisine...
(2)
S N.
Great Chinese and Japanese food, I recommend any of the specials. The atmosphere is great for a night out with friends or a date. They offer a very nice Sunday buffet, get there early (around 11 or so), to get a table without wait. The locals love this place so it can get crowded fast.
(5)
Amy M.
My husband and I stopped in for a late lunch there was a skeleton crew and service was slow. We asked for recommendations and ordered 3 appetizers, only 1 was edible. I left hungry, disappointed, will not return.
(1)
Kevin W.
Carried my daughters there after reading the recommendations on yelp and trip advisor we all had Sushi dinners a chefs choice selection with 8 pieces nigiri sushi and a California roll we all opted for tuna rolls instead of the California... The Sushi was fresh but little else could be said, the chefs choice, a boring one consisting of 2 each salmon, tuna, Mackerel and shrimp for 16 dollars each I've had worse that said still trying to figure out why AZU got such high ratings.
(3)
Jeremy F.
Excellent Asian food probably the best fried wontons I have had anywhere!. They were delicious. Also the pineapple shrimp with strawberry was sweet but ooh so filling an delicious. Will definitely be back on my next trip to Tallahassee.
(4)
Sue C.
We had a very good meal. We chose from the Chinese menu. We had chicken lettuce cups, Peking duck and stir fried bokchoy. Everything was prepared well. The Peking duck came with the more contemporary dumpling pillow instead of mandarin pancakes and they were good. We ordered extra pillows. Service was friendly and prompt.
(4)
Jennifer I.
There is seriously a lack of good Asian food in Tallahassee. This restaurant serves quality food at a reasonable price. The weekend brunch buffet is also a great deal. They also serve good cocktails (I like the lychee martini). Service is always friendly, and they are willing to make substitutions for food allergies and preferences.
(4)
June M.
Our first visit to this restaurant and what an awesome experience! Very professional and friendly staff, cozy and inviting atmosphere. Dining area was laid out perfectly. The food was EXCELLENT and pleasantly affordable. Highly recommend. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Matthew S.
I have been here a handful of times for dinner lunch and brunch. The portions, atmosphere, and service are excellent. The price is fair. I'm a big fan of the brunch but if you want to miss the crowd go early.
(4)
Larissa S.
I went to the sushi buffet. It was really packed but fortunately we reserved a table in advance. They have a decent selection of sushi and other Asian dishes which were all good. I can't say it's the best sushi/food ice ever had but it's definitely worth the money or rather even more than I expected... At other sushi buffets I was always disappointed at the dessert. At Azu the dessert was very good. They had a couple of different cakes and fresh fruits.
Sunday brunch is quite wonderful here with a variety of standard options found at a typical Chinese buffet but presented with more elegance and cooked in small portions. It also includes punch, sushi and some dessert. The ambiance is nice and kid friendly which is always a plus in my book.
Big disappointment! Everything tasted stale and old. The wonton soup was cold. The yellow tail/scallion sushi tasted like old fish and smelled fishy. The fried soft shell crab tasted bitter and stale. The fried string beans was rubbery and watery as if it had been boiled and the sauce was syrupy. The only thing that was decent and edible was the hot and sour soup and the grilled hamachi. Not going back.
(1)
Frank S.
AZU last night, summer 2015 was a big disappointment in some regards. Service was excellent in attitude and delivery. Sushi roll was good and enjoyed by our 8 member party. However the the Rangoon were too large, too full of creme cheese, not delicate at all. Never thought I'd say that about rangoon but it was overwhelming, no one at the table cared to finish them off. Also fried too long for my palate. . Lucy Ho's Chicken and Cashew recipe has drifted far far away from the delicious chicken and cashew of the late 70s. The sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken and chicken cashew were no better than that commonly found in a buffet. That was so disappointing, next time, I'll just go to a buffet, at least if I dont like something I can go get something else.
(2)
Brandon C.
I gave a three only because they came through just before closing. I had the whole peking duck and was quite disappointed. Flavorless and dry. Again I did catch them late, but that's not an excuse for ordering the most expensive item on the menu ($40) and it tasting bad. Actually no real taste at all. Maybe another dish is great but skip the duck. Had high hopes but sadly let down.
(3)
Helen C.
We went here again today but I learned a new lesson while going here.....stick to coming here for lunch and not for dinner. It was loud and packed, our waiter was running around like a chicken with her head chopped off lol. We waited quite a while to order, for our appetizer and even longer for our meal. Luckily the owner (I think he is the owner? The older asian guy who stands at the front always) kept an eye on our table and noticed us constantly waiting for everything or we might have been waiting longer. He even came to pick up our appetizer plate after we finished, and again to tell us our meal might take a while because the waiter dropped our food/the plate (I feel bad for our waiter because I don't think the owner was happy with her according to his body language.) They handled the situation correctly by compensating with a 10% discount on our meal. Thank you owner! ^-^ He is always nice to us when we come in and I love that :). Oh, the food though as always, was good. Clean presentation as always, sushi rolls nice and tight, and fish quality is good. We missed the movie we were going to catch because we had to wait so long to order to getting our main course sushi rolls but its okay. I think I learned my lesson that the best time for me to come is during lunch time/late lunch time when its nice and quiet and not busy. The waiters then are able to be tentative and since the sushi chefs aren't as busy we get our food faster. Even though I didn't have the greatest time tonight I still like this place and will recommend this place but maybe will recommend coming here during lunch/late lunch for a better experience because dinner is pretty busy so you might have to wait longer and its louder.
(5)
seth o.
Great fried crab, good sushi, sad ramen. This is a very American style sushi restraurant, and it will probably appeal to lots of the casual Japanese diners in Tallahassee. Try the fried crab, it's tasty. However the sushi is mediocre and the ramen noodle soup was just sad. The thin, watery chicken broth and bland noodles were edible, but disappointing, and did not in the least satisfy my ramen craving. Granted I have a West Coast mentality toward Japanese food, and I'm not saying Azu is bad, but it's not authentic. It is, however, a nice restaurant for Tallahassee standards, even though it would not survive a hot minute in San Francisco.
(3)
Brianne T.
Sunday buffet is the best thing you could ever do! We have been every Sunday since we have found out and nothing gets old. Good quality food at a great price!
(5)
Karly O.
Visiting Tallahassee and found this awesome restaurant. Sushi was so different then any other place I've been. I had the bang bang mango and had to go back before I left to get it again...my husband was really impressed too! We took our two young children and they feasted on the honey chicken kids meal. I'm only giving it 4 stars b/c it wasn't super kid friendly. Enjoy!
(4)
Marie F.
Best place to eat in Tallahassee hands down. I have tried pretty much everything and nothing comes close in town. Great location, beautifully decorated, and excellent food. Unfortunately I can't say the whole menu is super (only thing that was NOT perfect was the ravoli) - but plenty of great options and huge portions. Quality of food is worth the cost so you will not be disappointed. Great for social gatherings. (Romantic date and Birthdays - this palace is the ideal venue.) Just call ahead to make sure they can accommodate your party. Sunday Brunch Buffet is a MUST. AZU's Sunday Brunch Buffet is very popular, so much so that many customers and even employees are making it part of their routine. Every Sunday from 11:00 - 2:30 pm.
(5)
Daca D.
Went in for lunch today. Had the lunch bento box (grilled chicken teriyaki). The food was good, it was not crowded- overall great experience.
(4)
Scott S.
We don't go here nearly as often as we should living so close. The food is consistently great and, with one glaring exception, the service is top-notch. I don't have a lot of experience with the buffets. Our most recent visit was a dinner on Friday. We ordered a variety of sushi, dumplings, and Chinese fare. All great. Can't recommend the General Tso's enough. And I'd put their coconut curry sauce on anything. I will say, though, I've almost never had luck with their egg drop soup. Very hit or miss.
(4)
Molly H.
Unlike many other asian restaurants in town, this one is not vegetarian friendly. I ordered avocado rolls to be delivered and upon opening found fish eggs all over them. Not intentionally- whoever was making sushi was being sloppy. I had to pick out all the tiny fish eggs that were scattered all over the rolls. The rolls were also 90% rice with a sliver of avocado in each one- pretty disappointing for the price. I can get more avocado for half the price from basically anywhere else in town. I paid $15 for rice, fish eggs and seaweed. Bummer. I'm giving them two stars because I've had rolls from them before that were good. But when you're having food delivered you can't just send it back to be fixed. I wish I had ordered elsewhere.
(2)
Amy V.
The Sunday Brunch Buffet at Azu is a steal. For $12.95 you get a nice selection of sushi and hot entrees, replenished often and served fresh. Fruit, salad, and dessert, too! From the standard menu I like the Edamame with Spicy Dipping Sauce and Beef w Broccoli. For sushi I recommend the Paradise, Mango Madness, and Seafood Volcano rolls. The staff is friendly and attentive. Azu is an all around great choice for Sushi and Asian Fusion.
(4)
Katelyn B.
Went here for the lunch buffet. Presentation was nice. The crab rangoons are alright and the pork dumplings were great. The sushi wasn't that great, but I understand it's the lunch buffet version. The coconut curry is amazing. Super creamy and the coconut didn't over power the curry or vice versa. It could have been more spicy but I like my nose running at the end of my meal. Or if curry isn't your thing, the honey bourbon chicken is great too. It's pretty sweet, I would've liked a little more spice here too, but overall good flavor. Service was good on a very busy Sunday.
(4)
Valerie G.
Alright, y'all, this one is gonna be quick and painless: 1. I was here once a while back for their Sunday Brunch and it was quite forgettable; therefore, I am in no position to base this review based on that visit. 2. My most recent visit was for dinner, the service was ehh-okay particularly given that there were a total of 4 tables on a Tuesday night. However, their fried rice is TO. DIE. FOR! I think it may be the best I've ever had and I love me some fried rice. It's fresh and delicious and the portion is HUGE - I had enough for lunch the next day. Safe to say I'll be back for some more delicious fried rice and probably to try Sunday Brunch again since I'm a sucker for breakfast :) go try their fried rice, guys, naoooo!
(4)
Nicole Z.
My boyfriend and I had heard Lucy Ho's name associated with good food since we moved here, and weren't disappointed in our experience at Azu. I was able to make a quick and easy reservation online through their website. The food smelled wonderful, even in the parking lot. The restaurant is located at the end of a strip mall, and despite that, there was still curb-appeal. We were greeted and seated immediately. Seating is cozy, but that doesn't bother us. The decor is minimalistic and quite lovely. With my back to the wall, I saw a lot of what looked like regular patrons stopping in to sit at the bar area, which is in a separate section. On weeknights there is a 2-for-1 happy hour special before 7 p.m., so we ordered two hot sake carafes. We also ordered a tempura shrimp appetizer -- cooked perfectly -- and the side of mustard cream sauce was fantastic! For entrees I had Japanese-style salmon with mushrooms and asparagus. It was absolutely wonderful, with a sweet glaze and peppered just right. I told our server that I am on a low-carb diet, so she substituted rice with a side of steamed vegetables. My boyfriend ordered a beef curry that was divine. I couldn't decide whose entree was better! With the happy hour special, the meal was within our price range, about a $50 check. We will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. Azu is now at the top of my list of favorite Tallahassee restaurants.
(5)
Hannah G.
We came through Tallahassee on the way to a work conference in Mobile (from our honeymoon in Orlando; we're from Kentucky). Based on reviews, we decided to come here, and were not disappointed! Would have given a 5, but for the fact that the sauce on my scallops with black bean sauce was very salty. However, my husband ordered the coconut curry chicken, and it wasn't too salty, so it may just be certain dishes. Overall...probably the best Asian food I've ever had! I ordered the hot and sour soup as well, to start, and it was so fresh and yummy! Wait service was friendly and fast. Other than the saltiness, I have no complaints!
(4)
Chris S.
I wish this place was around when I went to school there. I got this food to go when I was up in Tallahassee for a game weekend. I ordered the E.T. roll along with the 3-1 salad. Both were excellent. My wife had the gyoza and a very basic roll which she liked very much. The food was great and I thought moderately priced. A definite must try if you are looking for a change from MASA, Mr. Robot or Osaka.
(4)
Jared B.
Despite exterior appearances, the restaurant is larger than you would think and has a great atmosphere. My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice dinner and Azu really came through for us. The Peking duck is absolutely delicious as are all of the appetizers and the sushi. In ordering, we didn't hold back or pay any heed to the prices so when the check arrived, I was a little hesitant to look. When I did, however, I was amazed at how reasonable the total considering the quality and quantity of the food we ordered. I definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to go on a lovely date. My girlfriend, the foodie in our relationship, recommends the Peking duck and the salmon rolls. You shouldn't necessarily trust my opinion about what's delicious but you can certainly trust her's.
(5)
Aventura E.
I see a lot of reviews below me for lunch specials and the buffet, I can't speak to those positive experiences, we went one evening and ordered sushi. The wait time to get the food took way to long despite the fact that there were only maybe 3 or 4 other tables of people and the sushi was nothing special. A long wait, lousy attitude from the waitress, bland sushi creations and to top it all off everything is overpriced. For the quality and atmosphere the prices should have been half of what they were, this was my first sushi experience in Tallahassee, I will try the others, hopefully they won't be as disappointing as this one.
(1)
Hanako A.
Azu is a fabulous venture from the one and only, Lucy Ho. They offer classic Chinese dishes and Japanese seafood favorites. I frequent Azu for both brunch and lunch and never leave disappointed. If you are a patient person and have never been here, I recommend going to their Sunday Brunch, as it is a great way to sample several dishes and their sushi offerings. It will be crowded and it will take a while to be seated, but it's definitely worth it. If you aren't up for a busy brunch, you should go in around 11:30am during the work week and order of the affordable lunch menu. For $8 you can get a bento that comes with rice, chow mein, vegetable of the day, eggroll, and one of the many meats. They also offer a sushi platter for $10 that comes with two rolls and soup or salad. If you've only had take out and buffet style Chinese, please forget all you know and wow your senses with Azu. Please order the hot and sour soup and a pot of green tea or oolong tea.
(5)
Jinbo F.
I've been here for buffet several times. The entrees are boring all the time. But I do like the sushi and other Chinese desserts or appetizers, by the way I like the seaweed and dumpling. The reason I give three star is because it's below my expectation especially the entrees in buffet time. It's still a good choice on Sundays and I am going there now!
(3)
Lakshmi R.
Been there for lunch... 8$ nice deal... Had cashew chicken... Food is good....Recommended as well
(4)
Dan K.
I do not take bad reviews lightly and I am hurt that I have to do such especially when it comes to sushi. I have eaten sushi for a long time and experienced different takes on it all over the US. Honestly I am writing this only to save others from the terrible experience I had, and possible illness I feel coming on. My dining experience in chronological order 1. As I approached the restaurant there was a group of customers holding the door open blocking the entrance conversing loudly among themselves. 2. After pushing through them to get in, I look up and realize I through the door and smack into the dining area. ( I am literally standing next to tables with people eating.) 3. This should have been my first warning to run, I find the empty hostess podium which is fine because I was planning on eating at the sushi bar anyways... BUT WAIT there is no sushi bar! There is an actual alcohol bar with plates around it. 4. I stood at the bar waiting to be greeted but the only woman behind the bar had her back turned and it was later apparent she was just taking take out orders. I was eventually half greeted by a woman who looked half asleep and was dressed way to casual for serving dinner. 5. My waitress comes, she was very polite at this point and took my drink and my miso soup order. As I am sitting here I look around for where the fish is being prepared and spot the area back in the corner hidden from view so you cannot see how it is being prepared or what the fish looks like, as I continue to look around and examine the area, my second clue to get the hell out appears, there is not one Japanese or asian period working at this place all mexican line cooks! Now I am not racist but again from experience, if you cant see the fish and there is not at least a head sushi chef overseeing preparations its not going to be good. 6. My miso soup and drink comes. I had to chug the miso, because it was lukewarm and I didn't want it to get any colder before I ate it. When she brought those items I ordered Maguro and Sake sashimi. (of course the japanese names were not on the menu only "Tuna and Salmon" 7. I asked if the did half orders because I wanted to try the Dragon Fly but didn't feel like I could do a entire order. No half orders... So I told her I was going to have it but I wanted to wait until I finished the sashimi and fried rice first. 8. Sashimi came... little ginger to cleanse the pallet and Sake sashimi is first (its my favorite)... Absolutely disgusting and an embarrassment to sushi. It disintegrated in my mouth and I swear the flavor was horrible! Imagine a lobster tank at the grocer or Red Lobster... Now imagine drinking the water from that tank and what it would taste like. THAT is what the salmon tasted like. 9. Tunas got to be better right? Yeah it was only in that it was absolutely flavorless, completely dry and almost brittle like it had just been sitting out all day. 10. I tell waitress I have become full and decided against the dragon fly and asked for the check. She then proceeds to walk over to the mexican line cook preparing the sushi holds a menu blocking her face so I couldn't see her and tells him to cancel my order for the dragon fly, I can just hear him asking her why I dont want it and what he is going to do with it now and they talk back and forth a bit more and she walks away... Next thing I hear is so other mexican over by the register saying "I knew it was too much for him". 11. Against everything boiling up inside me and my desire to go all Gordan Ramsey in that place right then and there, I realized it a bad idea as it would most likely get out of hand so I quietly payed my bill and left without a word to anyone. I hope this is read by whom ever is in charge of the operations of this place. This was the poorest dining experience I have had in a very very long time, from the service to the layout of the place to the disgusting fish they tried to pass off to me as sushi. Please get a real Head Sushi Chef in there that knows what he/she is doing, please teach your staff some etiquette and enforce a dress code. Most of all Please Please Please stop serving fish until you can figure out how to get sashimi grade and serve it fresh. Future customers be very very careful of the food, I am not joking one bit when I say I seriously had thought about gagging myself so as to hopefully not get sick after eating here and may still do so before the night is up. Sorry I had to do this review but I would shut this place down if I could. Terrible. :\
(1)
tiffany w.
Not a fan.
(2)
Lady D.
When we arrived at Azu for their Sunday lunch buffet (which is only on Sunday- every other day it is order from the menu), I was a bit dismayed to find my Open Table reservation had disappeared from their system. The owner said it was there minutes before we arrived but poof, it was gone. (we were early too!) My dining experience was great. I've been here many times before, just never for their Sunday lunch buffet. Get all other thoughts of a Chinese buffet out of your mind! This had quite a fresh assortment of salads, sushi, curry, veggie dishes, and the regular fare- presented beautifully and tastefully. I think it was $12.95 a person and my bill was the lowest I've ever had there - with the exception of lunch one day. My experience was great, the food artfully presented and our server was attentive. I was pleased by the assortment of sushi - it was not all Krab crud! I'll go again!
(4)
Marit E.
After being a long time Masa goer, we moved closer to the Apalachee area and needed a good sushi place closer to our house. After looking at other reviews on Yelp, we decided Azu was our best bet. Well, believe the hype, this place is awesome! Decorated nicely, but not over the top, with fun sumo wrestler statues on a wall of lighted bamboo. We got seated immediately (was a Thursday night so not too busy), and our server showed up within a few second to take our drink orders. I got a Kettle One and Tonic, my boyfriend got a Maker's and Coke and they were great. There are a lot of fun martini's and mixed drinks to choose from as well if you'd like. We got the lettuce wraps first and they came with this sweet chili sauce- delish! For my meal I ordered the Red Dragon roll, and my boyfriend got the Sesame Chicken. The sushi was amazing. Just what you want- fresh, flavors that went together perfectly, and presented with yummy sliced ginger and wasabi. The Sesame Chicken was great as well- not overly breaded like some, just enough crunch and the perfect amount of sauce. At the end of the night we had extra food and our waitress boxed everything up for us, giving my boyfriend extra rice for when he had round two, and giving me some soy sauce packets and napkins for the road. The food was great, the service was wonderful, nothing to complain about here. Can't wait to go again!
(5)
Francesca T.
There aren't many asian places in Tallahassee to choose from and out of our limited choices, this is my mum's favourite. Whenever I want to eat out, she suggests Azu especially since it's close to our house. The other night I came here again and my experience was quite good. Their menu selection is quite large and our server was really nice and enthusiastic. I ordered an avocado roll and a veggie roll without any sauces. Since they were veggie rolls, it's hard to be blown away. My mum ordered the mongolian beef and her friend ordered the mahi mahi. They also got steamed dumplings and tuna tartare to share and according to them, all their food was delicious. I would definitely come back for some more vegan sushi or maybe explore other potential vegan options on their menu.
Peking Duck on the menu is a bonus - but... It wasn't prepped table side. I'm from the "Peking Duck is to be prepared table side" school. Don't get me wrong - it was very good! As good as China Delight's (see review) - in fact, I'd say the accompaniments were even more enticing. Nonetheless, part of the magic is table side prep... The menu is comprehensive - with signature dishes (Lucy's) and standards. Sushi/sashimi is comprehensive as well - featuring standards and innovations alike. That said, the two times I've come, Uni wasn't available. This is not the case at two other sushi joints in town (Kiku's and Kitcho's consistently have Uni). Kirin is on tap - nice. There is a decent range of sake from which to choose. The appetizer options are great - and it's tempting to order more than might be necessary! We like it here. Table-side Peking duck coupled with stocked Uni gets five stars from me - until then, 4 will do!
(4)
Jean L.
This is the closest to Asian cuisine in little old Tallahassee. The first time I ate at this restaurant, the bento box was so amazing that I came back the very next day for the same exact thing (Kung Pow). The meals are always fresh and they keep the cups full.
(5)
Natalie O.
We ate here on Sunday for their brunch buffet. It was delicious. It's a great value at $13.95. They had 2 sushi options, about 4 sushi rolls, and Tuna poke. I wish I could have eaten all of it, but since I'm pregnant the raw fish was hands off, but my husband said it was great. Lots of options for hot food, from salt & pepper shrimp to coconut curry chicken. The dumplings & egg rolls were fresh and tasty. My 2 year old son loved the noodles, fresh fruit, and cake. The service was very efficient and friendly, always cleaning plates and refilling our water. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Kate M.
I've never eaten in, but I've picked up take out half a dozen times. Sushi is consistently fresh, well packed with quick & kind service. Usually grab the Philly or Alaska rolls, but I've had the dragonfly which was highly recommended, sorta over sauced for my taste. Boyf orders lo mein, which he reports to be "pretty darn good."
(4)
Ben O.
The computers were down so the service was a little delayed. Besides that, the Paradise and crispy spicy tuna rolls were on point. Ended the night with a delicious Mai Tai. Nice setting, reasonable prices, and good sushi. Definitely will be going back.
(4)
Linda G.
We love this place. It is a bright spot of well-prepared Asian Fusion cuisine, as good as anything we experienced in the SF Bay area. Order the scallion pancake appetizer, so you have the curry sauce to use throughout your meal.
(5)
Helen L.
I was craving some Asian food and ended up back here. I think the last time I came I had ordered some sushi. This time I ordered this scallion pancake but it was not as I expected. It had a lot more batter and browner than I expected. Where were the scallions? I ordered the Taiwanese rice noodles because I was craving it. I wasn't used to the red onions in it but otherwise it was decent. The rice noodles itself didn't have too much flavor but the vegetables were great. I also ordered the egg plants which was smothered with sauce that I could barely taste eggplants. They were cut in thin strips but I had a hard time finding it under the powerful sauce. The order came with rice or fried rice.
(2)
Zee H.
Food here was great. Got the dragon roll and a tofu dish for take out. Service was fast, the people were friendly and the prices are reasonable.
(5)
Rachel P.
I'm a longtime fan of the Lucy Ho dynasty. Longtime residents know that Lucy Ho's ventures in Tallahassee have had many incarnations in multiple locations. Insider pro-tip: the bourbon chicken place in Governor's Square Mall is also a Lucy Ho business. Lucy herself is a Tallahassee institution. One of my fondest memories was an invitation to the graduation dinner for an international graduate student mentee of Lucy's -- the dinner was held in the old Parkway location of Lucy Ho's main venture. I have no idea what the dishes were called but the food never stopped coming to the table and it was some of the best food - Chinese or otherwise - I have ever had. At Azu, the Lucy Ho reputation is upheld with solid renditions of traditional Chinese favorites. Azu has, hands down, the best hot and sour soup in Tallahassee. For sushi, you cannot go wrong at Azu. I alternate between Azu and Masa - another Lucy Ho owned establishment - for my Tallahassee sushi. I am not saying other restaurants in Tallahassee do not offer decent sushi because that would be a disservice to a thriving sushi subculture in the capitol city but for the best sushi in town, go to Azu or Masa. On last night's rainy Friday evening after work visit, my husband and I started with the superlative hot and sour soup. We both ordered sushi. When I go with my girlfriends, we order a bunch of rolls and sample everything. Ordering sushi with my husband is a different experience. He commits to his choice of rolls and wants them all to himself. With that in mind, we each chose two rolls to enjoy and I resigned myself to sushi envy and did not try to snag any portions of what he calls "triple tuna" but the menu titles as "tuna tuna tuna" though it looked amazing and the struggle was very real! My dragon fly roll was as pretty to see as it was delicious. The sushi chefs pride themselves on pretty plating and their liberal use of sauces and various roll accoutrements provide the artistic flourishes that make for a visual presentation treat. If you have not yet visited Azu, you are missing out on some of the best Chinese and sushi in Tallahassee. I admit, I have yet to try to the dim sum Sunday brunch but people tell me it is wonderful. Go and tell me what you think!
(4)
Jennifer I.
There is seriously a lack of good Asian food in Tallahassee. This restaurant serves quality food at a reasonable price. The weekend brunch buffet is also a great deal. They also serve good cocktails (I like the lychee martini). Service is always friendly, and they are willing to make substitutions for food allergies and preferences.
(4)
Ivan B.
AZU or Lucy Ho's, whatever you want to call it is quite delicious. A nice Asian restaurant tucked in the corner of a shopping strip, you can find lots of food from different countries. I have been here a few times and it always has been a good time. The service was always friendly and the waiters always kept asking if my party was doing good. A little pricey, but a little bit more classy. The food is a mix between sushi, Chinese dishes, Japanese dishes, and maybe a little Korean as well. I have had their sushi and most recently the Poke Bowl. Oh how excited I was to find some legit Hawaiian Poke when I sat down. It was a little pricey for the portion, but still delicious raw fish! The regular sushi dishes are not bad either. Another time I ordered Katsu, which had an odd tasting sauce, but the meat was very good and nice with rice. One other thing I had was Mapo Tofu and it was a little too salty, but the flavor was on point and I ate the whole bowl. Definitely recommend this place on a night you and your friends want Asian Food but cannot decide on one particular culture. A good mixture right here for sure.
(4)
Megan Kristen M.
I've never been disappointed in a meal, here. One of my favorite dishes I ever had was a tempura octopus sushi roll. It was beyond yummy, like most of their fare.
(4)
Keith H.
On Sundays between 11-2:30 Azu does a Sunday Brunch Buffet for about $13 a person. This is by far the best "chinese" buffet in town. The foods are fresh and replaced regularly because so many people come to eat at the buffet. I haven't had a single dish that I disliked. Even when there is a wait it isn't long and the staff is attentive. I took one star away for the desserts. For reasons unbeknownst to me, no "chinese" buffet can seem to get these finger desserts right. They always look nice but rarely taste like anything.
(4)
Frank S.
AZU last night, summer 2015 was a big disappointment in some regards. Service was excellent in attitude and delivery. Sushi roll was good and enjoyed by our 8 member party. However the the Rangoon were too large, too full of creme cheese, not delicate at all. Never thought I'd say that about rangoon but it was overwhelming, no one at the table cared to finish them off. Also fried too long for my palate. . Lucy Ho's Chicken and Cashew recipe has drifted far far away from the delicious chicken and cashew of the late 70s. The sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken and chicken cashew were no better than that commonly found in a buffet. That was so disappointing, next time, I'll just go to a buffet, at least if I dont like something I can go get something else.
(2)
Brandon C.
I gave a three only because they came through just before closing. I had the whole peking duck and was quite disappointed. Flavorless and dry. Again I did catch them late, but that's not an excuse for ordering the most expensive item on the menu ($40) and it tasting bad. Actually no real taste at all. Maybe another dish is great but skip the duck. Had high hopes but sadly let down.
Sunday brunch is quite wonderful here with a variety of standard options found at a typical Chinese buffet but presented with more elegance and cooked in small portions. It also includes punch, sushi and some dessert. The ambiance is nice and kid friendly which is always a plus in my book.
Absolutly must get the Seafood Martini!! SO SO good. It has seaweed salad, crab, crawfish, spicy tuna, mango, avocado...served with wonton chips. The sushi was good too. We got sweet mama and mango madness which were recommended by the waitress. Mango madness had too much mango mayo on top...I think thats what they call valcano? idk but it was just alot of mayo for me. the sweet mama was better. I like the slightly cooked salmon. I'd recommend this place!
(4)
Chansone D.
Big disappointment! Everything tasted stale and old. The wonton soup was cold. The yellow tail/scallion sushi tasted like old fish and smelled fishy. The fried soft shell crab tasted bitter and stale. The fried string beans was rubbery and watery as if it had been boiled and the sauce was syrupy. The only thing that was decent and edible was the hot and sour soup and the grilled hamachi. Not going back.
(1)
June M.
Our first visit to this restaurant and what an awesome experience! Very professional and friendly staff, cozy and inviting atmosphere. Dining area was laid out perfectly. The food was EXCELLENT and pleasantly affordable. Highly recommend. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Matthew S.
I have been here a handful of times for dinner lunch and brunch. The portions, atmosphere, and service are excellent. The price is fair. I'm a big fan of the brunch but if you want to miss the crowd go early.
(4)
Larissa S.
I went to the sushi buffet. It was really packed but fortunately we reserved a table in advance. They have a decent selection of sushi and other Asian dishes which were all good. I can't say it's the best sushi/food ice ever had but it's definitely worth the money or rather even more than I expected... At other sushi buffets I was always disappointed at the dessert. At Azu the dessert was very good. They had a couple of different cakes and fresh fruits.
(4)
Chris S.
I wish this place was around when I went to school there. I got this food to go when I was up in Tallahassee for a game weekend. I ordered the E.T. roll along with the 3-1 salad. Both were excellent. My wife had the gyoza and a very basic roll which she liked very much. The food was great and I thought moderately priced. A definite must try if you are looking for a change from MASA, Mr. Robot or Osaka.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Mary Jane S.
Lucy Ho's has a vast menu filled with a variety of delightful dishes. I began with the Tempura Shrimp and Vegetable Appetizer. Although it only contained two pieces of shrimp, the dish was fresh and tasty. It was delivered with a side of Tempura Sauce for dipping. Since descriptions were not listed under each dish on the menu, I selected one with which I am familiar - Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, which comes with rice, string beans, soup, and salad. The portion was huge! The chicken was tender, very tasty, and not too salty, which I find to be the case with most Teriyaki sauces. The sauce was light and flavorful. The chicken was fresh and I could taste the wonderful flavor of the grill. The fried rice that accompanied the dish was just "okay". It tasted like fried rice from a takeout restaurant. For dessert, I ordered the Creme Brûlée Cheesecake, which looked delicious in the picture on the menu. Unfortunately it left a lot to be desired. I would refrain from ordering it again. I was disappointed because I was especially looking forward to this specific course. It was very bland and soggy. Two sauces were served on the side, however I did not care to taste them. Overall, the food was good. The prices are very reasonable considering the size of the portions. I would definitely return!
(4)Rachel P.
I'm a longtime fan of the Lucy Ho dynasty. Longtime residents know that Lucy Ho's ventures in Tallahassee have had many incarnations in multiple locations. Insider pro-tip: the bourbon chicken place in Governor's Square Mall is also a Lucy Ho business. Lucy herself is a Tallahassee institution. One of my fondest memories was an invitation to the graduation dinner for an international graduate student mentee of Lucy's -- the dinner was held in the old Parkway location of Lucy Ho's main venture. I have no idea what the dishes were called but the food never stopped coming to the table and it was some of the best food - Chinese or otherwise - I have ever had. At Azu, the Lucy Ho reputation is upheld with solid renditions of traditional Chinese favorites. Azu has, hands down, the best hot and sour soup in Tallahassee. For sushi, you cannot go wrong at Azu. I alternate between Azu and Masa - another Lucy Ho owned establishment - for my Tallahassee sushi. I am not saying other restaurants in Tallahassee do not offer decent sushi because that would be a disservice to a thriving sushi subculture in the capitol city but for the best sushi in town, go to Azu or Masa. On last night's rainy Friday evening after work visit, my husband and I started with the superlative hot and sour soup. We both ordered sushi. When I go with my girlfriends, we order a bunch of rolls and sample everything. Ordering sushi with my husband is a different experience. He commits to his choice of rolls and wants them all to himself. With that in mind, we each chose two rolls to enjoy and I resigned myself to sushi envy and did not try to snag any portions of what he calls "triple tuna" but the menu titles as "tuna tuna tuna" though it looked amazing and the struggle was very real! My dragon fly roll was as pretty to see as it was delicious. The sushi chefs pride themselves on pretty plating and their liberal use of sauces and various roll accoutrements provide the artistic flourishes that make for a visual presentation treat. If you have not yet visited Azu, you are missing out on some of the best Chinese and sushi in Tallahassee. I admit, I have yet to try to the dim sum Sunday brunch but people tell me it is wonderful. Go and tell me what you think!
(4)Francesca T.
There aren't many asian places in Tallahassee to choose from and out of our limited choices, this is my mum's favourite. Whenever I want to eat out, she suggests Azu especially since it's close to our house. The other night I came here again and my experience was quite good. Their menu selection is quite large and our server was really nice and enthusiastic. I ordered an avocado roll and a veggie roll without any sauces. Since they were veggie rolls, it's hard to be blown away. My mum ordered the mongolian beef and her friend ordered the mahi mahi. They also got steamed dumplings and tuna tartare to share and according to them, all their food was delicious. I would definitely come back for some more vegan sushi or maybe explore other potential vegan options on their menu.
(4)Daniel P.
Peking Duck on the menu is a bonus - but... It wasn't prepped table side. I'm from the "Peking Duck is to be prepared table side" school. Don't get me wrong - it was very good! As good as China Delight's (see review) - in fact, I'd say the accompaniments were even more enticing. Nonetheless, part of the magic is table side prep... The menu is comprehensive - with signature dishes (Lucy's) and standards. Sushi/sashimi is comprehensive as well - featuring standards and innovations alike. That said, the two times I've come, Uni wasn't available. This is not the case at two other sushi joints in town (Kiku's and Kitcho's consistently have Uni). Kirin is on tap - nice. There is a decent range of sake from which to choose. The appetizer options are great - and it's tempting to order more than might be necessary! We like it here. Table-side Peking duck coupled with stocked Uni gets five stars from me - until then, 4 will do!
(4)Jean L.
This is the closest to Asian cuisine in little old Tallahassee. The first time I ate at this restaurant, the bento box was so amazing that I came back the very next day for the same exact thing (Kung Pow). The meals are always fresh and they keep the cups full.
(5)Natalie O.
We ate here on Sunday for their brunch buffet. It was delicious. It's a great value at $13.95. They had 2 sushi options, about 4 sushi rolls, and Tuna poke. I wish I could have eaten all of it, but since I'm pregnant the raw fish was hands off, but my husband said it was great. Lots of options for hot food, from salt & pepper shrimp to coconut curry chicken. The dumplings & egg rolls were fresh and tasty. My 2 year old son loved the noodles, fresh fruit, and cake. The service was very efficient and friendly, always cleaning plates and refilling our water. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)Hazel P.
Had a surprisingly great time at Azu. Walking in, seating looked a little bit cramped, especially with it being crowded as it was. Tables are organized in the middle with small booths surrounding them, we luckily had the chance to dine in in a booth near the window. Service was great we were attended to shortly after and stayed pretty much happy with the service throughout the night despite it being as busy as it was. As for the food... it was surprisingly really good! I only say surprisingly because the restaurant is now the third restaurant to open up under Lucy Ho in Tallahassee, and after eating at Masa and the other million Chinese restaurants located in Tallahassee what more can you expect... but Azu surely dumbfounded me. I was feeling under the weather so I ordered a pot of hot green tea. The waitress soon came out with this classy, elegant type tea pot. I have no idea why I was and still am amazed by the tea pot... it just looked really nice, but the green tea was really good too! It had a nutty hint to it, something I've never had at other Chinese restaurants, so when I opened the top it had the green tea leaves with what looked like pieces of popcorn and pecans in it. I know... weird, you will just have to get some one time. Okay enough about my odd amazement with their green tea and to the food... We ordered the chicken lettuce cups to start with, very similar to P.F. Changs, but with more flavor and crunch to the bite. Stir-fried chicken with green and red peppers and water chestnuts covered with their sauce and placed in a lettuce cup, absolutely delicious! We also had to try their sushi and ended up getting the E.T. roll, as recommended by the waitress. She had mentioned their eel was really good, so we gave it a try... no disappointment there. As for the entrees, portions are more than reasonable for the price. We ordered the beef and green pepper stir-fry and the Taiwanese pan fried noodles. The noodles were absolutely amazing. They give you a little more meat and vegetables than noodles, but it was delicious! We really had no complaints about this place. We wanted to try their Ramen noodle dish, but they were out. We will definitely try and head out there again. We live on the other side of town, but it's well worth the money and drive to try this place out!
(4)Tiffany D.
There sunday brunch buffet is super yummy.
(5)Whitnae P.
Best sushi in town. The rolls are soft, moist and delicious. Everything is made beautifully and deliciously. The staff is friendly and attentive. This place could compete with big city restaurants if it wanted to. I came there with my ex boyfriend and I still had a good time.
(5)p d.
Finally. Lucy returns to the Parkway! Wonderful, if sparse, menu. Sushi offerings are about what you would expect for this part of the world, but the quality is excellent. Not that I ever remember any bad service at one of Lucy's restaurants, but the service here has been exceptional for each of our visits. And YES...they have the pear sake at AZU like they do at Masa.
(4)Sean H.
Fantastic, average $$. Extensive cocktail menu. Their Thai food is terrific. Ambience is relaxing/trendy. #1 spot for sushi in town, believe me....I've done them all.
(5)Jeremy F.
Excellent Asian food probably the best fried wontons I have had anywhere!. They were delicious. Also the pineapple shrimp with strawberry was sweet but ooh so filling an delicious. Will definitely be back on my next trip to Tallahassee.
(4)Sue C.
We had a very good meal. We chose from the Chinese menu. We had chicken lettuce cups, Peking duck and stir fried bokchoy. Everything was prepared well. The Peking duck came with the more contemporary dumpling pillow instead of mandarin pancakes and they were good. We ordered extra pillows. Service was friendly and prompt.
(4)Rachel M.
I had a craving for sushi and having previously driven by this place before, I figured I'd give it a shot. I ordered the Spider Roll and the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll for take out. Although other reviews criticized the atmosphere, I thought it looked nice upon entering. The food however was only decent. I preferred the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll to the Spider Roll but neither was worth ordering again. The Spider Roll was cut into HUGE pieces - it was difficult to eat each piece in one bite. It wasn't very good either. - the crab had been overcooked and it didn't taste to be very fresh The Crunchy Spicy Tuna was okay but I've definitely had better. The quality of the tuna was sub par...it's doubtful that it was actually sushi grade. Prior to ordering the sushi, I didn't realize that the restaurant is actually considered to be Chinese, so perhaps the other entries on the menu are better.
(2)Christina J.
Sunday Buffet is wonderful....but always packed and definitely on the pricey side (about $12.50/person before tip and drinks)
(4)Rodney H.
Pretty awesome and never slammed crowded. Driving by you would think its kinda a dump because its in a strip mall but once you walk in you see they know what their doing. This is our favorite place to eat sushi in Tallahassee.
(4)Art s.
My party shared probably 8 appetizers and another 8 entrees and they were consistently excellent. I've had Asian food all over Asia, as well as NYC, Vancouver, and San Francisco, and Azu is a match for any of it. The decor is elegant and understated, and the service was friendly and attentive without hovering. There wasn't a false note the whole night. In nearly 20 years, this is the best dining experience I've had in Tallahassee.
(5)Alan L.
I went there for dinner. I was the only one in there, waitress was pleasant, food was good. I ordered 3 different sushi rolls. Price and proportions were what I expected. I wouldn't say it was great, but would definitely go there again. I didn't think they had as wide of a variety of sushi as I expected either.
(4)Madison H.
My husband and I visited Azu on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee on March 12, 2010. Yes, I am happy to know that Lucy Ho once again has a presence in Tallahassee. We were greeted by Masa upon arrival. He is always personable and remembers us every single time we visit. This was our fourth visit since the beginning of December 2009 and I had waited to post a review. We ordered Pork fried rice ($10) and beef and broccoli ($12.00). The food is consistently good and the portion size is ample. What has always been a problem at Lucy's restaurants is the waitstaff service. Lackluster just springs to mind when trying to think of a good description. Though that's probably an adequate response for the majority of Tallahassee establishments. Water and tea take a while to receive. Water takes a long while to be refilled. The food presentation is courteous and pleasant. Masa checks back, rarely the server returns. Getting the check takes a long while and please don't be in a hurry because the server is probably going to take drink or food orders from other guests before returning to complete the transaction. This visit was particularly noticeable because when you give 2 - $20 bills on a bill of $31.00, you expect change to be provided from which you will provide a tip. A 20 percent tip would be about $6.20. If you are a server, don't ask the guest if they need change. That question will elicit a negative response and right away the server has reduced their tip by asking! Bring the change. The guest will leave the applicable tip. And please don't be in a hurry for your change either because the waiter went on to take care of three other tables before returning to slap the folio back on the table. Believe me hon, you aren't getting a $9 tip on $31 with an attitude like that. So, to sum up, the food is consistently good (3), but the wait service is just ho-hum or average(2).
(3)Rick P.
Went there on Christmas Eve for our first time there. The place was almost full, but we had great service. We were really pleased by the range of the menu -- there are lots of great things to choose from. We ordered soup, appetizers and entrees, and they were all delicious. We thought the prices were really reasonable, too. Can't wait to go back and try something else!
(5)Don L.
Food is delicious and staff was great! I will definitely return.
(5)JD D.
If you enjoy Masa, you'll definitely enjoy Azu. I've eaten there a couple of times with foodie-type friends. We put high demands on the servers and the kitchen, and they always cheerfully complied with our requests. The appetizers and sushi are fresh and perfectly executed. Given the high quality, the price is a bargain. The beer, wine, and sake selections are limited (no spirits), but the star of the meal here is the food.
(5)Marit E.
After being a long time Masa goer, we moved closer to the Apalachee area and needed a good sushi place closer to our house. After looking at other reviews on Yelp, we decided Azu was our best bet. Well, believe the hype, this place is awesome! Decorated nicely, but not over the top, with fun sumo wrestler statues on a wall of lighted bamboo. We got seated immediately (was a Thursday night so not too busy), and our server showed up within a few second to take our drink orders. I got a Kettle One and Tonic, my boyfriend got a Maker's and Coke and they were great. There are a lot of fun martini's and mixed drinks to choose from as well if you'd like. We got the lettuce wraps first and they came with this sweet chili sauce- delish! For my meal I ordered the Red Dragon roll, and my boyfriend got the Sesame Chicken. The sushi was amazing. Just what you want- fresh, flavors that went together perfectly, and presented with yummy sliced ginger and wasabi. The Sesame Chicken was great as well- not overly breaded like some, just enough crunch and the perfect amount of sauce. At the end of the night we had extra food and our waitress boxed everything up for us, giving my boyfriend extra rice for when he had round two, and giving me some soy sauce packets and napkins for the road. The food was great, the service was wonderful, nothing to complain about here. Can't wait to go again!
(5)Kate M.
I've never eaten in, but I've picked up take out half a dozen times. Sushi is consistently fresh, well packed with quick & kind service. Usually grab the Philly or Alaska rolls, but I've had the dragonfly which was highly recommended, sorta over sauced for my taste. Boyf orders lo mein, which he reports to be "pretty darn good."
(4)Ben O.
The computers were down so the service was a little delayed. Besides that, the Paradise and crispy spicy tuna rolls were on point. Ended the night with a delicious Mai Tai. Nice setting, reasonable prices, and good sushi. Definitely will be going back.
(4)Linda G.
We love this place. It is a bright spot of well-prepared Asian Fusion cuisine, as good as anything we experienced in the SF Bay area. Order the scallion pancake appetizer, so you have the curry sauce to use throughout your meal.
(5)Helen L.
I was craving some Asian food and ended up back here. I think the last time I came I had ordered some sushi. This time I ordered this scallion pancake but it was not as I expected. It had a lot more batter and browner than I expected. Where were the scallions? I ordered the Taiwanese rice noodles because I was craving it. I wasn't used to the red onions in it but otherwise it was decent. The rice noodles itself didn't have too much flavor but the vegetables were great. I also ordered the egg plants which was smothered with sauce that I could barely taste eggplants. They were cut in thin strips but I had a hard time finding it under the powerful sauce. The order came with rice or fried rice.
(2)Zee H.
Food here was great. Got the dragon roll and a tofu dish for take out. Service was fast, the people were friendly and the prices are reasonable.
(5)Marit E.
After being a long time Masa goer, we moved closer to the Apalachee area and needed a good sushi place closer to our house. After looking at other reviews on Yelp, we decided Azu was our best bet. Well, believe the hype, this place is awesome! Decorated nicely, but not over the top, with fun sumo wrestler statues on a wall of lighted bamboo. We got seated immediately (was a Thursday night so not too busy), and our server showed up within a few second to take our drink orders. I got a Kettle One and Tonic, my boyfriend got a Maker's and Coke and they were great. There are a lot of fun martini's and mixed drinks to choose from as well if you'd like. We got the lettuce wraps first and they came with this sweet chili sauce- delish! For my meal I ordered the Red Dragon roll, and my boyfriend got the Sesame Chicken. The sushi was amazing. Just what you want- fresh, flavors that went together perfectly, and presented with yummy sliced ginger and wasabi. The Sesame Chicken was great as well- not overly breaded like some, just enough crunch and the perfect amount of sauce. At the end of the night we had extra food and our waitress boxed everything up for us, giving my boyfriend extra rice for when he had round two, and giving me some soy sauce packets and napkins for the road. The food was great, the service was wonderful, nothing to complain about here. Can't wait to go again!
(5)Rachel P.
I'm a longtime fan of the Lucy Ho dynasty. Longtime residents know that Lucy Ho's ventures in Tallahassee have had many incarnations in multiple locations. Insider pro-tip: the bourbon chicken place in Governor's Square Mall is also a Lucy Ho business. Lucy herself is a Tallahassee institution. One of my fondest memories was an invitation to the graduation dinner for an international graduate student mentee of Lucy's -- the dinner was held in the old Parkway location of Lucy Ho's main venture. I have no idea what the dishes were called but the food never stopped coming to the table and it was some of the best food - Chinese or otherwise - I have ever had. At Azu, the Lucy Ho reputation is upheld with solid renditions of traditional Chinese favorites. Azu has, hands down, the best hot and sour soup in Tallahassee. For sushi, you cannot go wrong at Azu. I alternate between Azu and Masa - another Lucy Ho owned establishment - for my Tallahassee sushi. I am not saying other restaurants in Tallahassee do not offer decent sushi because that would be a disservice to a thriving sushi subculture in the capitol city but for the best sushi in town, go to Azu or Masa. On last night's rainy Friday evening after work visit, my husband and I started with the superlative hot and sour soup. We both ordered sushi. When I go with my girlfriends, we order a bunch of rolls and sample everything. Ordering sushi with my husband is a different experience. He commits to his choice of rolls and wants them all to himself. With that in mind, we each chose two rolls to enjoy and I resigned myself to sushi envy and did not try to snag any portions of what he calls "triple tuna" but the menu titles as "tuna tuna tuna" though it looked amazing and the struggle was very real! My dragon fly roll was as pretty to see as it was delicious. The sushi chefs pride themselves on pretty plating and their liberal use of sauces and various roll accoutrements provide the artistic flourishes that make for a visual presentation treat. If you have not yet visited Azu, you are missing out on some of the best Chinese and sushi in Tallahassee. I admit, I have yet to try to the dim sum Sunday brunch but people tell me it is wonderful. Go and tell me what you think!
(4)Francesca T.
There aren't many asian places in Tallahassee to choose from and out of our limited choices, this is my mum's favourite. Whenever I want to eat out, she suggests Azu especially since it's close to our house. The other night I came here again and my experience was quite good. Their menu selection is quite large and our server was really nice and enthusiastic. I ordered an avocado roll and a veggie roll without any sauces. Since they were veggie rolls, it's hard to be blown away. My mum ordered the mongolian beef and her friend ordered the mahi mahi. They also got steamed dumplings and tuna tartare to share and according to them, all their food was delicious. I would definitely come back for some more vegan sushi or maybe explore other potential vegan options on their menu.
(4)Mary Jane S.
Lucy Ho's has a vast menu filled with a variety of delightful dishes. I began with the Tempura Shrimp and Vegetable Appetizer. Although it only contained two pieces of shrimp, the dish was fresh and tasty. It was delivered with a side of Tempura Sauce for dipping. Since descriptions were not listed under each dish on the menu, I selected one with which I am familiar - Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, which comes with rice, string beans, soup, and salad. The portion was huge! The chicken was tender, very tasty, and not too salty, which I find to be the case with most Teriyaki sauces. The sauce was light and flavorful. The chicken was fresh and I could taste the wonderful flavor of the grill. The fried rice that accompanied the dish was just "okay". It tasted like fried rice from a takeout restaurant. For dessert, I ordered the Creme Brûlée Cheesecake, which looked delicious in the picture on the menu. Unfortunately it left a lot to be desired. I would refrain from ordering it again. I was disappointed because I was especially looking forward to this specific course. It was very bland and soggy. Two sauces were served on the side, however I did not care to taste them. Overall, the food was good. The prices are very reasonable considering the size of the portions. I would definitely return!
(4)Daniel P.
Peking Duck on the menu is a bonus - but... It wasn't prepped table side. I'm from the "Peking Duck is to be prepared table side" school. Don't get me wrong - it was very good! As good as China Delight's (see review) - in fact, I'd say the accompaniments were even more enticing. Nonetheless, part of the magic is table side prep... The menu is comprehensive - with signature dishes (Lucy's) and standards. Sushi/sashimi is comprehensive as well - featuring standards and innovations alike. That said, the two times I've come, Uni wasn't available. This is not the case at two other sushi joints in town (Kiku's and Kitcho's consistently have Uni). Kirin is on tap - nice. There is a decent range of sake from which to choose. The appetizer options are great - and it's tempting to order more than might be necessary! We like it here. Table-side Peking duck coupled with stocked Uni gets five stars from me - until then, 4 will do!
(4)Jean L.
This is the closest to Asian cuisine in little old Tallahassee. The first time I ate at this restaurant, the bento box was so amazing that I came back the very next day for the same exact thing (Kung Pow). The meals are always fresh and they keep the cups full.
(5)Kate M.
I've never eaten in, but I've picked up take out half a dozen times. Sushi is consistently fresh, well packed with quick & kind service. Usually grab the Philly or Alaska rolls, but I've had the dragonfly which was highly recommended, sorta over sauced for my taste. Boyf orders lo mein, which he reports to be "pretty darn good."
(4)Ben O.
The computers were down so the service was a little delayed. Besides that, the Paradise and crispy spicy tuna rolls were on point. Ended the night with a delicious Mai Tai. Nice setting, reasonable prices, and good sushi. Definitely will be going back.
(4)Linda G.
We love this place. It is a bright spot of well-prepared Asian Fusion cuisine, as good as anything we experienced in the SF Bay area. Order the scallion pancake appetizer, so you have the curry sauce to use throughout your meal.
(5)Natalie O.
We ate here on Sunday for their brunch buffet. It was delicious. It's a great value at $13.95. They had 2 sushi options, about 4 sushi rolls, and Tuna poke. I wish I could have eaten all of it, but since I'm pregnant the raw fish was hands off, but my husband said it was great. Lots of options for hot food, from salt & pepper shrimp to coconut curry chicken. The dumplings & egg rolls were fresh and tasty. My 2 year old son loved the noodles, fresh fruit, and cake. The service was very efficient and friendly, always cleaning plates and refilling our water. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)Brandon C.
I gave a three only because they came through just before closing. I had the whole peking duck and was quite disappointed. Flavorless and dry. Again I did catch them late, but that's not an excuse for ordering the most expensive item on the menu ($40) and it tasting bad. Actually no real taste at all. Maybe another dish is great but skip the duck. Had high hopes but sadly let down.
(3)Jennifer I.
There is seriously a lack of good Asian food in Tallahassee. This restaurant serves quality food at a reasonable price. The weekend brunch buffet is also a great deal. They also serve good cocktails (I like the lychee martini). Service is always friendly, and they are willing to make substitutions for food allergies and preferences.
(4)June M.
Our first visit to this restaurant and what an awesome experience! Very professional and friendly staff, cozy and inviting atmosphere. Dining area was laid out perfectly. The food was EXCELLENT and pleasantly affordable. Highly recommend. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Helen L.
I was craving some Asian food and ended up back here. I think the last time I came I had ordered some sushi. This time I ordered this scallion pancake but it was not as I expected. It had a lot more batter and browner than I expected. Where were the scallions? I ordered the Taiwanese rice noodles because I was craving it. I wasn't used to the red onions in it but otherwise it was decent. The rice noodles itself didn't have too much flavor but the vegetables were great. I also ordered the egg plants which was smothered with sauce that I could barely taste eggplants. They were cut in thin strips but I had a hard time finding it under the powerful sauce. The order came with rice or fried rice.
(2)Zee H.
Food here was great. Got the dragon roll and a tofu dish for take out. Service was fast, the people were friendly and the prices are reasonable.
(5)Ivan B.
AZU or Lucy Ho's, whatever you want to call it is quite delicious. A nice Asian restaurant tucked in the corner of a shopping strip, you can find lots of food from different countries. I have been here a few times and it always has been a good time. The service was always friendly and the waiters always kept asking if my party was doing good. A little pricey, but a little bit more classy. The food is a mix between sushi, Chinese dishes, Japanese dishes, and maybe a little Korean as well. I have had their sushi and most recently the Poke Bowl. Oh how excited I was to find some legit Hawaiian Poke when I sat down. It was a little pricey for the portion, but still delicious raw fish! The regular sushi dishes are not bad either. Another time I ordered Katsu, which had an odd tasting sauce, but the meat was very good and nice with rice. One other thing I had was Mapo Tofu and it was a little too salty, but the flavor was on point and I ate the whole bowl. Definitely recommend this place on a night you and your friends want Asian Food but cannot decide on one particular culture. A good mixture right here for sure.
(4)Megan Kristen M.
I've never been disappointed in a meal, here. One of my favorite dishes I ever had was a tempura octopus sushi roll. It was beyond yummy, like most of their fare.
(4)Keith H.
On Sundays between 11-2:30 Azu does a Sunday Brunch Buffet for about $13 a person. This is by far the best "chinese" buffet in town. The foods are fresh and replaced regularly because so many people come to eat at the buffet. I haven't had a single dish that I disliked. Even when there is a wait it isn't long and the staff is attentive. I took one star away for the desserts. For reasons unbeknownst to me, no "chinese" buffet can seem to get these finger desserts right. They always look nice but rarely taste like anything.
(4)Rachael H.
The only place I go to for my "cheat" meals now that I'm living the Paleo life! Azu has THE best brunch on Sunday's! A full offering of sushi, soups, and warm dishes on the buffet could literally keep my fiancé and I there for hours. I suggest getting there early, because by 1130-12 it's packed most times with a wait (but don't worry, the food is worth it)! They offer a delicious punch near the sushi bar for free, so I graciously order water and sip off the free punch to save a few bucks! The servers and staff are very efficient and pleasant, despite being busy as sin all shift long! I highly recommend trying a dinner or lunch there any other day as well...I have literally never had a bad meal there!
(5)Tina A.
Sunday brunch is quite wonderful here with a variety of standard options found at a typical Chinese buffet but presented with more elegance and cooked in small portions. It also includes punch, sushi and some dessert. The ambiance is nice and kid friendly which is always a plus in my book.
(4)Lisa A.
I have only been to Lucy's for their brunch buffet on Sunday. It is definitely one of the better quality Asian buffets and I always eat way too much when I go! They have a decent selection of all you can eat sushi and interesting entrée choices. They also have the typical Chinese take out food. Their dessert selection is not the best though. They are always pretty busy but you never have to wait more than 10 minutes!
(3)Tiff D.
Absolutly must get the Seafood Martini!! SO SO good. It has seaweed salad, crab, crawfish, spicy tuna, mango, avocado...served with wonton chips. The sushi was good too. We got sweet mama and mango madness which were recommended by the waitress. Mango madness had too much mango mayo on top...I think thats what they call valcano? idk but it was just alot of mayo for me. the sweet mama was better. I like the slightly cooked salmon. I'd recommend this place!
(4)Chansone D.
Big disappointment! Everything tasted stale and old. The wonton soup was cold. The yellow tail/scallion sushi tasted like old fish and smelled fishy. The fried soft shell crab tasted bitter and stale. The fried string beans was rubbery and watery as if it had been boiled and the sauce was syrupy. The only thing that was decent and edible was the hot and sour soup and the grilled hamachi. Not going back.
(1)Frank S.
AZU last night, summer 2015 was a big disappointment in some regards. Service was excellent in attitude and delivery. Sushi roll was good and enjoyed by our 8 member party. However the the Rangoon were too large, too full of creme cheese, not delicate at all. Never thought I'd say that about rangoon but it was overwhelming, no one at the table cared to finish them off. Also fried too long for my palate. . Lucy Ho's Chicken and Cashew recipe has drifted far far away from the delicious chicken and cashew of the late 70s. The sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken and chicken cashew were no better than that commonly found in a buffet. That was so disappointing, next time, I'll just go to a buffet, at least if I dont like something I can go get something else.
(2)Matthew S.
I have been here a handful of times for dinner lunch and brunch. The portions, atmosphere, and service are excellent. The price is fair. I'm a big fan of the brunch but if you want to miss the crowd go early.
(4)Larissa S.
I went to the sushi buffet. It was really packed but fortunately we reserved a table in advance. They have a decent selection of sushi and other Asian dishes which were all good. I can't say it's the best sushi/food ice ever had but it's definitely worth the money or rather even more than I expected... At other sushi buffets I was always disappointed at the dessert. At Azu the dessert was very good. They had a couple of different cakes and fresh fruits.
(4)Keeley M.
The buffet on Sunday was delicious! They had a Mother's day brunch/lunch, so it was very packed, but I called ahead for a reservation (reservations definitely recommended). From what I've heard, it is typically packed on Sundays, but the food and atmosphere is worth it! (Try to call ahead!) The Sunday brunch had a variety of sushi and your typical Chinese dishes and everything I tried was delicious. Price for the Sunday brunch was reasonable and you can't beat the options/variety of food you can select from. This is a place I would definitely come back to!
(5)Lady D.
When we arrived at Azu for their Sunday lunch buffet (which is only on Sunday- every other day it is order from the menu), I was a bit dismayed to find my Open Table reservation had disappeared from their system. The owner said it was there minutes before we arrived but poof, it was gone. (we were early too!) My dining experience was great. I've been here many times before, just never for their Sunday lunch buffet. Get all other thoughts of a Chinese buffet out of your mind! This had quite a fresh assortment of salads, sushi, curry, veggie dishes, and the regular fare- presented beautifully and tastefully. I think it was $12.95 a person and my bill was the lowest I've ever had there - with the exception of lunch one day. My experience was great, the food artfully presented and our server was attentive. I was pleased by the assortment of sushi - it was not all Krab crud! I'll go again!
(4)Amy M.
My husband and I stopped in for a late lunch there was a skeleton crew and service was slow. We asked for recommendations and ordered 3 appetizers, only 1 was edible. I left hungry, disappointed, will not return.
(1)Kevin W.
Carried my daughters there after reading the recommendations on yelp and trip advisor we all had Sushi dinners a chefs choice selection with 8 pieces nigiri sushi and a California roll we all opted for tuna rolls instead of the California... The Sushi was fresh but little else could be said, the chefs choice, a boring one consisting of 2 each salmon, tuna, Mackerel and shrimp for 16 dollars each I've had worse that said still trying to figure out why AZU got such high ratings.
(3)Helen C.
We went here again today but I learned a new lesson while going here.....stick to coming here for lunch and not for dinner. It was loud and packed, our waiter was running around like a chicken with her head chopped off lol. We waited quite a while to order, for our appetizer and even longer for our meal. Luckily the owner (I think he is the owner? The older asian guy who stands at the front always) kept an eye on our table and noticed us constantly waiting for everything or we might have been waiting longer. He even came to pick up our appetizer plate after we finished, and again to tell us our meal might take a while because the waiter dropped our food/the plate (I feel bad for our waiter because I don't think the owner was happy with her according to his body language.) They handled the situation correctly by compensating with a 10% discount on our meal. Thank you owner! ^-^ He is always nice to us when we come in and I love that :). Oh, the food though as always, was good. Clean presentation as always, sushi rolls nice and tight, and fish quality is good. We missed the movie we were going to catch because we had to wait so long to order to getting our main course sushi rolls but its okay. I think I learned my lesson that the best time for me to come is during lunch time/late lunch time when its nice and quiet and not busy. The waiters then are able to be tentative and since the sushi chefs aren't as busy we get our food faster. Even though I didn't have the greatest time tonight I still like this place and will recommend this place but maybe will recommend coming here during lunch/late lunch for a better experience because dinner is pretty busy so you might have to wait longer and its louder.
(5)seth o.
Great fried crab, good sushi, sad ramen. This is a very American style sushi restraurant, and it will probably appeal to lots of the casual Japanese diners in Tallahassee. Try the fried crab, it's tasty. However the sushi is mediocre and the ramen noodle soup was just sad. The thin, watery chicken broth and bland noodles were edible, but disappointing, and did not in the least satisfy my ramen craving. Granted I have a West Coast mentality toward Japanese food, and I'm not saying Azu is bad, but it's not authentic. It is, however, a nice restaurant for Tallahassee standards, even though it would not survive a hot minute in San Francisco.
(3)Brianne T.
Sunday buffet is the best thing you could ever do! We have been every Sunday since we have found out and nothing gets old. Good quality food at a great price!
(5)Karly O.
Visiting Tallahassee and found this awesome restaurant. Sushi was so different then any other place I've been. I had the bang bang mango and had to go back before I left to get it again...my husband was really impressed too! We took our two young children and they feasted on the honey chicken kids meal. I'm only giving it 4 stars b/c it wasn't super kid friendly. Enjoy!
(4)Marie F.
Best place to eat in Tallahassee hands down. I have tried pretty much everything and nothing comes close in town. Great location, beautifully decorated, and excellent food. Unfortunately I can't say the whole menu is super (only thing that was NOT perfect was the ravoli) - but plenty of great options and huge portions. Quality of food is worth the cost so you will not be disappointed. Great for social gatherings. (Romantic date and Birthdays - this palace is the ideal venue.) Just call ahead to make sure they can accommodate your party. Sunday Brunch Buffet is a MUST. AZU's Sunday Brunch Buffet is very popular, so much so that many customers and even employees are making it part of their routine. Every Sunday from 11:00 - 2:30 pm.
(5)Daca D.
Went in for lunch today. Had the lunch bento box (grilled chicken teriyaki). The food was good, it was not crowded- overall great experience.
(4)Scott S.
We don't go here nearly as often as we should living so close. The food is consistently great and, with one glaring exception, the service is top-notch. I don't have a lot of experience with the buffets. Our most recent visit was a dinner on Friday. We ordered a variety of sushi, dumplings, and Chinese fare. All great. Can't recommend the General Tso's enough. And I'd put their coconut curry sauce on anything. I will say, though, I've almost never had luck with their egg drop soup. Very hit or miss.
(4)Molly H.
Unlike many other asian restaurants in town, this one is not vegetarian friendly. I ordered avocado rolls to be delivered and upon opening found fish eggs all over them. Not intentionally- whoever was making sushi was being sloppy. I had to pick out all the tiny fish eggs that were scattered all over the rolls. The rolls were also 90% rice with a sliver of avocado in each one- pretty disappointing for the price. I can get more avocado for half the price from basically anywhere else in town. I paid $15 for rice, fish eggs and seaweed. Bummer. I'm giving them two stars because I've had rolls from them before that were good. But when you're having food delivered you can't just send it back to be fixed. I wish I had ordered elsewhere.
(2)Amy V.
The Sunday Brunch Buffet at Azu is a steal. For $12.95 you get a nice selection of sushi and hot entrees, replenished often and served fresh. Fruit, salad, and dessert, too! From the standard menu I like the Edamame with Spicy Dipping Sauce and Beef w Broccoli. For sushi I recommend the Paradise, Mango Madness, and Seafood Volcano rolls. The staff is friendly and attentive. Azu is an all around great choice for Sushi and Asian Fusion.
(4)Katelyn B.
Went here for the lunch buffet. Presentation was nice. The crab rangoons are alright and the pork dumplings were great. The sushi wasn't that great, but I understand it's the lunch buffet version. The coconut curry is amazing. Super creamy and the coconut didn't over power the curry or vice versa. It could have been more spicy but I like my nose running at the end of my meal. Or if curry isn't your thing, the honey bourbon chicken is great too. It's pretty sweet, I would've liked a little more spice here too, but overall good flavor. Service was good on a very busy Sunday.
(4)Valerie G.
Alright, y'all, this one is gonna be quick and painless: 1. I was here once a while back for their Sunday Brunch and it was quite forgettable; therefore, I am in no position to base this review based on that visit. 2. My most recent visit was for dinner, the service was ehh-okay particularly given that there were a total of 4 tables on a Tuesday night. However, their fried rice is TO. DIE. FOR! I think it may be the best I've ever had and I love me some fried rice. It's fresh and delicious and the portion is HUGE - I had enough for lunch the next day. Safe to say I'll be back for some more delicious fried rice and probably to try Sunday Brunch again since I'm a sucker for breakfast :) go try their fried rice, guys, naoooo!
(4)Nicole Z.
My boyfriend and I had heard Lucy Ho's name associated with good food since we moved here, and weren't disappointed in our experience at Azu. I was able to make a quick and easy reservation online through their website. The food smelled wonderful, even in the parking lot. The restaurant is located at the end of a strip mall, and despite that, there was still curb-appeal. We were greeted and seated immediately. Seating is cozy, but that doesn't bother us. The decor is minimalistic and quite lovely. With my back to the wall, I saw a lot of what looked like regular patrons stopping in to sit at the bar area, which is in a separate section. On weeknights there is a 2-for-1 happy hour special before 7 p.m., so we ordered two hot sake carafes. We also ordered a tempura shrimp appetizer -- cooked perfectly -- and the side of mustard cream sauce was fantastic! For entrees I had Japanese-style salmon with mushrooms and asparagus. It was absolutely wonderful, with a sweet glaze and peppered just right. I told our server that I am on a low-carb diet, so she substituted rice with a side of steamed vegetables. My boyfriend ordered a beef curry that was divine. I couldn't decide whose entree was better! With the happy hour special, the meal was within our price range, about a $50 check. We will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. Azu is now at the top of my list of favorite Tallahassee restaurants.
(5)Hannah G.
We came through Tallahassee on the way to a work conference in Mobile (from our honeymoon in Orlando; we're from Kentucky). Based on reviews, we decided to come here, and were not disappointed! Would have given a 5, but for the fact that the sauce on my scallops with black bean sauce was very salty. However, my husband ordered the coconut curry chicken, and it wasn't too salty, so it may just be certain dishes. Overall...probably the best Asian food I've ever had! I ordered the hot and sour soup as well, to start, and it was so fresh and yummy! Wait service was friendly and fast. Other than the saltiness, I have no complaints!
(4)Chris S.
I wish this place was around when I went to school there. I got this food to go when I was up in Tallahassee for a game weekend. I ordered the E.T. roll along with the 3-1 salad. Both were excellent. My wife had the gyoza and a very basic roll which she liked very much. The food was great and I thought moderately priced. A definite must try if you are looking for a change from MASA, Mr. Robot or Osaka.
(4)Jared B.
Despite exterior appearances, the restaurant is larger than you would think and has a great atmosphere. My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice dinner and Azu really came through for us. The Peking duck is absolutely delicious as are all of the appetizers and the sushi. In ordering, we didn't hold back or pay any heed to the prices so when the check arrived, I was a little hesitant to look. When I did, however, I was amazed at how reasonable the total considering the quality and quantity of the food we ordered. I definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to go on a lovely date. My girlfriend, the foodie in our relationship, recommends the Peking duck and the salmon rolls. You shouldn't necessarily trust my opinion about what's delicious but you can certainly trust her's.
(5)Aventura E.
I see a lot of reviews below me for lunch specials and the buffet, I can't speak to those positive experiences, we went one evening and ordered sushi. The wait time to get the food took way to long despite the fact that there were only maybe 3 or 4 other tables of people and the sushi was nothing special. A long wait, lousy attitude from the waitress, bland sushi creations and to top it all off everything is overpriced. For the quality and atmosphere the prices should have been half of what they were, this was my first sushi experience in Tallahassee, I will try the others, hopefully they won't be as disappointing as this one.
(1)Hanako A.
Azu is a fabulous venture from the one and only, Lucy Ho. They offer classic Chinese dishes and Japanese seafood favorites. I frequent Azu for both brunch and lunch and never leave disappointed. If you are a patient person and have never been here, I recommend going to their Sunday Brunch, as it is a great way to sample several dishes and their sushi offerings. It will be crowded and it will take a while to be seated, but it's definitely worth it. If you aren't up for a busy brunch, you should go in around 11:30am during the work week and order of the affordable lunch menu. For $8 you can get a bento that comes with rice, chow mein, vegetable of the day, eggroll, and one of the many meats. They also offer a sushi platter for $10 that comes with two rolls and soup or salad. If you've only had take out and buffet style Chinese, please forget all you know and wow your senses with Azu. Please order the hot and sour soup and a pot of green tea or oolong tea.
(5)Jinbo F.
I've been here for buffet several times. The entrees are boring all the time. But I do like the sushi and other Chinese desserts or appetizers, by the way I like the seaweed and dumpling. The reason I give three star is because it's below my expectation especially the entrees in buffet time. It's still a good choice on Sundays and I am going there now!
(3)Lakshmi R.
Been there for lunch... 8$ nice deal... Had cashew chicken... Food is good....Recommended as well
(4)Dan K.
I do not take bad reviews lightly and I am hurt that I have to do such especially when it comes to sushi. I have eaten sushi for a long time and experienced different takes on it all over the US. Honestly I am writing this only to save others from the terrible experience I had, and possible illness I feel coming on. My dining experience in chronological order 1. As I approached the restaurant there was a group of customers holding the door open blocking the entrance conversing loudly among themselves. 2. After pushing through them to get in, I look up and realize I through the door and smack into the dining area. ( I am literally standing next to tables with people eating.) 3. This should have been my first warning to run, I find the empty hostess podium which is fine because I was planning on eating at the sushi bar anyways... BUT WAIT there is no sushi bar! There is an actual alcohol bar with plates around it. 4. I stood at the bar waiting to be greeted but the only woman behind the bar had her back turned and it was later apparent she was just taking take out orders. I was eventually half greeted by a woman who looked half asleep and was dressed way to casual for serving dinner. 5. My waitress comes, she was very polite at this point and took my drink and my miso soup order. As I am sitting here I look around for where the fish is being prepared and spot the area back in the corner hidden from view so you cannot see how it is being prepared or what the fish looks like, as I continue to look around and examine the area, my second clue to get the hell out appears, there is not one Japanese or asian period working at this place all mexican line cooks! Now I am not racist but again from experience, if you cant see the fish and there is not at least a head sushi chef overseeing preparations its not going to be good. 6. My miso soup and drink comes. I had to chug the miso, because it was lukewarm and I didn't want it to get any colder before I ate it. When she brought those items I ordered Maguro and Sake sashimi. (of course the japanese names were not on the menu only "Tuna and Salmon" 7. I asked if the did half orders because I wanted to try the Dragon Fly but didn't feel like I could do a entire order. No half orders... So I told her I was going to have it but I wanted to wait until I finished the sashimi and fried rice first. 8. Sashimi came... little ginger to cleanse the pallet and Sake sashimi is first (its my favorite)... Absolutely disgusting and an embarrassment to sushi. It disintegrated in my mouth and I swear the flavor was horrible! Imagine a lobster tank at the grocer or Red Lobster... Now imagine drinking the water from that tank and what it would taste like. THAT is what the salmon tasted like. 9. Tunas got to be better right? Yeah it was only in that it was absolutely flavorless, completely dry and almost brittle like it had just been sitting out all day. 10. I tell waitress I have become full and decided against the dragon fly and asked for the check. She then proceeds to walk over to the mexican line cook preparing the sushi holds a menu blocking her face so I couldn't see her and tells him to cancel my order for the dragon fly, I can just hear him asking her why I dont want it and what he is going to do with it now and they talk back and forth a bit more and she walks away... Next thing I hear is so other mexican over by the register saying "I knew it was too much for him". 11. Against everything boiling up inside me and my desire to go all Gordan Ramsey in that place right then and there, I realized it a bad idea as it would most likely get out of hand so I quietly payed my bill and left without a word to anyone. I hope this is read by whom ever is in charge of the operations of this place. This was the poorest dining experience I have had in a very very long time, from the service to the layout of the place to the disgusting fish they tried to pass off to me as sushi. Please get a real Head Sushi Chef in there that knows what he/she is doing, please teach your staff some etiquette and enforce a dress code. Most of all Please Please Please stop serving fish until you can figure out how to get sashimi grade and serve it fresh. Future customers be very very careful of the food, I am not joking one bit when I say I seriously had thought about gagging myself so as to hopefully not get sick after eating here and may still do so before the night is up. Sorry I had to do this review but I would shut this place down if I could. Terrible. :\
(1)tiffany w.
Not a fan.
(2)Edward M. R.
Bok Choy with Garlic sauce: $9 dollars. Too light on garlic, and too much sugar mixed in. The sauce was watery, not thickened as it should be. Sautéed String Beans with Black Bean Sauce and Garlic: $9 dollars. Beans were limp, and hairy. Some were approximately 1 cm long, far too short. The sauce was light, but not exciting; also (again) too much sugar. Whole Peking Duck: Cost $36 dollars. Did not appear to be entire duck. Not cut at the table. Cold meat. Pancakes were like Aunt Jemima, not with traditional flat thin pancakes for wrapping up. Cucumbers were cut incorrectly; instead of strips with no skin, they provided julienne slices with the skin on. The Hoisin sauce was OK, but too light on flavor. They provided lettuce and tomatoes with the Peking Duck!?! No one puts lettuce in a Peking Duck wrap. Bizarre. This was a very expensive, and not very good dish. Tea: The restaurant gave us the oolong tea after the meal but warned us that generally they charge for it; unbelievable for a Chinese restaurant. Decor: Cheap; like a strip mall. Service: Warm and attentive.
(2)Mary J.
I've eaten at every single sushi place in town and Azu is hands down the very best. After moving out of midtown and all they way down the parkway we tried it out of convenience ... it exceeded all expectations. The staff is great and the sushi is phenomenal. We like to get the sashimi dinner and request white tuna & yellowtail (SO GOOD). You can also substitute the cali roll for a specialty roll and just pay the difference. Lucy Ho is very hands on with her restaurants and has done such a great job with Azu.
(5)Austin D.
Terrible service. There was a freakin sweet and low packet stuck to the inside of my glass. The waitress was rude, food was edible but I'd rather be duct taped to a Tasmanian devil than to ever go back.
(1)Ronald J.
The food is amazing. The sushi is amazing. Some times there is a wait. But it's worth it. Last time I actually ordered take out. I got special sushi. It was packed well and the presentation held up till I got home. It tasted amazing!
(5)Cherry J.
Went back for round two, and was not impressed... my Crunchy roll ($5) was COMPLETELY ice-cold: rice, fillings, and all. Clearly it was prepared ahead and sitting in a refrigerator... guess you get what you pay for. Yet again, there was WAY too much cream cheese... and it was extra gross being so cold and thick and chewy! Bluh.. We branched out a bit by trying some fried rice and the chicken lettuce wraps. The fried rice was odd.. it contained HUGE chunks of scrambled egg, instead of the normal egg pieces you find in fried rice. The chicken lettuce wraps were also strange, with red and green peppers better suited for Mexican cuisine...
(2)S N.
Great Chinese and Japanese food, I recommend any of the specials. The atmosphere is great for a night out with friends or a date. They offer a very nice Sunday buffet, get there early (around 11 or so), to get a table without wait. The locals love this place so it can get crowded fast.
(5)A A.
Do you know what the best thing about brunch is? It somehow becomes socially acceptable to have a cocktail in the middle of the day. Unfortunately Azu doesn't serve any (not that we were offered any, anyways. More on the later). We finally decided to get up early enough to go to Azu for their brunch buffet. The decal on the door says they're open at 11:30 on Sunday, but the sign inside and the website says 11:15 so I'm not sure which it is. We came at 11:10 and the parking lot was completely empty. When we came back at 11:35 the restaurant was half full. I'm not a fan of the seating arrangement. Everything is squished together so you have no privacy and the buffet is set up in cramped quarters as well. So it's a pain to get to what you want, and you're likely to get food knocked all over you if someone turns around. Service was the most horrible I've had in Tallahassee, worse than Ray's Steel City Saloon and far worse than Applebee's (gasp). Our waitress brought us our drinks and our check and we never saw her the rest of the time. Now I know Azu is not the most expensive restaurant in the city, but it is at least heralded as nicer than your average sushi bar. You would expect better service when you're paying more money, right? On to the food, the day we went it was a spread of mostly Chinese chicken dishes, and a few other proteins. Of these the best was something labeled as Sha Cha chicken (which actually tasted like a mild curry), the salt and pepper shrimp, and the tilipia. The other dishes I tried tasted worse than most takeout places. There was also tuna and salmon nigiri, two or three rolls, seaweed salad, and a fried shrimp with krab salad on top. The rolls were strange and mostly stuffed with cream cheese, but the salmon nigiri has been the only edible raw fish I've had in Tallahassee. Dessert was three kinds of forgettable cake, and an assortment of fruit. Overall the price was not worth it for me for the quality of food and the level of service. If you came solely for the nigiri I could see you getting your money's worth, but not otherwise. I won't be coming back for the buffet, but maybe I will try their bento box or shashimi for lunch and update accordingly.
(2)J. H.
The food is surprisingly good, reasonably priced, and the portions are generous. Eat in service has always been good. Going for takeout is a different story. The food is usually ready sooner than they tell you, so you get there, see it bagged at the bar, and no one helps you. You're waiting, watching your dinner get cold as the guy pours drinks, talks to the kitchen and doesn't seem to care that you're standing there. Probably won't get takeout there anymore.
(3)KyungAh L.
This place is super delicious. On Sundays, they have a Sunday brunch buffet and let me say, it's a pretty good deal for all the food you get. But, besides Sunday, they always serve really good food and the service is nice and the waiters are all extremely friendly. If you want a good fusion of Asian foods, then definitely come here.
(4)Rachel M.
I had a craving for sushi and having previously driven by this place before, I figured I'd give it a shot. I ordered the Spider Roll and the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll for take out. Although other reviews criticized the atmosphere, I thought it looked nice upon entering. The food however was only decent. I preferred the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll to the Spider Roll but neither was worth ordering again. The Spider Roll was cut into HUGE pieces - it was difficult to eat each piece in one bite. It wasn't very good either. - the crab had been overcooked and it didn't taste to be very fresh The Crunchy Spicy Tuna was okay but I've definitely had better. The quality of the tuna was sub par...it's doubtful that it was actually sushi grade. Prior to ordering the sushi, I didn't realize that the restaurant is actually considered to be Chinese, so perhaps the other entries on the menu are better.
(2)Christina J.
Sunday Buffet is wonderful....but always packed and definitely on the pricey side (about $12.50/person before tip and drinks)
(4)Rodney H.
Pretty awesome and never slammed crowded. Driving by you would think its kinda a dump because its in a strip mall but once you walk in you see they know what their doing. This is our favorite place to eat sushi in Tallahassee.
(4)Art s.
My party shared probably 8 appetizers and another 8 entrees and they were consistently excellent. I've had Asian food all over Asia, as well as NYC, Vancouver, and San Francisco, and Azu is a match for any of it. The decor is elegant and understated, and the service was friendly and attentive without hovering. There wasn't a false note the whole night. In nearly 20 years, this is the best dining experience I've had in Tallahassee.
(5)A A.
Do you know what the best thing about brunch is? It somehow becomes socially acceptable to have a cocktail in the middle of the day. Unfortunately Azu doesn't serve any (not that we were offered any, anyways. More on the later). We finally decided to get up early enough to go to Azu for their brunch buffet. The decal on the door says they're open at 11:30 on Sunday, but the sign inside and the website says 11:15 so I'm not sure which it is. We came at 11:10 and the parking lot was completely empty. When we came back at 11:35 the restaurant was half full. I'm not a fan of the seating arrangement. Everything is squished together so you have no privacy and the buffet is set up in cramped quarters as well. So it's a pain to get to what you want, and you're likely to get food knocked all over you if someone turns around. Service was the most horrible I've had in Tallahassee, worse than Ray's Steel City Saloon and far worse than Applebee's (gasp). Our waitress brought us our drinks and our check and we never saw her the rest of the time. Now I know Azu is not the most expensive restaurant in the city, but it is at least heralded as nicer than your average sushi bar. You would expect better service when you're paying more money, right? On to the food, the day we went it was a spread of mostly Chinese chicken dishes, and a few other proteins. Of these the best was something labeled as Sha Cha chicken (which actually tasted like a mild curry), the salt and pepper shrimp, and the tilipia. The other dishes I tried tasted worse than most takeout places. There was also tuna and salmon nigiri, two or three rolls, seaweed salad, and a fried shrimp with krab salad on top. The rolls were strange and mostly stuffed with cream cheese, but the salmon nigiri has been the only edible raw fish I've had in Tallahassee. Dessert was three kinds of forgettable cake, and an assortment of fruit. Overall the price was not worth it for me for the quality of food and the level of service. If you came solely for the nigiri I could see you getting your money's worth, but not otherwise. I won't be coming back for the buffet, but maybe I will try their bento box or shashimi for lunch and update accordingly.
(2)J. H.
The food is surprisingly good, reasonably priced, and the portions are generous. Eat in service has always been good. Going for takeout is a different story. The food is usually ready sooner than they tell you, so you get there, see it bagged at the bar, and no one helps you. You're waiting, watching your dinner get cold as the guy pours drinks, talks to the kitchen and doesn't seem to care that you're standing there. Probably won't get takeout there anymore.
(3)KyungAh L.
This place is super delicious. On Sundays, they have a Sunday brunch buffet and let me say, it's a pretty good deal for all the food you get. But, besides Sunday, they always serve really good food and the service is nice and the waiters are all extremely friendly. If you want a good fusion of Asian foods, then definitely come here.
(4)Hazel P.
Had a surprisingly great time at Azu. Walking in, seating looked a little bit cramped, especially with it being crowded as it was. Tables are organized in the middle with small booths surrounding them, we luckily had the chance to dine in in a booth near the window. Service was great we were attended to shortly after and stayed pretty much happy with the service throughout the night despite it being as busy as it was. As for the food... it was surprisingly really good! I only say surprisingly because the restaurant is now the third restaurant to open up under Lucy Ho in Tallahassee, and after eating at Masa and the other million Chinese restaurants located in Tallahassee what more can you expect... but Azu surely dumbfounded me. I was feeling under the weather so I ordered a pot of hot green tea. The waitress soon came out with this classy, elegant type tea pot. I have no idea why I was and still am amazed by the tea pot... it just looked really nice, but the green tea was really good too! It had a nutty hint to it, something I've never had at other Chinese restaurants, so when I opened the top it had the green tea leaves with what looked like pieces of popcorn and pecans in it. I know... weird, you will just have to get some one time. Okay enough about my odd amazement with their green tea and to the food... We ordered the chicken lettuce cups to start with, very similar to P.F. Changs, but with more flavor and crunch to the bite. Stir-fried chicken with green and red peppers and water chestnuts covered with their sauce and placed in a lettuce cup, absolutely delicious! We also had to try their sushi and ended up getting the E.T. roll, as recommended by the waitress. She had mentioned their eel was really good, so we gave it a try... no disappointment there. As for the entrees, portions are more than reasonable for the price. We ordered the beef and green pepper stir-fry and the Taiwanese pan fried noodles. The noodles were absolutely amazing. They give you a little more meat and vegetables than noodles, but it was delicious! We really had no complaints about this place. We wanted to try their Ramen noodle dish, but they were out. We will definitely try and head out there again. We live on the other side of town, but it's well worth the money and drive to try this place out!
(4)Tiffany D.
There sunday brunch buffet is super yummy.
(5)Whitnae P.
Best sushi in town. The rolls are soft, moist and delicious. Everything is made beautifully and deliciously. The staff is friendly and attentive. This place could compete with big city restaurants if it wanted to. I came there with my ex boyfriend and I still had a good time.
(5)p d.
Finally. Lucy returns to the Parkway! Wonderful, if sparse, menu. Sushi offerings are about what you would expect for this part of the world, but the quality is excellent. Not that I ever remember any bad service at one of Lucy's restaurants, but the service here has been exceptional for each of our visits. And YES...they have the pear sake at AZU like they do at Masa.
(4)Sean H.
Fantastic, average $$. Extensive cocktail menu. Their Thai food is terrific. Ambience is relaxing/trendy. #1 spot for sushi in town, believe me....I've done them all.
(5)Alan L.
I went there for dinner. I was the only one in there, waitress was pleasant, food was good. I ordered 3 different sushi rolls. Price and proportions were what I expected. I wouldn't say it was great, but would definitely go there again. I didn't think they had as wide of a variety of sushi as I expected either.
(4)Madison H.
My husband and I visited Azu on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee on March 12, 2010. Yes, I am happy to know that Lucy Ho once again has a presence in Tallahassee. We were greeted by Masa upon arrival. He is always personable and remembers us every single time we visit. This was our fourth visit since the beginning of December 2009 and I had waited to post a review. We ordered Pork fried rice ($10) and beef and broccoli ($12.00). The food is consistently good and the portion size is ample. What has always been a problem at Lucy's restaurants is the waitstaff service. Lackluster just springs to mind when trying to think of a good description. Though that's probably an adequate response for the majority of Tallahassee establishments. Water and tea take a while to receive. Water takes a long while to be refilled. The food presentation is courteous and pleasant. Masa checks back, rarely the server returns. Getting the check takes a long while and please don't be in a hurry because the server is probably going to take drink or food orders from other guests before returning to complete the transaction. This visit was particularly noticeable because when you give 2 - $20 bills on a bill of $31.00, you expect change to be provided from which you will provide a tip. A 20 percent tip would be about $6.20. If you are a server, don't ask the guest if they need change. That question will elicit a negative response and right away the server has reduced their tip by asking! Bring the change. The guest will leave the applicable tip. And please don't be in a hurry for your change either because the waiter went on to take care of three other tables before returning to slap the folio back on the table. Believe me hon, you aren't getting a $9 tip on $31 with an attitude like that. So, to sum up, the food is consistently good (3), but the wait service is just ho-hum or average(2).
(3)Rick P.
Went there on Christmas Eve for our first time there. The place was almost full, but we had great service. We were really pleased by the range of the menu -- there are lots of great things to choose from. We ordered soup, appetizers and entrees, and they were all delicious. We thought the prices were really reasonable, too. Can't wait to go back and try something else!
(5)Don L.
Food is delicious and staff was great! I will definitely return.
(5)JD D.
If you enjoy Masa, you'll definitely enjoy Azu. I've eaten there a couple of times with foodie-type friends. We put high demands on the servers and the kitchen, and they always cheerfully complied with our requests. The appetizers and sushi are fresh and perfectly executed. Given the high quality, the price is a bargain. The beer, wine, and sake selections are limited (no spirits), but the star of the meal here is the food.
(5)Tiff D.
Absolutly must get the Seafood Martini!! SO SO good. It has seaweed salad, crab, crawfish, spicy tuna, mango, avocado...served with wonton chips. The sushi was good too. We got sweet mama and mango madness which were recommended by the waitress. Mango madness had too much mango mayo on top...I think thats what they call valcano? idk but it was just alot of mayo for me. the sweet mama was better. I like the slightly cooked salmon. I'd recommend this place!
(4)Ivan B.
AZU or Lucy Ho's, whatever you want to call it is quite delicious. A nice Asian restaurant tucked in the corner of a shopping strip, you can find lots of food from different countries. I have been here a few times and it always has been a good time. The service was always friendly and the waiters always kept asking if my party was doing good. A little pricey, but a little bit more classy. The food is a mix between sushi, Chinese dishes, Japanese dishes, and maybe a little Korean as well. I have had their sushi and most recently the Poke Bowl. Oh how excited I was to find some legit Hawaiian Poke when I sat down. It was a little pricey for the portion, but still delicious raw fish! The regular sushi dishes are not bad either. Another time I ordered Katsu, which had an odd tasting sauce, but the meat was very good and nice with rice. One other thing I had was Mapo Tofu and it was a little too salty, but the flavor was on point and I ate the whole bowl. Definitely recommend this place on a night you and your friends want Asian Food but cannot decide on one particular culture. A good mixture right here for sure.
(4)Megan Kristen M.
I've never been disappointed in a meal, here. One of my favorite dishes I ever had was a tempura octopus sushi roll. It was beyond yummy, like most of their fare.
(4)Keith H.
On Sundays between 11-2:30 Azu does a Sunday Brunch Buffet for about $13 a person. This is by far the best "chinese" buffet in town. The foods are fresh and replaced regularly because so many people come to eat at the buffet. I haven't had a single dish that I disliked. Even when there is a wait it isn't long and the staff is attentive. I took one star away for the desserts. For reasons unbeknownst to me, no "chinese" buffet can seem to get these finger desserts right. They always look nice but rarely taste like anything.
(4)Keeley M.
The buffet on Sunday was delicious! They had a Mother's day brunch/lunch, so it was very packed, but I called ahead for a reservation (reservations definitely recommended). From what I've heard, it is typically packed on Sundays, but the food and atmosphere is worth it! (Try to call ahead!) The Sunday brunch had a variety of sushi and your typical Chinese dishes and everything I tried was delicious. Price for the Sunday brunch was reasonable and you can't beat the options/variety of food you can select from. This is a place I would definitely come back to!
(5)Edward M. R.
Bok Choy with Garlic sauce: $9 dollars. Too light on garlic, and too much sugar mixed in. The sauce was watery, not thickened as it should be. Sautéed String Beans with Black Bean Sauce and Garlic: $9 dollars. Beans were limp, and hairy. Some were approximately 1 cm long, far too short. The sauce was light, but not exciting; also (again) too much sugar. Whole Peking Duck: Cost $36 dollars. Did not appear to be entire duck. Not cut at the table. Cold meat. Pancakes were like Aunt Jemima, not with traditional flat thin pancakes for wrapping up. Cucumbers were cut incorrectly; instead of strips with no skin, they provided julienne slices with the skin on. The Hoisin sauce was OK, but too light on flavor. They provided lettuce and tomatoes with the Peking Duck!?! No one puts lettuce in a Peking Duck wrap. Bizarre. This was a very expensive, and not very good dish. Tea: The restaurant gave us the oolong tea after the meal but warned us that generally they charge for it; unbelievable for a Chinese restaurant. Decor: Cheap; like a strip mall. Service: Warm and attentive.
(2)Mary J.
I've eaten at every single sushi place in town and Azu is hands down the very best. After moving out of midtown and all they way down the parkway we tried it out of convenience ... it exceeded all expectations. The staff is great and the sushi is phenomenal. We like to get the sashimi dinner and request white tuna & yellowtail (SO GOOD). You can also substitute the cali roll for a specialty roll and just pay the difference. Lucy Ho is very hands on with her restaurants and has done such a great job with Azu.
(5)Austin D.
Terrible service. There was a freakin sweet and low packet stuck to the inside of my glass. The waitress was rude, food was edible but I'd rather be duct taped to a Tasmanian devil than to ever go back.
(1)Ronald J.
The food is amazing. The sushi is amazing. Some times there is a wait. But it's worth it. Last time I actually ordered take out. I got special sushi. It was packed well and the presentation held up till I got home. It tasted amazing!
(5)Cherry J.
Went back for round two, and was not impressed... my Crunchy roll ($5) was COMPLETELY ice-cold: rice, fillings, and all. Clearly it was prepared ahead and sitting in a refrigerator... guess you get what you pay for. Yet again, there was WAY too much cream cheese... and it was extra gross being so cold and thick and chewy! Bluh.. We branched out a bit by trying some fried rice and the chicken lettuce wraps. The fried rice was odd.. it contained HUGE chunks of scrambled egg, instead of the normal egg pieces you find in fried rice. The chicken lettuce wraps were also strange, with red and green peppers better suited for Mexican cuisine...
(2)S N.
Great Chinese and Japanese food, I recommend any of the specials. The atmosphere is great for a night out with friends or a date. They offer a very nice Sunday buffet, get there early (around 11 or so), to get a table without wait. The locals love this place so it can get crowded fast.
(5)Amy M.
My husband and I stopped in for a late lunch there was a skeleton crew and service was slow. We asked for recommendations and ordered 3 appetizers, only 1 was edible. I left hungry, disappointed, will not return.
(1)Kevin W.
Carried my daughters there after reading the recommendations on yelp and trip advisor we all had Sushi dinners a chefs choice selection with 8 pieces nigiri sushi and a California roll we all opted for tuna rolls instead of the California... The Sushi was fresh but little else could be said, the chefs choice, a boring one consisting of 2 each salmon, tuna, Mackerel and shrimp for 16 dollars each I've had worse that said still trying to figure out why AZU got such high ratings.
(3)Jeremy F.
Excellent Asian food probably the best fried wontons I have had anywhere!. They were delicious. Also the pineapple shrimp with strawberry was sweet but ooh so filling an delicious. Will definitely be back on my next trip to Tallahassee.
(4)Sue C.
We had a very good meal. We chose from the Chinese menu. We had chicken lettuce cups, Peking duck and stir fried bokchoy. Everything was prepared well. The Peking duck came with the more contemporary dumpling pillow instead of mandarin pancakes and they were good. We ordered extra pillows. Service was friendly and prompt.
(4)Jennifer I.
There is seriously a lack of good Asian food in Tallahassee. This restaurant serves quality food at a reasonable price. The weekend brunch buffet is also a great deal. They also serve good cocktails (I like the lychee martini). Service is always friendly, and they are willing to make substitutions for food allergies and preferences.
(4)June M.
Our first visit to this restaurant and what an awesome experience! Very professional and friendly staff, cozy and inviting atmosphere. Dining area was laid out perfectly. The food was EXCELLENT and pleasantly affordable. Highly recommend. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Matthew S.
I have been here a handful of times for dinner lunch and brunch. The portions, atmosphere, and service are excellent. The price is fair. I'm a big fan of the brunch but if you want to miss the crowd go early.
(4)Larissa S.
I went to the sushi buffet. It was really packed but fortunately we reserved a table in advance. They have a decent selection of sushi and other Asian dishes which were all good. I can't say it's the best sushi/food ice ever had but it's definitely worth the money or rather even more than I expected... At other sushi buffets I was always disappointed at the dessert. At Azu the dessert was very good. They had a couple of different cakes and fresh fruits.
(4)Rachael H.
The only place I go to for my "cheat" meals now that I'm living the Paleo life! Azu has THE best brunch on Sunday's! A full offering of sushi, soups, and warm dishes on the buffet could literally keep my fiancé and I there for hours. I suggest getting there early, because by 1130-12 it's packed most times with a wait (but don't worry, the food is worth it)! They offer a delicious punch near the sushi bar for free, so I graciously order water and sip off the free punch to save a few bucks! The servers and staff are very efficient and pleasant, despite being busy as sin all shift long! I highly recommend trying a dinner or lunch there any other day as well...I have literally never had a bad meal there!
(5)Tina A.
Sunday brunch is quite wonderful here with a variety of standard options found at a typical Chinese buffet but presented with more elegance and cooked in small portions. It also includes punch, sushi and some dessert. The ambiance is nice and kid friendly which is always a plus in my book.
(4)Lisa A.
I have only been to Lucy's for their brunch buffet on Sunday. It is definitely one of the better quality Asian buffets and I always eat way too much when I go! They have a decent selection of all you can eat sushi and interesting entrée choices. They also have the typical Chinese take out food. Their dessert selection is not the best though. They are always pretty busy but you never have to wait more than 10 minutes!
(3)Chansone D.
Big disappointment! Everything tasted stale and old. The wonton soup was cold. The yellow tail/scallion sushi tasted like old fish and smelled fishy. The fried soft shell crab tasted bitter and stale. The fried string beans was rubbery and watery as if it had been boiled and the sauce was syrupy. The only thing that was decent and edible was the hot and sour soup and the grilled hamachi. Not going back.
(1)Frank S.
AZU last night, summer 2015 was a big disappointment in some regards. Service was excellent in attitude and delivery. Sushi roll was good and enjoyed by our 8 member party. However the the Rangoon were too large, too full of creme cheese, not delicate at all. Never thought I'd say that about rangoon but it was overwhelming, no one at the table cared to finish them off. Also fried too long for my palate. . Lucy Ho's Chicken and Cashew recipe has drifted far far away from the delicious chicken and cashew of the late 70s. The sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken and chicken cashew were no better than that commonly found in a buffet. That was so disappointing, next time, I'll just go to a buffet, at least if I dont like something I can go get something else.
(2)Brandon C.
I gave a three only because they came through just before closing. I had the whole peking duck and was quite disappointed. Flavorless and dry. Again I did catch them late, but that's not an excuse for ordering the most expensive item on the menu ($40) and it tasting bad. Actually no real taste at all. Maybe another dish is great but skip the duck. Had high hopes but sadly let down.
(3)Helen C.
We went here again today but I learned a new lesson while going here.....stick to coming here for lunch and not for dinner. It was loud and packed, our waiter was running around like a chicken with her head chopped off lol. We waited quite a while to order, for our appetizer and even longer for our meal. Luckily the owner (I think he is the owner? The older asian guy who stands at the front always) kept an eye on our table and noticed us constantly waiting for everything or we might have been waiting longer. He even came to pick up our appetizer plate after we finished, and again to tell us our meal might take a while because the waiter dropped our food/the plate (I feel bad for our waiter because I don't think the owner was happy with her according to his body language.) They handled the situation correctly by compensating with a 10% discount on our meal. Thank you owner! ^-^ He is always nice to us when we come in and I love that :). Oh, the food though as always, was good. Clean presentation as always, sushi rolls nice and tight, and fish quality is good. We missed the movie we were going to catch because we had to wait so long to order to getting our main course sushi rolls but its okay. I think I learned my lesson that the best time for me to come is during lunch time/late lunch time when its nice and quiet and not busy. The waiters then are able to be tentative and since the sushi chefs aren't as busy we get our food faster. Even though I didn't have the greatest time tonight I still like this place and will recommend this place but maybe will recommend coming here during lunch/late lunch for a better experience because dinner is pretty busy so you might have to wait longer and its louder.
(5)seth o.
Great fried crab, good sushi, sad ramen. This is a very American style sushi restraurant, and it will probably appeal to lots of the casual Japanese diners in Tallahassee. Try the fried crab, it's tasty. However the sushi is mediocre and the ramen noodle soup was just sad. The thin, watery chicken broth and bland noodles were edible, but disappointing, and did not in the least satisfy my ramen craving. Granted I have a West Coast mentality toward Japanese food, and I'm not saying Azu is bad, but it's not authentic. It is, however, a nice restaurant for Tallahassee standards, even though it would not survive a hot minute in San Francisco.
(3)Brianne T.
Sunday buffet is the best thing you could ever do! We have been every Sunday since we have found out and nothing gets old. Good quality food at a great price!
(5)Karly O.
Visiting Tallahassee and found this awesome restaurant. Sushi was so different then any other place I've been. I had the bang bang mango and had to go back before I left to get it again...my husband was really impressed too! We took our two young children and they feasted on the honey chicken kids meal. I'm only giving it 4 stars b/c it wasn't super kid friendly. Enjoy!
(4)Marie F.
Best place to eat in Tallahassee hands down. I have tried pretty much everything and nothing comes close in town. Great location, beautifully decorated, and excellent food. Unfortunately I can't say the whole menu is super (only thing that was NOT perfect was the ravoli) - but plenty of great options and huge portions. Quality of food is worth the cost so you will not be disappointed. Great for social gatherings. (Romantic date and Birthdays - this palace is the ideal venue.) Just call ahead to make sure they can accommodate your party. Sunday Brunch Buffet is a MUST. AZU's Sunday Brunch Buffet is very popular, so much so that many customers and even employees are making it part of their routine. Every Sunday from 11:00 - 2:30 pm.
(5)Daca D.
Went in for lunch today. Had the lunch bento box (grilled chicken teriyaki). The food was good, it was not crowded- overall great experience.
(4)Scott S.
We don't go here nearly as often as we should living so close. The food is consistently great and, with one glaring exception, the service is top-notch. I don't have a lot of experience with the buffets. Our most recent visit was a dinner on Friday. We ordered a variety of sushi, dumplings, and Chinese fare. All great. Can't recommend the General Tso's enough. And I'd put their coconut curry sauce on anything. I will say, though, I've almost never had luck with their egg drop soup. Very hit or miss.
(4)Molly H.
Unlike many other asian restaurants in town, this one is not vegetarian friendly. I ordered avocado rolls to be delivered and upon opening found fish eggs all over them. Not intentionally- whoever was making sushi was being sloppy. I had to pick out all the tiny fish eggs that were scattered all over the rolls. The rolls were also 90% rice with a sliver of avocado in each one- pretty disappointing for the price. I can get more avocado for half the price from basically anywhere else in town. I paid $15 for rice, fish eggs and seaweed. Bummer. I'm giving them two stars because I've had rolls from them before that were good. But when you're having food delivered you can't just send it back to be fixed. I wish I had ordered elsewhere.
(2)Amy V.
The Sunday Brunch Buffet at Azu is a steal. For $12.95 you get a nice selection of sushi and hot entrees, replenished often and served fresh. Fruit, salad, and dessert, too! From the standard menu I like the Edamame with Spicy Dipping Sauce and Beef w Broccoli. For sushi I recommend the Paradise, Mango Madness, and Seafood Volcano rolls. The staff is friendly and attentive. Azu is an all around great choice for Sushi and Asian Fusion.
(4)Katelyn B.
Went here for the lunch buffet. Presentation was nice. The crab rangoons are alright and the pork dumplings were great. The sushi wasn't that great, but I understand it's the lunch buffet version. The coconut curry is amazing. Super creamy and the coconut didn't over power the curry or vice versa. It could have been more spicy but I like my nose running at the end of my meal. Or if curry isn't your thing, the honey bourbon chicken is great too. It's pretty sweet, I would've liked a little more spice here too, but overall good flavor. Service was good on a very busy Sunday.
(4)Valerie G.
Alright, y'all, this one is gonna be quick and painless: 1. I was here once a while back for their Sunday Brunch and it was quite forgettable; therefore, I am in no position to base this review based on that visit. 2. My most recent visit was for dinner, the service was ehh-okay particularly given that there were a total of 4 tables on a Tuesday night. However, their fried rice is TO. DIE. FOR! I think it may be the best I've ever had and I love me some fried rice. It's fresh and delicious and the portion is HUGE - I had enough for lunch the next day. Safe to say I'll be back for some more delicious fried rice and probably to try Sunday Brunch again since I'm a sucker for breakfast :) go try their fried rice, guys, naoooo!
(4)Nicole Z.
My boyfriend and I had heard Lucy Ho's name associated with good food since we moved here, and weren't disappointed in our experience at Azu. I was able to make a quick and easy reservation online through their website. The food smelled wonderful, even in the parking lot. The restaurant is located at the end of a strip mall, and despite that, there was still curb-appeal. We were greeted and seated immediately. Seating is cozy, but that doesn't bother us. The decor is minimalistic and quite lovely. With my back to the wall, I saw a lot of what looked like regular patrons stopping in to sit at the bar area, which is in a separate section. On weeknights there is a 2-for-1 happy hour special before 7 p.m., so we ordered two hot sake carafes. We also ordered a tempura shrimp appetizer -- cooked perfectly -- and the side of mustard cream sauce was fantastic! For entrees I had Japanese-style salmon with mushrooms and asparagus. It was absolutely wonderful, with a sweet glaze and peppered just right. I told our server that I am on a low-carb diet, so she substituted rice with a side of steamed vegetables. My boyfriend ordered a beef curry that was divine. I couldn't decide whose entree was better! With the happy hour special, the meal was within our price range, about a $50 check. We will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. Azu is now at the top of my list of favorite Tallahassee restaurants.
(5)Hannah G.
We came through Tallahassee on the way to a work conference in Mobile (from our honeymoon in Orlando; we're from Kentucky). Based on reviews, we decided to come here, and were not disappointed! Would have given a 5, but for the fact that the sauce on my scallops with black bean sauce was very salty. However, my husband ordered the coconut curry chicken, and it wasn't too salty, so it may just be certain dishes. Overall...probably the best Asian food I've ever had! I ordered the hot and sour soup as well, to start, and it was so fresh and yummy! Wait service was friendly and fast. Other than the saltiness, I have no complaints!
(4)Chris S.
I wish this place was around when I went to school there. I got this food to go when I was up in Tallahassee for a game weekend. I ordered the E.T. roll along with the 3-1 salad. Both were excellent. My wife had the gyoza and a very basic roll which she liked very much. The food was great and I thought moderately priced. A definite must try if you are looking for a change from MASA, Mr. Robot or Osaka.
(4)Jared B.
Despite exterior appearances, the restaurant is larger than you would think and has a great atmosphere. My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice dinner and Azu really came through for us. The Peking duck is absolutely delicious as are all of the appetizers and the sushi. In ordering, we didn't hold back or pay any heed to the prices so when the check arrived, I was a little hesitant to look. When I did, however, I was amazed at how reasonable the total considering the quality and quantity of the food we ordered. I definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to go on a lovely date. My girlfriend, the foodie in our relationship, recommends the Peking duck and the salmon rolls. You shouldn't necessarily trust my opinion about what's delicious but you can certainly trust her's.
(5)Aventura E.
I see a lot of reviews below me for lunch specials and the buffet, I can't speak to those positive experiences, we went one evening and ordered sushi. The wait time to get the food took way to long despite the fact that there were only maybe 3 or 4 other tables of people and the sushi was nothing special. A long wait, lousy attitude from the waitress, bland sushi creations and to top it all off everything is overpriced. For the quality and atmosphere the prices should have been half of what they were, this was my first sushi experience in Tallahassee, I will try the others, hopefully they won't be as disappointing as this one.
(1)Hanako A.
Azu is a fabulous venture from the one and only, Lucy Ho. They offer classic Chinese dishes and Japanese seafood favorites. I frequent Azu for both brunch and lunch and never leave disappointed. If you are a patient person and have never been here, I recommend going to their Sunday Brunch, as it is a great way to sample several dishes and their sushi offerings. It will be crowded and it will take a while to be seated, but it's definitely worth it. If you aren't up for a busy brunch, you should go in around 11:30am during the work week and order of the affordable lunch menu. For $8 you can get a bento that comes with rice, chow mein, vegetable of the day, eggroll, and one of the many meats. They also offer a sushi platter for $10 that comes with two rolls and soup or salad. If you've only had take out and buffet style Chinese, please forget all you know and wow your senses with Azu. Please order the hot and sour soup and a pot of green tea or oolong tea.
(5)Jinbo F.
I've been here for buffet several times. The entrees are boring all the time. But I do like the sushi and other Chinese desserts or appetizers, by the way I like the seaweed and dumpling. The reason I give three star is because it's below my expectation especially the entrees in buffet time. It's still a good choice on Sundays and I am going there now!
(3)Lakshmi R.
Been there for lunch... 8$ nice deal... Had cashew chicken... Food is good....Recommended as well
(4)Dan K.
I do not take bad reviews lightly and I am hurt that I have to do such especially when it comes to sushi. I have eaten sushi for a long time and experienced different takes on it all over the US. Honestly I am writing this only to save others from the terrible experience I had, and possible illness I feel coming on. My dining experience in chronological order 1. As I approached the restaurant there was a group of customers holding the door open blocking the entrance conversing loudly among themselves. 2. After pushing through them to get in, I look up and realize I through the door and smack into the dining area. ( I am literally standing next to tables with people eating.) 3. This should have been my first warning to run, I find the empty hostess podium which is fine because I was planning on eating at the sushi bar anyways... BUT WAIT there is no sushi bar! There is an actual alcohol bar with plates around it. 4. I stood at the bar waiting to be greeted but the only woman behind the bar had her back turned and it was later apparent she was just taking take out orders. I was eventually half greeted by a woman who looked half asleep and was dressed way to casual for serving dinner. 5. My waitress comes, she was very polite at this point and took my drink and my miso soup order. As I am sitting here I look around for where the fish is being prepared and spot the area back in the corner hidden from view so you cannot see how it is being prepared or what the fish looks like, as I continue to look around and examine the area, my second clue to get the hell out appears, there is not one Japanese or asian period working at this place all mexican line cooks! Now I am not racist but again from experience, if you cant see the fish and there is not at least a head sushi chef overseeing preparations its not going to be good. 6. My miso soup and drink comes. I had to chug the miso, because it was lukewarm and I didn't want it to get any colder before I ate it. When she brought those items I ordered Maguro and Sake sashimi. (of course the japanese names were not on the menu only "Tuna and Salmon" 7. I asked if the did half orders because I wanted to try the Dragon Fly but didn't feel like I could do a entire order. No half orders... So I told her I was going to have it but I wanted to wait until I finished the sashimi and fried rice first. 8. Sashimi came... little ginger to cleanse the pallet and Sake sashimi is first (its my favorite)... Absolutely disgusting and an embarrassment to sushi. It disintegrated in my mouth and I swear the flavor was horrible! Imagine a lobster tank at the grocer or Red Lobster... Now imagine drinking the water from that tank and what it would taste like. THAT is what the salmon tasted like. 9. Tunas got to be better right? Yeah it was only in that it was absolutely flavorless, completely dry and almost brittle like it had just been sitting out all day. 10. I tell waitress I have become full and decided against the dragon fly and asked for the check. She then proceeds to walk over to the mexican line cook preparing the sushi holds a menu blocking her face so I couldn't see her and tells him to cancel my order for the dragon fly, I can just hear him asking her why I dont want it and what he is going to do with it now and they talk back and forth a bit more and she walks away... Next thing I hear is so other mexican over by the register saying "I knew it was too much for him". 11. Against everything boiling up inside me and my desire to go all Gordan Ramsey in that place right then and there, I realized it a bad idea as it would most likely get out of hand so I quietly payed my bill and left without a word to anyone. I hope this is read by whom ever is in charge of the operations of this place. This was the poorest dining experience I have had in a very very long time, from the service to the layout of the place to the disgusting fish they tried to pass off to me as sushi. Please get a real Head Sushi Chef in there that knows what he/she is doing, please teach your staff some etiquette and enforce a dress code. Most of all Please Please Please stop serving fish until you can figure out how to get sashimi grade and serve it fresh. Future customers be very very careful of the food, I am not joking one bit when I say I seriously had thought about gagging myself so as to hopefully not get sick after eating here and may still do so before the night is up. Sorry I had to do this review but I would shut this place down if I could. Terrible. :\
(1)tiffany w.
Not a fan.
(2)Lady D.
When we arrived at Azu for their Sunday lunch buffet (which is only on Sunday- every other day it is order from the menu), I was a bit dismayed to find my Open Table reservation had disappeared from their system. The owner said it was there minutes before we arrived but poof, it was gone. (we were early too!) My dining experience was great. I've been here many times before, just never for their Sunday lunch buffet. Get all other thoughts of a Chinese buffet out of your mind! This had quite a fresh assortment of salads, sushi, curry, veggie dishes, and the regular fare- presented beautifully and tastefully. I think it was $12.95 a person and my bill was the lowest I've ever had there - with the exception of lunch one day. My experience was great, the food artfully presented and our server was attentive. I was pleased by the assortment of sushi - it was not all Krab crud! I'll go again!
(4)Marit E.
After being a long time Masa goer, we moved closer to the Apalachee area and needed a good sushi place closer to our house. After looking at other reviews on Yelp, we decided Azu was our best bet. Well, believe the hype, this place is awesome! Decorated nicely, but not over the top, with fun sumo wrestler statues on a wall of lighted bamboo. We got seated immediately (was a Thursday night so not too busy), and our server showed up within a few second to take our drink orders. I got a Kettle One and Tonic, my boyfriend got a Maker's and Coke and they were great. There are a lot of fun martini's and mixed drinks to choose from as well if you'd like. We got the lettuce wraps first and they came with this sweet chili sauce- delish! For my meal I ordered the Red Dragon roll, and my boyfriend got the Sesame Chicken. The sushi was amazing. Just what you want- fresh, flavors that went together perfectly, and presented with yummy sliced ginger and wasabi. The Sesame Chicken was great as well- not overly breaded like some, just enough crunch and the perfect amount of sauce. At the end of the night we had extra food and our waitress boxed everything up for us, giving my boyfriend extra rice for when he had round two, and giving me some soy sauce packets and napkins for the road. The food was great, the service was wonderful, nothing to complain about here. Can't wait to go again!
(5)Francesca T.
There aren't many asian places in Tallahassee to choose from and out of our limited choices, this is my mum's favourite. Whenever I want to eat out, she suggests Azu especially since it's close to our house. The other night I came here again and my experience was quite good. Their menu selection is quite large and our server was really nice and enthusiastic. I ordered an avocado roll and a veggie roll without any sauces. Since they were veggie rolls, it's hard to be blown away. My mum ordered the mongolian beef and her friend ordered the mahi mahi. They also got steamed dumplings and tuna tartare to share and according to them, all their food was delicious. I would definitely come back for some more vegan sushi or maybe explore other potential vegan options on their menu.
(4)Mary Jane S.
Lucy Ho's has a vast menu filled with a variety of delightful dishes. I began with the Tempura Shrimp and Vegetable Appetizer. Although it only contained two pieces of shrimp, the dish was fresh and tasty. It was delivered with a side of Tempura Sauce for dipping. Since descriptions were not listed under each dish on the menu, I selected one with which I am familiar - Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, which comes with rice, string beans, soup, and salad. The portion was huge! The chicken was tender, very tasty, and not too salty, which I find to be the case with most Teriyaki sauces. The sauce was light and flavorful. The chicken was fresh and I could taste the wonderful flavor of the grill. The fried rice that accompanied the dish was just "okay". It tasted like fried rice from a takeout restaurant. For dessert, I ordered the Creme Brûlée Cheesecake, which looked delicious in the picture on the menu. Unfortunately it left a lot to be desired. I would refrain from ordering it again. I was disappointed because I was especially looking forward to this specific course. It was very bland and soggy. Two sauces were served on the side, however I did not care to taste them. Overall, the food was good. The prices are very reasonable considering the size of the portions. I would definitely return!
(4)Daniel P.
Peking Duck on the menu is a bonus - but... It wasn't prepped table side. I'm from the "Peking Duck is to be prepared table side" school. Don't get me wrong - it was very good! As good as China Delight's (see review) - in fact, I'd say the accompaniments were even more enticing. Nonetheless, part of the magic is table side prep... The menu is comprehensive - with signature dishes (Lucy's) and standards. Sushi/sashimi is comprehensive as well - featuring standards and innovations alike. That said, the two times I've come, Uni wasn't available. This is not the case at two other sushi joints in town (Kiku's and Kitcho's consistently have Uni). Kirin is on tap - nice. There is a decent range of sake from which to choose. The appetizer options are great - and it's tempting to order more than might be necessary! We like it here. Table-side Peking duck coupled with stocked Uni gets five stars from me - until then, 4 will do!
(4)Jean L.
This is the closest to Asian cuisine in little old Tallahassee. The first time I ate at this restaurant, the bento box was so amazing that I came back the very next day for the same exact thing (Kung Pow). The meals are always fresh and they keep the cups full.
(5)Natalie O.
We ate here on Sunday for their brunch buffet. It was delicious. It's a great value at $13.95. They had 2 sushi options, about 4 sushi rolls, and Tuna poke. I wish I could have eaten all of it, but since I'm pregnant the raw fish was hands off, but my husband said it was great. Lots of options for hot food, from salt & pepper shrimp to coconut curry chicken. The dumplings & egg rolls were fresh and tasty. My 2 year old son loved the noodles, fresh fruit, and cake. The service was very efficient and friendly, always cleaning plates and refilling our water. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)Kate M.
I've never eaten in, but I've picked up take out half a dozen times. Sushi is consistently fresh, well packed with quick & kind service. Usually grab the Philly or Alaska rolls, but I've had the dragonfly which was highly recommended, sorta over sauced for my taste. Boyf orders lo mein, which he reports to be "pretty darn good."
(4)Ben O.
The computers were down so the service was a little delayed. Besides that, the Paradise and crispy spicy tuna rolls were on point. Ended the night with a delicious Mai Tai. Nice setting, reasonable prices, and good sushi. Definitely will be going back.
(4)Linda G.
We love this place. It is a bright spot of well-prepared Asian Fusion cuisine, as good as anything we experienced in the SF Bay area. Order the scallion pancake appetizer, so you have the curry sauce to use throughout your meal.
(5)Helen L.
I was craving some Asian food and ended up back here. I think the last time I came I had ordered some sushi. This time I ordered this scallion pancake but it was not as I expected. It had a lot more batter and browner than I expected. Where were the scallions? I ordered the Taiwanese rice noodles because I was craving it. I wasn't used to the red onions in it but otherwise it was decent. The rice noodles itself didn't have too much flavor but the vegetables were great. I also ordered the egg plants which was smothered with sauce that I could barely taste eggplants. They were cut in thin strips but I had a hard time finding it under the powerful sauce. The order came with rice or fried rice.
(2)Zee H.
Food here was great. Got the dragon roll and a tofu dish for take out. Service was fast, the people were friendly and the prices are reasonable.
(5)Rachel P.
I'm a longtime fan of the Lucy Ho dynasty. Longtime residents know that Lucy Ho's ventures in Tallahassee have had many incarnations in multiple locations. Insider pro-tip: the bourbon chicken place in Governor's Square Mall is also a Lucy Ho business. Lucy herself is a Tallahassee institution. One of my fondest memories was an invitation to the graduation dinner for an international graduate student mentee of Lucy's -- the dinner was held in the old Parkway location of Lucy Ho's main venture. I have no idea what the dishes were called but the food never stopped coming to the table and it was some of the best food - Chinese or otherwise - I have ever had. At Azu, the Lucy Ho reputation is upheld with solid renditions of traditional Chinese favorites. Azu has, hands down, the best hot and sour soup in Tallahassee. For sushi, you cannot go wrong at Azu. I alternate between Azu and Masa - another Lucy Ho owned establishment - for my Tallahassee sushi. I am not saying other restaurants in Tallahassee do not offer decent sushi because that would be a disservice to a thriving sushi subculture in the capitol city but for the best sushi in town, go to Azu or Masa. On last night's rainy Friday evening after work visit, my husband and I started with the superlative hot and sour soup. We both ordered sushi. When I go with my girlfriends, we order a bunch of rolls and sample everything. Ordering sushi with my husband is a different experience. He commits to his choice of rolls and wants them all to himself. With that in mind, we each chose two rolls to enjoy and I resigned myself to sushi envy and did not try to snag any portions of what he calls "triple tuna" but the menu titles as "tuna tuna tuna" though it looked amazing and the struggle was very real! My dragon fly roll was as pretty to see as it was delicious. The sushi chefs pride themselves on pretty plating and their liberal use of sauces and various roll accoutrements provide the artistic flourishes that make for a visual presentation treat. If you have not yet visited Azu, you are missing out on some of the best Chinese and sushi in Tallahassee. I admit, I have yet to try to the dim sum Sunday brunch but people tell me it is wonderful. Go and tell me what you think!
(4)Jennifer I.
There is seriously a lack of good Asian food in Tallahassee. This restaurant serves quality food at a reasonable price. The weekend brunch buffet is also a great deal. They also serve good cocktails (I like the lychee martini). Service is always friendly, and they are willing to make substitutions for food allergies and preferences.
(4)Ivan B.
AZU or Lucy Ho's, whatever you want to call it is quite delicious. A nice Asian restaurant tucked in the corner of a shopping strip, you can find lots of food from different countries. I have been here a few times and it always has been a good time. The service was always friendly and the waiters always kept asking if my party was doing good. A little pricey, but a little bit more classy. The food is a mix between sushi, Chinese dishes, Japanese dishes, and maybe a little Korean as well. I have had their sushi and most recently the Poke Bowl. Oh how excited I was to find some legit Hawaiian Poke when I sat down. It was a little pricey for the portion, but still delicious raw fish! The regular sushi dishes are not bad either. Another time I ordered Katsu, which had an odd tasting sauce, but the meat was very good and nice with rice. One other thing I had was Mapo Tofu and it was a little too salty, but the flavor was on point and I ate the whole bowl. Definitely recommend this place on a night you and your friends want Asian Food but cannot decide on one particular culture. A good mixture right here for sure.
(4)Megan Kristen M.
I've never been disappointed in a meal, here. One of my favorite dishes I ever had was a tempura octopus sushi roll. It was beyond yummy, like most of their fare.
(4)Keith H.
On Sundays between 11-2:30 Azu does a Sunday Brunch Buffet for about $13 a person. This is by far the best "chinese" buffet in town. The foods are fresh and replaced regularly because so many people come to eat at the buffet. I haven't had a single dish that I disliked. Even when there is a wait it isn't long and the staff is attentive. I took one star away for the desserts. For reasons unbeknownst to me, no "chinese" buffet can seem to get these finger desserts right. They always look nice but rarely taste like anything.
(4)Frank S.
AZU last night, summer 2015 was a big disappointment in some regards. Service was excellent in attitude and delivery. Sushi roll was good and enjoyed by our 8 member party. However the the Rangoon were too large, too full of creme cheese, not delicate at all. Never thought I'd say that about rangoon but it was overwhelming, no one at the table cared to finish them off. Also fried too long for my palate. . Lucy Ho's Chicken and Cashew recipe has drifted far far away from the delicious chicken and cashew of the late 70s. The sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken and chicken cashew were no better than that commonly found in a buffet. That was so disappointing, next time, I'll just go to a buffet, at least if I dont like something I can go get something else.
(2)Brandon C.
I gave a three only because they came through just before closing. I had the whole peking duck and was quite disappointed. Flavorless and dry. Again I did catch them late, but that's not an excuse for ordering the most expensive item on the menu ($40) and it tasting bad. Actually no real taste at all. Maybe another dish is great but skip the duck. Had high hopes but sadly let down.
(3)Rachael H.
The only place I go to for my "cheat" meals now that I'm living the Paleo life! Azu has THE best brunch on Sunday's! A full offering of sushi, soups, and warm dishes on the buffet could literally keep my fiancé and I there for hours. I suggest getting there early, because by 1130-12 it's packed most times with a wait (but don't worry, the food is worth it)! They offer a delicious punch near the sushi bar for free, so I graciously order water and sip off the free punch to save a few bucks! The servers and staff are very efficient and pleasant, despite being busy as sin all shift long! I highly recommend trying a dinner or lunch there any other day as well...I have literally never had a bad meal there!
(5)Tina A.
Sunday brunch is quite wonderful here with a variety of standard options found at a typical Chinese buffet but presented with more elegance and cooked in small portions. It also includes punch, sushi and some dessert. The ambiance is nice and kid friendly which is always a plus in my book.
(4)Lisa A.
I have only been to Lucy's for their brunch buffet on Sunday. It is definitely one of the better quality Asian buffets and I always eat way too much when I go! They have a decent selection of all you can eat sushi and interesting entrée choices. They also have the typical Chinese take out food. Their dessert selection is not the best though. They are always pretty busy but you never have to wait more than 10 minutes!
(3)Tiff D.
Absolutly must get the Seafood Martini!! SO SO good. It has seaweed salad, crab, crawfish, spicy tuna, mango, avocado...served with wonton chips. The sushi was good too. We got sweet mama and mango madness which were recommended by the waitress. Mango madness had too much mango mayo on top...I think thats what they call valcano? idk but it was just alot of mayo for me. the sweet mama was better. I like the slightly cooked salmon. I'd recommend this place!
(4)Chansone D.
Big disappointment! Everything tasted stale and old. The wonton soup was cold. The yellow tail/scallion sushi tasted like old fish and smelled fishy. The fried soft shell crab tasted bitter and stale. The fried string beans was rubbery and watery as if it had been boiled and the sauce was syrupy. The only thing that was decent and edible was the hot and sour soup and the grilled hamachi. Not going back.
(1)June M.
Our first visit to this restaurant and what an awesome experience! Very professional and friendly staff, cozy and inviting atmosphere. Dining area was laid out perfectly. The food was EXCELLENT and pleasantly affordable. Highly recommend. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Matthew S.
I have been here a handful of times for dinner lunch and brunch. The portions, atmosphere, and service are excellent. The price is fair. I'm a big fan of the brunch but if you want to miss the crowd go early.
(4)Larissa S.
I went to the sushi buffet. It was really packed but fortunately we reserved a table in advance. They have a decent selection of sushi and other Asian dishes which were all good. I can't say it's the best sushi/food ice ever had but it's definitely worth the money or rather even more than I expected... At other sushi buffets I was always disappointed at the dessert. At Azu the dessert was very good. They had a couple of different cakes and fresh fruits.
(4)Chris S.
I wish this place was around when I went to school there. I got this food to go when I was up in Tallahassee for a game weekend. I ordered the E.T. roll along with the 3-1 salad. Both were excellent. My wife had the gyoza and a very basic roll which she liked very much. The food was great and I thought moderately priced. A definite must try if you are looking for a change from MASA, Mr. Robot or Osaka.
(4)