It is not every day you find a restaurateur as passionate about the quality of his food as Derek Choi. Choi, the owner of Nozomi Japanese Fusion Restaurant in Carlsbad, can not contain his excitement when he describes the fresh fish used in the restaurant's sushi rolls and sashimi, or the high-end teas he imports from Japanese farmers.
One bite into one of Choi's creations and the quality is palpable, the delicate, silken fish loaded into every roll Nozomi serves is deliscious.
“I wanted us to have the same quality of fish you can have in Japan,” said Choi.
From the exterior, Nozomi looks like a round, wooden fortress. Choi said the first time he visited the facility off of Interstate 5 and Pio Pico Drive in 2006, he knew it was the place for his new restaurant.
“I just really liked the three floors (the building has),” Choi said.
Inspired to start a sushi restaurant in North County that could rival the quality of sushi found in San Diego, Choi set about remodeling Nozomi. After eight months of long hours and grueling work, Choi opened the newly-remodeled location.
Inside Nozomi, the restaurant is similar to a Asian garden with water features and bamboo in every room. The restaurant's three floors are each decorated with a different theme and named after a different Japanese city.
The third floor, known as Yoko Hama, is situated around a large pond, complete with a bubbling waterfall and swimming turtles.
The main floor, Osaka, is lined with large wooden walls and is ideal for parties and corporate dinners. The third floor, appropriately named Tokyo for the many different attractions is boasts, includes a sushi bar, large windows overlooking the city and a glass waterfall.
Since opening in February, Nozomi has been growing every month, Choi said.
And it is no wonder. Diners who try Choi's sushi are unlikely to go anywhere else after tasting the difference fresh fish can make.
But instead of charging high-end prices for the top-grade sushi items, Choi keeps his menu prices low and reasonable. The prices do not go over $30 and most dishes average $10.
As for Children, you will find no kids-only menu at Nozomi. No fried chicken fingers and no hamburgers. Parents will rejoice that kids are treated to the same quality food that adults are, and every dish on the menu can be made child-size.
One bite into one of Choi's creations and the quality is palpable, the delicate, silken fish loaded into every roll Nozomi serves is deliscious.
“I wanted us to have the same quality of fish you can have in Japan,” said Choi.
From the exterior, Nozomi looks like a round, wooden fortress. Choi said the first time he visited the facility off of Interstate 5 and Pio Pico Drive in 2006, he knew it was the place for his new restaurant.
“I just really liked the three floors (the building has),” Choi said.
Inspired to start a sushi restaurant in North County that could rival the quality of sushi found in San Diego, Choi set about remodeling Nozomi. After eight months of long hours and grueling work, Choi opened the newly-remodeled location.
Inside Nozomi, the restaurant is similar to a Asian garden with water features and bamboo in every room. The restaurant's three floors are each decorated with a different theme and named after a different Japanese city.
The third floor, known as Yoko Hama, is situated around a large pond, complete with a bubbling waterfall and swimming turtles.
The main floor, Osaka, is lined with large wooden walls and is ideal for parties and corporate dinners. The third floor, appropriately named Tokyo for the many different attractions is boasts, includes a sushi bar, large windows overlooking the city and a glass waterfall.
Since opening in February, Nozomi has been growing every month, Choi said.
And it is no wonder. Diners who try Choi's sushi are unlikely to go anywhere else after tasting the difference fresh fish can make.
But instead of charging high-end prices for the top-grade sushi items, Choi keeps his menu prices low and reasonable. The prices do not go over $30 and most dishes average $10.
As for Children, you will find no kids-only menu at Nozomi. No fried chicken fingers and no hamburgers. Parents will rejoice that kids are treated to the same quality food that adults are, and every dish on the menu can be made child-size.