Inside: Tyfoon

East meets West in this exotic, elegant Asian fusion restaurant

By Kara Markley

Special to Metromix

Tyfoon has earned its dedicated following of sushi lovers and Asian food connoisseurs in Columbus, offering beautiful décor, excellent sushi, a wide variety of entrees and an exotic, romantic atmosphere that is unrivaled throughout the city.

Amidst the glowing lights, draped curtains and elegant furnishings, you will find peace, fantastic food and healthy beverages in a modern setting. This is our favorite sushi bar yet, and we've tried quite a few.

Food: Perfectly prepared sushi rolls using only the freshest ingredients will dazzle your taste buds, but the full menu of entrees is equally impressive with its wide range of fresh, mouth-watering Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Fusion dishes. The quality of the food will not disappoint you here. There is a lot to choose from, so the hardest part of your dinner experience may be narrowing down your options. We highly recommend the salmon nigiri (it's hard to explain why, but it's simply the best we've ever tasted), blue jacket roll, treasure roll, potstickers, grilled calamari, pad thai and the Buddha feast (vegetarian friendly).

Libations: With a full bar and decent list of sakes, wines, champagnes, beers, martinis and specialty cocktails, Tyfoon will ensure that your thirst is quenched and you thoroughly enjoy your dining experience. Try the Blue Lagoon, Spider Bite or Saketini for a little bit of extra fun. Enjoy a pot of hot tea and lemon with your meal for ultimate relaxation.

Décor: The interior design is an attraction in and of itself, with an elegant, romantic and spa-like feel that also manages to be hip and eclectic. The dining room features exotic, beautiful art, expensive furnishings, soft lighting and pristinely decorated tables. The ambiance is calming and peaceful, with Asian touches all around and sheer, draped curtains that can be pulled to provide privacy and divide the room. There are also two bar areas with extra seating for those who prefer a more casual experience. A widescreen TV is mounted on the wall where it can be viewed from most tables.

Crowd: Though the dining room is large, we recommend reservations during dinner hours, and especially on the weekend. The restaurant draws a large crowd of all ages, and particularly during happy hour.

Service: Servers were polite, attentive and professional. We enjoyed the atmosphere immensely and felt that the service complimented the peaceful ambiance of the restaurant.

Insider's Tip: Tyfoon can be expensive, but happy hour includes some fantastic deals. Times vary depending on the day, but call ahead and ask for information if you'd like to save some money on your evening meal.

Bottom Line: Simply stated, this is one of our absolute favorite Asian fusion sushi bars in town. Take your friends, order some specialty sushi rolls, and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere at Tyfoon.