Mt. Fuji in Highland Village

Escape, Whimsy, and fine wine: Mt Fuji has something for everyone! After a long day of errands and gift shopping, I wandered through the doors of the newest Asian restaurant in the neighborhood, with two kids in tow.   We had about twenty minutes to kill while we waited for gifts to be wrapped by Brilliant Sky Toy Store down the block.   When we entered the 6,475 square foot space of Mt Fuji, we were instantly transported to another land.

She is Dallas info:   Mt. Fuji specializes in authentic Japanese table-side hibachi, sushi, and exquisite cuisine.   It is located next to the AMC Highland Village 12 theatre at The Shops at Highland Village at 4150 Barton Creek, Lewisville, TX 75077-3219 & phone: (972) 317-9888.

Taking your family here, is like visiting another country without boarding the flight! Now some moms balk at sushi, while others embrace the adventure of it, but regardless of what camp you fall into, this kid friendly jewel is a place you cannot miss. The restaurant feels warm and friendly from the second you walk in, entering over a sea of colorful marbles in the art display under the foyer floor. From the majestic fountain with live Koi fish, to the neon lit path in the hibachi section, this is a restaurant as worthy as anything you’d find in New York.   The vibe is real, casual, but elegantly simple. The three of us sat down at the Sushi Bar, joining a local father and his five year old daughter, who were lunching together.   We were immediately charmed by Master Chef Sam, an authentic Japanese sushi chef hired on from the Flamingo Hotel in Nevada. Chef Sam is a serious sort, in complete command of his sushi bar and the chefs who work with him. My five year old ordered Eel, my seven year old, who is a bit less adventurous, stuck to the more American version of sushi, the California Roll, and both dishes arrived with lava rocks and giant seashells, like elegant works of art.   Chef went the extra mile and hand crafted a rose for me out of tuna, with all kinds of fresh sushi and vegetables I’d never seen before.   The sea urchin arrived with edible flecks of gold on it. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Andy the waiter delivered a free glass of plum Saki, a sweet wine.   Yes! This is a place for Moms Night out, a birthday celebration, or just a snack in the afternoon. I’m not sure what I expected, but a travel and food writer who wanders the far corners of the earth to experience Asian food in the street market in Singapore, or authentic French fries inside Jules Verne Restaurant at the Eiffel Tower, never expects to experience magic in their own backyard. And there’s not a thing they haven’t thought of, including serving up casual vegetable and meat dishes with rice as well the fancier, and even rare, Asian fare. Octopus? Got it. Rare tuna, caviar, and the rarest fish from far away lands? Check. The kids played at the fountain, eyeing the live fish, and the waitstaff doted on them. This is a place where kids can be kids.