It’s Tabu Sushi Bar & Grill

I love this place!!! The food/​ambiance/​staff are incredible. Hayley was amazing. We had a rather large party and she was attentive and FUN!!!
5 STARS all around!!!

Always good… Always Delish!

Thank you for accommodating our huge group of people. The bar tender and waitress were very attentive. Maybe not enough help behind the sushi bar… a little bit of a wait. Delicious food. I will return because of the location

This was our first experience here at Tabu. We are avid sushi eaters, so we know legit sushi when we come across it. One thing that immediately struck me about this place is that they have a full bar. It’s located in old town Temecula and I believe is the only sushi spot in Old Town. We sat at the sushi bar and were served by Mike who I will say is excellent and can recommended favorite dishes if you don’t know what to order. We had several dishes but most noteworthy was the scallop sashimi that was actually NOT on the menu. Most places will not have the quantity of fresh scallop to serve this dish, but this place did. If you are ordering appetizers and like scallop, order the hibachi scallop. They are slightly grilled hibachi style and are in an incredible savory sauce that totally complements the scallops. My wife wanted to drink the sauce like a soup. Prices were reasonable for a being so trendy. I really expected to pay more for the atmosphere.
Since this place has a full bar, I would like to try it on a weekend night. Seems like it would go off pretty well. Table service was attentive, but sit at the Sushi Bar with Mike as your sushi chef and he will not dissapoint. Sitting at the sushi bar will also typically give you the full experience of a good sushi bar. We’ll be coming back that’s for sure.

The rolls are really small. Good to fit in your mouth without stuffing your face. but if you’re spending money to be full I would advise you skip this place. The servers pretty much ignore you from the moment you arrive to the time you leave. I had to ask twice for soy sauce, and my water was never refilled. The whole place is loud, which is expected on a Friday night but there were literally people yelling across the room to say «what’s up» to the bar tender. I left still a little hungry and had spent close to $ 40 (three rolls). Won’t return unless I’m desperate, and it will be take out for sure.

Went last night to Tabu with a few of my girlfriends after someone hyped this place up to us. The hostess was very nice, but our waitress knew nothing about customer service. She wasn’t friendly, or anything which is okay I get it, it was very busy. However, we were served some weird tasting water looked all cloudy and old? But okay I tried not to complain about that seeing how busy it was… The miso soup I had was very salty and oniony tasting, but again I let it slide hoping the sushi rolls would make up for it. When the rolls came out they looked just okay, but when I tasted them it was not good. Maybe I’m just to use to very good sushi (I live in Fullerton, CA in Orange County my go to place is called Sushi Pop and they have never let me down). The food just was lacking in flavor, it didn’t taste fresh, and just was not good. I’ve had way better sushi for less expensive, but the price wasn’t the problem I don’t mind paying for sushi as long as it’s good tasty sushi.
I had one of my rolls sent back because I just absolutely did not like it. I thought maybe it was me, so I had my friends try it, but they agreed as well that it was just not good. When I told the waitress she didn’t even care she just said «ohh you don’t like it okay, «and took the plate away. However, when the check came out the sushi was on my check. I waited for her to come around, but she seemed to be ignoring me, so after passing me 3 times she finally stopped by our table. I explained to her that I didn’t want to pay for that roll, because I didn’t eat and I didn’t like it I had her take it away quickly only a couple pieces missing. She said it was because I modified the roll, and I told her that I didn’t think it was that because the roll came with spicy scallops and I don’t like that. I told her I would pay for everything we did eat, but I just was not going to pay for something I did not like at all. She said she couldn’t do anything and would bring out her manager, and I said that was fine. Manager took care of the roll, and was nicer, but that waitress just ruined it. When the waitress dropped off the new check she just said «there you go» and walked away. I thought that was so rude, I’ve worked in customer service, and that is no way to treat a paying customer.
End of story never coming back, and I won’t recommend this place at all. Already told a few people who wanted to try it to stay away.

My wife is not a fan of sushi, but even she liked this place!
We walked in shortly before dinner time on a Saturday and sat right down. The place is super clean inside, and our waitress was awesome.
I ordered a California roll and crunch roll, and my wife ordered a chicken teriyaki plate. By no means am I a sushi connoisseur, but I thought everything was pretty damn good!
Parking isn’t really the best, but that’s pretty much standard for Old Town. I may definitely come back for lunch if I’m waiting around at my tint shop down the street.

The experience here was just so so. While the servers here are indeed friendly, the service was just… Off…
My husband, 1 year old daughter and I went out to dinner with another couple and their 9 month old. We seated ourselves and when a server finally acknowledge us, we asked for a highly chair. Nearly 10 minutes pass so I just went and grabbed them myself. Not the end of the world. I can walk and bring over a high chair just fine on my own.
Anyway, we get our drinks and order. The food came out pretty quickly however there were a few errors and were presented the wrong food. Again, it happens. My friend asked for ginger and wasabi and again at least 5 minutes pass and as the server walked by he had to ask again. I commented on the plating looking great and my friend replied that it looked prettier than it tasted.
I ordered the steak and chicken plate. The steak was perfect but chicken was dry and tough.
Again, not horrible, not the best. I probably won’t give this place a second try.
I give the server as a person 5 stars because she was nice and friendly and I hate being mean and if she reads this I’d feel bad. But add a little more urgency to your service, make sure the orders are correct and you could rock and make people want to come back!

I loved the super modern décor and the TVs on the walls. Kind of like a sports bar. Our server was Kaylee and she was delightful and helpful. The service by the chefs however was very slow, and one roll never came. The calamari had tons of breading on it, not good.
I liked all the rolls I ordered! Delicious and suggested by Kaylee. Thank you! The drinks not so much. Will we go back? Yes the food was that good.

We came here because of the great reviews. We orders 2 rolls (Caterpillar & spicy) and a bento box and I was truly disappointed in everything except the service was just ok, not bad, nor good. I love sushi and have been to so many sushi spots and this by far is the worst ones. The interior however is the most updated and nicest interior… I wish the food was good as well but it wasn’t. Disappointed in the tiny portion that came with the box. I think I must have gotten only 10 small pieces of chicken. See picture.

Tabu is fighting for our #1 worse experience at a temecula eatery. Went way out of our way to visit this place after making a reservation for a table. Arrived at Tabu (accurate choice of a name too) and our table was already taken, and we were on time. Last time we were here our waiter, whom I tipped well, promised we would make reservations. Another waitress said the same thing. No one keeps their word here. This defines the integrity of the restaurant on all levels, from food quality to consistency.
What I actually believe happened to us is that the owner will never let a table sit empty despite making a commitment, even to a good customer. In other words these people do not keep promises but they do hustle you very nicely.
All this aside, my review:
POSITIVES:
— Great location.
— Bartender is excellent.
NEGATIVES:
— Environment is cold and without personality.
— Staff do not keep their word but do build your confidence like a pro (aka con-​man).
— Fish is at best medium quality, sometimes. We had several pieces of sushi that were smelly and inedible.
— Old fish seems to get recycled into other dishes, one of which we could not eat, the fish was so stinky.
— It is like ALL the other so-​called sushi restaurants around here, the korean twist on Japanese food, which is tons of fake crab+mayonnaise stuffed into everything.
Too bad because I’m a big spender at sushi places ($ 150 — $ 200) and this place knew that. Will NEVER come back. Luckily the night was saved by discovering Fire Fish Sushi.

Hubby and I came here on date night and loved it! Sarah was our server and was super sweet and attentive. She was also very knowledgeable about the rolls on the menu.
We are low carb eaters and were very excited to see rice-​less rolls! It was very tasty and filling. It must take incredible skills to put those rolls together without rice. Kudos to the sushi chef!
The décor could use a little more pizzazz (plain white walls) but seriously, this is a 5 star place because of the rolls!!! Yummy!!!

Are you looking for loose rolls that blow apart on contact?
Maybe some tasteless rolls with all the same guts and different shit piled on top?
Maybe you like your wasabi to have no kick at all, I mean the fn ginger had more kick.
How about a take out order that’s missing shit.
Well maybe this place is for you.
Oh ya… Who the hell fills those little take out condiment cups ¼ of the way?
Maybe the absence of any Asian employees should’ve been a clue.

Visited this place earlier this week for lunch because they had a Groupon and I was very pleased. Went a out 2:15 in hopes to miss the lunch crowd and we did. Nice, clean place with pleasant workers. The food was excellent. We had boneless short ribs (which tasted kind of like carne asada but it was good), Jalapeño Poppers, Sin City Rolls, and Crunchy Rolls. Can’t complain about a thing, other than it being a little pricey but the Groupon helped with that. I will be back!

I can never see sushi the same way ever again after coming to Tabu. Their nigiri sushi portions are just a GODSEND. Its huge! The perfect amount of fish and rice. I asked Phil, our sushi chef, for 5 orders of both salmon belly and cajun albacore and it certainly did not disappoint. Salmon belly was huge and juicy and just melted into my mouth perfectly. Phil’s version of cajun albacore was interesting, as he added the cajun powder sauce wasn’t actually on the nigiri, it was more of a condiment next to it. He also added a taste of garlic and ginger onto the nigiri which had a interestingly good flavor!
Phil was also courteous us and surprised our group with a special array of custom rolls that were too beautiful to eat! I was very impressed with how he made one of rills because the sashimi was arranged to look like a flower.
Overall, despite being in a small town, Tabu is definitely a Gem in Temecula. Will come again whenever I visit friends there. :)

I’m basing this review on one dish that is so amazing I had to Unilocal about it. Just stopping by Temecula from Pasadena en route to San Diego. Decided to go for a lite snack. I chose the creamy lobster appetizer. Wow!
Slightly crunchy with the sweet creamy lobster steaming inside. Light sauce over it. The deep fried lobster is not greasy at all. I assume everything else here is fresh and scrumptous. Even if you plan on dining elsewhere I suggest you at least stop by for the creamy lobster appetizer.
Kaylee was my super nice server and offered up great winery suggestions and places to see in Temecula.
This place is at the far end of the strip.

I would have given them 5 stars but unfortunately the service was really horrible! I can’t recall my waiters name but it was a guy. He took forever to bring out anything we ordered. I don’t think it’s his fault, they seem to not have enough people for Friday night @ 7.
Food wise, I will give 5 Stars! It was delicious! I love the the 2 piece green mussel for appetizer. So good! I can’t recall the name of my sushi but it was fresh and very yummy! My husband got something from the grill. He seem to like it a lot.
We will definitely come back and try other sushi :)

Great food but the service was terrible. 2 of the things we ordered never even came to the table but were on the check. Saw our waiter in the beginning but never again. Had to order mostly through other waiters walking by. Received all our food before the first drink came out? The sushi was good!
Hello Stephanie– it was that same day which was 9÷12÷15 on a Saturday. All I can remember is the server was a guy and we were in the last 2 seats at the sushi bar next to the register and kitchen. I have seen a few reviews on here about service?
However the sushi has always been pretty good and we were back in this past Friday and regular bar and some of the service was a little slow but Max has always been a great sushi chef and we have followed him ever since Nihons. I hope my comments help you.
Thank you
Chris

Oh where, oh where do I start! Ok first and foremost Elyse was amazing. She was informative about the dishes and made several suggestions about what we might like. We ordered and shared
The Bubba Gump specialty roll which is topped with sauteed shrimp (My fav)
The Sin City roll has spicy crab and cream cheese
Short Ribs was fresh off the grill, moist, flavorful, juicy I mean the meat just fell apart Mmmm!
Stuffed Jalapeños was tempura fried w/​crabmeat
Everything was delicious and I have to give a special shout out to our hostess Elyse who was delightful the entire time and the Master Chef Andy for the perfectly prepared dishes. I will definitely be back soon for some Sushi and dancing!

Recommend? No
Food:
My son and I like sushi, but we love sashimi!
So we split an order of Salmon, Tuna, and Yellowtail sashimi. We also shared an order of calamari with sriracha aioli to start and finished with tempura ice cream.
Sashimi:
Bleh. The presentation was… Well there was none. The taste: tuna, none; salmon, okay, not great; yellowtail, better.
Calamari: Super tough, cooked in old oil :(the sriracha aioli was best part :/​
Tempura Ice Cream:
This was disgusting! It looked like someone set something in top of it before it was brought out! It was smashed. I’ve never seen anything like it, nor tasted anything like it. It had to be cooked in the same fishy oil as the calamari. It was overly breaded and disgusting!
Service:
Service is friendly, but way below average. We arrived about 20 minutes before happy hour ended. By the time we ordered our appetizer from the happy hour menu, it was too late by about five minutes. We asked the waitress if we could still get the happy hour price because we clearly arrived before happy hour ended, and she said yes. But when the bill came it was full price. I was so utterly disappointed in everything by the time the bill came, I didn’t argue it.
My son order green tea, and was brought iced green tea. We found it odd that the waitress did not ask if he wanted hot or iced.
When the sashimi was served I asked for ginger (as we not given any), but it did not come from the friendly smiling server. After my son had eaten about half or more of his dinner (he was waiting and then finally started eating slowly), I got the attention of our waitress and asked again for ginger. It finally arrived and I was able to start my meal.
Overall, it’s not even worth a second try in my opinion. I can handle slow service to an extent, which why we gave it try after reading the reviews. But slow service AND terrible food? No, thank you.