Yoobi is a really interesting concept, but it hasn’t been perfected. They have about 10 different rolls and you can choose whether you want hand rolls or traditional maki rolls (which have 8 pieces and are more expensive than the hand rolls). There are 3 vegetarian options, including the super simple kappa (cucumber) roll, so that’s always safe if you’d prefer no fish. The rolls are not as intriguing as they should be, though there are some creative options and many include some sort of fruit (orange, asian pear, lime).
The decor is modern and minimalist. It feels clean and spacious, lots of light wood accented by a few bright colors. On a Saturday afternoon, only a couple tables were filled and service was very efficient. Ingredients are good quality and fresh.
Avocado & Asparagus – avocado, asparagus, baby spinach, carrots, white miso sauce, and rice. Good. Pretty standard and nothing inspiring, but healthy and fresh.
Sun-kissed Tomatoes – sundried tomatoes, Philadelphia cream cheese, basil, croutons, sea salt, and rice. This one was definitely more creative and the better of the two. Not quite sure where the croutons were in the roll, but still I’d recommend it. This was a bit more substantial than the avocado & asparagus roll – there is quite a bit of cream cheese and the sundried tomatoes add richness.
While there’s nothing wrong with this place, it doesn’t live up to its attempts to be innovative. The vibe is somewhat Chipotle-esque, though you cannot create your own anything. It’s fast casual, but isn’t quite as creative or cool as it should be.
