!!! UPDATE REVIEW !!! Had the Jerk chicken & rice. Absolutely delicious. Rice was spicy - loved it! Another had Huli Huli chicken, same - delicious! 💯 will be back! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
!!! UPDATE REVIEW !!! After having the Jerk chicken, which was absolutely DELICIOUS w/spicy rice that's to die for (a MUST get!), I had to go back and try the Ox tail. It did not disappoint. Island Fusion's Ox tail is better than what I had in Jamaica! On top of the AMAZING food, everyone who works there is super friendly. The restaurant itself is awesome. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND Island Fusion. My #1 pick to eat in Ellensburg!!!
As someone who dearly loved the restaurant that used to be in this killer location, I knew I had to check out the restaurant that replaced it. Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed my experience! Island Fusion's food is a fresh, delicious, and original addition to the Ellensburg restaurant scene.
I ordered the ceviche and the fried plantains and was super impressed with both! I've had ceviche from other restaurants and hadn't been a fan. But here, every ingredient was so fresh and, well, refreshing! The tomatoes and cucumbers were the perfect texture, the avocado was perfect, and the shrimp was deliciously juicy. The crisp tortilla wasn't soggy in the slightest, despite the generous helping of delicious lemon juice, cilantro, and spices. All the flavors blended together super well. This place single-handed changed my mind on this dish.
The fried plantains were delicious as well! I've never had plantains before, so this was my first experience and I was blown away. Instead of being fried with a thick breadiness and a lot of sugar, these bad boys are gently caramelized for a much more complex (and tantalizing) sweetness. The flavor then ends on the stronger savory banana-ish-ness of the plantain itself, making it so the sweetness didn't linger on your palate too long.
I'll definitely be getting the plantains again when I come back to try one of this restaurant's main dishes!
UPDATE: updating this review because I have to recommend this restaurant's amazing drinks. Their strawberry horchata is delicious! And I'm normally not a hibiscus tea fan at all, but Island Fusion blends the bright hibiscus with a sweet mint and just a touch of ginger that makes it absolutely refreshing beyond compare. The prices are pretty reasonable, so there's no reason for you not to give one of their fantastic homemade beverages a try!
Got take out after we found out this place was in the plaza. Had oxtail, a combo chicken and beef plate, beef samosas, and Mac and cheese for the kid. Wow. Good stuff. Only complaint would be that it was a little on the saltier side, but the seasoning was on-point otherwise.
Will remember this place for quick lunches at work and take out nights with the family.
