hakubai

Hakubai in the basement of The Kitano Hotel is excellent. The food is really good, and our server, Sol, took great care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. Their cocktails and desserts are really, really good too. Definitely a great dining experience.

We had the kaiseki set. Food was okay but service is super slow. We sat down at 6:15 but didn’t finish until almost 10pm. The dining room was empty prob only like three tables and nobody at the counter. No server was on the floor half the time took them long time to clear plates and had to flag them down to get their attention. Also make sure to double check your receipt before you give them your card because I gave them my card to pay and they charged me for five glasses of champagne when I only ordered three. I wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t double check the receipt. It started out good but the slow service/attention and overcharging definitely ruined the whole experience for us. The server was also inexperienced don’t really know about the menu, it was surf clams on the dish but serv

Excellent food, but our server misremembered our drinks and add ons. It’s located in the basement of a hotel. All the fish was very fresh. The courses aren’t too sizeable either. The best was the wagyu, perfectly tender. The crab rice was good, had a slight citrus flavor and salmon roe too. We sat at the counter, but there wasn’t really much to watch as only the starter raw courses and desserts are prepared there. Everything else is made in the back kitchen and brought out, so I think choosing a table is just as fine.

Excellent food and presentation was novel. Service was good but felt like the attentiveness of the staff was just a notch down where it should have been. Atmosphere comes off as classy but seats were just a little uncomfortable. Worst part was that there were some bugs flying around and I had to worry about them getting into my food. Not like an infestation but gnats and I spotted a fly. Despite all of this, I still had a good time and really enjoyed the food. Sashimi was fresh and alcohol selection was large. My favorite part might have been the desert courses (tasty, cute, very refreshing- particularly the strawberry shortcake) which I have attached pictures of in addition to the main courses.

Such an amazing experience. Each dish so beautifully presented like jewels, so perfectly prepared. Every bite is full of surprises and you just find yourself trying to absorb everything from the masterful art of flavor and texture in your mouth, in this very calm almost therapeutic atmosphere. Definitely recommend the counter if you are a small party. It’s fun to watch the magic happen in front of you.