Lovely, filling and authentic Kaiseki meal in NYC. Set in the Prince Kitano hotel, the restaurant is aesthetically set up with table and chef's counter options. The noise level was quiet and intimate. Staff were all efficient and engaged with guests. Chefs also personally welcomed guests although it wasn't the most intimate meal with chefs as other kaiseki although they were focused on dishes. Seating times are staggered so they were preparing different dishes at the same time which I do find impressive. The kaiseki itself was very good though not memorable overall. I started off with sesame tofu, prawn and salmon roe that had good but not strong flavor. Next was spinach in dash, seasonal fish, abalone and temari sushi, eggplant - also was good but not memorable. I'm personally just not a fan of eggplant but it's a personal taste. Next was clear soup - snow crab and egg yolk - very good, I think the ingredients went well together but just not very strong. My favorite of the night was sashimi - highlighted by otoro that was as good as any top tier omakase in NYC. The onsai - seabream with egg custard and uni was fantastic - the textures contrasted nicely, sea bream had great umami and uni was just a plus. Palate cleanser was next w/ japanese pear sorbet- nice break Now for the heavy hitters- grilled A5 wagyu was so tender, juicy and flavorful with solid servings - textbook wagyu. The pot-cooked rice with chicken and mushrooms was uneven in terms of consistency. The rice was cooked well and seasoned but I thought the flavors were a bit bland with chicken and mushroom. For dessert, had chesnut mont blanc and fromage blanc ice cream - sweet and good ending to the meal. It's an interesting presentation resembling a ball of noodles almost! Overall a very good kaiseki meal and more authentic than others I'd say. Reasonably priced and the experience itself was definitely dedicated to guests and shown by the care staff show. Would recommend! read more

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We came, we saw, we kaiseki-ed. You can scroll to the bottom of my review to see what we got. Suffice it to say, I've been searching for a kaiseki spot as wonderful as the now-decreased Sugiyama that used to exist in NYC. But with omakase hogging all the Japanese spotlight (why?), there's little incentive in the restaurant world to open places dedicated to this highest style of Japanese cuisine. Thank you Hakubai for being the maverick, for renovating to new levels of elegance, and for showcasing Japanese haute cuisine at a time when too many sheeple are paying inflated prices for nigiri and thinking THAT is Japanese fine dining. The classic Japanese traits of craftsmanship, perfectionism and attention to detail are on full display here. Sit at the bar or don't even bother coming. Try one of their inventive cocktails ($22+) such as the Kiku, which is made with chrysanthemum rum, orange, honey, lemon, seedlip grove, and milk. And come before they realize that $195 for 11 courses (for a KAISEKI!) is actually really low and start hiking up their prices. .................................................. Our winter menu: - Sakizuke: crab miso - Zensai: ezo awabi, komochi kombu, ankimo - Mushimono: uni chawan-mushi - Otsukuri: sashimi - Takiawase: winter vegetables, chrysanthemum dashi - Onsai: kinmedai kenchin - Yakimono: A5 wagyu, tamamiso - Oshokuji: hitsumabushi, ochazuke, akadashi, pickles - Mizugashi: yogurt sorbet, shiso jelly, buddha's hand - Omokashi: strawberry shortcake - Ocha: dorayaki, bonbon, yuzu tartelette read more

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Great service Delicious Kaiseki Beautiful surroundings I don't know if I would make a special trip for the kaiseki. Maybe next time I'll do the Ala carte. read more

This place has got probably the most authentic Japanese meal in NYC. I stayed at Kitano Hotel in NYC, the Japanese owned hotel in Manhattan that brings you to a small trip to Japan. Food was great and very sophisticated Very high end style and taste that makes want to go back again. If you're looking for a peace of mind with great Japanese taste, this is the place for you. read more

My husband and I just came here for our anniversary 2 days ago. We send our warmest regards to the chef, Patissiere Chef and our server Drew for an amazing experience. The food was phenomenal as expected Drew was the most wonderful and provided the most amazing service my husband and I have ever had dining out. He even has a great sense of humor that my husband pointed out and enjoyed about him! His attention to detail and precision was the highlight of our evening as we never were anxious and everything came on time. His service had made our anniversary the most amazing and wonderful one yet! However we did have a concern with another one of the servers that approached us after our meal. As we discussed and mentioned with the hotel, we find it very concerning that this one particular server purposefully came after us and discussed the bill and gratuity after the meal that we had. That has never happened to us before and found it very rude. This server inadvertently came up to my husband and I and stated that service workers in New York are "entitled" to a 20% gratuity. I found it very odd as we put 10% of the gratuity on our bill- some partly in cash and the other in credit. As we shared with the hotel, we are from Canada- where gratuity stands usually at 10-20%. That's what is usually accepted. We found it odd and very unprofessional to go after a customer. After that weird encounter, my husband provided additional cash to meet the 20% tip demand made by the server, after which the server awkwardly thanked us. Apart from that, our dining experience at Hakubai was phenomenal and made our anniversary amazing. Kindest Regards, Nikkie read more

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This is only for the bar area. I went by to check out this new spot and I loved the area. The bar area is secluded and spacious. No need to fight for a spot to sit. The bartender was amazing, and frequently came by to check if we needed anything. We only had one drink, but will return. We had the ume and it was light and refreshing. read more

Great food, great wine/sake pairing/great services. Will visit the restaurant again next time in NYC.

Been missing good Japanese food ever since I came back from my Japan trip. I left hakubai disappointed last night . Food was overall below average and nothing to note that was outstanding. however , Ingredients were fresh . My a5 wagyu was a bit overcooked and a bit chewy. Saw the table next to ours and theirs was cooked perfectly pink . The only dish that I enjoyed was the steam egg with uni . The steamed egg was silky smooth . There was a gentleman whom I assume is the manager walking around asking each table how the food was and he didn't bother to come to our table .I thought that was odd... read more

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For myself, or for guests visiting NYC who are seeking a high-end Japanese cuisine experience, I always recommend Hakubai in the Prince Kitano Hotel on Park Avenue. The ambiance is modern, quiet and comfortable. The head chef and the whole team are excellent in their skills and warmth. The service team is very attentive and friendly. Overall, their kaiseki is among the very best in NYC and North America. The food presentation and taste are exquisite and the price is commensurate. Their menus are seasonal - so great reason to keep going back for a visit! read more

The kaiseki was amazing. We're not sure we've had better meals in Japan! The decor is elegant. Despite the formal ambiance, the staff allowed us to split the table with the adults eating the kaiseki and the children (ages 12 and 8) eating from the a la carte menu. At the end, they gave us the beautiful chopsticks we used, which I think were made in a special place in Japan(?); it was a nice memento for a wonderful meal. read more

Steam egg, sashimi, and strawberry cake are super delicious. Will be back for them again read more

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Delightful kaiseki experience, seasonal selections of ingredients and plates, reminiscing childhood memories of hearty foods made by family members with love. All of the plates were artfully crafted and delivered a wide range of tastes, a fine line. Excited for the fall, winter, and more seasonal menus. read more

hakubai - onsai | warmed hotare, seasonal fish - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Hidden, wonderful restaurant! Sushi incredibly fresh, eel might be best I have had. Desserts were wonderful too. Excellent service, and very friendly! Look forward to going back soon! read more

It was an incredible experience. ! The food. The sake pairings and the service were fantastic. Would definitely go back. read more

Went on April 2024. Authentic Japanese Kaiseki. $225 / person. Eight course with three deserts read more

I came here for my boyfriend's birthday and what a lovely restaurant inside The Kitano hotel. The waitresses were dressed in such nice kimonos and so accommodating. Even though we weren't in the private room the dining room were in sections, giving us some personal space. We ordered the Sushi okonomi kaiseki and special kaiseki. All the dishes were beautifully plated, like a piece of art, very delicious art. Ordered sake from their wide array of alcoholic beverages. We were satisfyingly full from their small dishes to the plentiful plate of sushi and their tender wagyu beef. The dinner ended with a dessert of black sesame ice cream, coffee jello with cream and a mochi. The restaurant knew it was a birthday dinner that they brought out a complementary chocolate mousse cake and a handkerchief from the hotel. Overall, what a great experience and well worth the price for a special occasion. read more

hakubai - Carrot tofu with fish roe and fresh wasabi - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Wow, oh wow. My sister invited me here for lunch, since she interns at the hotel Kitano. It looked pricey, but she promised we would get a discount. Honestly, even without a discount, I would come back, because this place is so legit. Hakubai reminds me of a Japanese restaurant that I ate at in Taiwan. All the servers are dressed in kimono and are extremely well-mannered. It doesn't matter who you are or what you're wearing, they will treat you with the same respect in every way. After being guided to our seats, we ordered - my sister ordered udon while I ordered the Chirashi. The meals came with an appetizer, on the house. The appetizers were very unique. My sister had a hard time eating it, as they were not for the faint of heart. They were vegetables - some unrecognizable green and some eggplant. The taste was very Japanese, but unlike anything I'd had before. The Chirashi was super fresh - you could tell the fish was fresh due to its lack of icy bite and the smooth texture. The quantity and variety of the sashimi was impressive. The fresh uni and scallop were my favorite. Dessert was simple but complex and elegant at the same time. My sister ordered what I wanted to order, which was a beautiful and more traditional Japanese dessert of red bean cream anmitsu. I went with the rooibos tea jelly, which was a delicate gelatin that tasted strongly of black tea. Service, quality of the food and display are 5 stars. Prices are a little steep but you definitely get what you pay for! read more

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As always love Hakubai so so much. Def one of my fav Japanese restaurants. This time went there for my bf's birthday. We went for the special Kaiseki and seasonal Kaiseki. Service was as always GREAT. Food came with great portion (I was sooooo full afterwards). Loved every single course. Best part was that they prepared cheesecake for the birthday and the waitress sang the bday song walking over. People sitting around also clapped hands. Such a great atmosphere. We both felt so grateful. They also prepared a little pretty cloth as gift to us. Wonderful bday dinner. Will def come back again and again and again. Though Kaiseki for me is too much food. Next time might get a la cart. read more

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Overall the food is good. The waitress all wear traditional clothes and we felt like we are In Japan. We came here for lunch and got the Hakubai lunch course. Overall the food is good but it's a bit pricy for its portion. The sashimi was amazingly good and I regretted not getting the sashimi set instead. read more

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Came here for the Winter kaiseki. Even though its situated in a hotel. You do get a restaurant feel as they have the whole basement to themselves. The decor once you step in takes you to Japan. A section with tatami mats and tables and paper slide doors gives you a great ambiance. It's pricey for the kaiseki but to experience it was enjoyable. The wait staff service was great and they wore traditional kimonos. The food presentation was outstanding and took great care. Almost like artwork. Ingredients were fresh and tasty. I was quite a fan of the tofu and the oysters. The sushi fish was very fresh as well. For those special occassions it is rewarding. read more

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The place is relatively spacious - tables are large. Service is great. The food's pretty good, but definitely overpriced. For a $50 chirashi bowl, I was expecting a little more - and I don't mean quantity. The bowl is small, but the quality didn't live up. The fish is fresh, but could be much fresher, especially the ikura. I can get really picky about sashimi and the fish here just didn't justify that sort of pricing. The rice was good, delicately fat and round. Beef teriyaki was savory and sweet and had good depth, but the meat just wasn't tender enough and that's a big part of the dish. The green tea ice cream needed a lot more flavor. Loved that they have coffee jelly. read more

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Long heard of its renown Buddhism feature, I was intrigued by Hakubai, a signature Japanese restaurant proudly serving seasonal Kaiseki cuisine. Chef Yukihiro Sato san has indicated his appreciation of Zen throughout the multi-course tasting menu, which I found myself deeply fond of. Sato san loves seasonal items - from the beginning towards the end! Sesame tofu with the sight touch of flora scent, baby squid with a bit of the flavor of miso sauce, octopus that was carefully marinated - this is more like a journey of food tasting! Wagyu grill was certainly highlight of the night. Sizzlingly in front of me, the meat was perfectly cooked and served with care. To be honest, after enjoying a set of wonderfully designed dishes, I was expecting more for dessert; however Hakubai let me down a bit. Vanilla ice cream and melon were certainly not bad, yet apparently was not living up to the hype. I would imagine something more delicate, more interesting, or, more exotic to come. As a city in scarce of Kaiseki cuisine, I saw New York needed to work harder. Hakubai was not flawless, yet I did see lots of potential from it. So far, my favorite Kaiseki remains Rosanjin (closed). read more

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Excellent all around! The service is phenomenal. At no time was our waters empty. We started with edamame and an 5 appetizer platter. It was very delightful. For dinner We ordered maki rolls of spicy tuna, vegetable, avocado salmon and California King Crab. I have had a lot of sushi and can say this is the best. It was very fresh tasting. Even the ginger was not overly pickled tasting. It was fresh tasting and not sour or to hot. The hot sake stayed hot during our meal and was very nice as well. Meek sure to make a reservation as it is not a large restaurant. read more

This is a fantastic place! I am surprised to find not that many reviews for this place. We went there for birthday celebration and ordered the Sushi Kaiseki ($140) and the Special Kaiseki ($180). We were soooooo full and soooooo happy at the end!! There was so much food, all of them were super delicious and beautifully presented. And the Wagyu beef was, ah, like butter! So delicious. I definitely think the price is way way more than reasonable. This is a wonderful place, we will definitely go back! read more

This restaurant is downstairs of Kitano Hotel. We can here for lunch meeting this time and we had "weekly business lunch set" (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture). The price was just $38 and we receive Japanese style fried chicken, fish cake, dashimaki, sashimi, pickles, salad, Rice, Miso soup. (They change the menus every four days). All food was super fresh and the server is professional! read more

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I went for lunch kaiseki and it was a great experience. The only disappointing course was the appetizer, which they incorporated different flavors and styles. I'd say I did not enjoy most of it. Otherwise, everything else was delicious. My favorite was the black cod, which was tender, flavorful and left me wanting more. If you want to experience good kaiseki but don't want to break the bank, try Hakubai's lunch. It is worth it! read more

Best sushi I have had outside of Japan. I love this place the decor is super traditional Japanese and all the waitstaff are Japanese. Service was excellent waitress was extremely attentive and polite. The sake menu was very deep with many varieties to have hot or cold. This is not your American style sushi the appetizers I had consisted of delicious monkfish liver and some sort of fish eggs. The sushi rolls were absolutely fabulous I loved how fresh the fish was and the spicy tuna roll was perfectly made with the right amount of wasabi in it. The vegetable roll was so good I'm still not sure what was inside of it but I really enjoyed it. I can't stop talking about quality here the salmon was so fresh I would swear it was swimming minutes before it was served. The ginger was of high quality. I cannot rate the desserts here because I indulged in too much sushi. read more

It pains me to leave just a so-so review of this place, as I like the ambiance and the staff are very courteous - Japanese style courteous. But the food (sushi) is just ok and for the price, it should be better. The soba and tempura are better, I think. I came here mostly to have a conversation. It's quiet enough for that. read more

I brought my lovely man friend here last night for his birthday after grabbing an awesome deal for the omakase kaiseki menu from Travelzoo. You have to make a reservation at least 48 hours in advance to get this menu, and I can see why. Every single course is so thoughtfully prepared and served, presenting a wide range of flavors and textures. Each item we had was its own little adventure of freshness and flavor. Seriously, yum. I had to write about it today while the experience was fresh in my mind. Let's start at the beginning: You enter the restaurant through the lobby of the hotel, which yes, feels weird if you aren't staying there. It's down a little, hidden-feeling staircase in the back and you could easily miss it if you weren't looking. Once downstairs, you're lead to your table by a waitress is traditional dress and seated. We started off with some cold sake and got settled in for our epic eating adventure. First course was a sesame tofu/fava bean dish topped with wasabi. I can honestly say I've never eaten anything like it in my life. I thought that was awesome, but if you're not an adventurous eater look out. Next we were served a series of appetizers the strangest of which I think was herring roe with kelp, which kind of had the texture of eating a sponge, and the most delicious of which was some roast duck breast. Everything here was pretty good though and came in such adorable little pottery. Wrapping up the appetizer course we were served an egg custard dish that had crab meat and mochi in it. Wow, again, this was a crazy experience for my mouth in both flavor and texture. Definitely one of the standout items of the meal. Our next course was assorted sashimi, served in a beautiful bowl made entirely of chipped ice. It was like receiving a beautiful jewelry box that then you got to eat. Awesome. Then came lobster tempura. Hot, crispy, yummy and a large portion to boot. Moving on we were served another round of small dishes, this time the beef wrapped around asparagus and fried was definitely the stand out. The cod with sea urchin was interesting, but I'd have almost rather just had traditional sea urchin here. Up next: sushi and miso soup. Honestly I was so full by this point that it was over kill, but everything continued to be delicious. Lastly, green tea ice cream, fruit, and this crazy jelly and brown bean sauce dish. I nice balance of the familiar with the weird to end the meal. We basically had to crawl home we were so full. Everything was amazing. While the atmosphere isn't particularly sexy or fun, the food takes center stage here and I would highly recommend this for a special occasion dinner. Good service throughout the evening as well. read more

hakubai - Omakase menu - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Hakubai serves up a variety of Japanese cuisine, but the main draw is what's known as a kaiseki course. For those that are unfamiliar, a kaiseki meal typically involves a variety of carefully crafted dishes. The flavor profile of the dishes is natural sweetness of the ingredients that are involved. Using ingredients that are in season is therefore critical. Presentation is also very important - and making the dish look as well as taste good is a key component of kaiseki. We've been to Hakubai twice before and tried the summer kaiseki omakase and the Valentine's special dinner. Recently, we were back for the winter kaiseki omakase menu with the Travelzoo $175 for 2 voucher. We called one week ahead to make reservations, hoping they would seat us together with 6 people (3 vouchers), but were told that we can only use 2 vouchers per table on Saturday. This was disappointing, as it seemed that there was no reason why they cannot accommodate this simple request. They certainly have available tables that fit 6 people. We had some amazing dishes last two times, with some memorable dishes being sashimi served on an ice bowl and lobster tempura in a basket. This time we were pleasantly surprised by sashimi being served in little drawers. Also, we were served an interesting dish that involved deep -fried brown rice mochi cooked in a delicious sauce, which was something that I haven't tried before. All the dishes were delicately presented, with each having matching dishware . The flavors are light and everything was fresh with the seasonal ingredients. The only thing I didn't really like this time was the sushi which was just average. Here is our menu for reference: 1st Appetizer: Sesame Tofu Topped with Salmon Roe and Wasabi in Dashi Broth 2nd Appetizer: Broiled Watercress with Mushroom, Daikon with Minced Chicken, Monkfish Liver, Crab Meat/Jellyfish in Vinegar, Burdock wrapped in Beef 3rd Appetizer: Clear Soup with Crab Cake 1st Course: Assorted Sashimi 2nd Course: Deep-Fried Brown Rice Mochi and White Fish 3rd Course: Washu Beef Steak 4th Course: Fresh Raw Oyster Main Course: Assorted Sushi and Akadashi Miso Soup Dessert Platter Overall, it was an enjoyable meal, and I would not hesitate to come back again if another coupon/voucher comes up. The original price of $175 per person is just too much even considering the quality of the meal that is being provided. read more

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I too had bought a Travelzoo coupon for this place. Why did I buy it? Well, I really really like sushi, so yea I bought it out of the blue. This place was located in the basement of the Kitano Hotel. I was at the lobby waiting for my dining partner to arrive and I feel this hotel was very geared towards Asians. It seems like most of the people staying at the hotel were Japanese themselves, which to me was quite interesting. I guess it makes sense that a Japanese restaurant is inside a Japanese hotel. Anyway, the restaurant didn't seem too big, but I'm not sure about that since we sat at the bar-ish area. So with the Travelzoon coupon, we were limited to a lot of foods, so we had to be very selective of what we can order. For appetizers, we've gotten the grilled silver cod, which was pretty darn good, but it's really small. We've also gotten the simmered duck breast, which was pretty flavorful. For our third appetizer, we've gotten the salt grilled delicious part of pork, which they were right it was pretty delicious. Which part of the pork? I don't know, the delicious part! I still find it funny because it seem like it was a translation gone weird for this appetizer. As for entree, we've both gotten the assorted sushi and sashimi platter. We were aiming for the premium sushi and sashimi platter, but they told us the coupon did not include that. But on the coupon, it did not state that the premium wasn't included, but we did not argue with the server. Alright, as a sushi lover, how was it here. Umm...it was was alright, passable, but not amazing. I can get better sushi at a cheaper place. For dessert, I've gotten the Cream An-Mitsu, which has diced Japanese plain jelly and mixed fruit syrup, topped with vanilla ice cream and sweet red bean sauce. Now, the dessert was pretty good and I liked it a lot. As for my dining partner, he gotten the Rooibos Tea Jelly, which is their tea from South Africa with jelly topped with cream sauce and whipped cream sprinkled with biscuit. The name of this dessert sound really interesting, but it was on the bland side. Overall, the service was good. Some of the appetizers were good, but dang they are really small! Even with the coupon, the bill was still pretty steep. read more

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I came here with a party of 7. Majority of us had the Okonomi Kaiseki. Very interesting, my first time at an authentic Japanese place where it's not run by Chinese ppl. Many differences, such as the service and atmosphere... So freakin quiet when we got there... So peaceful.. I know they like tranquility but Im not into that. It was nice that all the waitresses were in full kimonos. The many Kaiseki dishes were served in little bowls and plates. My favorite presentation was the sushi which sat atop a tree trunk with ice. Adorable! I chose the steak entree and I loved my choice. It came in a ceramic drawer. Very good.. I was actually full because our food came out one by one so I ate everything slowlyyy. Also had the Washu Beef shabu shabu course, which was really smooth beef that melted in my mouth. Delicious. The quality is def not like the Chinese shabu shabu places I always go to. I enjoyed this experience, but $1k for 7 ppl... This is probably goin to be the only time I come here. I like modern places, and would rather spend $ at morimoto again read more

Not even close. I have a feeling there are going to be a slew of reviews on Hakubai based on the Travelzoo deal, and I doubt many will be complimentary. Like others, I happened upon Hakubai through Travelzoo. I do not know if it is because of the Travelzoo voucher the food was poor, or if its poor in general. I don't like that it's not written anywhere definitely what you get with the Travelzoo deal. Apparently, one voucher gets you 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 drinks, and 2 desserts. Sounds like a lot of food, and it definitely is not. And the way Travelzoo sold it, sounded like it was the Kaiseki meal, which it also is not. The appetizers were good, though portions were tiny. The silver cod at $24 normally, I am not sure who in their right mind would order that if they knew the portion size. Nothing special on the squid. The two pork appetizers were good, and the duck was delicious, though portion size could have been improved. The entrees were really disappointing. We ordered 2 sushi platters and 2 Japanese steaks. The steaks were nothing special, and the sushi was so sad, I cannot imagine anyone paying $40 for the plate. The knife work on the sushi was poor, and the flavor was fine, but I've definitely had better, for a lot cheaper. It came with a piece of scrambled egg, less than 10 pieces of sushi, and a tuna roll (a very sad tuna roll where it's just a tiny bit tuna, rice, wrapped in seaweed. The dessert was so unforgettable, I'm not even going to bother. They expected to be tipped on the full price of the meal, which I get, but considering the food I received was not worth $400, tipping $80 on what I paid $158 on was ridiculous. And to top it off, I cannot say I even felt the food was worth $158, much less double that price. I get that you are advertising on Travelzoo, but this is their time to drum up business and get new customers. I WILL NOT be coming back, there are so many other places to go if I want over priced Japanese food. And btw, the bathroom did not have a good smell. read more

Delicious, delicious, delicious! We requested a tatami room and was lucky enough to get one on a busy weekend night. We ordered the Special kaiseki, sushi kaiseki, steak kaiseki, Miyazaki Wagyu A5 beef entree with side orders of salmon belly and toro. Every single course was awesome - as you would expect from a good Japanese restaurant. I definitely will come back here again. read more

Located in the Kitano Hotel's basement level, this Japanese restaurant is hidden away from the normal public. The lunch boxes are a great deal for those who want to try a bit of everything. Start with a hand towel warm and wet. The unique sesame tofu starter is a must-try - it's superbly firm with a delicious taste and strong creme texture. The seaweed salad had a nice light summer feel to it. The tea was hot and served in the cup to a limit well-below the cup so that one could hold the cup without burning your fingers. I had a taste of the eel & cucumber roll - not too salty, a little too sticky on the rice. The soba was over a fresh bed of crushed ice and tasty, but the soba dipping sauce wasn't enough for the tempura and the soba. The tempura was a mixed vegetable and seafood, chopped up and covered in the breading and fried into a cake, cut in two... a little strange, and not entirely a great way of showcasing the tastes of the seafood or the vegetables well. Other people's tempura came in separate pieces, which I think were done very well. The salmon teriyaki compared favorably to another person's authentic experience. Dessert - the agar with red bean and vanilla ice cream was tasty, but the ice cream had some heavy ice particles, almost like it wasn't mixed right during the cooling process. From other reviewers, people noted the good service... I'm not as impressed. A group of five, we often waited on getting spoons, refills of tea, and even our dishes came somewhat separated. They did take my coat and offered for one companion, but not the other three. And they were fastest with the check. The server was perhaps too busy with the two larger tables with Japanese businessmen? No one at our table spoke Japanese, so perhaps that's the key. So the food was interesting and the service lacked. Something to experience once, but probably won't pop into here for more than the appetizer of the tofu again. read more

It easily becomes my favorite Japanese restaurant! I just came back from the popular Gari of sushi 46, and was Really disappointed as I just went to Hakubai yesterday, and had high expectation on what sushi of gari will offer. I would say hakubai worths every single dollar that you pay. Everything is so fresh and delicate! I enjoyed each bite of the meal and can't wait to come back again! Definitely try their omasake kaiseki and their seasonal special, you won't disappoint. From bluefin otoro, to giant clam and even their wangyu beef, everything is in perfection. In addition, the service is impeccable! All waitress and waitresses wear kimonos and they are all very knowledgable. If you are looking for traditional Japanese meal, love the freshness and quality of ingredients and a peaceful and quiet Japanese environment to enjoy a great meal, you won't definite won't disappoint. read more

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This place is so overrated. The restaurant is located inside the Kitano Hotel, with waitresses dressed in kimonos. The place was filled with Japanese people. You can't go wrong right? My dining partner and I went there for dinner and had the Omakase Kaiseki. The food was uninspired and pretty bland. Seriously, that meal was not worth $170 per person. It has only been a week, and I would have forgot what I ate if it wasn't for the fact that we snapped a few photos. Not to mention that I've left other kaiseki places feeling stuffed to my guts and the meal was not as expensive as this place. This place most likely caters to the Japanese tourists that probably stay in the Kitano Hotel. Definitely not worth going back to - NYC has better options! read more

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If you're in NY, head down to the Kitano Hotel and experience this fine restaurant. It's very fine Japanese cuisine, none of this fusion food, just only the best ingredients ever. I had the Kobe Beef ($100) and wow, I gobble it like crazy. The meat was very tender and practically melts in my mouth. I'm going to try the Kaiseki, like Sebastian suggested. Should be yummy! Ok, I returned a month later and tried the Kaiseki. Kaiseki is a collection of small tapas-like dishes delivered to your table one at a time so you can experience each one. Exquisite. Yes I highly recommend it. read more

hakubai - Even serving miso soup, the presentation is oh-so delicate. - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Love their sushi kaiseki. Everything was done perfectly. The only compliant is that we didn't get to sit inside the room cuz the room is for 3+ ppl. read more

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My husband introduced me to this place. 2012 was my first visit to this place. I usually had sashimi but our recent visit was interesting because I ordered the snapper fish head. Yes I like fish head and I don't feel like it's staring at me *:) This is a very traditional restaurant, so if you like modern fusion style sushi then this is not the place. When it comes to Japanese food, I prefer the traditional food. Overall I give this place 5 stars because they wear pretty kimonos *=) of course I'm joking about that but they do have pretty kimonos! The staff is very pleasant. We usually talk to our servers everywhere we go. I observe every corner every time I visit every restaurant. Loved my meal here! If I had 3 hands I'd give 3 thumbs-up. So I'm giving 2 thumbs-up! *:) read more

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