I'm struggling here... I want to do a full review of the place but I can't. I don't know about their service, restaurant cleanliness, fresh out of the kitchen food experience... I want to give them a total score that is all about their place. Things that my reviews cover...but thanks for this ridiculous Pandemic, I got take out.
OK... Let's review the takeout then. FYI - I don't like takeout. Unless it's a handheld food like a sandwich or a burger, I won't be able to enjoy it right away. The Fresh out of the Kitchen Food Experience!!! This is real people! Who wants cold food that suffered container lock. You know what that is... the container locks in the hot food and as it cools, the steam condenses and everything gets wet! Crispy chicken becomes soggy. Rice becomes a wet cakey mess. Vegetables lose their colour and becomes mushy - ugh... baby food. You get the picture! I DO NOT LIKE TAKEOUT FOOD!
BUT let's do a food review on take out food! LOL! This ought to be fun!
So... Hana Don just opened and then Pandemic City! They are doing their best to promote themselves as a take-out destination. Well...they are a Japanese Restaurant, specializing in fresh seafood. Many of the dishes won't have hot Container Lock! Nice!!!
I walk in to this really nice space. The restaurant is really pretty. Their decor is simple, flowers, lots of lights, big glass on the front of the restaurant faces south and has good natural light. Basically a pretty place to have a meal.
I've seen a lot of take out from my foodie pals lately and they look delish! I've read quite a few negative reviews and was apprehensive, but seeing all the take out pix from my food geeks, I don't understand all the negativity.
The plating that Hana Don does in take out containers is off the chain. I normally get takeout and re-plate it before I take pix. I don't think it would be necessary here. And I was right.
My order today was the Large Lobster Don - something they call Premium Don. Anyway, I think it's a bargain for the price. A whole poached lobster rendered and plated on top of their premium sushi rice. $38. I think they like to use the word Premium - LOL!
Anyway, I live approx 20mins away from leaving the restaurant, getting back to my place and then settling down to eat - have to add some time to take photos and all that too! Ugh - the foodie life can be stressful. Will I also be a victim of hot food Container Lock!
Well well well... My food, though mostly cooled by the time I got finished taking all the pictures and finally taking my first bite...was totally awesome!!! Let me back up a bit. I lifted the Lobster and it was only the shell. It was masterfully rendered! I mean it. The shell came completely cut all the way around. The tail piece was sliced and well dressed in their cheese sauce (I think it tasted like hollandaise). The claws were pre-cracked and all the tender lobster pieces came out in one juicy piece.
The only drawback on this meal. They gave TOO MUCH rice. After putting the Lobster into the container, they had to push it down into the rice - when they did that, the rice became rice cake in certain spots. One thing to tell you though, the PREMIUM sushi rice is really delish. So well seasoned with nori bits, sesame seeds, and just the right amount of salt. So in this case, LESS is MORE - as I only at about half the generous portion of rice.
OK... so let me figure out a score. I'd give them 4.5 stars! Darn that generous portion of rice and too big of a lobster! LOL!
I pretty sure if I ordered their fresh seafood donburi, it may be a 5 star.
To all those people that asked me about the place. Yes... it's worth going. BTW - PROMO info!!! Listen UP!
$38 (+tax = $43) for the lobster. Spend over $30 (pre-tax) and get Chicken Karaage for free. Pick it up and pay cash... 15% off the order! So for $36.50 all in, you get lobster, chicken Karaage... Bargain - YA!!! Duh!!! Now get out there and have some Hana Don!!!
CHEERS!!!! read more