marisa427

I came to Sushi Hanabi with zero expectations, as I hadn’t heard much nor done any research on the restaurant. Tucked away into a small, quiet plaza, Sushi Hanabi is easy to miss. Judging from the outside, some people might mistakenly classify this restaurant as a hole-in-the-wall, as the building appears small and unassuming. However, the restaurant’s interior has a classy, understated elegance that extends from the sophisticated decor to the presentation of the food. The workers are all very attentive and friendly, taking proactive measures to keep us comfortable. The menu has many wonderful surprises; I wasn’t expecting to see Japanese street food like “okonomiyaki” or such an extensive dessert menu. The sushi menu has a lot of fun and interesting-looking creations, but I was unable to try any of these options on my first visit. However, the delicious lunch special that I did try made up my mind that I will DEFINITELY be back for a second visit.

As someone who is constantly trying new Japanese restaurants in search of “The One”, I always put each restaurant to the test by ordering one of two things: a bento, or katsudon (egg and pork cutlet over rice). I decided to go with a bento this time around, and chose tonkatsu and salmon teriyaki. I was pleasantly surprised by the tonkatsu, above all else. Tonkatsu is difficult to perfect, and I’ve had many versions that have been too tough or too dry. I can say with great confidence that this tonkatsu was the best that I’ve ever had in Pleasanton. The salmon teriyaki was tasty and delicious as well. I’ll definitely be back to try more of their offerings!