03/04/09

disappointing

by CSMobileUser2

Maki rolls had almost no meat in them but the costs were average. No tea was offered and what's a Japanese restaurant without tea? Atmosphere is fine. You are really paying for a Japanese name. It's a good place if you don't know better. In reality the place is poor value

01/26/09

disappointed and disrespected

by moneetree

Have to mention that the sever was culturally insensitive and prejudice. We were sad to know such disrespect still exists even in such a culturally diverse location as San Francisco.

10/27/08

Average place, good location

by klberndt

I first went here at 4pm on a Sunday. I guess they close at 430 and reopen at 5pm for dinner, so it was empty, and the hostess didn't seem thrilled to see me. I ordered a couple of rolls and some nigiri. It was good sushi, but nothing spectacular. I wasn't wowed, but was willing to come back for a second sushi fix later in the week, since the place was right next to my hotel. The second time I went was at 2pm. I was horrified. The place smelled like dirty mop water (the best analogy I can come up with). There were gnats on my window next to my table that I had to smush with my hand. Again, the sushi was OK, but not spectacular. I would never again eat here, despite the convenient location.

• Pros: Location, hours
• Cons: Atmosphere, service, cleanliness

04/02/08

Great sushi experience!

by hbtrina

While recently visiting SF, we came upon Hana Zen in search for a late night dinner. We had the Hana Zen Signature Roll- which included fresh tuna and salmon tempura. Incredibly delicious! We also had the Rainbow roll and the *Dynamite roll. *Warning: SPICY!! We also had the sake cocktails which weren't very strong [as I had expected] so we went to the house sake instead which treated us very well. :) To top it all off we enjoyed a the flourless chocolate cake with coconut ice cream which was very tasty. Service was nice and the sushi chefs were quick and friendly. This place would be much cooler with dimmer lighting and some great lounge music to create even more of an experience.

• Pros: sushi, service
• Cons: lack of ambience

01/13/08

pricy, poor service...

by kworthy

I am a sushi lover and have eaten at many high-end sushi restaurants in SF. I came hungry and ordered hot tea, miso soup, Sunset Strip role and a sp. shrimp tempura roll with my waitress named Rina. After 13 minutes I still didn't receive my miso soup, so I kept sipping on my $4.50 hot tea (wich by the way is not complementary like so many other high-end sushi places). Finally, I asked the sushi chef for soup and a waiter brought it over immediately. Both of my sushi rolls tasted fresh and delicious, but were very very small and pricy. Rina never checked back with me or asked me if I needed anything else. The sushi chefs were very friendly and attentive. I paid my $36 dollar bill and left hungry. I would NOT recommend this restaurant to my hungry friend.

• Pros: fresh fish
• Cons: horrible music, unconfortable chairs, poor service, small portions, very pricy

10/15/07

The Best Teriyaki Chicken I had.

by madmadzoo

I was in for a quick late lunch, order the first think I saw on the menu, it turn out to be one of the best Teriyaki Chicken I have ever had!

the restaurant looks very nice, the serverice was good, I will have to come back for dinner, and try some sake. a good sake is hard to find, and it looks like they carry a lot of them.

• Pros: every thing
• Cons: PARKING

06/21/07

Fabulous Sushi! Fabulous Service!

by thebrattygurl

I love this place, and have been going here for several years. I live out of town, and whenever I am in SF on business, I go out of my way to have some Hana Zen! The sushi is fantastic (and I am a picky eater). The saki is yummy, and the service has always been stellar:) Highly Recommended A++++++++

• Pros: Food, Service, Location, Ambience
• Cons: Price

05/28/07

Just that...Average

by delphicsoul

My decision to eat at Hana Zen was based on my hunger rather than my taste buds. I love sushi and I've blessed my stomach by eating at many sushi places but Hana Zen wasn't that much of a blessing.

As in the typical dress affair of most sushi eateries the staff was dressed in all black including the greeter who asked if we wanted to eat at the sushi bar or at a table. Wanting to sit by the window which provided a great view we asked for a table. Our great view consisted of a chinese restaurant across the street and a transient urinating behind an SUV.

The long rectangular interior of the eatery was somewhat spacious and our table was rather small but still functional.

My wife and I ordered a San Francisco Roll, Chicken Teriyaki lunch special, Salmon salad and a cold buckwheat noodle dish. We paid about $60 for our meal including the tip and a Kirin Ichiban and it wasn't really worth it. None of the plates flavors stood out and the food was medicore but when your hungry who really cares.

• Pros: decor, prompt service, location
• Cons: price for food

02/08/07

best sushi in town

by chin1234

This place Rocks! The food was excellent and the staff was very friendly and helpful with the menu. My favorite Dish was the lamb chops, it was cooked just right. I highly recommend this place to everybody. Only one thing I dislike about the place is the horrible music.

• Pros: food, service, and smiles
• Cons: horrible music. Just AWFUL!!!!!!

Lively Japanese restaurant plies Union Square tourists and late-night diners with sushi, yakitori and sake cocktails.

by Contributor

In Short
The birds-eye view onto Cyril Magnin Street attracts a steady flow of lunch and dinner traffic to this busy second-floor spot. To the right side of the restaurant, diners enjoy quicker service at the sushi bar and a few small tables while on the left, larger parties linger around banquet tables. The menu, including lightly salted skewers of beef, chicken or salmon and, fat sushi rolls, is also offered at the bar.