Haiku — Restaurant in Austin

My last visit 2-3 yrs ago: "I'd never return," but a family member suggested Haiku, and the birthday boy agreed. Time changes things: employees, mgmt, etc.: Much improved from my last experience! Sushi Happy Hour is definitely the time to go to take advantage of $ savings! Sushi was fresh, nicely sized pieces of fish. Still find it fairly costly, as it's per 1 piece (vs 2). Basic rolls are small, but good. Larger, fancier rolls (not part of Happy Hour) are good: it's all about your preferences of contents (my sister was bananas about the Dynamite roll, but it was only "ok" to me). Harimaki: awesome. Unagi bento box: eh/average. Crispy fish: tasty and nice presentation, but not exactly worth the cost. Hot sake: average. Miso soup: par. WASABI: POOR - grocery store tube sadly is better. Their new "fresh root" wasabi (special order, extra cost) is personally what I would expect to be a restaurant norm (be sure to order it if you care about good wasabi). Our server: attentive, pleasant. Weird quirk: party of 6, and he kept bringing 5 of everything (chopsticks/utensils, plates, waters, etc). Big bonus: when he learned it was a birthday, he presented a complimentary tempura banana dessert (lol, with 5 forks!).

My * Breakdown: Service: 4.5 * Happy Hour Prices: 4.5 - 5 * Happy Hour Rolls (value): 4 * Happy Hour Sushi (freshness 5, value 4): 4.5 * Harimaki: 5 * Non Happy Hour prices: 3.5 * Unagi Bento Box: 3 * Crispy fish (4-4.5 *, lower score due to value) 3.5 * Bonus bday dessert: 5 * for honoring it without request Hot sake: 3 * Miso soup: 3-3.5 * Regular wasabi: 1 *

Overall value for the $: 3.5 * Our overall experience: 4 * The regular wasabi is why this overall review is 3...

I am updating my review today. My wife and I went and had lunch just now. We ordered the Crazy Roll ($18.00), the pan-fried Gyoza ($8.00), and the Honey-Wasabi Shrimp ($10.00). All of the Gyoza were burnt on one side. The waitress said, "Oh, that's how the pan-fried dumplings are." We have been regulars here for many years and have not had them come out overcooked like this. The Honey-Wasabi Shrimp were also overcooked. The texture of the shrimp was quite tough and dry. The waitress said she would talk to the manager about it. If she did, it must have been little more than an entertaining story to him. The manager never visited the table and did not comp the shrimp (or anything else), as he should have. My wife said the Crazy Roll was much spicier than normal. I have a high heat tolerance, so I will let her have the final word on that one. I would note that this was the first really disappointing meal that we have had here, but it 𝙬𝙖𝙨 disappointing. So, $36.00 + tax + tip for a poor lunch. Not sure when we are going back, but it won't be real soon. Nice lunch special. $11:00 for two sushi rolls, a salad, and miso soup. The environment is relaxing, and the service is attentive. They also have a decent happy hour, with both drinks and sushi on special. We have been coming here for a number of years now, and it is...

Whoever gave reviews for this place that gave it more than 4 stars have to be paid reviewers. This is without a doubt the worst Japanese restaurant I’ve ever been to. I grew up traveling across Asia. I don’t just eat at any Asian restaurant. I ordered the Tempura dinner (mixed vegetables and shrimp) and this appetizer called the honey wasabi shrimp. I also ordered a side of fried rice. The tempura was bland. It lacked that good tempura flavor. Then when I bit into the wasabi shrimp it tasted rubbery. It had tempura breading so I expected it to be crunchy even with the sauce on it. It tasted like it was microwaved. Rubbery, chewy, and not spicy at all. It has “wasabi” in the name! Lastly, we arrived there at 8:15. They close at 9. At 8:30, right after we ordered the waiter told us that the kitchen was closing. So we thought ok, no more orders. We didn’t expect that to mean that sides of rice and sauces were no longer available as well. The tempura sauce was so little. Also, my friend ordered teriyaki chicken. What they gave him was bland pan grilled chicken and bottled teriyaki sauce spread on top. Like a 1st grader could have put it together. We also ordered sushi rolls. We left half of it still on the plate because they tasted worse than gas station sushi. But it’s just as well because it all tasted terrible. Do yourselves a favor and stay clear of this...