Hanami Japanese Sushi Restaurant — Restaurant in Clinton

This place is a bit of a mess. The food was fine -- not terrible, not great...pretty solid. But the courses took forever to get to me after I've ordered them -- probably 25 minutes from when I ordered to get a sushi roll at my table. Second issue - I was there for probably an hour and a half total -- soup, a sushi roll, and tempura...and no one came to refill my water. I had asked for water when I got there, but then for the remaining 90 minutes, no one refilled it. I couldn't get anyone's attention to get more water and no one cared to refill it/no one came around with a pitcher to refill anyone's water, including mine. The food was salty -- appropriately so -- but it's sushi, so it was salty...and it was impossible to get water. Oy! But...my final issue: THE STRAWS! It's illegal in the state of Connecticut (and many other states) for restaurants to distribute single use plastic straws. I actually brought this up to this restaurant over a year ago and they said they'd "look into it" (and obviously did nothing). But last weekend, the straws were in full swing (and now, there are hundreds of straws in a garbage bag somewhere from the weekend, just waiting to rot in a landfill for thousands of years - yippee!!). I brought up the concern to the manager about the straws being incredible awful for the environment (since drinking glasses are designed with a rim to enable people to...idk...drink from them?) and the guy said "We'll consider it." After confirming with the state website that it is in fact illegal for restaurants to distribute single use plastic straws, I told the manager, who was still not convinced and went into full gaslighting mode where he tried to convince me of a bunch of bonkers things: 1) First, he told me that straws only get distributed in water glasses when customers ask for them (not true. I got one even though I didn't ask) 2) Then, he told me that 9 out of 10 customers who don't get straws ask for them anyway (not true because 90% of the restaurant didn't have straws in their water so that would be impossible). 3) And this is the best one yet...he tried to convince me that people don't want to put their mouths up to glasses because of sanitary/health concern reasons so they have to give our straws. I asked him "what do people do about the plates? They don't eat off of the plates that other customers have used before being washed? What about spoons for Miso soup? The customers don't use the spoons you give them?" 4) Finally, the manager told me that this was all about customer service (and consequently making money); he had to keep his customers happy and people need their straws! Wouldn't it be nice if restaurants subscribed to values that cared about their bottom line AND ASO helped to stop ungodly amounts of waste? What if they still made money and also had no straws? What if they still made money but used reusable metal straws? What if they still made money but paid attention to the common good? We all live on the same planet; I can't wrap my head around why this guy doesn't care that the same water, air, and land that he also lives on and uses is being needlessly polluted? It would be so nice to go a restaurant and feel that they care about humanity, not that they're only interested in making money (i.e., "customer satisfaction" and btw, 9/10 people want/need straws. That's insane). Super, super disappointing. Also, just illegal. That law exists to protect people from ignorance. That law exists so that people can breathe clean air and drink clean water without individual managers (or restaurants) deciding otherwise. It's not up to this restaurant to follow or not follow it. Stop distributing straws! It's illegal, upsetting, and all around...

This is a STANDOUT JAPANESE RESTAURANT! I was warmly & enthusiastically greeted immediately when I walked in. I decide to sit at the sushi bar. The gentleman who prepared my sushi was so incredibly kind, helpful, courteous, & gracious. I had the Yellowtail Lemongrass appetizer. The Yellowtail was sashimi style & was adorned with a slice of jalapeño & a dollop of a red lemongrass sauce (8 pieces). It was simple but DELICIOUS. I peppered the sushi chef with a few questions throughout my dinner & he was so lovely. He willingly obliged my interest He explained to me the different cuts of the tuna. He highly recommended the red snapper that had just come from Hokkaido. And he was RIGHT. Honestly. it was AMAZING. It was so tender - it melted in your mouth. It had just the faintest hint of the sea - it was so fresh. I literally was blown away by how phenomenal it was. I also had the Beef with scallion which was a DELICIOUS also - it’s a ROLL prepared HOT. It’s thinly sliced beef wrapped around scallion & then broiled/seared. It’s sliced like a SUSHI ROLL & then sits in a bed of fabulous hoisin sauce with sesame seeds. I ended up ordering Chicken fried rice! (I over ordered bc I did not know the portion sizes). It was perfectly prepared with shiitake mushrooms, celery, scallions, sugar snap peas & carrots. It was a generous portion. (I thought it would just be an individual portion). It was also DELICIOUS. The inside is appointed in a very a typical Japanese decor - simple, clean lines with some wonderful Japanese art - with a very relaxed & welcoming ambiance. The STAFF were ALL SPECTACULAR. Each of them were kind, polite, patient, friendly, efficient & gracious. The menu had a wonderful robust selection of menu items from sashimi, rolls, ramen, udon noodles, teriyaki, tempura, yakitori to bento boxes. I was throughly impressed with the QUALITY, AESTHETIC & PRESENTATION of the FOOD. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS AMAZING JAPANESE...

Hanami Sushi is hands-down the best place I’ve ever been to. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere feels welcoming and relaxing, with its warm lighting, modern decor, and an ambiance that perfectly blends tradition and comfort. It’s not just a restaurant—it’s an experience, and a huge part of that is thanks to Karla, the incredible hostess who makes everyone feel at home.

The first thing you notice about Hanami Sushi is the quality. The sushi is undeniably fresh, the ingredients meticulously chosen, and every dish feels like it’s been crafted with care. Whether it’s the classic rolls or their more adventurous specialties, every bite is an explosion of flavor. I’ll never forget the first time I tried their signature Hanami Roll—it was a perfect mix of spicy tuna, avocado, and just the right amount of crunch. Their all-you-can-eat menu is unbeatable, giving you the chance to try a bit of everything without breaking the bank. And let me tell you, I’ve made it my mission to try as much as possible every time I go.

But what really makes Hanami Sushi stand out is Karla. She’s the kind of hostess who goes above and beyond to make sure your visit is perfect. From remembering regulars’ favorite orders to always having a warm smile and a friendly conversation, she creates an atmosphere that keeps you coming back. Karla’s attentiveness and ability to make everyone feel special is rare to find in any dining experience. She’s not just a hostess—she’s the heart of Hanami Sushi.

Beyond the food and the service, it’s the memories I’ve made at Hanami Sushi that make it my favorite spot. Whether I’m there with friends, celebrating a special occasion, or just indulging in some solo sushi therapy, it always feels like the perfect place to be. Thanks to Karla and the amazing team, Hanami Sushi isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a place that...