Han no Daidokoro / Kaka'ako — Restaurant in Honolulu

I am so disappointed that I raved about this place & literally dragged some really important people to this place because I was so sure we would have a wonderful dining experience.. I couldn't have been more wrong.

For starters: our reservation for 5 people was set for 7:15pm. We arrived at 6:56pm to check in. at 7:10pm we got a text that said the table was ready so we proceeded to check in with the host, He gave us an option of 2 separate tables or to wait 20 minutes to have the big table by the entrance. we opted to wait for the big table.

It is now 7:45 and we are still waiting outside when I ask the host again when the table will be ready and tells me the table is ready and the big table at the entrance is no longer available because and I quote "someone requested it" so I respond back saying we also requested to wait for that table and we have been waiting over 20 minutes for it. He tells me again that another party requested it, so at this point my party is just over waiting so we just forget it and take the 2 separate tables. This isn't where the problem started though.

The real problem was with our server Josh. His whole vibe from the start was just not pleasant, he seemed to be overwhelmed. When a member from my party asked him what was popular he gave a really sassy response "everything is good, everything is ordered all the time" It just was not what you would expect from a restaurant who charges $12 for a bite of meat. We tried to let it go and just enjoy the dinner as we were celebrating something. But for some reason we just kept feeling more and more unwelcomed as he walked by our table leaving us with empty water glasses WHILE HE WAS FILIING TABLES AROUND US. If he wanted us to feel like we didn't belong there he definitely did his job. I kept composure because again as I mentioned earlier I was with some very important people.

Anyway, the meal was as expected, Delicious. However, because of the service we received I will not embarrass myself and recommend this place to anyone else. Thanks a lot Josh, I really enjoyed the food and...

Great find in Ala Moana Area (just West of Waikiki) for Japanese Yakiniku (grilled meat). Went here for lunch with 2 visiting friends to test this restaurant out.

We had a reservation for 11:30am on a Monday, but since it was raining we ducked into the restaurant at 11:05, and the waiter - Brad sat us early while we were waiting for our third. Brad took the time to explain the difference between Miyazaki and Washu. (Being big beef-snobs, we were well aware of the differences, but we loved his clear explanation nevertheless.)

Brad explained that although both are Wagyu, Miyazaki is the Japanese sourced one from Kyushu Island while the Washu is an American hybrid that's been bred with Japanese cow. He mentioned that the Miyazaki has a softer texture (better marbling), while the Washu has a stronger beef flavor.

We ended up ordering a Washu Set and a Miyazaki set to taste the difference for ourselves. Additionally we ordered the Kimchi Assortment and the Namul Assortment. (With these available, we realized that this was a Japanese / Korean hybrid restaurant more strong on the Japanese side). The banchan (Korean side dishes) of Kimichi and Namul were both refreshing and delicious. The meats / cuts were excellent as expected - all of us agreed that the Miyazaki won overall, although the Washu Filet was outstanding as well! We ended up asking for another order of the Miyazaki Rib Roll, which was by far the most succulent, buttery A5 we've had this year. None of the meats required any salt/pepper, but the addition of freshly ground wasabi was a good complement to the high-end meats.

The total after tip was just under $300, which is expensive but not unexpected for 3 people. If $$$ weren't a consideration, this would be my goto restaurant for yakiniku every day.

Next time, I will try the...

Insanely good💣💥I've been all over the world, dined at beautiful, high end steak and sushi restaurants, only to have realized last night that the very best was in my own backyard! Loved the sushi, enjoyed the different ones, the one with caviar being my favorite, although it just doesn't need it! I've often been leery of restaurant offerings that pop on caviar, truffles, uni, gold flakes to make you feel more upper class or as an excuse to cost more, their rich slices are purrrrfectly created...we had to keep ordering more...was it 4 or 6 each? Their wasabi should have its own spotlight! The 3 appetizer sampler had lovely drops of the Wasabi, yuzu kosho and spicy, freshly grated garlic. I used them for palate cleansers. I don't need to have any more of the yuke jang, or the sampler now that I know what I love there❤. The chateau briand cut was our favorite so we had 2 orders, they may suggest you cook it medium to medium well but it was tastier at medium rare, beef tongue was divine, see pics from our ala carte dining experience. We had a bottle of the Kubota junmai daiginjo ($145) and were able to pick our own sake cups...love doing that❤ There was probably a way to eat for less there but we wanted only the best so it was almost $800 for the 2 of us...There were families with small children and locals, 20 and 30 somethings. Reservations are far out to about a month away. We will be heading back in a few weeks. ...