Hinode Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Orangetown

I rarely leave reviews, but when I do, it’s usually a five-star rating—unless the experience was truly awful. This time, however, I feel compelled to share my thoughts about Hinode.

I live in Connecticut, and to celebrate my son’s 15th birthday, I took him and two of his friends to the American Dream Water Park. It’s about an hour’s drive from home, but after picking everyone up, it took an additional 20 minutes. Halfway there, I urgently needed to use the restroom, so I started looking for a service station. Unfortunately, we were stuck in a traffic jam on I-95 for 40 minutes before we could reach an exit. My anxiety grew as I became increasingly desperate.

Finally, I saw a restaurant ahead—Hinode—and rushed inside, explaining to the woman at the front that I was in an emergency and needed to use their restroom. She and a man at the sushi bar told me, “No, you can’t. The bathroom is for customers only.” Desperate, I offered to order something to go. With a rather indifferent expression, she agreed, so I asked for a menu. As I held the menu, my hands were shaking, and my vision blurred. I urged her to give me anything, but she insisted I order myself. I quickly pointed to a few items: two pieces of salmon, two pieces of tuna, and two pieces of white fish. I asked again if I could use the restroom now, but she said, “No, you need to pay first.”

By this point, I was at my wit’s end, searching for my wallet as sweat poured down my face. Just as I was about to hand over my credit card, she informed me they only accepted cash. Struggling to hold on, I found the cash and, with a pleading look, asked, “Can I use the bathroom now?” She finally said yes. I rushed to the restroom, only to find that I was so numb from holding it in that I couldn’t go immediately. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to regain control. It took me about 10 minutes before I could leave the bathroom.

When I came out, the male waiter informed me that my takeout was ready. His smile and politeness seemed oddly out of place after what I’d just gone through. I didn’t eat the food—I didn’t even know what was in the box. On the way home, I gave it to a homeless person.

What hurt me the most was the complete lack of empathy shown in my emergency. Even when I tried to pay with a credit card, I was told they only accept cash. At that moment, it felt like basic human kindness was missing. I was willing to be a paying customer, yet I was treated like an inconvenience rather than a person in need. A little compassion in such situations goes a long way. We are not animals; we are human beings who deserve empathy and understanding, especially in moments...

Terrible food and even worse service. 3 roll spicy combo where the yellowtail, salmon and tuna were all bitter. Reluctantly ate the salmon and yellowtail which both had a pungent lemony taste but left the tuna because it didn’t taste fresh and was brown instead of red. Simply repulsive.

When the server asked why I didn’t eat the roll I responded it tasted off. In response, I was promptly brought the bill, which included the bad roll. $46 for a 3 roll lunch special along with a smoke salmon and spicy salmon roll. To express my dissatisfaction I didn’t leave a tip.

The chef then followed me out into the parking lot to ask why I didn’t leave a tip. I responded if a customer is dissatisfied with a roll why not offer a substitute instead of insisting on charging the for a roll that was inedible? He replied because I was the only one who complained it must be me and not the food. He then told me not to come back.

Had he not chased me out into the parking lot to confront me about the tip I would have simply never returned. Confronting me in the parking lot and defending what was clearly bad fish is inexcusable. Particularly when I paid full price and left without even complaining. His treatment of me under the circumstances was actually abusive. Shameful behavior and terrible food, I strongly suggest you stay away from this establishment.

With respect to the owners response, there was absolutely nothing false about my review. The food was absolutely foul to the point where my other party was sick after eating and the chef factually confronted me in the parking lot about the tip. Shameful response in addition to...

Best sushi in the county by far! Small place full of flavor and wonderful service! I passed by this little sushi place for years always wanted to go in and try their food. Finally one day I told my husband while we was passing by that we should try this place soon, he brought me back to this place the next day for dinner. It’s a small cozy place with a few tables and a sushi bar. Very clean ... you know what they say if you want to know wether the restaurant is clean or not first check their bathroom....sure enough it was very clean! Now we try the food , we picked the sushi bar ...I love and enjoy it watching sushi chef works their art. They are very friendly people, the father is sushi chef (love him!) mom is everything lady she is awesome the sweetest lady you will ever meet and their son work floor he’s very patient, friendly, awesome service. Now the food .....I’ve worked in popular Japanese restaurants in rockland county in the past (Ume sushi,Mt.Fuji, Sakana, Wasabi and Maiko 2) the decor might seems basic for some stuck up restaurant goers but this is how authentic sushi places are in Japan! Small mom and pop style generous portions , friendly gracious service always makes you feel like home. My husband and my son would never go anywhere else after we discovered this cozy place its about the food and wonderful service. if you like to spend arm and leg for sushi and one of those scene to be seen then by all means go spend your paycheck lol. BUT if you want good food high quality fish generous sushi Chef and great service this is the...