Haiku by HatsuneA sanctuary for the senses
There have been many attempts to pair style and substance in recent eateries sprouting around town. Haiku balances both perfectly. Muted colors, concrete architecture, and a gigantic mural splashed a zen-ful, chic welcome. To start, their signature salad with plum dressing (¥38) was just tangy enough to awaken our taste buds. The assorted sashimi combo (¥158, small) offered fresh, melt-in-your-mouth slices that pass the ultimate Japanese restaurant test with flying colors. The Moto-roll-ah (¥75) with deep fried spicy tuna, snow crab, maguro, avocado and "secret sauces," left us speechless – and not only because we'd stuffed our mouths full. Needless to say, the battered-to-perfection assorted tempura (¥62) and marinated (for three days!) grilled silver cod (¥68), kept on delighting. We shall be back to dine on the second floor to take advantage of its floor to ceiling windows. Itadakimasu!
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After reading that Haiku was voted Best Japanese Restaurants I must admit that I was shocked - big time shocked. What's wrong with you voters here in Shanghai? Obviously those who voted for this place has NO taste and hass NO clue about what is really good quality Japanese food. One thing is sure, there are 50.000 Japanese + me here in Shanghai who is laghing out loud, that this place won this category. Open up your eyes please, there are sooooo many other Japanese restaurants far better than Haiku.
Totally agree with you Peter.
The root of the problem is that the people who genuinely believe this place is so awesome are either (a) too petrified to leave the French Concession or (b) lulled in to a comfort zone by the inadequately trained but English-speaking service staff.
It's not that it's a particularly bad restaurant, but rather that it's actually not very good when compared with many of the truly great sushi outlets here there and everywhere. The sad thing is, for many of your cotton-wool wrapped expats, they are hamstringing themselves and not experiencing the myriad of better options because they refuse to get out of their comfort zone.
This is a big city, with lots of amazing places to eat and experience, and you know what?
Almost 100% are nowhere near Huaihai Lu, the Bund, Huashan Lu or Hongmei Lu.
Unfortunately had a bad experience and won't be returning. This is probably clouded by the fact that I have hit my 6-month expat wall, but I was pissed. Most of the sushi was acceptable (kanpachi, shiro maguro, unagi, spider roll). The 119 roll was a little weird. Didn't love the sauce, but hey, they were going for a certain taste. Not for me, but I ordered it. What irked me was that they were pushing chu-toro as a special. I ordered the sashimi for a whopping 280 quai. When it came, it was inedible. A true embarrassment. It was tough, stringy, chewy, and fishy tasting. I love chu-toro, but this was appalling. My wife and I both tried one piece and told the waitress of our disappointment. She didn't care (or most likely, didn't understand). We did not eat the rest of it and continued to tell anyone who would listen how bad it was. Nobody cared (or again, probably understood). I told the manager, who understood. But did not care. Said she was sorry, maybe next time they do better. I told her there will be no next time if you insist on charging me for it. Insist she did. So I promised that I would write this review and never return.
This is the second time I have gone to an expensive restaurant in Shanghai where I was served something terrible and still charged for it, despite making my unhappiness clear, and essentially not touching the dish. It is the second time where I was still charged an inordinate sum for the awful dish. I am usually a pretty easy going person. But this level of service is unacceptable. This would never happen in Japan or the US, or most of Europe. If you are going to charge western prices, please provide western service.
In a bizarre twist of fate, as we were walking home, my wife found 270 quai laying on the ground in our lane. The food gods decided that I was right, and reimbursed us accordingly.
In any event, I will not return. I am just going to boycott shitty service from now on.
@Shanghaig
"I am just going to boycott shitty service from now on."
Can't imagine there's much eating out for you in the future... at least not in Shanghai :/
@narsfweasels: I guess I should clarify. If I pay 150RMB for a meal, I can handle whatever service they throw at me. But I have a different expectation at 720RMB. And I have had impeccable service at a few places (Maya and El Coctel come to mind). But your point is well taken.
Hit up Yi Cafe at the Shangri-la, fantastic service and the bill should be less than 700RMB. you won't need to eat again on the same day!
After poor service, my husband won't go back to Haiku. So I started ordering Haiku delivery for myself. After the first time, I got sick. I knew it was from something I ate, but I did not assume it was Haiku. The next week I went to a friend's house and she ordered Haiku. We both got sick. Needless to say, no more Haiku for us! I did like their rolls so hopefully they can fix things.
HBH was all in all a good experience. After having heard all the praises abouthis place we decided to head there ourselves in a group of four last saturday. First impression, nice decor from the outside, easy to find on the re-re-renovated Taojiang Lu. 2nd impression, no staff at the door, just one busy completely helpless receptionist on the phone.Noto to self: BAD. Ok, we got a great table at the many windows but no real attention by the not scarce staff. What is WRONG with you people? I sit, i need a wet towel, and a tea. Not rocket science, but comon courtesy in OTHER upper class joints. The Sake infused Martini-like Cocktails were nice though. So was the ice cold draft (asahi) after. The choice of rolls is incredible. Even the pickiest diner will find something to his or her liking. If rolls don't do it for you (well, why are you here in the 1st place ?)-there is sushi/sashimi and hot japanese food to choose from. The Beef Tataki for example was sublime (even though we tried the 'normal' variation and not the 288RMB Wagyu one). All in all a very pleasant evening, if you have the right seat AND get the attention of the waitstaff. Still, after the place filled nicely up after 21:00 it got rather noisy. Nevertheless, we will be back for more delicious roll-tasting.