My Japanese food vocabulary was limited to maki, sushi, sashimi, tempura and sukiyaki. Until a sudden staycation brought the gang together where
we feasted on a Japanese lunch banquet good for ten persons, we’re five, by the
way. Hatsu Hana-Tei Japanese Restaurant in Makati was our rendezvous that
Saturday rainy afternoon, exactly five days before our Tokyo adventure—the perfect
introduction to the elaborate cuisine of Japanese people.
It was weekend and all five of us were stuck in town without any trip,
a rare occasion for the group these days. A sudden staycation at Herald SuitesPolaris, the newest boutique hotel in the heart of Makati’s Poblacion area, was
arranged –a chance to catch up with my favorite travel buddies (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Manila).
The gloomy weather was pulling us back to bed. We gathered at a
friend’s flat and watched as the metro got soaked because of sudden heavy
downpour. It was our typical beer sesh, minus the beer.
Hatsu Hana-Tei Japanese Restaurant
We braved the weekend traffic and arrived at our lunch place two hours
past the scheduled time. We went directly to the second level of Herald Suites
for our rendezvous that rainy afternoon.
Chef Koichi Kondo
We were led to one of the private rooms at Hatsu Hana-Tei Restaurant.
The traditional private dining room (washitsu
or tatami room) was filled with
Japanese knick-knacks which made it more authentic. We settled on our
individual cushion square (zabuton)
and were offered with hot tea.
Japanese feast
We were given the chance to chat with the executive chef, Koichi Kondo,
where we learned about his humble beginnings in Japan and how he found his home
in the Philippines. In the middle of our enjoyable chat, an appetizer came
which followed by the grand feast.
Moriawase
Kinshi Sumaki
Spicy Hotake Maki (P270)
Battera
Chicken Yakitori
Tempura Set
Mango Gyu Maki (P220)
Fried Fish in Teriyaki Sauce
Ebi Gyoza (P220)
Sashimi Set
I failed to get the names of each dish but everything was absolutely
great. The subtlety of the taste and the aesthetic appeal was definitely spot on
legit. The gang enjoyed each and every bite of the meticulously prepared
dishes. It was as if we were kids on a candy store trying to sample all the sweetie
collection.
Our supposed 2-hour lunch ended on a Japanese enculturation with stories
from our lovely chef (who knows how to speak Filipino). It was a lovely
afternoon paired with fun tales and whatnots; the perfect prelude to our Tokyo
adventure.
Omg I am drooling over this Japanese restaurant Hatsu Hana-Tei in Makati.All the shared pics of yummy cuisines are so mouth watering.I am in love with this restaurant
Omg I am drooling over this Japanese restaurant Hatsu Hana-Tei in Makati.All the shared pics of yummy cuisines are so mouth watering.I am in love with this restaurant
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