Adrie Reinders

Sanraku, 704 Sutter Street, San Francisco, www.sanraku.com

When asking my hotel concierge for a good Japanese restaurant, he recommended Sanraku – a japanese Sushi restaurant known to many in California as one of the top sushi places in the county (confirmed by it winning an award for best Sushi in 2006). After having sampled its fares, I can only confirm this statement. Japanese food is one of my favourites. Having spent many years “in training” whilst doing business with companies such as Mitsui and my good friend Hideo Ito, fmr Chairman of Toshiba N&S America, I have gathered a little knowledge about how good Sushi should taste. Sanraku met all the highest qualifications,  fresh fresh fresh, top quality seafood flown in especially from Japan. Comfort and service is traditional Japanese style.

My menu consisted of a California Roll with King Crab, Spicy Tuna Maki and ofcourse my favourity handroll Salmon/Avocado. For desert I had a homemade dessert, which was like a caramel flan.

Food: 9
Service: 8
Comfort: 7.5
Price/Quality: 8.5

If you like Sushi, an absolute must whilst in San Francisco.

The Hakubai Japanese restaurant, Kitano Hotel, 60 Park Avenue, New York, NY

The Hakubai restaurant, is located in the Kitano Hotel, www.kitano.com,. The first time I visited the Hakubai, I was by my friend Hideo Ito, at that time chairman of Toshiba. It truly was what I would call “an experience”. The decor is clean and typically Japanese. The service is in style and most of the restaurant’s customers are Japanese, always a good sign. I have always been a great fan of sushi and tempura, but do have a look also at the rest of the menu which exudes Japanese cuisine.

On this occasion I had Tempura as a starter receiving a nice selection of vegetables and shrimp in a light, non-greasy batter. Perfectly prepared and very tasty. As a main course I opted for a selection of sushi – Calfiornia roll, Spicy Tuna, Tamago (egg omelet) and a handroll with salmon and avocado. Every bite was fresh and of outstanding quality. For desert I opted for the ubiquitous green tea icecream. In short – a diner fit for a king.

Hakubai comes greatly recommended. It is a perfect location to sit down for a business dinner as service is discreet and gives you time to talk as well as enjoy the wonderful dishes. Hakubai is conveniently located near Mid-Town and Grand Central Station.

Comfort: 8
Food: 9
Service: 9
Price/Quality: 8

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