As a businessman, I get to enjoy perks and privileges not a lot of people can experience in their lifetime. One of these is being able to travel overseas to meet clients, strengthen bonds with partners, and oversee projects that my company has established in faraway places. Of course, these experiences have gotten me away from my family, so I do miss them at lot. But I also have to count my blessings and consider that these experiences have made me a more well-rounded person and have exposed me to so many thing I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Just a month ago, I finally went to Japan to strike a deal with potential investors. Oh, the place was just fantastic! I got to experience the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, but our Japanese hosts also took us on a tour to the countryside, which was only an hour away from the city, thanks to those superfast trains the Japanese have. I went back to the States quite overwhelmed with the experience, but so glad to be with my family again.
If only my wife were that excited as I was. She was very quiet when I told everyone about things in Japan over dinner. The sights, the sounds, and yes, especially the food! That was some delicious and exotic food we had. I also couldn’t help but feel healthy because we were served a lot of seafood, lean meat, and veggies! Then, when we were finally alone, she confessed to getting irritated because I wouldn’t stop talking about Japan. But really, can anyone blame me about being excited about the whole thing?
Well, nobody blamed me all right, but I sure received really cold treatment during the next few days. My wife gave me monosyllabic answers when we talk! I knew I had to get out of this fix, but how? Then, I suddenly thought, how about if I treat my wife to a romantic dinner in a Japanese restaurant? That way, she could also get to taste the things I’ve been raving about for the past week. But the question is, where do I get really good Japanese food without going broke in San Francisco?
After soon reading on restaurant reviews on the Web, I finally settled on this place that’s supposed to serve great Japanese food and offer spectacular sights of San Francisco bay. So, Hana Zen it was for a dinner at the water front for my wife to talk to me again. Well, having tasted the authentic thing from the source, I kept my expectations at a manageable level, both at the scenery (I’ve lived in San Francisco for twenty years, so what really could impress me about its sights?) and the food.
So, I was genuinely surprised with both when we finally arrived in the Pier 39 store of Hana Zen. It was breathtaking, indeed! I have never seen San Francisco from this vantage point, and the panoramic windows of the restaurant allowed us to bathe in the twinkling lights of the bay. And when we finally got to our food, I have to say, I was impressed. Hana Zen’s chef got the flavors just about right, something I would never think could be done outside Japan.
It’s great to know that Hana Zen also has a restaurant in the city center, which should be perfect for casual dining or for taking my Japanese counterparts when it’s their turn to visit us here. As for my wife, the dinner by the bay plan was a success. In fact, it was so successful, she now can’t stop talking about Japanese food and dropping hints about joining me in my next trip to Japan. I’m taking it one victory at a time, so I’m just glad she’s talking to me again, and how!
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