Hana Zen for a Breathtaking Japanese Food Fix

If there’s anything my husband and I agree on, that would be hankerings for not-so-usual food. It is actually good that we have very diverse tastes, because it allows for everything – from going to exotic fruit hunts at night to visiting foreign countries and tasting tripe, innards, and different things most people may find inedible or simply disgusting. It doesn’t surprise us when one day, out of the blue, one of us will just suddenly surprise the other by declaring we should have dinner at the water front for some seafood. After all, we are proud residents of San Francisco, and we take advantage of its proximity to the wonders of the sea.

One day, though, we both had our sights set on different things. I had a craving for Japanese food, while he was thinking of having an intimate romantic dinner with a splendid view of the San Francisco bay.  Now, that was a bit of a challenge, right? We would have to look for a restaurant that serves Japanese with a view in the wharf area that would have an aura of intimacy.

So, we headed off to the Bay area, just in time to see the glorious sunset. It was simply breathtaking to watch the sparkle of the water going all around the edges of the Golden Gate Bridge. It looked like a golden crown! The sunset, the bridge, and just the quiet simplicity of it all made us appreciate the drive, because it was still quite far from the tourist trap of Tendernob. We know there were good Japanese restaurants in that area, but we were sure we do not want to pay such a steep price and get lost in a sea of camera and shopping bag-tagging crowds.  

We finally decided we were going to have our intimate dinner by the bay in Pier 39, in a restaurant called Hana Zen. What struck me were the panoramic windows of the restaurant that overlook at the breathtaking sights! Whether you’re there on a casual dining binge or a romantic dinner, you can’t help but feel a certain intimacy because of the amazing scenery you can appreciate from inside the restaurant. With its delectable selection of Japanese staples and some fusion dishes, my craving for some really good sashimi was satisfied.

Another thing that really made our visit to Hana Zen quite memorable was the great service we got. The attendants were really knowledgeable of what they were serving and did not keep on intruding and disturbing us while my husband and I were having our moments. I really do not appreciate those waiters that keep on butting in to do something like refilling drinks or taking out plates on the table when you are supposed to be having a romantic dinner. That really spoils the mood! I know they are only doing their job, but that can be a real drag!

So, for anyone with a sudden craving for great Japanese food and spectacular scenery, go to Hana Zen. The specialty rolls and the sushi, plus of course, the sashimi are top notch. You definitely won’t regret coming!

Thanks Hana Zen From the Girls and I

Finally! It's Saturday night and that only means one thing for me and my girls - our every other weekend girl bonding session! This Saturday is my turn to pick the place where we can wine, dine, and just let our hair down! It's a good thing for me because I wouldn't need to worry too much about our location, thanks to Claire, the one who planned our session two weeks ago. And to think we were never confident about her choices when it comes to dining places! Suffice to say that Hana Zen did change our mind.

You see, just like most other groups of girl friends, we somehow have varied personalities that make each one of us quirky in our own way. If we were the seminal girl power TV series Sex and the City, I think I would be Carrie, the free spirit known for her fashionable attire and her eclectic tastes in just about anything, including where we go out to eat. Dianne would be our Samantha, a high profile “It” girl whose main goal is to educate us to the hottest clubs and bars.  Grace would be our Charlotte, someone who would rather be in cultural events and is expected to get us together in museum and art gallery cafes and restaurants. And then, there is Claire, our Samantha, the in-demand corporate lawyer who we run to when we need legal, financial, and love advice. But when it comes to fashion and events, let's just say that we do not set our expectations that high when Claire is in control.

So, when she suggested that we would hold our twice a month bonding session in Hana Zen because she and her hubby had a romantic dinner there months ago, we weren't exactly sure it would be the best place to hold our girl’s night out. Personally, I was not sure a Japanese dinner at the water front would be that exciting of an experience, especially when it comes to these ladies who just want to let their hair down, have a drink or two and have a good time.

But all our fears (or at least the three of us) were silenced upon entering the place. The panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay area was just too scenic not to be enjoyed. It was just beautiful and could very well make up for any false impressions we had of the place. As for the food, my hotate bacon maki was firm and tangy, worth the 15 minute wait, and the soft shell crab tempura was a piece of seafood heaven served to me. And when our drinks came suffice to say we ordered a lot! That sake sagini was just not enough for one round.

I am actually excited to have Friday lunch with my officemates at Hana Zen’s Union Square store, perfect for casual dining. And as for my girls, it’s going to be another round of dinner by the bay with scintillating sights and really good food at Hana Zern this weekend.

Romantic Japanese Dining in San Francisco

Out to impress someone? You can either take them out for a walk along the streets of the city or by the beach or surprise her with flowers and chocolate while she is at work.  For sure that gesture would get her swooning and make her the envy of her female officemate.  However, a surefire way of impressing someone would be taking her out to a romantic dinner with spectacular views of the bay. This is something that would surely make a big impact on her.

If you want to make the best out of this romantic dinner date, why not take her to a Japanese restaurant.  It may sound unique but a date in a Japanese restaurant would be the perfect place because of the ambiance that it offers.  One place that you should consider would be Hana Zen Restaurant over at Pier 39 by the Embarcadero. It offers perfect panoramic views of San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. This classy restaurant would surely take her breath away not just because of the spectacular view but also because of the quality of the food that they serve. This dinner by the bay would surely make a great impression on her and be an unforgettable moment of your time together.

As said, not only the place is spectacular but also the food that they serve. At Hana Zen, you can rely on great quality food at all times.  The chefs of this esteemed restaurant take pride in their cuisine by maintaining strict quality and high standards with the ingredients, preparation and presentation.  They only serve the freshest ingredients in order to adhere to the strict Japanese cuisine standards.

As a restaurant that offers casual dining experience, Hana Zen also has a branch over at Union Square in Cyril Magnin Street. This is perfect if you want to invite your special someone over to a quick lunch while in the city.  This is also perfect for spending happy hour while enjoying Sake, Sake flights as well as wines and cocktails.  This is the perfect venue for getting to know your date.  Not too crowded, yet right in the heart of the city.

You would wonder why go to a Japanese restaurant for a dinner date, let alone a romantic one? The answer to this is that the ambiance that it offers is perfect. When you get your special someone to have a dinner at the waterfront that alone is already something special. The views that it offers are the perfect backdrop for a romantic conversation. Another thing is that you can never go wrong with Japanese cuisine if you want to impress someone.  The bite size pieces of the sushi and maki rolls are the perfect food when you want to have a meaningful conversation.  Sharing ideas and getting to know the person over dinner is easy to do because there would be no need to worry about cutting the food and taking a spoonful of it. 

Hana Zen at the pier is the perfect place to bring that special person you want to impress.  The spectacular views, romantic ambiance, great food and impeccable service would never fail to impress. For sure, this would be one of your most memorable dinner dates ever.

Stars and Stripes in Hana Zen

Japanese food is one of the more popular international cuisines in the world.  Its popularity is already known all over the world that chances are you are going to see a Japanese restaurant in most countries that you visit.  It really cannot be blamed for this fame that it is enjoying today because of the fact that Japanese people take pride in their cuisine and has taken great lengths in order to master its preparation.

If you are hankering for a truly real Japanese meal in the Bay area, why not try out Hana Zen Restaurant down by Pier 39?  San Francisco is blessed to have this restaurant that serves authentic Japanese cuisine.  They have the usual Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi and tempura.  However, they also have other dishes that you would want to try out like Sushi rolls and noodle dishes that are made of the freshest ingredients cooked in the traditional Japanese way.

Since this restaurant is located in the Bay area, it also caters to vegetarian eaters as they have a Hana Zen vegetarian special on their menu.  If your romantic date is not fond of meats, then this restaurant is the perfect place to bring him or her along as both of you would be able to enjoy the evening with great view and good sweeping views of the Bay.

As a casual dining place, Hana Zen restaurant is also a perfect place to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or any other special dates.  They also have a branch over at the city center along 115 Cyril Magnin Street.  This branch is perfect for spending happy hour with office mates after a stressful day in the office. They server a variety of drinks from non-alcoholic drinks such strawberry and raspberry lemonade as well as Pinacoladas and Daiquiris.  If you prefer to have a little buzz, then you can choose from a variety of alcoholic drinks like imported and local beers, wines and when already there, try out their Sake Bomb and their special Shochu Chu-Hi.  This drink is similar to vodka but can be mixed with a different flavors available in their bar.  This would be nice to celebrate the coming 4th of July festivities with a glass of good drink and great food.

To make the coming 4th of July festivities more special, you can bring your loved one to have dinner by the bay.  The Pier 39 panorama will make you breathless as you both have a front seat to great views of the fireworks display that usually caps off the day’s festivities. Don’t forget to call in advance and reserve so that they will be able to save you the best seats by the restaurant’s windows. 

Dinner at the waterfront restaurants may seem expensive.  However, Hana Zen will dispel the notion that you have in mind. Every penny spent on this restaurant is worth it as you can taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients put into every dish that comes out of their kitchen. So if you want to spend a memorable 4th of July this year, consider reserving a table at any of the two Hana Zen restaurants in San Francisco.  You won’t regret it, that’s for sure. 

Getting the Full San Francisco Experience With Hana Zen

Oh, San Francisco! What an amazing city! As someone from the Midwest, I was amazed at this charming city when I tagged along with my husband for a business trip. The city is a perfect mix of modernity and quirky traditions. The tall buildings stand side by side with the world’s most famous Chinatown. The Bay Area and Fisherman’s Wharf are perfect locations for a some strolling, sightseeing, and picture taking. For a day steep in history, one can go to Alcatraz, which was until its closure, the most secure prison in the world with allegedly zero escapes, or ride a cable car, the first of which ran in the late 19th century.

I know I may sound like a naïve out-of-towner tourist who’s in awe of such a big city, but the truth is, San Francisco is really one nice place to go to. As my husband was busy with all the matters he had to finish for business, I had a grand time exploring the city. I shopped ‘til I dropped, got fascinated by the sights, and savored the sounds of this wonderful place. But then, as business hours ended, I expected (and of course, told my husband) to be wined and dined, San Francisco style. So, I told him to better regale me with a memorable dinner at the water front to really complete my wonder SF experience. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, right?

I could tell hubby was a bit pressured to take me somewhere that would be up to my expectations, which weren’t that much before I touched down San Francisco, but are now quite high after getting a taste of the city. The city has some of the best restaurants in the world, so I think any girl would have great expectations when sampling the culinary treats of a city like San Francisco, right?

My husband picked me up from the hotel we were staying and told me we were going to Hana Zen, a restaurant on Pier 39 one of his San Francisco associates recommended to him. Immediately, I have to say I was impressed by the location and look of the restaurant. The panoramic views as seen from the place’s windows were just breathtaking! That’s one point for San Francisco!

Then, it was time to order. I have to admit, my taste in food is not that refined, so I am quite easy to please. But at the same time, I am not the first person you would think of as someone adventurous when it comes to eating. So, I tried a little of everything on the Hana Zen menu, from Goma-ae to the creative rolls and even some chic sake infused cocktails. I have to say, I didn’t want the exotic names to overwhelm me, and I just focused on the flavors.

And the flavors were great! I could really sense the restaurant was using fresh ingredients in preparing their food. With the right atmosphere, this sumptuous food, my dinner by the bay experience was complete. I was also informed that Hana Zen also has a restaurant in Union Square, perfect for casual dining.

Now, I can really say my San Francisco experience was complete, thanks to all the places I went to, and especially Hana Zen!

Japanese Food and a Romantic Date: A Unique Combination That Works

Are you looking for a place to bring your loved one for a date? As someone who has been through countless dates and romantic rendezvous, a dinner over looking the bay is actually a lovely idea.  Also, it does not need to be a holiday or have a special occasion to have a romantic dinner with your special someone.  Any day of the week is special as long as it is spent with the people who matter to us and the element of surprise will make the whole event all the more special. 

When it comes to a dinner date, of course, the quality of the restaurant is important. Aside from the restaurant’s ambiance it is the quality of what you will eat that will make any dinner special. The food served can be the make or break thing that will make the date unforgettable for either the right or wrong reasons.  In the Pier 39 area, I recommend a Japanese restaurant that you can try out.  Hana Zen Restaurant along Pier 39, M209 is its name.   This is one Japanese restaurant where you can bring your special someone for a date to enjoy both high quality Japanese cuisine and the beautiful sights.

You might find it unusual to bring your date to a Japanese restaurant. I say it really is not so. The restaurant’s ambiance is not too formal making it a great casual dining place, but still allows for an intimate, peaceful setting.  Some people would argue that Japanese restaurants have an all-too-formal ambiance, which is not really conducive for getting-to-know-you conversations. This is not the case for Hana Zen, as they also have a branch in Union Square along 115 Cyril Magnin Street.  They have a Yakitori station over at this branch, which is the perfect food that matches well with drinks and beer.  Having a conversation while letting your hair down a little and sharing this type of food is great, especially when you are still in the early stages of dating. 

However, for those who equate a romantic date with a restaurant that’s all about ambiance, their Pier 39 branch is the best option.  Having dinner by the bay is really romantic, and it can become more special when the food served is of the highest quality.  From the quality of the ingredients to the presentation of the food served, Japanese cuisine does have high standards. Let me assure you that food quality will be the last of your worries when dining in Hana Zen, so you can worry about other things like how you’re doing with the conversation or if your date keeps on checking his or her phone or the clock.  

Having dinner at the waterfront in Hana Zen is surely a romantic date you can enjoy with your special significant other.  Because Japanese food is all about presentation, you can be assured that there will be no awkward moments between you or your date.  So, if you want to have the perfect romantic ambiance with the best table and food in town, check out any of the two Hana Zen Restaurant branches and for sure, you won’t regret bringing your date there. 

Turning your Ordinary Day into A Special One at Hana Zen Restaurant

Thinking of impressing your loved one when going out? A dinner over looking a panoramic bay will actually be something notable.  However, you do not need to have a special occasion to enjoy a romantic dinner with your special someone.  Any day can be special as long as you spend it with your loved ones.  A simple dinner can be made special with the restaurant’s ambiance.  It is the quality of the food will make it a special night for the both of you because it is the highlight of the night.  If you are in the Pier 39 area, you might want to check out Han Zen Restaurant at their branch at Pier 39, M209, by Beach and Embarcadero intersection.  This is one Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy high quality Japanese cuisine without breaking the bank.

Hana Zen in Pier 39 serves nothing but excellent Japanese food anyone would expect like Sushi, Maki, and Sashimi, among others. This is what makes this restaurant versatile as you can find a wide variety of dishes enough to satisfy your Japanese food cravings.  This restaurant is also a great place to hang out because of its laid back ambiance.  You can hang out here with your officemates and let the stress out after a long day’s work in the office. Dinner at the water front will surely be enjoyable especially when spent with friends.

For those who want a place closer to the city center, Han Zen also has a branch over at Union Square in 115 Cyril Magnin Street.  There is no need to worry as you can expect the same consistently great quality of the food served to you.  They are also open for lunch and dinner at this branch so this is also a perfect place to meet up with friends over a quick lunch.  Also, being near the city center, it is a great place to have dinner with colleagues after work because of its location.  It is located right in the heart of the city in Union Square near the business district, which makes it very convenient. You might be one of the lucky ones whose office is just several steps away from the place. It is not just a great hangout place but can also be a place to set up your client with a lunch meeting.

Han Zen in Union Square specializes in Yakitori.  These are little pieces of meat and vegetables skewered on barbeque sticks and then grilled and basted with a special sauce. The Japanese take this food with drink and share it with friends.  Having this is perfect if you prefer a casual dining setting experience.  The chefs here have perfected the art of grilling these little treats and they can make you eat several sticks of it in one sitting without you noticing it. 

For those who want to have dinner at the Pier 39 branch, calling in advance to reserve a table is recommended.    It is advisable to call them early so that you will get the best spot right by the window, which looks out into the sea.  With an uninterrupted view of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, this is surely the perfect and most romantic spot.  You and your date will surely have a great time having dinner by the bay while enjoying the spectacular views.  Any ordinary dinner date will surely become special because of the place and the food served in this restaurant.