Teaching My Kids More Refined Dining

When it comes to eating, my wife and I always strive for the best. My other half is a gourmet cook who prides herself as someone very skilled in culinary arts. I, on the other hand, consider myself well-travelled, reaching as far as Asia and even Egypt. I started exploring the world since high school when I was an exchange student, spending a year in Japan. Now, as a merchandiser of a popular fashion brand, I also need to source materials and get trends from all over the world. So, when it comes to eating foreign food, I am quite well-versed. Be it casual dining or an elaborate romantic dinner, my wife and I are no strangers to knowing what good food is and what constitutes a great dining experience since we started dating in college.

The thing is, my wife is so good in cooking that my kids, 7 year old twins (a boy and a girl) , are not really that conscious (yet) of the pleasures associated with eating out. Their lunches and dinners are lovingly prepared by their mother, and they never seem to get tired of their mom's cooking, as much as my wife doesn't seem to run out of ideas on what to serve her kids. They're exposed to meat loaf and chicken as much as they know what's in a good authentic taco or a hearty sushi. I'd rather hell freeze over first before I get them craving for French fries and burgers. So, fast food is definitely out of the question.

But I definitely don't want my kids feeling deprived and not knowing how to act and what to do when eating in public. I know they need the exposure so they would know how to behave in a restaurant, what and how to order, and just the feel of being served and eating outside the house and school. But since I don't want them eating junk in a fast food, I knew my wife and I have work cut out for us.

Our dilemma with exposing our kids to eating out was solved when she told me about the restaurant she and her mom ate in that week. It’s a Japanese restaurant called Hana Zen in Union Square.  She mentioned that they also have a store in Pier 39. It was a light bulb moment for me – why not get our kids their first experience in eating out where they could enjoy something different, Japanese food while enjoying a beautiful dinner at the water front?

My initial doubts of Hana Zen in Pier 39 being more of a romantic dining place rather than a family-friendly establishment were relaxed when we finally got to eat there. Sure, there were a good number of couples enjoying dinner by the bay with picturesque sights, but there were also some groups of friends, obvious tourists, and other people enjoying the sights and the great food. I was pleasantly surprised with what Hana Zen served. They aren’t just some run-of-the-mill establishment that serves American versions of Japanese food; they actually serve great tasting Japanese dishes using authentic ingredients, cooked skilfully, and prepared with excellence in mind. 

I am proud of my babies as they behaved very well in Hana Zen, and they appeared very excited when they ate the rather strange food. With that dilemma over, I can go back to Hana Zen for a different reason – it’ll be our wedding anniversary next week! 

Paying a Price for a Great Japanese Dining Experience

Fancying myself as a connoisseur when it comes to good food, I am very particular about what is served in restaurants, particularly those that serve international cuisine. For me, no matter how great the ambiance is, or how appropriate the décor and service are for a romantic dinner, all is lost if the food they serve is lousy.

Figuring out how to know if a restaurant is any good can be a challenge, and knowing if a Japanese restaurant is above par would be almost impossible. We have to admit, as Americans, we probably would not know how to separate a really good Japanese restaurant from a bad one. Don’t worry; it’s not our fault. I mean, we did not exactly grow up having sushi and chicken teriyaki for dinner. We need more exposure to the authentic stuff to know whether what we’re eating is really good or not. Alas, only a few of us have gone to Japan, or really have eaten food cooked by a Japanese master chef.

So, how do you know if the Japanese food you eat will enhance your either posh dinner date with a loved one or casual dining experience with friends and not be the cause of a spoiled evening?
My first rule is to always trust referrals, but not just any referral. As I’ve said earlier, I wouldn’t really count on someone who grew up being fed with meat loaf and mashed potatoes every day to be well-versed on the flavors of Japanese food. Those Yelp reviews of people complaining about how a Japanese restaurant like Hana Zen on Pier 39 is so expensive despite their good food and service are not helping, let me tell you. 

You cannot complain about expensive food when it is delicious, and that’s a general rule, whether you are enjoying French, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, or Japanese food. And if you want quality dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun, you better be ready to shell out extra. Japanese cuisine, much more compared to other food from anywhere in the world, relies heavily on the freshness and authenticity of ingredients. Japanese food is distinct, and substituting components like seafood and even wasabi, that unique Japanese green condiment, to lower cost will noticeably affect the quality. It doesn’t even take someone with refined taste buds to notice a marked difference between fresh wasabi and its packed counterpart or rolls prepared with authentic Japanese rice and those with generic sticky rice. And do remember that authentic ingredients prepared with utmost care by well-trained chefs are costly.

When I first heard of Hana Zen, I was bombarded with online reviews of the place being a great location for an intimate dinner at the water front, if only they would lower the steep cost of their food. The fact that people were claiming that Hana Zen’s food is quite expensive for their own good aroused my curiosity even more, and I had to try the restaurant myself. My dinner by the bay experience was definitely more expensive than the usual diner meal, but I fully expected that. I was paying for food of top notch quality, breathtaking scenery, and professional yet friendly service. What else could I ask for?

For those who want Japanese food for less, Hana Zen is not for you. But then, you couldn’t really say you had a noteworthy Japanese dining experience, could you?    

How to Make Nice With Your Wife Through Japanese Food

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!

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.