I never understood the appeal of Hatsune. I thought everything about it was quite ordinary. (Not bad, mind you, but all the reviews and verbal descriptions and my actual experience certainly did not match up.) My view on Hatsune is that it's a good restaurant that wins awards because of cute and clever advertising campaigns (that then drives votes in all the reader awards) more than actual high quality food. As for service, it hasn't been bad in my experience, but far from a "best service" award for my book. Also, the facilities are starting to show signs of age... the area on the front stairwell is starting to peel and crack. In my mind, it's not hugely superior to Isshin anymore. (And I went to Hatsune today so my opinion shouldn't be out-of-date per se.)

That weird sh*t you're describing sounds like okonomiyaki, and it's really tasty. Particularly if it's Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which has noodles in it. Try it sometime. (And yes, you can order it without mayonnaise...)

You call hatsune's advertising campaign 'clever and cute'? As an advertising creative who has worked with Hatsune I have to disagree with you. They don't have any strategy and don't know what they want, they tell the designer 'whatever that's different, Japanese cult comic style is preferred', then reject a draft that meets the brief for no reason - their 'marketing manager' is a girl who's merely 19 I believe. As a result their ads are inconsistent and crap.

On a relative basis, on a relative basis. Yes, they're inconsistent (I remember an ad with a guy eating a pile of wasabi followed by an ad of... Homer Simpson?), but it's obviously "different" than other Japanese restaurants. (I personally didn't find it funny, but it was memorable at least.)

I like it for sure! But also willing to try new ones all the time. Again, show me any other Japanese restaurant that has unique menus and a clever ad campaign, and you can bet I'll give it a try!

The Best Service award in our Reader Restaurant Awards actually went to Hatsune - Alameda won for Best Business Lunch and Restaurant of the Year.

They did indeed get an Honorable Mention at the bottom of the page along with Aria. Our pick was the North Korean restaurant Hai Tang Hua for their fabulous singing waitresses...

I think best service should go to Paul's steak and egg or Peter's texmex.

Of all the places i've been to in Beijing, not one came close to having the same level as those two. They're consistently great.

Bringing up this topic again....

Saturday night was the third time we have been to hatsune in about 2 months, its also the third time in a row that they do not have any maodou (hairy beans) and dont have Asahi beer.

this time to add to the "Meiyou" list was... any cocktail with fruit in it and Sea Urchin.

The manager was also in a really foul mood and after sighing and giving us blunt unapologetic replies she dragged another waitress over to our table and began yelling at her in Chinese in front of us even calling her stupid.

we also ran into the owner of Hatsune last weekend at centro and he claims he is never at the restaurant anymore because he is busy working on the opening of his new creation on ChaoYang Park West Gate.. i guess this may be why the service is suffering but im tired of hatune!

is there another japanese restaurant which has not only great sashimi (like albacore tuna) but also creative rolls like hatsune?

I've been to Hatuse only twice, I prefer Kagen.
First time was maybe two years ago,a dn the second time was just the other night. First time was ok, but Kagen is much better.
I was a bit reluctant to go the other night because I read all the complaints here, but I must say, it wasn't really that bad.
The only thing that was bad was the service (it is important).
It took them like 20 minutes to come and take our drink order, and then it took them another 30 minutes to bring us our drinks. Ok, we were having cocktails, but still. The same cocktail takes like 3 minutes to be made and brought to you at Kagen.
After that we made our order, and the witress asked if we wanted to have everything we ordered brought at the same time, we said "yes". Needless to say, it didn't happen. It only made us angrier cause she asked.
The food was also coming very slowly, so we spent like 3 hours there.
It was a very pleasant evening with our friends and the bad service can't really spoil it.
But, yes, the service was somewhat bad. But the food was good.

Oh, and Len Len, it's very nice, great atmosphere, and nice menu. Only they change it very often so my favorite spinach dish is not there anymore. :cry:
But, if you like japanese it's deffinitely worth a try.

i went for the 1st time on monday at hatsune

it was goood, me and my friend liked it a lot

it took a while for the martinis to come, but the waitress had warned us it would be a bit long (btw, the coconut martini was good, but not unforgettable, but tastes can differ ...)

the food was really good, the location was very nice, the service was ... u know what, but not too bad

and the sushis with salmon and salmon skin were awesome

i will definitely go back there, should also give a try at kagen then

btw, the thing at ritan south gate is "love the people", still under construction, it must have sth to do "serve the people"? are they all connected?

yep,
and being located just in front of maggies, that s a very very good name indeed
8-) 8-) 8-)

Mika, could you please tell us the name of this restaurant? Address and/or telephone number might be helpful too.

The Chinese adress is messed up. But if you call them, they speak Chinese. The restaurant is not in That's Beijing yet. I think they opened in May this year.