Hana

Uptown 4: Riverbend, Carrollton & Broadmoor: 8116 Hampson. 504-865-1634. Map.
Casual.
AE DC DS MC V

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
Hana's longevity and location--in the restaurant row anchored by the Camellia Grill--brings it an unusually loyal cadre of regular customers, many of them from the nearby universities. Being a known customer here confers even more benefits than usual. Walk in from nowhere, and you'll find a pretty good sushi bar, but nothing spectacular. But if your face is familiar, the chefs start letting you in on all sorts of unusual specialties. (You can also get that if you're a friendly, inquisitive type.) The quality is above average, the price below average.

WHAT'S GOOD
They are capable of building remarkable works of sushi and sashimi part here. Ask and receive. But they're also caught in the same current vogues of using too much mayonnaise and snow crab salad in too many dishes. The cooked side of the menu also ranges from the standard to the remarkable. With a little notice, they'll build a kaiseki menu that will remain in your mind a long time for its beauty and deliciousness.

BACKSTORY
Hana opened in 1988, when you could count the number of sushi bars in New Orleans on the fingers of one hand. It has been steady state ever since, following the trends (like the current one toward immense rolls with too many ingredients) as it went.

DINING ROOM
The restaurant lives in a converted cottage with high ceilings, which add spaciousness to a not-very-large restaurant. They’ve decorated it fancifully and colorfully.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
»Sushi and sashimi.
Shu-mai (steamed dumplings).
Miso soup.
»Seafood soup.
Seaweed salad.
Sunomono salad.
»Tuna tataki.
»Tuna poke (Hawaiian-style tuna tartare).
Japanese ceviche.
»Irori (skewers of various meats and seafoods, grilled at the table).
»Hana bento (a dinner of sushi and sashimi with many side vegetables).

FOR BEST RESULTS
Become a regular, or ask a lot of questions. If you don't see it, ask for it. Don't hesitate to request the unusual or ambitious dish.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
The sushi always seems a touch too warm for my taste, but it's not a serious issue.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

Dining Environment

Consistency +1

Service+1

Value +1

Attitude +1

Wine & Bar

Hipness +1

Local Color +1

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

• Sidewalk tables
• Open Sunday lunch and dinner
• Open Monday lunch and dinner
• Open all afternoon
• Quick, good meal
• Easy, nearby parking

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