My girlfriend and I tried this place on a Friday night per a friend's recommendation. The food was superb -- the seafood was fresh and the veggies crisp. We especially enjoyed the at-your-table cooking. Another nice touch was the cook's insistence that he make our fried rice to our particular tastes, even offering semi-cooked samples in order to adjust to preference. To top it all, the service and staff were very attentive and EXTREMELY polite -- a welcome change for those who've experienced the wrath of Tsukasa of Tokyo's (of Vernon Hills) grumpy and inconsistent service. And we had virtually no wait -- also a pleasant departure from Tsukasa's endless delays.\r
\r
For those familiar with Tsukasa, take note: Hanakawa's offerings are virtually identical, save for Hanakawa's lower prices and far better service. This is clearly a smaller venue than the behemoth Tsukasa, but I think that's what makes it better. You won't be disappointed, and hopefully, like me, you'll never go back to Tsukasa!
Pros: Yummy, fresh food; attentive, polite service; an alternative to Tsukasa!
Cons: None significant.
more