My favorite theater is right next to this restaurant and as I love sushi and visit every sushi bar in greater Austin I can find, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to try Hayashi. But it was an enormous disappointment from beginning to end. To start, the interior of the restaurant is very sparse and about equal to what you get in a basic burger joint. Given its location in a strip mall perhaps that's to be expected, but I was hoping for a little better first impression. And then I got the menu. ""Holy Cow you have got to be kidding!” was my first response. These were prices you find in restaurants far classier and better located just about anywhere else in Austin. If you want to impress your date with dollars, there are far nicer places around town to do it. If you want great Sushi without having to empty your wallet, there are much better options available. My sense of fair play for trying the food before making the thumbs up/down decision was all that kept me from walking out right then and there. That and the glass of water I asked (and was charged) for prior to the menu being presented. So from the menu I ordered my standard triad of soup, a la carte sushi, and a couple special rolls. The meal was delivered on time and service was certainly acceptable but not remarkable. Hayashi seemed overstaffed the day I went as there were lots of employees hanging around with not a lot to keep them busy. And there was a conspicuous amount of banging and washing noises coming from the kitchen. These are usually the signs that something is not all right at the restaurant. When my choices arrived the portions seemed a bit on the stingy side and the presentation was far overdone in comparison to the dining surroundings. Definitely art-food at its finest but the impression Hayashi makes is they’re serving you a $70 8oz Filet Mignon with Merlot in a McDonalds. And unfortunately not a very good filet either. Which is exactly my assessment of the meal offered by Hayashi: Mostly acceptable but not great. Certainly not worth the price based on what the same money will buy in more serious restaurants elsewhere. Great restaurants know how to balance atmosphere, presentation, taste, and price. My advice to you is not to miss visiting one of Austin's many wonderful restaurants when you dine out. Observe and enjoy the whole experience. But you can skip eating at Hyashi and be the richer for it.
Cons: Expensive, Over-prepared, boring interior
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