Hatsu Hana-Tei Japanese Restaurant in Makati

My Japanese food vocabulary was limited to maki, sushi, sashimi, tempura and sukiyaki. Until a sudden staycation brought the gang together where we feasted on a Japanese lunch banquet good for ten persons, we’re five, by the way. Hatsu Hana-Tei Japanese Restaurant in Makati was our rendezvous that Saturday rainy afternoon, exactly five days before our Tokyo adventure—the perfect introduction to the elaborate cuisine of Japanese people.

It was weekend and all five of us were stuck in town without any trip, a rare occasion for the group these days. A sudden staycation at Herald SuitesPolaris, the newest boutique hotel in the heart of Makati’s Poblacion area, was arranged –a chance to catch up with my favorite travel buddies (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Manila).

An exquisite Kaiseki Matsu meal for one person personally prepared by Chef Koichi Kondo of Hatsu Hana-Tei Japanese Restaurant in Makati City. Itadakimasu! 😀 @heraldsuites #HatsuHanaTei #HeraldSuites

A post shared by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on Oct 16, 2017 at 12:35am PDT

The gloomy weather was pulling us back to bed. We gathered at a friend’s flat and watched as the metro got soaked because of sudden heavy downpour. It was our typical beer sesh, minus the beer.

Hatsu Hana-Tei Japanese Restaurant

We braved the weekend traffic and arrived at our lunch place two hours past the scheduled time. We went directly to the second level of Herald Suites for our rendezvous that rainy afternoon.

Chef Koichi Kondo

We were led to one of the private rooms at Hatsu Hana-Tei Restaurant. The traditional private dining room (washitsu or tatami room) was filled with Japanese knick-knacks which made it more authentic. We settled on our individual cushion square (zabuton) and were offered with hot tea.

Japanese feast

We were given the chance to chat with the executive chef, Koichi Kondo, where we learned about his humble beginnings in Japan and how he found his home in the Philippines. In the middle of our enjoyable chat, an appetizer came which followed by the grand feast.

Moriawase

Kinshi Sumaki

Spicy Hotake Maki (P270)

Battera

Chicken Yakitori

Tempura Set

Mango Gyu Maki (P220)

Fried Fish in Teriyaki Sauce

Ebi Gyoza (P220)

Sashimi Set

I failed to get the names of each dish but everything was absolutely great. The subtlety of the taste and the aesthetic appeal was definitely spot on legit. The gang enjoyed each and every bite of the meticulously prepared dishes. It was as if we were kids on a candy store trying to sample all the sweetie collection.

Our supposed 2-hour lunch ended on a Japanese enculturation with stories from our lovely chef (who knows how to speak Filipino). It was a lovely afternoon paired with fun tales and whatnots; the perfect prelude to our Tokyo adventure.

Hatsu Hana Tei Japanese Restaurant

2/F Herald Suites, 2168 Don Chino Roces Avenue,

Makati City, Philippines
Herald Suites (check here for discounted rates)

Contact Number: (+63) 2.759.6388

Email Address: mark@heraldsuites.com

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Opening Hours: 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm | 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm