Hananoki Japanese Steakhouse

03/12/2008 Posted by ana_b76

This so-called Japanese restaurant has bastardized everything that is good about Japanese food. While the grill items aren’t too terribly done (mine was overcooked), the rest of the items are changed to suit the average over-weight American palate. Any descent steakhouse could out-do any number of items than are on the menu. Granted they don’t cook it in front of you while grease splatters on you or a sheen of sweat develops from the large flame that is 2 feet in front of your face, but they do a comparable, if not better job of cooking the steak. As for the Miso or Mushroom soup, it was made of either chicken or beef broth which they charged $5 or $6 bucks for. I could get a can of either for less than a buck. It was not real Miso soup. Real Miso soup is made of niboshi (dried baby sardines), kombu (dried kelp), katsuobushi (thin shavings of dried and smoked bonito, aka skipjack tuna), or hoshi-shiitake (dried shiitake mushrooms). The konbu can also be used in combination with katsuobushi or hoshi-shiitake. The kelp and/or shiitake dashi serve as a vegetarian soup stock. Outside of Japan, American or European style miso soup is sometimes made by dissolving miso in a western vegetable stock. The stock might include ingredients such as negi, carrot, potato and daikon radish. I am more than fairly certain that none of the above mentioned was in this so-called Miso soup, not even miso paste!! As for the sushi, there were about 7 options. Five of which had some kind of cream sauce or cream cheese, increasing the fat and flavor content for the unchallenged American palate. The other two? Those were deep fried, which included the local famous Clarksville roll. Need I say more? To note, I saw no actual Asian people eating there. Given the wonderful cultural mix the town of Clarksville has, this, to me was an indication and a validation that there food was in a Japanese sense, terrible.

Pros: good grill, interesting show

Cons: disgusting greasy food, poor quality, cheap ingredients

04/15/2007 Posted by klplummer

Hananoki is the best japanese steakhouse is Clarksville, Tn!!! My husband and I go there for our birthdays every year. Everything we have ever ordered has always been delicious. We usually get the asparagus beef rolls (I don't even like asparagus but these are great) and lately we have also been getting the shiitake mushrooms as appetizers. The lobster and filet is perfect. My husband has even started eating rice because of their fried rice. We don't order drinks and the price usually costs @ $30 each but we come out completely full and satisfied, sometimes with a to go box. Sitting around the hibatchi grill with 6-8 other people has been fun and the chefs are very entertaining (they even make cleaning the grill interesting for me). This may not be the most romantic place to dine but the food is so delicious you won't be disappointed. We like to go around 5:00 so we don't have to wait. If you go later than that or on the weekend I suggest making reservations.

Pros: Wonderful food

Cons: They don't serve sweet tea

02/26/2007 Posted by apierce423

My husband and I have dined at Hananoki quite a few times over the last few years and we love it! We'd eat here constantly if we could afford it!! It is a fun atmosphere and the chefs are kid-friendly as well. It is pretty common to have to wait a while to get a table (best if you have a reservation, especially if it's a holiday), but there is a nice bar area and everyone is super nice and friendly. The food is absolutely delicious - they use the best cuts of meat and seafood, and cook it to perfection. The chefs are generally engaging and very professional, and even kid-friendly, and the servers are on the ball. I would recommend this restaurant to couples or groups, as we have had a great time both ways.

08/21/2006 Posted by jlavely

hananoki is a very good retsuraunt, thy have excellent chefs and amazing waitresses. Jessica a waitress there is the best i had. she is prompt and the customers mean alot to her. i soley recommend this resturaunt on any night out, with anyone.

Pros: good food, waitresses, and chefs

Cons: nothing

02/16/2006 Posted by comfortbunch

We went to Hananoki for our anniversary and had a wonderful time. The food was great!!! Best I have eaten at a Japanese Steakhouse. The service was excellent and the chef's show was amazing. We arrived at 5:00 but by the time we left at 6:15, there was standing room only in the reception area.

Pros: Group Setting

Cons: Not intimate

11/17/2005 Posted by monoptn

The Japanese steakhouses in Nashville don't hold a candle to this one. Be prepared to wait if you don't have reservations. The food is superb and the cooks put on a great show cooking the food at your table. If you like steak, be sure to get the filet; it melts in your mouth. All seafoods are excellent as well.

Pros: great food, fun atmosphere

Cons: a little pricey, may have to wait