Hotaru Japanese Restaurant, San Mateo report w/ pics

[hhc]

We went here for Sun. dinner since hubby was hungry and I've been curious about this place for a long time.

This place was even busy on a Sun night! Since it was our first time and we came in the back entrance (where u walk pass the bathroom and kitchen) we didn't know we had to sign our name in the front entrance sign-up sheet.

We waited about 15 minutes to get seated. We then got Free edamame (soy beans) and green tea.

We ordered lots:

hubby got broiled mackerel dinner $9.95-comes w/ soup, salad, cold tofu, rice and 2 big slices of mackerel. Everything was pretty good.

1 order of chawan mushi $3.80-was served covered, very temperature hot w/ hot egg custard and lots of savory seafood down below, also lemon zest on the top.

2 orders of scallop nigiri $2.80 each.-creamy, though I've had better ones at other restaurants, lots of wasabi I thought. Just ok.

saba nigiri $2.80-was good.

2 orders Ikura (salmone roe) $3.80 each. Very good.

2 spicy tuna hand rolls $3.80 each. Good, comes w/ avocado in it.

2 orders shiro maguro (albacore) $2.80 ea. I liked it, but it didn't come with a tiny drop of garlic that other places serve it with.

They have an upstairs that I didn't check out. One unisex bathroom downstairs near the back entrance.

Our damage was $45.10 before tip. Will go back, recommended. They take Credit cards. Open 365 days a year!

Hotaru
33 E 3rd Ave
Cross street: El Camino Real, next door to Citibank.
San Mateo, CA 94401
[phone]
http://www.hotarurestaurant.com/

check out my pics.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow...

Time visited: 1

[capriana94555]

thanks for your report : )
looks like the chawanmushi was over cooked or the dashi stock/egg ratio wasnt right

[hhc]

adding link:

-----
Hotaru Japanese Restaurant
33 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

[wchane]

one of my favorite japanese restaurants in town. my only advice is to take a look at the specials board on the back wall before the menu. two thumbs up.