655432 Mon Sep 28 02:20:18 -0700 2009 8 25 Elsewhere In America 0 5063237 Hanaki Restaurant located in the Manoa Market Place http://www.hanakihawaii.com or Tsukji Fish Market /Restaurant in the Ala Moana Shopping Center? http://www.tsukijifishmarket.com/noflash.htm Or maybe you have a better suggestion. I hear that Tsukji is openning another place somewhere on the pier and is also adding a vegetarian section... Mon Sep 28 02:20:18 -0700 2009 258262 flylice2x 1 5064230 I've eaten at Hanaki and walked through Tsukiji to see their offerings. Between these choices, Tsukiji just by sight alone. Sushi buffets are generally not going to be the best sushi available, as opposed to a really good sushi bar, but there can be a pretty wide range between different buffets. IMO, Hanaki as a whole is a sub-par restaurant for Japanese food. Mon Sep 28 10:57:16 -0700 2009 5063237 13204 curiousgeo 2 5068415 I would agree. There are few buffets, that can even come close to a full restaurant of their genre, and not just sushi. Now, I am a bit jaded, but would only recommend any buffet for folk on a tight budget, not really wanting to experience the foods. There will always be some exceptions, but they are few, and very far between. Taking Hawai`i as an example, I have had one buffet, that even came close ot capturing the flavors of the Islands, and that was Sunday brunch at Orchids. This is over 35 years of travel there. Enjoy! Hunt Tue Sep 29 20:46:12 -0700 2009 5064230 11329 Bill Hunt 3 5075917 Although no buffet can match a great sushi bar experience at its best, my wife and I have found Hakone to be one of the best sushi buffets that we've had. It is very pricey, but the quality of most of their fish is at the upper levels. It is a relatively small buffet, but the ingredients are high quality. I think it really depends on how much you want to spend. This is much much better than something like Todai, but you'll be paying for it. Fri Oct 02 23:19:02 -0700 2009 5068415 28729 ming 3 5077448 >>"I am a bit jaded, but would only recommend any buffet for folk on a tight budget"<< Not to hijack the thread, but my experience is diametrically opposed. A buffet meal costs significantly more than a typical a la carte meal of the same caliber. I've found this to be true regardless of whether the buffet is $6.99 or $69 per person. If Thomas Keller decides to open an all-you-can-eat, I'm confident the paradigm will apply at higher price points as well. A notable exception is when the diner is interested in and capable of enjoying a ridiculously large amount of food. Sending a team of teenagers into a Golden Corral is an exercise in economy. But for those of us who are old enough and wise enough to prefer quality over quantity (or who claim these attributes regardless of the facts), a buffet is not an economical proposition. To the OP: It's been a couple of years, but Tsukiji is one of the better buffets I've experienced. As far as the sushi goes, the fish is fresh, but not particularly high-quality (eg, you're getting mid-grade yellowfin "maguro," but it's been well-handled). The preparation is somewhat indifferent (too much rice, packed too tightly). And of course there's the emphasis on rolls. If you need to eat in the mall, for $25 you can sample Alan Wong's stuff in the Pineapple Room. But if you're in a hurry, in the mood for sushi, and very hungry, Tsukiji isn't a terrible option. Sat Oct 03 21:19:54 -0700 2009 5068415 58743 alanbarnes 1 5076048 skip the buffet and go to Kats on south king for the all you can eat $22 special any night of the week. good quality sushi and a really good deal if you want to eat your fill and then some. Sat Oct 03 05:38:12 -0700 2009 5063237 57890 KaimukiMan 2 5076537 Looking for a sushi buffet for celebrating a graduation next year. They are set on a sushi buffet... Sat Oct 03 10:44:20 -0700 2009 5076048 258262 flylice2x 1 5076741 haven't been to Hanaki in quite a while, but my memory is that the food is decent for a buffet (better than Todai, not even close to a decent regular sushi bar or Japanese resto for other foods). It's not a huge place and I remember having to wait a while. Make rezzies. I've never been to the other one. Sat Oct 03 13:00:00 -0700 2009 5063237 156153 akq 1 5101184 If you have a place for your guests to gather I would recommend Grant Kawasaki's company cater your party. I had him bring a sushi bar to my place and it was the bomb. Everyone is still asking when I am going to do it again. It cost the same or less than the buffets and Grant has true sushi grade fish ... broke da mouth !! Here are links to Grant's web sites, you can also catch him on TV. Tell him pat sent you and maybe he will make you his softshell crab on a croissant with nalo greens and wasabi vinagarette ... now I'm hungry http://www.hawaiiangrowncatering.com/ http://www.hawaiiangrowntv.com/ Tue Oct 13 18:44:42 -0700 2009 5063237 251580 Pat B