667755 Mon Nov 16 22:29:03 -0800 2009 2 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5187699 Well... for those of you that didn't know, Suzuki who is the chef/ owner of this restaurant, was the chef of the ill-fated Hamon Washoku (http://www.yelp.com/biz/hamon-washoku-san-carlos-2) in San Carlos that closed down after only 8 months of operation. Check out the pictures of the food from Hamon too, as this is the kind of food they do here. I for one, am VERY HAPPY that Suzuki has decided to stay in the area and do his own place without any partners this time. It is very hard to find! They are right next to the Bank of America & across the street from very good Big Basin Coffee (which should get it's own review from me). They only have a small traditional Japanese norin in front of the door with very small Japanese characters that says "88". Ask the chef why it is called that for a good story. The food is the same wonderful traditional Japanese cuisine (ie. true, pure flavors of the food), including amazing sushi and sashimi in the Edomai style. For those of you who are thinking of things as Firecracker rolls and the like, please go somewhere else (like maybe Masu down the street). This place is for true Japanese food that HAS NOT been bastardized or watered down by American "feed it the masses" ideology, "make sure there is lots of over-powering sauce" and "make it a huge portion too". I went by myself, as I only found out about it 2 hours before I went, and had: 2 Asahi 12oz. (they do have sake too) 5 items 2pc. ea. of assorted sushi (salmon, chutoro, madai, hirame, hamachi) Braised Pork Belly Miso ni w/ rice Chawan Mushi $45 + tip I can't wait to go back again and have another wonderful dinner (even with the kids play room, this is what happens when the place is family owned & operated with children). I do hope they will turn the lights down a little bit, as it is very bright and glaring. Hachi Ju Hachi (88) 14480 Big Basin Way Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 647-2258 www.hachijuhachi88.com Yelp reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/hachi-ju-hachi-saratoga#hrid:EFB0U_ORVjoBE4FmhJRkGw Mon Nov 16 22:29:03 -0800 2009 254110 winodano 1 5187704 Saratoga, closer to the Japanese communities in the South Bay, is probably a better location. If you don't mind, could you please give us a sense of how much your dinner cost? The website doesn't have that kind of detail yet. Mon Nov 16 22:32:44 -0800 2009 5187699 10039 Melanie Wong 2 5187721 The prices are pretty much the same as Hamon was ~$35/person without alcohol Mon Nov 16 22:50:30 -0800 2009 5187704 254110 winodano