Hapa Izakaya
1193 Hamilton Street
604-681-4272
www.hapaizakaya.com
Rating: ***
Client negotiations: Yes
Lunch with co-workers: Yes
Social Lunch: Yes
Quick solo lunch: Yes
Time in: 12 p.m.
Time out: 12:45 p.m.
Low $: $ 8.50 (assorted sandwiches)
High $: $12 (grilled steak)
Licensed: Yes
I know this statement makes me one of ‘those’ people, but it’s been really hot lately.
So I went to Hapa Izakaya in Yaletown which has plenty of cold lunch items on the menu. It’s also the only Hapa Izakaya that serves lunch.
The negitoro bowl ($10) comes with a side salad and miso soup. Think of it as the sushi roll, tuna and chopped green onion with rice, but deconstructed into a giant bowl portion. There’s a little too much going on. I’d rather have a simple dish.
Service is attentive at times but sometimes missing key service items, despite the nearly empty dining room.
The ebi avocado salad ($8.95) is nearly all lettuce. Five beautifully cooked sweet shrimp sit on the side with half an avocado. Delicious but I would’ve loved more…everything.
Hapa Izakaya beats the heat. A few key tweaks would make it outstanding.
