Haru Expands To Times Square

by | Jul 8, 2014 | Dining | 0 comments

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Bringing the taste of Japan to NYC, Time Square’s Haru Sushi Restaurant provides fresh sushi in a tranquil and relaxing setting for all New Yorkers to enjoy.

Originating in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Haru has expanded to Boston and 6 other locations in NYC. This modern Japanese cuisine provides bars, lounges, catering, delivery, and happy hours, along with party spaces at select locations.

The ambiance at Haru is very simple and comfortable. Mini bamboo trees line the sides of the windows, becoming a gateway of sorts, hiding the diners from the chaotic, busy, metropolis outside. Calming music complements this setting, ensuring a serene experience. By isolating the diners from the distractions of the outside world, it’s easy to focus on the food.

And the food is good. Especially the sushi.

Haru serves notably fresh sushi and sashimi; every bite rouses new insight into the tastes of Japanese cuisine. Their Gramercy Park Roll and their Broadway Roll are dishes you cannot miss.

Although the Gramercy Park Roll consists of a spicy albacore tuna and jalapenos, the heat is masked behind cooling cilantro and lemon accents. In fact, the spiciness is not detected at all until the very end; just a small tang at the back of your throat, the spice lingers for a moment and then disappears shortly after.

The Broadway Roll is especially appealing due to the golden leaf on the top of the sushi. At first bite, the roll can seem misconceiving; you need to finish the whole dish before judging it fully. By the last bite, you’ll discover that it is quite delicious. And although it is not fried, it has a slight crunch, making it seem like a flavorful sushi cracker.

Although their sushi is delicious, the other Haru dishes are only subpar. The appetizers, for one, were nothing special. Both the Lobster Gyoza and Summer “Spring” Rolls were light and bland.

The only appetizer that seemed exquisite at first glance was The Symphony, which is a layered column of salmon tartare, king crab, spicy tuna and an assortment of caviar. The look of the dish is novel and colorful, and the fist bite’s not bad. After a few bites, however, the caviar consumes the dish, overtaking the other ingredients.

Not only were the appetizers a bit of a disappointment, but the hot entrees were also a let down.

The Chilean Sea Bass could have been a great dish, but the fish was overcooked and the noodles were vapid. And when you mix the noodles with the ume plum sauce, the whole dish becomes a salty disaster.

When choosing an entree, we recommend that you stick with Haru’s sushi and sashimi. Those dishes won’t disappoint.

For dessert, top off your experience at Haru with their Mochi Ice Cream. Like the atmosphere at Haru, the Mochi Ice Cream is very light, simple, and purely delightful. Haru offers a variety of flavors including Green Tea, Vanilla, Red Bean, and Mango. The Tempura Cheesecake is also a solid selection. A cheesecake covered in fried coconut flakes with mixed berries coulis, the dish is different and unusual, but ultimately satisfying.

Overall, Haru provides a delectable dining experience not to be missed. If you’re looking to enter a different world away from the hustle and bustle of NYC, Haru Sushi is a must.

-Yuna Jeong

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