Hana Tsubaki Restaurant

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
The décor is a delicate balance of rice paper and blond wood columns. A dim light in the center of the columns casts shadows of palm fronds against the rice paper, which produces a feeling of calm. But the noise level in the small, busy dining room can reach a feverish pitch that grates on your nerves. Grab a seat at the sushi bar or at a table that cozy up to your neighbor's.

The Food
The menu is Americanized, and seems to cater to the upper class, East Sac neighborhood that keeps the place in business. While you'll find the usual sushi items--California, tempura and spicy tuna rolls--more daring Japanese selections are absent. Start with the cucumber salad bathed in rice vinegar with bay shrimp, and move toward the excellent chicken udon (noodles in broth) or umani (like a chicken stew), which will warm you on a cool night.