@rlw == @Chowseeker1999 ?
5 Likes
6 Likes
Warrior: Hayato is extremely refined and should have at least two Michelin stars. It would rank among the top kaiseki restaurants in Tokyo. Dinner last night was one of the best meals I’ve eaten in LA, up there with Somni, Providence, and Urasawa.
Peony: I feel this is for sure the best meal I’ve had this year. Everything was cooked to perfection and was sophisticated. The chef is very creative; he created new dishes that were exciting and really special. He is very knowledgeable and excited to share kaiseki knowledge with us. I absolutely loved the meal and had a great time.
7 Likes
I haven’t been to tons of Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka etc kaiseki - but I have had a few…and I would say Hayato very much does achieve similar levels of excellence.
2 Likes
Warrior: yeah. I’ve eaten roughly 70 kaiseki dinners in Tokyo, virtually all Michelin-starred, including 3-4 at the restaurant that Hayato’s chef trained at (Ishikawa). I think Hayato would be top half of those restaurants, probably top third. It’s been a while, and it’s difficult to compare these restaurants objectively even when dining on back-to-back nights, particularly as someone with a Western palate. The very top Tokyo and Kyoto restaurants tend to have more expensive menu options—usually wagyu, even whale one time—but in terms of quality of cooking, I can’t fault anything Hayato is doing.
Let me also say this: the kakiage tempura that Hayato served two nights ago was perhaps the finest I’ve ever had. And I think I’ve eaten at the highly regarded tempura specialist restaurants in Tokyo. Hayato’s version was incredibly delicate. That was the dish that stood out most to me.
7 Likes
Fall 2021
It’s the start of fall, which means matsutake and crab season 
I’ll be shocked if hayato does not get at least two stars next week, imo the cooking and execution is at or above the current two star restaurants. and even more impressive is there isn’t an army of prep cooks, it’s just chef go, hiro, yuki, richard and i believe one prep cook working 15+ hours a day to create 15 courses.
(new) sakizuke - hokkaido kegani, kani miso, kanisu sauce
delicious sweet leg meat with a ton of umami from the rich, buttery kani miso. served piping chilled, a nice refreshing start.
agemono - kakiage tempura, brentwood corn, hokkaido scallop, mitsuba
(new) sujiko, yamaimo, yuzu zest, dashi
california king salmon roe that’s a bit smaller than ikura and with a thinner skin.
shinogi - anago oshizushi, sesame seed, salt, fresh wasabi
(new) owan - wild oregon matsutake, hamo, green yuzu
a nice summer/fall crossover dish with hamo and matsutake. the aroma of the matsutake hit your nose as soon as it enters the room.
honekiri
katsuo warayaki, chive, myoga, salt, soy sauce
sake steamed abalone, abalone stock cubes, abalone liver sauce, wasabi
binchotan grilled hokkaido kinki, lotus root, sudachi
so damn good.
(new) goma-ae - black mission figs, grilled shiitake mushrooms, spot prawn
similar to the goma-ae in orizume, this was sweet and savory with some acid from the vinegar, a nice palate cleanser after the kinki.
amadai, gin-an (silver ankake), tokyo negi
the lay’s potato chips of the sea
hokkaido uni tsukudani
(new) nabe - matsutake, mizuna, nodoguro
more matsutake, this time cut into bigger pieces to allow you to enjoy its chewy texture. and nodoguro is always a highlight and first time for me having it with kinki in the same meal.
karasumi
gohan - black cod saikyo yaki, mitsuba
chef go will guarantee you don’t leave hungry
harry’s berries gaviota, kinako infused whipped cream
bonus harry’s and ken’s top notch white nectarines
how are the nectarines still so damn good? they taste like they were picked in july.
wasanbon
matcha
fin
20 Likes
Fuck yeah.
Rice x?
1 Like
Only x2
4 Likes
Good luck tomorrow. I will be trying to reserve on my computer, phone and my wife on her computer for November reservations.
We’re trying to go to Hayato for our first time. Had the bento box 3 times and its been sublime each and every time. November is my wife’s birthday and our anniversary month. So if you have already to Hayato been please step the f*ck off and go in December. Thanks in advance.
20 Likes
Best way I’ve found success is on mobile turning off wifi (just relying on a great data connection). And then of course refreshing right on the dot 
3 Likes
Hahahaha.
I hope you are successful.
4 Likes
Get your friends to help out too, especially if they have fast trigger fingers and fast internet connections.
More help is better.
I’m bowing out of this month’s race. good luck!
5 Likes
god speed. happy anniversary.
4 Likes
We’re all rooting for you! #HappyWifeHappyLife
5 Likes
It’s my wife’s birthday month, too, so… same.
5 Likes
No go. That was ridiculous
Well that was fun. All sold out in 25 seconds.