Hana means “flower” in Japanese. Flowers have a strong significance in Japan from geisha names, to decor, to food and restaurants. This restaurant, “Hana” is near the Crossgates Mall and Colonie Center. Mind your step, please. I’d like to give you a little taste of what’s inside. Afterall, It’s in my top 3 places to go out for a nice lunch or dinner. If you want the Sunday happy hour, come in at 4:30 pm. We don’t partake in alcoholic beverages outside of Church communion, so we won’t discuss that.
Like some Japanese restaurants, they have 2 sections: 1 for regular dining and 1 for Hibachi. (Where the chef performs a comedic trick show while preparing your meal) Actually, if you get the table next to the sushi counter, you can see into the Hibachi dining rooms so you can have a glimpse of the show without the potty-humor or the hibachi price. It made it on the news once for suing a hibachi restaurant for squirting her with the “pee-pee boy” water gun.
My first look is at the tea section. Waitresses and waiters always ask about that first. If you would like a small pot (~4 cups worth) of green, Jasmine, peony or fruit, order that first. They don’t come with cream, lemon, sugar or honey, so you might want to ask about that, but traditionally, cream never goes with green tea anywhere. The small tea cups look like the pencil holder I made for my dad in middle school in green with a dent for a small hand to fit just right. They stay hot the whole time. I usually hold my cup and check if I can see the steam or not before I sip so I don’t burn my tongue. I’ve been caught putting ice from my water into my tea to cool it down because I can’t wait to drink it.
Now for the appetizers, the majority of the sushi appetizers have mayo or spice, but there are some safer options that I enjoy for example, the Yuzu Tai, (fish & chip lovers, please say “yes” to this one without the frying oil) chef’s choice sushi pieces and the sushi sandwich. If you have a sweet tooth during dinner, you can have the maki combo. Eel is always served in a super sweet sauce, similar to plum. Be warned, sushi rice will fill you up fast. We did a sushi post once, HERE it is.
The clear and miso soup, and the gyoza are simple enough that I can make it at home. Don’t take the chicken fingers and onion rings that are sold everywhere as sides and/or a family meal. It’s just not worth it. When I go out, I look for things that I can’t cook myself or I can only get at the restaurant I’m in. Shumai is my go-to appetizer for those reasons. Those are nice tiny snack dumplings steamed in a small pot with a leaf at the bottom. The dish originated in China served with pork fillings, but Japanese style is ALWAYS full of pasty shrimp. Ours came with baby shrimp on top. They were so cute! The peanut dipping sauce is great for that extra zing of flavor to balance the fat. We were dipping our fingers in it after we finished the food!
Sushi entrees are wonderful to look at, and taste scrumptious in my opinion. Honestly, I would love to try the new sushi for 2 dinners and the special love boats, but we were in the mood for something warm and comforting. I had the pad-thai. It’s loaded with peanuts which compliment the pork and the noodles are like thin ribbons, while the mushrooms and vegetables are shredded and topped with egg, just the way I like it. I had the beef last time and man, did I chow down. It was too good to just let it sit there. There is one duck dish too, so I had to really think which one I wanted. I enjoy duck, but it’s a delicate cook to get it just right and render out ALL of that thick fat. I save that for when I’m not trying to be good after February’s chocolate mousse.
I on the other side of the table, had a bowl of Nabeyaki Udon soup. Udon is thick wheat noodle. They have to be eaten with chopsticks because they’re so long and slippery. I found myself piling one noodle at a time onto my spoon to eat them without waving them over my mouth. The Japanese may think slurping is okay, but I hate the sound too-too much! I liked the zucchini while it was still firm, but the pepper brought it all together, otherwise, that chicken would’ve been bland. BLAND MEANS BORING! Thank goodness for sweet red bell pepper slices and green onion. Best of all, I didn’t get a salty stock taste or a sodium overload from the broth. It was just right. If I get a headache after 1 bowl, that’s a red-flag waving me to the car.
I remember liking their ice cream, but I have far too much in the home freezer, so don’t forget to grab a pear-flavored candy from the host. They come in handy when you run out of lozenges and honey, or if you want to melt them, paint with the goo and lick it off after it hardens like in Willy Wonka. I give the Albany Hana, a solid grade A. Pricing is satisfactory, servers are kind and gentle, and the chefs know how to put on a show. The food is tasty and original. It’s also clean and the music is soft enough to hear, but not overpower. Well done, Hana. You are the flower of my heart, or should I say, stomach?
Check out Hana’s website. They take online orders! ….https://hanaalbany.com/