UMENOHANA

For our group of 8 persons, our guide in Sapporo suggested this restaurant for our luncheon experience...and what an experience it was! And, not the good kind, that's for sure. Why, you might ask...here's the scenario...we provided our menu selection to our guide a week prior to our visit. The ...restaurant knew these items in advance and, as we were on a tight schedule, we expected to be served relatively quickly after arriving. Not so. We waited close to an hour for even the very first items to be placed in front of 4 of the 8 guests. We then waited another 15 minutes while another 2 persons were served. Now, here's the highlight of our adventure at this "restaurant" (and I use the term loosely). One of our group had his ice cream dessert served before his main course. Where would this be acceptable in any restaurant whatsoever. During this fiasco, I took our guide aside and asked what seemed to be the issue, given that we had provided our choices in advance. No answer was forthcoming even after she addressed this with the management of the restaurant. The guest that was served his ice cream prior to main even suggested to our guide that this also be mentioned to the team at the front desk. We definitely all left with a bad taste in our mouth...so...to all you diners out there...BE AWARE.

Visited May 2026

Hard to find, huge place, we thought it was empty but in fact it’s a lot of private room plus a huge common room with city views over Sky TV tower (Odori Park). Take a Kaiseki (full menu with up to 12 dishes). This restaurant specialized in Tofu. It serves raw soy milk and you do your own tofu. I’m ...a meat lover and consider tofu tasteless but… wow. I was sceptical so I took a meat base menu (delicious) but I also tasted my wife dishes. Kids had their share as well with a decent a la carte menu. It’s genuine and, there is a big display at the entrance of all the local food /ingredients used that you can also… purchase on your way home!!!! We noticed that the gaijin (strangers) are parked at the rear of the room (no views) while a few local had the privilege of the views (common practice in Japan unfortunately but this time it was more « in your face »: about 12 foreigners at the back and just on couple of Japanese having the table with views… and at least 10 tables to separate the gaijin from the locals. Again, if you can find it, just do it!!!!!

Visited December 2024

Tofu Maybe underrated. This place offers variety of original dishes around tofu. This doesn't mean it's vegetarian. They are all satisfying and subtle seasoning from dashi is quite something. Restaurant is located in the level 4 of the building in the city. Very nice interior and staffs are very... knowledgeable and helpful. This is a must go.

Visited May 2016