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Happy Hours in Gaithersburg

Review of Hakuba

MCR Rating:

The rating usually hits places that generally have nothing going for them, but one or two good aspects lift the rating from the bottom of the barrel. Use in case of alcohol emergency.
Mediocre
706 Center Point Way Gaithersburg, MD  20878
Google Map
301-947-1283
(No website)
Specials DrinkFood 
Monday4:30pm-6:30pm$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz), half-price sake$1.10 select sushi piecesYes
Tuesday4:30pm-6:30pm$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)$1.10 select sushi piecesYes
Wednesday4:30pm-6:30pm$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)$1.10 select sushi piecesYes
Thursday4:30pm-6:30pm$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)$1.10 select sushi piecesYes
Friday4:30pm-6:30pm$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)$1.10 select sushi piecesYes
Special is available in the restaurant area. arrow

Performance

Food:Good
Service:Good
Atmosphere:Poor
Price:Average

Vitals

Capacity:  Medium # Bars:  1 # Floors:  1 # Draft Beers:  0 Wine selection:  Full Liquor selection:  Full Only in MoCo:  Yes
Themes/Styles:  Asian / Restaurant w/Bar Parking Accessibility:  Easy About 2.5 miles from I-270 Exit 9. Street parking out front, and lot parking nearby, all free.
Metro Accessibility:  Difficult/Impossible Check the bus schedule, Kentlands is not walkable from Metro.

What is Hakuba?

Hakuba is a sushi joint in the Kentlands Market Square. The bar seating is immediately inside the entrance, with the table seating off to one side with large windows facing the street and sidewalk. Outside Area:  Yes.  Very small section of sidewalk tables and chairs, awkwardly sectioned off from the Starbucks seating. Entertainment:  No.

Our Review

Even as a fan of sushi, I can only describe the happy hour at Hakuba with one word: disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the place may do lunch, dinner, and take-out quite well, I don’t know. But let’s remember this is a happy hour review, and this place advertised a happy hour, so I have to rate it just as I would any other place. I also stopped in because it was nearly the only place with a bar (albeit a sushi bar) in Kentlands that was open before 5pm. First, the positives: service was fast and cordial, the fish was high quality with decent portions for the price, and if you like sake they have plenty of it (of course, only on Monday’s happy hour can you get it ½ off to spend $8-$20 on about 350ml). Even though they sell liquor, I don’t recommend buying it: it’s as expensive as a trendy bar, and they actually charged $1 more to mix my Jack with Coke! And it was a very weak mix on top of it. Bottled beer will run you $3 for either domestic (regular price) or Japanese (happy hour price, regularly $4) bottles. There was very little traffic, but when there was, it was a bit distracting having my back so close to the front door. They attempted creating an inviting atmosphere, but with the quiet but echoing Top 40 mix and the large windows giving you an unobstructed view of SUVs parked outside, I had more of a feeling that I was out of place eating and drinking at a place better suited for take-out.

The Run Down

If you and your crew have a craving for sushi on your way to another happy hour in Kentlands, the $1.10 sushi special can hit the spot. If you want to feel like you’re actually at happy hour, this place can’t help you.

Reviewed by Lee on Tuesday, April 22, 2008.

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