MoCo Events MoCo Music

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		Drink	Food
Monday	4:30pm-6:30pm	$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz), half-price sake	$1.10 select sushi pieces	Yes
Tuesday	4:30pm-6:30pm	$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)	$1.10 select sushi pieces	Yes
Wednesday	4:30pm-6:30pm	$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)	$1.10 select sushi pieces	Yes
Thursday	4:30pm-6:30pm	$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)	$1.10 select sushi pieces	Yes
Friday	4:30pm-6:30pm	$1 off Japanese bottled beer (becomes $2.95 for 12oz, $4.95 for 24oz)	$1.10 select sushi pieces	Yes

Special is available in the restaurant area.

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.