Marqus R.
Yelp
Abiaka Wood Fire Grill-Seminole Hard Rock, Hollywood and Council Oak Steak & Seafood, and Kuro are the top fine dining restaurants to be found at Seminole Hard Rock. As a birthday treat, I decided to try Abiaka, which turned out to be somewhat of a mistake. I had assumed the food, especially at their high prices, would be out of this world terrific; it wasn't.
I had a good Woodford Bourbon Manhattan with the real marinated, not brined, cherries and was then served a very good bread that was sort of in the form of a patty.
For a starter I ordered their Hamachi Ceviche. As the word "Hamachi" in Japan just means "fish," in Japan pertains to Pacific Yellowtail. So, I have no idea what fish they are using and my waitress's only answer was "white fish," which is rather vague. Besides the white mystery fish, which they call Hamachi, it came with a good pickled onion, some sweet potato, and corn. Though maybe a matter of personal taste I really didn't like it. The lime was so strong it just seemed to overwhelm the taste of anything else besides giving me a good acid reflux reaction. And $26 was to me rather pricey for what was basically nothing but white fish in lime juice.
For my entrée, I went for their Wagyu Skirt Steak. Just like the term Hamachi, Wagyu can be rather elusive too, as it can just be any of four different breeds of Japanese cattle, and from varying areas. The tough grizzly cut they served me was certainly nothing like a Kobe but to me probably of some improperly feed Australian Wagyu. Of course, I did ask my waitress, but like my inquiry about the Hamachi, again clueless.
For food, I found Abiaka pricey for food that is not that good, really lacking. I'd rate it two stars. But with the great views of the Guitar Hotel, bountiful surroundings, décor, and top-line service, I'll go three Yelp stars, just OK.