Christina M.
Yelp
My review of HARU
The first Omakase bar in Columbus, Ohio
First Course
Red Miso Soup - So flavorful! Wonderful fish essence without being overly fishy. The delicate pieces of fish melt in your mouth.
Shirakabegura - The sweet undertones of this sake really come through and complement the soup nicely, enriching the entire dish.
Second Course
Ama Ebi - Sweet and salty, like the sea.
Buri - Lightly spicy and smoky.
Mejina - The wasabi really comes through--light, fresh, and clean.
Gimlet (Junmai Nigori) - Very fruity and floral! The presentation was beautiful!
Third Course
Isaki - Earthy, citrusy, lots of texture.
Masunosuke - Beautiful, light, crunchy, and packed with flavor!
Madai - Smoky and salty, with flavors that keep developing.
Daimon - Not as sweet but full of flavor. When paired with Madai, it brought out its natural sweetness.
Fourth Course
Unagi - My favorite bite so far! Perfectly balanced--sweet and salty with a satisfying crunch and umami from the nori.
Hon Maguro - Very well-balanced, perfectly salted.
Smoked Sawara - So buttery, so garlicky, so tender--it lingers on the palate. My second favorite bite.
Brooklyn Kura - Pairs so well with this course! Sweet (but not too sweet) and fruit-forward.
Monkfish Liver - Smoky, marinated in red wine and kombu, with a lingering heat from the spice--enough to warm the lips without overwhelming the palate. The flavors continued to develop long after the bite was gone. Absolutely incredible! I had never tried this before, but it was undoubtedly my favorite bite of the evening.
Final Bites
(I was so impressed I forgot the sake because I was in bliss!)
Toro - So fatty, so decadent--an explosion of flavor.
Black Throat Sea Perch - Smoky, full of delicious flavors and textures. The wasabi pairs perfectly with the smoke.
Wagyu - So smoky and packed with umami! Sweet, incredibly tender, and complemented beautifully by the eel sauce--a classic pairing for A5.
The chef is truly curating something extraordinary here, adding his own spin and expertise to each course. This experience was not only fun and exciting but also packed with new flavor combinations, enhanced by an expertly curated sake pairing that was to die for.
Not only was this the best meal I've had in Columbus, Ohio, but it rivals the omakase bars I've visited in New York City. The service was absolutely stellar--great attention to detail, a friendly and attentive staff, and deep knowledge of the menu. I don't often give five-star ratings, but this experience unquestionably deserves one.
My advice: Make a reservation well in advance and request seating at the chef's table!