Haiku

Being a lover of sushi, I was looking forward to trying out this restaurant. I had an 8 o'clock reservation for a party of three to celebrate a coworker's new job. When we arrived, the hostess claimed they mistakenly had us listed for a party of two, and that we would need to wait for 20 minutes before being seated. Surprised, since there were at least two empty tables inside and eight empty patio tables, we were relegated to the bar. Couldn't help noticing that that during our wait, tables were being cleared and new patrons being seated, some that arrived well after we did. After a half hour of waiting, one of my friends went to the front to ask how much longer for the wait. She was told that there were two parties of two that had priority before us. Interesting, since those parties of two arrived after we did. \r \r I've lived in the Columbus area my whole life, and I consider this to be a pretty open-minded town. It wasn't hard to notice that there were only two other African Americans in the restaurant, both seated with white patrons. In my mind I was giving the restaurant every benefit of the doubt and refused to jump to conclusions. I've never had issues at any other restaurant in Columbus regarding my complexion, and this surely couldn't be the case tonight. My optimism soon diminished, and the final straw came after 45 minutes of patiently waiting when a party of six was seated after only a five-minute wait at the bar.\r \r Frustrated and hungry, we left the restaurant. On the way out, my friend commented to the hostess about the poor service and how we weren't given patio options, yet ""certain"" patrons were given priority over us time after time. The hostess then ran after us in the parking lot to issue an empty apology and to let us know they had a table ready. Really? We had to bring up the apparent issue of race in order to be seated? I would've thought the reservation and our willingness to spend money there would've been enough. Thankfully we were able to walk into another restaurant in the downtown area and be seated after 15 minutes with no litmus test to pass beforehand. Pros: Decor Cons: Everything else more

My daughter and I ate at Haiku restaurant for the first time this week after hearing about it for months... more

My daughter and I ate at Haiku restaurant for the first time this week after hearing about it for months from people at work. They all gave it glo... more

It's been at least a half dozen or more years since I've been to Haiku, and the sushi is still top notch. I selected Haiku as a place to dine with a date over other highly recommended sushi establishments in town, mainly for the ambiance. It is still a trendy looking establishment, though certain parts of the interior of the restaurant could use some freshening up and remodeling. The patio is highly recommended, even though it is large (almost German beer garden like).\r \r We showed on a Wednesday night between 7:30 and 8 p.m. My only complaint was the awful service, which seems commonplace anymore in Columbus. (too many restaurants, not enough qualified or experienced staff available?) The manager/maitre d' was rude and obviously put out by my sheer presence when I arrived. I may have missed it, but the host stand is not easily found. His conversation with a server about non-related work subjects appeared to be more important. The table I was brought to was not clean and a used glass had to be removed upon my arrival. I realize patio seating is more casual, but at least try to find a table that is clean please. If you're going to give the clientele attitude, you'd better back it up with near perfection, otherwise you're no better than the corner greasy spoon diner. The server was nice, but seemed stressed out and non-existent. Service was slow, though she did try to pause and answer questions and make recommendations. \r \r I may go back sometime, but with the many other recommended sushi establishments in town, it may be a while before I return. Pros: Sushi Cons: Service more

absolutly love haiku. want an appetizer? try the lettuce wraps and don't forget the edamamae....never really crowded whenever I go there, but they do accept reservations. they have a website if you want to check out the menu before hand Pros: great food, great atmosphere, usually good staff Cons: make you vallet park on the weekends if you want to park in the lot, but you can just go on the street instead more

I love the decor, and the food is always phenomenal. My favorite is the Crunching Buckeye roll, a signature of the restaurant. I have never had a substandard meal here, and I would recommend it for any occasion: first date, birthday, anniversary, or just a low-key get-together. The ambiance is calm and perfect for conversation. more

must try the crunching buckeye roll and fried tao tofu. they are seriously trendy. but dont be put off because your food will be fabulous! it's both casual and formal. Pros: the sushi Cons: none worth mentioning b/c food so good more

This was my first major sushi experience in Columbus since moving from California. The quality of the fish was better than I expected being land-locked. Our server was either too cool to be there and too busy posing for the attractive clientele. Drinks came very slow so maybe the bartender was slow. Crowded could not be an excuse because it was 9:30 - too late for most to have dinner and just before the party scene. They also had NO desserts according to the waiter. He said the ""Ice cream wasn't delivered today"". It's ice cream, it won't go bad if you order too much. Everyone try green tea ice cream, just don't bank on it here. Pros: Sake list, good sushi and rolls menu Cons: Service more

great ambiance, paper and pencils at every table so that you can compose haikus over drinks, so that ges interesting. outdoor seating area is unique and well-landscaped. attended a 25-guest party and it went off without a hitch! ""group dinner"" was very affordable with the combo platters. sometimes service can be spotty. more

We have been to lots of fine sushi restaurants in Chicago and NY and the sushi here is on par with the best. During our 6 or 7 trips to Haiku, we have found the maki to be generous, creative, and super fresh. Good soups too. I love the art on the walls and the artsy look and feel of the place. We have never had to wait for a table, but I have seen some insane lines on our way out. Pros: fresh sushi, outdoor seating, good location Cons: spotty service more

I will recommend the Hiku to friends for their Sushi. I enjoy Sushi a few times a week and finally went to Hiku for an early dinner. Hiku Sushi was very enjoyable and fresh which is key to great Sushi. The staff were professional and knowlegable about the Sushi and other food on the menu.(as they should be) I think people are giving Hiku a bad rap b/c of location and setting, I've heard it is to high scale for a Sushi place but I think it is average and not intimidating. I would however not reccommend the grilled scallops on the small plate area of the menu, way over priced for 4 peices of scallops. Overall, I will return to Hiku to enjoy their SUSHI ! Pros: SUSHI more

It was very romantic...for 2 or a group...u will love it... more

I have eaten here many times and I keep coming back for the awesome food! I admit, I'm not much of a sushi eater, being a vegetarian, but their noodle dishes are wonderful! And they have THE BEST tofu dish I have ever eaten. It's the Tao tofu, which is a fried tofu and a steamed (tell them you want all fried and they will be happy to do it and you will be glad you did). Their prices are very reasonable as well- it's about $10 for most entrees that I get. As for the trendiness??? Just relax and you'll enjoy it. The waiters dress trendy and the atmosphere is comtemporary, but the staff has been very friendly every time I've been there. And am not a trendy man. Overall, highly recommended and one of the best places in Columbus to eat! Pros: Great food, Great staff, Inexpensive more

Recently went to this restaurant as my fiancee and I were visiting from out of town. We heard that this was the place to go for sushi, but we found thier food doesn't compare to other trendy sushi places we have been to. We got four different rolls, but two of them were very poor. In one roll we purchased, the tempura was way over done and tasted burnt. In a simple spicy tuna roll, there was a very odd taste to it. The other two rolls were atleast worth eating. The buckeye crunch, I felt, was good, but didn't live up to the billing of ""best roll I have ever had"" posted by my friend who is a local. The scene, however, is very hip. There was a classical/jazzy band playing there that fit nicely in the dim lighting that makes you feel kind of special. Pros: Good Atmosphere, Hang out spot Cons: , kind of expensive, snooty staff more

Haiku is a great place for sushi but I fear its way to ""trendy"" and not enough reality. The sake is warm, the sushi is cool and the music is daytime Techno. (Which I love) I wouldn't bring a child or baby to Haiku, it completely disrupts the setting. I would take children to Sapporo Wind. Other than that. GOOD FOOD. Pros: Location Cons: , Crowded, Too Trendy more

Haiku is all about atmosphere and its location in the artsy Short North. The sushi is quite good, but the style of the place is what's really the main attraction. I was there last Friday night and there was a DJ there spinning chillout jazzy-electronica stuff, which was really cool; I don't know if they have that every night or what. Lighting and overall vibe of the place are very nice. I notice that servers are dissed in some of the other reviews on here, and the place must have done something to correct that situation, because staff was friendly and helpful, in my recent experience. Pros: ambience, proximity to downtown, neighborhood more

I have gone to every sushi restaraunt in Cols and by far Haiku is the best around. You may pay a little more than some other places, but I tell you what, you get what you pay for. The quality is unsurpassed. John is fabulous and makes every one of our visits, and every one of our meals, better than the previous! Pros: Great Food Cons: Forced Valet Parking more

Haiku has a fun atomsphere in the artsy short north area of columbus. It's a great place for anyone who wants good sushi, although it has great dinner entrees such as the mango chicken... awesome! With a mod techno atmosphere and a plasma screen above the sushi bar, it appeals to the young professional ""trendy"" croud. Perfect for couples dining alone or groups - we recently had a birthday party there and slammed saki bombs for quite a while. I love this place!!!!! Pros: very fresh sushi, parking lot + valet more

Everything about this restaurant is snooty! The host eyed my husband and I disapprovingly and then ignored us for about 3 minutes without even a hello. The server was nice, but she didn't seem to know much about the sushi. The sushi was okay--not bad, but we think the quality and atmosphere of Restaurant Japan is much better all around. Pros: Decorated nicely Cons: Expensive, Pretentious more

I like Haiku not only because it is across from my apartment, but because they make the best martinis in Columbus. Also, the staff doesn't rush you; you are permitted to lounge, and if one of the smarmy staff snap at you, just bite back and they'll leave you alone. Finally, I like Haiku because, unless you sit outside, you can't see outside the restaurant onto this dreadful city. Pros: drinks, bar staff, location Cons: smarmy staff, suburbanites visit more