ReviewRestaurant review: Hassun Grill & Bar - great dishes in a casual setting

Cuisine: Japanese

Price: about HK$450 without drinks or the service charge.

Ambience: as with most izakaya, it’s a casual place where you can nurse bottles of sake or beer, and order the eclectic selection of dishes at a leisurely pace.

Recommended dishes: scallops on the half shell (HK$58 each) didn’t look anything like the menu photograph – in fact, we asked the waitress if it was the right dish. The scallops had been lightly seared before being served with a sake and butter sauce so delicious we picked up the shells so we could drink it. Sea urchin (HK$128 per portion) came with julienned cucumber, freshly grated wasabi cucumber and sheets of dried seaweed, to use as wraps. Grilled chicken wings (HK$28 for two) were crisp and moist.

We were happy with our waitress’ recommendation of the thinly sliced Angus beef with onion ponzu dip (HK$78). Grilled eggplant (HK$33), smothered in miso paste with garlic, spring onions and chilli strands, was rich and soft. The aji fish sashimi (HK$238) was beautifully sliced and presented. When we finished, the waitress whisked away the skeleton, and later returned it cooked, so the bones and head were crisp enough to eat. Grilled onigiri (HK$43 for two) came with a choice of truffle, salmon or cheese. We chose the truffle, and the lightly charred rice balls, covered in delicate katsuo (tuna) shavings, were delicious with tiny grilled sweet potatoes (HK$25), which were so sweet they tasted almost like dried dates.