Haiku Japanese Restaurant, Makati, Philippines
Last Visit: Nov 2008
"...creative and artistic decorations and its superb location make up for somewhat bland (but well-presented) food..."
OVERALL
While it may not globally renowned, Philippines is actually a land of much artistic treasure. From ancient ruins to modern shopping centers, from handicrafts to masterpieces, you can smell the creative ingenuinity everywhere. So since when has Mr. MC started to "see his dinner" instead of eat it?? Well, in a restaurant like Haiku, you'd got to admire the ambience much more, unfortunately, than the food itself, but memory of the overall experience will bring me back there again.
Don't get me wrong - I would NEVER waste my precious time to write a review for a restaurant that can't cook, and believe me there are A LOT of them out there. Haiku offers pretty much the standard Japanese menu. Just like many overseas Japanese joints, there are too many selections on the menu, and you just KNOW that the chef cannot possibly be good at all of them and some entrees will be frozen or preserved rather than made fresh.
We have tried a variety of dishes, from sashimi to noodles to tempura. Nothing is too impressive because overall, the taste is pretty bland. I mean, Japanese is bland enough, but this place is super bland. Surprisingly, our favorite was their lunch special - comes with all sorts of small dishes and some sashimi. Not only is it reasonably priced, but also combined the right flavors and colors. The food presentation here is definitely done at 5-star level.
Speaking of presentation, even the noodles have color-coordinated ingredients 
stragetically places on top of the bowl. Remember, we're not talking about Shangri-La here, but just a shopping center restaurant! Plates are ornamented with very simple stuff, but they are all arranged much like Japanese floral arrangement art and they look very appetizing. The Haiku chef should probably have entered fashion or design rather than cooking.
SERVICE
I frankly cannot remember much about their service - it was good but nothing memorable. The staff is a bit nervous and uptight compared to other restaurants here. I guess they are an effective manager.... It was lunch time when I went there so I suppose they were not really in the mood to impress customers for big tips.
AMBIENCE
If you are fan of wood, contemporary Japanese theme and lots of surprises, you will LOVE this place. It's simple - like most Japanese establishments - yet creative and modern. The floral arrangements are spectacular, ornaments and lights on the walls are beaufully smoothing, and I LOVE those heavy wood tables and chairs.
There are a lot of fancy restaurants in Manila where the decorations will dazzle you. In the case of Haiku, however, I don't think they spent that much money, but creativity and artistic sense won the day there. I just REALLY regret not having brought a good camera with me.....
VALUE
Japanese food is relatively expensive no matter where you go. Haiku is not cheap, but given its great location (Greenbelt 3), beautiful setting and reasonably good Japanese food, your dollars (or pesos) are well-spent here. BTW, don't forget to try the lunch special or combination platter - great value and it's fun to eat all those small dishes!
BOTTOMLINE
Mr. MC's bottomline is ALWAYS food, but sometimes it is important to consider where you're eating the food at - especially when the food is not the most impressive offering. In the case of Haiku, creative and artistic decorations and its superb location make up for somewhat bland - but well-presented - food. I wouldn't spend a ton of money at this place, but given its prices, I would go back there again and again.
BTW
Greenbelt 3 does get busy and it's one of the popular joints on the 2nd floor, so arrive early or late. Also, haven't tried the one in Trinoma or Pasay, so can't comment on those. Don't even know if they are really owned by the same guy.
