Reviews & Ratings for Ikeno Hana

08/04/04

A small neighborhood spot for sushi and cooked Japanese dishes on the Upper East Side.

by Contributor

The Scene
A well-dressed crowd frequents this homey setting with vivid green walls and charming wall art. The restaurant is small, with a sushi bar and a few tables at the front and a raised dining area in back. Few frills are offered besides calm, polite service and a quiet, clean environment. Pricing is somewhat higher than average.

The Food
A large array of hot entrees are the highlight on this Japanese menu. Grilled scallops in a thick, tangy miso-tarragon sauce are quite impressive, as are lobster spring rolls, served with green-tea salt and a darker, sweeter miso sauce. A few dishes could be better: Lobster teriyaki makes a poor showcase for the meat's subtle sweetness, and sauteed squid is tough and flavorless. But the comprehensive bento box is an excellent mini-tour of the kitchen. The sushi is tasty, but not particularly memorable.