December 9, 2009
Introducing Hanami Princeton: A Celebrasian of Family, Fortune & Fun
Dream Team of Chefs from Manhattan's NOBU, MEGU and Tao Combine Talents
Princeton, NJ - On Friday December 18th Hanami Princeton (www.hanamiprinceton.com) opens its doors amidst great anticipation and demand for an authentic restaurant serving modern Japanese, Sushi and Chinese cuisines.
According to spokesperson, Hugh Miller, "There is no restaurant in this area like Hanami. It’s in a category all its own. I can tell you this. It’s not a Chinese restaurant that happens to serve Sushi. And it's not a Sushi restaurant that 'oh by the way' serves Chinese too. By day Hanami offers high quality lunch options for workers in the area who want value and only have an hour to get in and out. By night, Hanami will fill the void for real fresh and unique Sushi and interpretive Japanese and Chinese dishes. It’s all prepared by young pedigreed chefs in a very cool atmosphere, but will also be available for takeout and delivery to home or office."
Hanami gets its name from the ancient times, before there were skyscrapers, cars and computers, before there were electronic games and television, when extended families lived together, dined together and enjoyed walks in the woods together. People of many different cultures shared the appreciation of beautiful forests, home to towering old trees that had witnessed hundreds of years of history. The Chinese and Japanese especially revered the great beauty of the flowering cherry tree. The elders believed that the spirits of their ancestors inhabited the tree’s limbs and branches, ready to offer counsel when asked, and the luscious fruit of the tree were viewed as precious gifts, portending great fortune. Thus began a tradition of "Hanami," a festive gathering of people of all ages in a special place to celebrate the joys of family, fortune and of course, food.
The Hanami Princeton experience is a "celebrasian" of all that is good in life, including interpretive and modern cuisine prepared with "inspirasian" and "imaginasian" by chefs whose pedigree ranks among the best Asian restaurants in Manhattan-NOBU, MEGU and Tao.
Chef Steven Wong trained in some of the finest restaurants in Los Angeles and New York City before opening his own Noveau Sushi in Montclair, New Jersey. After much success he sold and his talents were recruited to the acclaimed MEGU where he prepared Japanese cuisine and sushi made from the freshest and most unusual ingredients. His interpretations and presentations have been referred to as "avant garde" and "unique." Some of Chef Wong's specialties include appetizers such as Filet Mignon Lettuce Cups, and Sushi Pizza consisting of rice tempura, tuna, salmon, spicy mayo, shredded sugar snap peas and shiitake mushrooms. Entrees include Wood Chip Grilled Beef Tenderloin served with wasabi truffle butter, caramelized baby veggies and teriyaki pudding, and Crispy Oysters in a special house sauce.
Chef Spencer Truong met Steven Wong at Noveau Sushi. Following training at the Arts Institute of New York City and the renowned James Beard House, Spencer most recently worked at NOBU in Tribeca, the flagship restaurant of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa which is co-owned by Oscar winning actor Robert De Niro.
For the lover of Chinese cuisine Chef Peter Yip prepares traditional and modern Cantonese dishes. At Tao his regular customers included Robert De Niro, Madonna and Paris Hilton to name a few.
The Hanami Princeton environment is magical and includes Asian influenced music from around the world, a tea bar with unique bubble teas and smoothies, and a mystical cherry tree sculpture influenced by the ancient Hanami tradition. Kids of all ages are urged to make a wish for good fortune.
Hanami's dinner specialties start at $12 and lunch specials are $10.They also serve innovative and surprising prix fixe meals and a six course tasting menu called Chef's Omakase. Take out and delivery to home or office is available.
Hanami Princeton is located at 15 Farber Road, next to the MarketFair Mall just off of Route 1 South in West Windsor at the site of the former Sunny Garden.
