Seeing all the advertisements around town, on buses, and on the radio, I thought this new restaurant would have a lot to offer. Instead, I was quite disappointed by the food. The flavours were interesting to say the least. But they weren't balanced and the dishes seemed not to have a clear direction they were aiming for. I feel they really need to refine and rethink their dishes before setting prices at such a level. The service was at least friendly and prompt, but that was also because there were only 2 or 3 tables filled at the whole establishment. I'm not quite inclined to go back for a second try.

A couple of friends and I decided to try Hapa after hearing much about it. From the outside, one could hardly tell it was an open restaurant. But once you enter, it was a whole different story. The vibe from the restaurant was lively without being too busy or crowded. We were warmly greeted and seated at the bar while waiting for a table.

The wait was not too long, probably since it was a weeknight. Service was personal, friendly, and efficient. Even though we sat upstairs where there were only 3 tables, we never had a problem with getting service. We ordered a variety of tapas and dishes. Personally, I expected a little more. The Ebi Mayo had a distinct flavour, but one that I did not particularly enjoy. The Tako Wasabi and Beef Tataki were among the better dishes; both had strong flavours without being overpowering. While being satisfactory, the cheese tofu paled in comparison to others I've had before. Suprisingly fresh, the shrimp and avacado salad was also quite nice.

Overall however, the food was below the level we all expected. Even if the hype about the place didn't exist, the appearance of the restaurant as a whole suggested food of a higher quality would be present. I would probably not go back a second time.