Update: This restaurant is now closed.
Atmosphere: 3/5 ♦ Service: 1/5 ♦ Food Quality: 3/5 ♦ Value: 3/5 Times Visited: One ♦ Will I Return?: Maybe, but leaning toward not likely.___________
Akaihana Japanese Restaurant is at 22560 Foothill Boulevard, right in the beating heart of downtown Hayward. And by “beating heart” I really mean the barely breathing clogged artery that is central Hayward, written with all the love of a long-time local. This place used to be Ichiban, which was a highly famed Japanese joint in the area during its heyday about 20 years ago. As I understand it, Ichiban became a bit less popular over the years and then changed over to Akaihana sometime in the recent past (last 2 years?). And from what I can tell, this change has yet to add a spark of life to Hayward’s Japanese culinary needs….
