Just got done flying ANA F roundtrip ORD-HND, and NRT-ORD. Can't say enough about how wonderful the experience was. Will be doing a larger trip report with photos once I get them all in order. A few items of note:
1) Hibiki 21 was served both ways. Would not serve us the 17, was unclear if they didn't have it or did have it and were trying to reserve it for business. In any case, the 21 was awesome. The Krug 2004 was some of the best champagne I've ever had.
2) Preferred the Western meal. Caviar was served both ways, full tin, delicious. Wine was great, did a sake tasting to Japan and that was also great.
3) Service was lovely both ways, but exceptional on the way back. The pursuer, Hisako, was 10/10. She came around and introduced herself to each passenger (there were three of us total), and let us know the flight time and that we would be experiencing some light turbulence outside of ORD. While talking to my husband and I, she asked if we were in Japan for a special occasion (it was a two week anniversary trip for us). Before the meal service even started she came over with a special edition half bottle of Krug (not the 2004, but a special cuvee), and an orchid to present to us for our anniversary. She also gave us a beautiful card with a bag of neat luggage tags and erasable pens. She was great in describing the meal to us, and when I was on the fence about the cheese plate (so full after dinner), she made me a small plate so I could "taste," and then unprompted brought my husband and I each a whisky tasting with some delicious petite fours.
4) Beds were made for us unprompted in the open seats next to us. Beds very comfy, loved the mattress pad and memory foam pillows. We each slept a good 4-5 hours both trips.
5) Got to keep the PJS both ways. They even gave me a set for my brother-in-law on the way back (he works for United at O'Hare so we also got him one of the star wars model planes). Cabin temp wasn't overtly warm, but the PJs were nice and breathable.
It's true that the hard product may be "lacking," but to be honest we didn't feel that way at all. We also didn't find the middle seats to be super obtrusive for couples, to be honest. I would just wave my hand obnoxiously through the middle partition to get my husbands attention if I needed to
