Finally returned last night to Hanare Sushi in Orange County for the first time since it got its star. Was even better than I remember. This may be only the second time I’ve ever been in shorts at a Michelin restaurant, but the atmosphere everywhere in OC is very relaxed. (My first time was just last week at 1* Taco Maria.)

Not an inexpensive meal by any means at $210 per person omakase at the bar (the only place we’d choose to dine here), but it is cheaper at a table doing a taster menu for $95. But we continue to love being at the bar and getting acquainted with the other patrons and joking around with Chef Atsushi—despite his limited English and my complete inability to speak much Japanese. We know his wife quite well from another restaurant, and she has worked here as well for the past year.

This is the ONLY place in the USA where I have been able to get proper A5 Wagyu that actually tastes as amazing and is as melts-in-your-mouth good as in Japan. I loved it so much I asked for more; Chef gave us each a healthy extra offering for $49 more apiece, and it was worth every penny. I might have eaten all of mine and my husband’s portion, but I can’t confirm that rumor.

Highly recommended. But most wear pants.