Off she headed to Asia and Europe to recharge and refocus. Her travels lasted three years and led her back to a small kitchen in Kakaako. I spent a short period at a cooking school in Italy. It was more like reassuring myself. I found nothing's different.
People there go by taste and what they like, just like everybody else.
You can't do what you want to do. After running your own restaurant, your head gets too big. It seats 60 vs. Hanatei's 160. People feel comfortable enough to crowd this little gem day and night. After this, you may not need dinner, but lunch guests are always urged to stop in at night for part II of the total OnJin experience.