212-757-0108
Traditional Japanese restaurants all have a similar vibe. I'm not sure why, but they all insist on the quaintness of Japan, the geisha-esque hospitality, Omotenashi. It's humble, you know? This place lived up to the billing in that department, provided it's the most notable Yakitori restaurant in the city. Then they turn it all on their head with their wine list. Mosel riesling, Opus One, Jack Daniels, a Westerner's liver's greatest hits. Sort of blows the cover fore me. For whatever that's worth we ended up with beer and saki, opting for a more traditional Japanese buzz.
The food? No idea what I ate. I mean I know the basic ingredients, pork, chicken, beef, etc...but it all came on little Japanese tapas plates and skewers. It was like a dinner of Japanese canapés. It was all tasty, if a touch expensive. We got the 14 course tasting menu--so probably tried 50% of the menu and I think we ate everything and left satisfied.
For what its worth the restaurant spit us out on 9th avenue, which was awesome. we ended up in an Irish bar that was a railroad apartment, it was maybe 15' wide, and drank Guinness and shot the shit. It felt like we were 20 again. The beverage list of this place, made sense.
