Such an amazing and unique experience! Never had anything like it, here in the city or elsewhere. The concept overall is super creative and every course is prepared so thoughtfully. My personal favorites were the Chicken Pate with Truffle Sandwich, Chicken "Oysters", Chicken Katsu with Fuji Apple, and Chicken Thigh mixed with Duck Meat with Dipping Egg. The service was impeccable and the yakitori being cooked on the flames is a show in itself. The flavors are curated so carefully, with some paired with optional extra seasonings. It was a mix of sweet, savory, and umami among the courses. As a complimentary birthday course, they brought out a yuzu sorbet and azuki red bean ice cream at the end for dessert (on top of the set menu's dessert already which was the creamiest creme brulee). Overall such a great experience and top notch preparation of the food, and we definitely left very full!! Loved the ambiance as well, not too loud and pretty intimate. read more

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It might be my favorite restaurant in all NYC now. First of all, the food is Excellent. It's chicken , we are so familiar , so we could feel the difference clearly. The chicken here is so tasty. My favorite is liver pate with monaka, with trifle flavor. I have it with old fashion cocktail, with smoky flavor it is perfect match. It's always pity I am too full to order extra. read more

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Service was great and decor was very nice. Both of us got sick after having dinner here, and we were awake all night going to bathroom. prefix menu selection was ok and yakitori was ok, but not worth the $170, few pieces did have the gamey taste and smell I imagine a high end place would be able to deal with. read more

Kono - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I went to Kono to celebrate both our birthdays and from the moment we walked in we knew it was going to be a very memorable experience. The space is great for a special occasion/date night/celebration-- moody and luminous and elegant all at once. The service was attentive and personal at every moment, and the energy between members of the staff was one of respect and precise anticipation of each other's movements, deeply crucial in a physical space of this nature. The menu was heavily chicken-centered. Personally, I have been eating every part of the chicken my entire life, from the brain to the feet to the offal and everything in between, and for that reason only I was a little disappointed in what I thought were fairly tame offerings of the chicken's various parts (knee with cartillage, chicken heart, some other offerings as add-ons). However everything was completely delicious and worth savoring. Some favorites were the liver-wafer sandwich, the chicken oysters wrapped in chicken skin and the wagyu-chicken meatball burger at the end (we added on white truffle to it, which was in season at the time of our visit). They were kind enough to bring out extra desserts for us since we were celebrating our birthdays, and the black-sugar creme brulee was absolutely a high note to end the meal on. read more

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This is my second time at Kono within the past 2 months, and yes - it is THAT good. Kono is a $175 pp yakitori omakase locates by Manhattan Chinatown. Besides having great ambiance, it has a great selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to order, and the staffs are honestly so friendly and chill. Oh...to make it even better, chef Kono danced while making the yakitori :D The food here are so delicate and delicious. For each piece, staffs will place it perfectly (for my OCD friends out there) and explain the course to you. And we did notice that Kono changes menu up depend on the season, so that adds a surprise factor in each visit! Overall - I do find the food absolutely worth it for the price, and yes I'll be back!! Notes: 1. Reservation opens up 2 weeks in advance, so make sure to book it asap if you have a date in mind! 2. Kono locates in a small alley by Joe's Shanghai. Make sure to turn and walk into that alley to get to Kono read more

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I had a great b-day celebration at Kono! Food, service, and ambience were all top-notch. I recommend the additional add-ons of wagyu beef and chicken gizzards. The wagyu was cooked perfectly, and its natural beefy flavor really shined. There were so many dishes, with a variety of textures and flavors. I'll just mention a few standouts: Chicken tail - one of the juiciest cuts and expertly seasoned Pate sandwich - a flavor bomb of rich liver and truffle. Chicken knee - very satisfying texture with a big crunch. Chicken soup - simple, but perfectly executed. pure chicken flavor, yet light enough to want to drink 5 bowls. read more

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Yes. A thousand times, yes, I recommend this place. Seriously, it's worth it. At a $165 price point, everything should be fantastic. The food here was on point. Every skewer was perfectly cooked, seasoned, and had great textures. I originally thought that rice cracker truffle and pate sandwich was going to be just for show but it was so tasty. I recommend sitting at the bar. Being at one of the edge seats gave us a great view of Chef Kono working his magic. I think what really set this apart from other high end yakitori in NY was the ambiance. It was lighthearted and fun while still being upscale. The server was clear with descriptions and really friendly too! I think this is my new favorite restaurant?? read more

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Upon entry, they take your coat and lead you to your seats. Service is very attentive, and assists with your seat. Dark ambience with counter seats in a U shape where all customers have a clear sight on the chefs. Starting us with a clean towel to clean our hands, then a choice of drink. Food: Chawanmushi Monaka Tail Inner Thigh Kashiwa Skin Belly Meat with Shiso Shiitake Chicken Oyster Turnip Kushikatsu (?) Tsukune tare yolk sauce Gizzard (Extra) Liver (Extra) Food was amazing, everything was tender and flavorful. Will change your view on how chicken can taste. This was my 2nd time attending and it was just as good - great spot to take your date for a birthday/ocassion. read more

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I think this is the best restaurant in New York. Owner puts his soul in the food and the space.

Yakitori Kono is an exceptional representation of Japanese precision, creativity, and excellence. Kono is not merely a yakitori joint but rather a 'House of Chicken' that honors and showcases premium poultry and overlooked delicacies. The windowless restaurant brings you to a different place, though it may not be Tokyo. The minimalistic black and wood decor, overhead lighting, and music set the stage well for what's to come. This was one of my favorite dining experiences of 2022. For the past couple of months, I had been diligently (obsessively) refreshing the Kono website hoping to catch any update about when the restaurant would be opening. I had just missed out on visiting Chef Kono's rooftop pop-up at Chikarashi Isso last summer and was craving high-end yakitori after a meal at Torien that was so good it left me in tears. Fortunately, I made a friend who was close with Kono and got updates straight from the source. After a 2 week friends-and-family soft opening, Yakitori Kono was set to open in May. As luck would have it, another friend, a Nakaji regular (Kono and Nakaji share the same owners and some staff), contacted me about going and was able to secure a reservation for the end of May. I excitedly accepted. I knew the food would be good but I couldn't have predicted how good it would be. The meal began with several appetizers: cherry tomatoes and crisp, glistening chicken skin, sous vide chicken roulade with baby turnip, chicken thigh & white meat wonton in a delicious gingery chicken soup, and a pate and truffle monaka (crisp wafer sandwich). The crisp skin and the wonton reminded me of gribenes and kreplach from childhood. The menu then pivoted to the binchotan grilled skewers and featured items like hearts, the main artery from 7 chickens, wings, tail, chicken oyster, breast, duck wrapped maitake mushroom, thigh katsu, quail, duck/chicken meatball, and a few add-ons including skin, shirako, and ovary. The meal ended with a small bowl of soba and Okinawan black sugar creme brulee. While building a cohesive menu, Chef Kono treats each piece individually, adjusting saucing, char, internal temperature, and condiments as he sees fit. Choosing a favorite on the poultry journey is difficult as each skewer has its own unique character (texture) and flavor. But I was particularly impressed by the main artery, wing, tail, oyster, thigh katsu, tsukune (meatball), and ovary. The bites are perfectly salty with complementing sweetness and umami that come from the tare sauce that Kono brushes on the pieces. In fact, Chef Kono's tare is 6 years old and is featured in the delicious specialty cocktail, the ATS, that features Casamigos Blanco tequila, tare, lime, and agave. Be sure to order one! Finally, the service and experience at the restaurant are outstanding. From a well-designed dining room and open grilling station to attentive and informative servers, an expert general manager who interfaces with patrons, and a friendly chef, this restaurant and its Front of House staff do everything right. I had so much fun. Kono is an elite restaurant that blends Japanese and New York City elements. At $165, the menu is well priced. Eating at Kono is something that fine diners and Japanese food enthusiasts should add to their bucket lists. Highly recommended, hope to return soon. read more

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One of the most anticipated restaurant openings this year by legendary, master yakitori chef Atsushi Kono san. Was fortunate to dine last night for the preview of the wonderful omakase, which is a smaller version of the one that will be available to the general public starting next week. First experienced Kono san's wonderful yakitori omakase at Torishin, in which he was instrumental in bringing a Michelin star. Went to Torishin couple of times after he left, but just wasn't the same anymore. He left Torishin and joined a team of three chefs at Chikarashi Isso, which opened right before the pandemic, but yakitori wasn't the main focus. It was one part of an extensive menu; It was prepared in the kitchen and brought out to the tables. Then the pandemic came, and Chikarashi Isso operated as an outdoor/yakitori omakase with Kono san in charge, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to go. Now, there are three high-end yakitori omakase in the city (along with Torishin 'select counter' and Torien), but the omakase here is the least expensive of the three at $165 pp, and from last night's dinner the best one, imo. I am very excited for Kono san and his new restaurant. I anticipate his restaurant will be one of the hardest reservations to secure. Lastly, same owners and management as Nakaji, so expect wonderful service (imo, one of the best in the industry). Highest recommendation. Will post some photos later. : 10 yakitori read more

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I came here for my birthday a few months ago and am still thinking and talking about the experience months later so decided to post a review. the food is superb, every single small plate and skewer were delicious and the order they were served in all made sense to create a perfect progression of the meal. The chicken liver mousse "sandwich" with truffle was the best chicken liver mousse dish I have ever had and I will almost always order it at any restaurant I see it in the menu. Chef ATS is truly a master at his craft. The service was also superb and they really go out of the way to make each guest feel welcome and VIP. They even gave us a complimentary white truffle ice cream sandwich dessert because it was my birthday. Like literally an white truffle flavored ice cream sandwich with an additional mound of shaved white truffles on top. read more

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After tryin torien, i have to say toriens pieces is more generous then konos. So i knocked out a star. Performance wise kono still rules. As for taste & size of the yaki's torien has the upper thigh but as for space, lux addons on yaki's and moderness kono is still on top. read more

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The best fine dining experience I've had this year, and also possibly the best value in fine dining I've encountered in some time. Each skewer was cooked so perfectly and I can confidently say I've never had better yakitori in my life. Service is 10/10 as well, water always filled and server even offered to take a video of the kitchen for us read more

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Hands down best yakitori I've had in my life!!! Chef ATS is amazing -- watching him cook the skewers is an incredible, entertaining experience in itself. From each course to the simple yet dramatic interior to the service... everything was truly exceptional. The atmosphere is chill and great for a fun date night or a group of friends. Good vibes all around! read more

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I didn't realize chicken could reach such flavorful heights. I was doubtful about an Omakase experience geared around one kind of meat, but they won me over by the 2nd course. Some of the most flavorful cuts of chicken I've had, perfectly cooked. The belly, heart, and gizzard stood out to me. Our server was enthusiastic, and he checked in with us without being overbearing. The vibes were nice. Everyone around us having a good time, being served their chicken like clockwork. Seeing the chefs hard at work by open flames, meanwhile I was sipping on a cocktail which incorporated their own chicken broth. It's a bit on the pricy end for Omakase, but I accept it for what it is. After all, Omakase is just for special occasions, and Kono delivered! read more

Every single dish was delicious, from the appetizers to the dessert. The staff was incredible as well, extremely attentive and friendly. Highly recommend and can't wait to visit again. read more

This was a strange experience... the meal was not great. there was one dish - gooey slimy and cold truffle sque dish that my friend couldn't finish that I think summed up the experience of great confusion as to how they could serve this (pictured)...Out of 15 dishes maybe three were yummy - the rest so so. not going to complain about the price point - just going to say that I have had better yakitori anywhere else - NYC, Cali, Tokyo at any price point - from low to high. Just better elsewhere. Underwhelming and often just not great food. read more

Kono - Slimy and cold truffle mushroom dish?! - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

quite literally my favorite restaurant in nyc (imo on the level of atomix, chef's table at bk, atera, etc) the chicken skin cocktail (house signature) sounds strange but is the perfect blend of umami and sweet, for savory cocktail lovers. the prix fixe is absolutely worth it (and adding on the other more obscure chicken cuts offered). service is A+ (same team as next door Nakaji) and the chef is just so kind. literally my faves read more

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I came here for a weekday dinner at an earlier time slot and the place was full. The indoors was modern and the minimal, the lighting was beautiful. The service was top-notch. They explained the details of each course, folded your napkin when you went to the bathroom, and replaced your plate often after each courses. The food was amazing. All the courses were yummy. The chicken was smoky, well-flavored, and juicy. They also had some add-on options but I didn't pick them. The original courses already left me so full. I would highly recommend this spot!!! read more

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I was super excited to try Kono as I had tried the chef's yakitori popup at Chikarashi Isso during the winter of the early pandemic. That experience was just perfection. I can say the experience of Kono speaks quite similarly with just a few differences, though nothing bad whatsoever to call out. For that evening, we each had the following - Liver Neck Tail Crown/comb Wings Artery Chicken breast w/plum sauce Chicken oyster Yukon Potato w/caviar Duck breast w/maitake Panko crusted chicken thigh with apple tare sauce Roasted quail w daikon Tsukune Extra pieces - knee, chicken skin, fallopian Udon Creme brulee with black sugar and gold flake This is quite a filling meal so be prepared. He leaves almost no part of the chicken behind. My favorites were tsukune, skin, oyster, and neck, though I loved all pieces for their flavor and unique qualities. If you're looking for a fantastic chicken yakitori omakase, look no further. Service was also on point. Reservations can be a little tough to get but it's so worth the try! read more

10/10 service and yakitori. Chicken knee and breast were my favorites. The taste and service were beyond expectation read more

Kono - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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I ate at Kono this evening, and it was an unpleasant experience. The food itself was good, occasionally great. But it is notable that my favorite dishes at a yakitori restaurant were the ones that were not yakitori. The biggest problems weren't the food, though. They were the sound and the smoke. Loud music played throughout the meal. When I asked a waiter if the music could be turned down, he said no because the chef needed to listen to music while he cooks. Halfway through the meal, I had a bad headache. As for the smoke, there was plenty of it. The grill emits so much smoke that the ventilation system simply can't keep up. I recommend that anyone who has respiratory problems or hopes to remain without respiratory problems stay away. read more

Perfection. Decor and ambiance on point. Magnificent bathroom with a Japanese toilet that you have to use even if you don't gotta go. The food is incredible and chef ats puts on a hell of a show as he makes the yakitori. Go now!!!! read more

Wow! I wasn't quite sure what to expect but Kono was 5 stars in all categories -- food, service, and ambiance. The yakitori omakase experience was such a treat! One of the favorite things we ate was the cracker sandwich with chopped chicken liver & shaved truffles served at the beginning. All the skewers were delicious so it's hard to pick a favorite. We really enjoyed how we got to try different parts of the chicken we had never eaten before like knee, neck, and chochin (ovary - extra but came highly recommended). Also, enjoyed the tsukune (chicken & duck meatball) with raw egg yolk. We happened to sit next to @yakitoriguy on Instagram who only had amazing things to say of Chef Kono and only solidified our excitement for the dinner. It really is a show watching Chef Kono at work! All the staff were so kind and friendly, which really helped us have an amazing evening for a birthday celebration. Would highly recommend if you're looking for yakitori in New York! read more

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I am speechless seeing how the chef waves a fan over the fire to perfectly cook the chicken in many different ways. Food was delicious and the service was good, explaining each piece of chicken being served. What a wonderful evening and a new dining experience. read more

Reservation at 8:30, didnt get my first dish until 9:30. A 2.5 hour dinner turned out to be 4 hours. No matter how good the food is, it just leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Inconsistent serving. You get there first but other people get served before you. Other people who arrive later get to leave first, etc. Tons of kinks to iron out. Not worth it - a total waste of your time for some chicken tbh. read more

This was an amazing dinner. The space is the perfect size. We were seated at the end, so you can see Chef Kono at work. The staff were attentive - but mainly - the food was so good. I loved it all - even parts of the chicken I wasn't sure I would. I would go here again in heartbeat. Loved it. read more

Honestly, I felt like I was getting punked. I kept waiting for the cameras to come out telling me it was all a joke. It's chicken - let's be real. And not even good chicken. For a total of $600 for two people, it's almost laughable. We ate over-salted chicken skewers for three hours. It was a smoke and mirrors experience, and I'm just glad I have at least a good story to share... but goodness gracious, their marketing is amazing to have tricked everyone into thinking this is something special. They certainly got me! read more

Definitely a little expensive for what it is, but the quality and ambiance are certainly there. Wish there was slightly more variety in seasoning, but the chicken does really shine. Their iteration of an old fashioned is also unexpectedly good. read more

Perfect setting to enjoy truly delicious, elegantly presented food. Grilling elevated to an art form. Service is courteous as one would expect at this price level although it can feel a bit over contrived at times read more

What's there not to love about Kono? The soup was warm and layered in flavors, those thin little chives topped it off. Then came this crispy chicken skin atop cream with a healthy dollop or Norwegian caviar. It was the most delicate roe I've ever had as they almost dissolve in your mouth. They make this deeply flavored tare for the yakitori that could have been a 1000 year recipe wich was giving me a little molasses notes. All the skewers were top line but I really liked the knee, oyster, heart, and those little gems of morells. They had a nice selection of junmai diginjo, which is our favorite style. Also every time anyone gets up to use the restroom this friendly kimono clad woman would refold your napkin and pull the chair out for you when you get back. Finally the chef was soooo friendly and really made a point to talk with every guest. It was also nice to watch the whole operation take place right in front of me as the chef was vibing out on the music the whole time he was on the grill. Amazing. read more

Amazing job! Best chicken in the universe. Inner thighs, chicken oysters, wings all done perfectly. Liver pâté sandwich was awesome!

Outstanding ! Among if not the most unique dining experience I have ever had . Place is amazing .

Incredible experience from service to cuisine. A one in a lifetime experience. The chicken heart was one of the best things I've eaten in a long long time. read more

My dinner at KONO was excellent. Great service, incredible food, and such a fun and unique dining experience in NYC. Chef ATS is a master of his craft - it's very special to be able to watch him behind the grill. I can't wait to go back! I will be recommending this spot to all of my friends as a must-visit. read more

Staggeringly impressive development and celebration of flavor and texture. Lively, charming service. Chic, exciting surroundings.

great place to eat good for dates and best yakitori ever. the service is great the dessert is good. and very romantic. they have a closet to put In your coat or jacket and sweaters. read more