Very busy Japanese restaurant and highly recommend making reservations way in advance. Fish here is…read moreserved very fresh. My friends and I ordered the ozakaya donburi set, chicken karaage curry, kaki fried and a5 fried rice. The fish was buttery delicious. Loved how they serve a hot broth at the very end of your donburi set. Save some rice at the end for a nice experience to end your meal. The a5 was fatty and the karaage was fried perfectly. The restaurant was very busy when we went on a Saturday afternoon. The back dining area was crowded and very full. Our food came out quickly and i will definitely be back try some of their uni dishes. Highly recommend their donburi sets.

What a great meal! We shared the Kaishin don, mentai pasta, and then 2 rolls between 2 of us. We…read morewere originally just going to order one roll but then the waitress told us it wouldn't be enough food but then we ended up having a ton of leftovers, so next time I wouldn't order that again. The Kaishin don was the star. The fish was so fresh and the seaweed added a nice crunch. The mentai pasta was nice a creamy and the bacon bits added nice flavor. The rolls were also good but nothing to write home about so I might sub these for another dish the next time. Service was great and will definitely find myself back here at some point!

A neighborhood spot with great quality Japanese food. We tried the katsudon and the mazemen (from…read morethe summer menu). Katsudon was comforting and felt like a home cooked meal, and the cutlet was not dry. Mazemen noodles were a good chewy texture and very flavorful once mixed together. Service was friendly and relatively quick for a sit down. Will definitely be back to try other dishes here!

Super cute Japanese spot. We sat in the window booth, which was very cute. Ordered the gyudon,…read moresweet potato fries, and I can't remember the last dish but it was basically like meatballs. Sweet potato fries were good and came with a yuzu salt. Meatballs were ok, sort of boring and would pass in future. Gyudon was yummy. Would consider returning.

Came here a long time ago bc I heard how good their sushi sets are. If you are a sushi lover and…read morewant something homey you will definitely like Okonomi. It's nonfussy, and although not the cheapest sushi, it's definitely not super expensive/omakase level. It's a small space with a giant bar for seating and maybe a few tables - the owners are definitely passionate about Japanese cuisine and you can definitely feel that as you chat with them a bit. The menu is small, but dedicated to quality, and you will make your choice quite quickly. All the fish was fresh, large pieces, and really really clean tasting. The soup was delightful and paired wonderfully and everything was presented quite nicely. The grilled fish was also tasty and really tender.

I want to start this off with how I loved how laid back this spot is. It only seats about 15…read morepeople. Music was on very low. Was able to speak to my wife softly (love a restaurant that's quiet!) The server & cook were great. The waiter was kind and check on us in a timely manner. The food was amazing. Bigger portions would have been great, but I know that's not the kind of place this is.. so no complaints! Highly recommend this place for a date. We might have to come back again soon. Two thumbs all the way up!

I had brunch here and it was SO good! They do such a great job bringing Japanese influence into…read moreboth the food and the atmosphere without it feeling forced. Everything felt really thoughtfully done, and the staff was super nice. We were initially seated in the sun, but when we asked if we could move, they were really accommodating and happily reseated us somewhere more comfortable. Great food, great atmosphere, and genuinely friendly service. Would definitely come back!

Rule of Neglecting the Thirds…read more The space is truly iconic. Rule of Thirds occupies a fantastic warehouse in Greenpoint, and the architecture is a major part of the experience. N Architects worked with the industrial character of the building rather than against it: huge volume, high ceilings, long views across the room, and a controlled roughness that makes the place feel very Brooklyn. The food is more irregular. Everything is designed to be shared family-style, which makes dinner fun, particularly with a group. The Fish Sando is extraordinary: hake, butter roll, salsa verde, and somehow exactly the right proportions. The shishitos are excellent too. The Yaki Onigiri, on the other hand, were surprisingly dry and heavy. Not terrible, but not something I would order again. The sake selection is impressive. One of the pleasures here is asking the staff to bring a few different bottles to taste before choosing one. They have happily done this for us, and it can turn ordering sake into a great part of the dinner. What is strange is how inconsistent this experience can be. On different visits, with similarly sized groups and substantial bills, the range of sake offered for tasting has varied enormously. On our last visit, for reasons we never understood, someone apparently decided that we were on a budget and offered us only the least expensive options. We eventually found one we liked, so no harm done, but it was a peculiar assumption to make. Then there is the Rule of Thirds problem. We were a party of three, but throughout the meal the service repeatedly behaved as though we were a party of two. For the sake tasting, two glasses arrived. Dessert was shared, but only two spoons appeared. We pointed it out several times, yet somehow it kept happening. It was annoying for all of us and particularly uncomfortable for the third person, who understandably began to feel singled out. Perhaps it was an unusually off night. But after our last dinner, it has been renamed as the Rule of Neglecting the Third, and honestly this might be the reason to not coming back.

I visited Dashi Okume when I spent the day in Greenpoint last weekend. Dashi Okume dates back to…read more1871 in Japan (it was originally established as a seafood wholesaler), but this shop in Greenpoint makes quality Japanese products, especially dashi, more accessible than ever. Dashi Okume sells ... you guessed it ... dashi. They sell several kinds, and you can taste all of them there in the shop before deciding which to take home with you (I tried them all and went home with one bag of vegetable dashi and one bag of sweet shellfish dashi). They also make custom-made dashi. You can choose from around 30 ingredients - dried fish, seaweed, mushrooms, and vegetables. They grind it up and put into individual bags for you. Such a fun idea, but I thought I should try some of their pre-made dashi options before creating mine own. They also sell miso, rice, noodles, rice seasoning, seaweed, tea, and other items. I picked up some Japanese mustard, seaweed, and rice seasoning to take home with my dashi. Beyond being a great shop, they also have a cafe area where they offer a teishoku set meal - you pick your fish, which comes with tea, rice, miso soup, pickles, and sides. They also offer an omakase popup. The shop is beautiful, and the service was very friendly and helpful. I'll certainly return for more shopping but next time I plan to make a meal of it and try their teishoku set.

Wow this store had a lot going on! We came here to make dashi, but found out it was also a…read morerestaurant, a place that does food pop ups, and a shop with lots of Japanese goods including food and home. They had all of their original dashis out to taste, then they had a section where you could make your own. It was great getting to taste them and see what you liked so you could build around that. My boyfriend was the one making the dashi, so I perused the fun goods while he built his base. The dashi does take some time to make, so you can select your blend, then leave for a while and come back later.

Food: Excellent sushi! This might be one of my new favorite sushi restaurants in NYC. We ordered a…read morevariety of appetizers, noodle dishes, and sushi and sashimi. The fish was very fresh and good quality. We tried the fried purple yams, fried chicken, stir fried udon, yakisoba, and a variety of sushi platters. I would highly recommend the Tokyo Don which was a variety of fish and seafood on a bed of rice. The Salmon Lover's was also excellent, and slices of fish were nice and thick. Service: Service was wonderful! Our waiter was attentive and came back to check on us throughout the meal. There's a button to press when you need service, and our waiter was always quick to come after we pressed it. Ambiance: The restaurant is a good size with tables sectioned off into small "rooms". There are two private rooms downstairs that fit about 6-7 people each. The rooms are adjoining and good for large groups. Seating downstairs is the Japanese-style tables where you put your legs into a pit under the table. Decor and ambiance is very nice, and seating is comfortable. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant!

We recently visited for a birthday and it was a great experience…read more From the moment we sat down, the staff was incredibly thoughtful--they actually brought out coloring books and markers for my two children right away. It was an absolute lifesaver that kept the girls happily entertained. And the food was absolutely worth savoring. We kicked things off with a round of handrolls--salmon avocado, spicy salmon, and yellowtail--which were perfectly crisp and packed with fresh fish. I went all in on the Salmon Lovers set, and it was an absolute dream. It came with a massive, beautiful spread of salmon sushi, seven thick pieces of melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, a salmon avocado roll, a bright kani salad, and a really savory piece of grilled salmon. We also shared the Ysukiji sushi platter, which featured a gorgeous, high-quality assortment of cuts, while the Smoked Chicken bento box was a huge hit, offering fantastic cooked flavors and generous portions. The room we were in mimicked a traditional Japanese room where everyone had to sit on the floor and put their legs under the table. It was fun for the younger people but it was difficult for the elders to sit down and get back up. Between the incredibly fresh sushi and the warm hospitality that kept the whole family smiling the entire time, this spot easily earned five stars. We can't wait to come back!

While wandering through Bed-Stuy on a weekday evening, my husband and I decided to try out this new…read moresushi spot. It wasn't terrible--but I had a lot of mixed feelings. Food: 3/5 I'm a huge sushi fan, so I was excited when I saw a deluxe sashimi set on the menu. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark. The scallop was thinly sliced and lacked the rich texture I was hoping for. The salmon and other cuts were decent, but short and oddly shaped--chunky yet small, which made the whole presentation feel a bit off for something labeled deluxe. We also tried to branch out and ordered the short rib entree. For $21, it was shockingly small--definitely a single-person portion, not sharable. I added extra ikura to a salmon donburi bowl for $2, but it was barely a teaspoon's worth--just enough to say it was there. Oddly, the salmon slices in that bowl were thinner than the sashimi we had just eaten, and overall, it left me still hungry even after sharing a maki roll. Lastly, my husband ordered a green salad, which somehow took the entire meal service to arrive. When it finally came, it was just plain romaine, cucumbers, radish, and dressing. For a dinner that clocked in at over $150 (after tip), we definitely left underwhelmed. Service: 3/5 This part wasn't bad, just confusing. We were seated quickly, but the pacing of the meal was strange. Our seaweed salad and soups came out promptly, but the green salad came last, after the hot dishes and nearly after my husband finished eating. Also, a small thing--but when I'm paying $16 for four oysters, I want to know what kind they are. The menu just said "West Coast oysters," but our server couldn't tell us the variety or origin. Not a huge deal, but it added to a general lack of polish that didn't quite match the pricing. I don't think I'd return. For the price, there are better sushi options in Brooklyn with higher quality, better portions, and clearer service. Still, I appreciate new spots opening up in the neighborhood, and I'm always happy to try something new. Hopefully they refine the menu and service with time.

Izakaya Tenzo is a welcome addition to the BedStuy food scene. They'd been on my radar for a while…read moreand we stopped in on a Saturday evening when we wanted dinner but not anything too heavy. This fit the bill exactly. We started with the salmon belly carpaccio which I'd say isn't really a carpaccio because the salmon isn't sliced as thinly as you'd expect. But! I mention that just to set expectations. Nomenclature aside, it's an excellent appetizer. Served in a truffle and ponzu sauce, the salmon is lightly seared which yields two different textures to the fish. It practically melts in your mouth. Highly recommend this dish. For my entree I went with the trio don, which is 6 pieces of sashimi served over your choice of plain or sushi rice (sushi rice for me). The fish was fresh and flavorful. The portion was perfect for me. My boyfriend ordered a yellowtail roll and enjoyed that as well. We also shared a carafe of the cold house sake. I'd definitely come back and try more items on the menu. It's great for sharing and trying new dishes. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the prices were very reasonable.

An absolute gem in South Park Slope!…read more We happened to be staying at a friend's place a few blocks away and was looking for something open on the later side with great food. We searched Yelp and came across Konoba Yakitori, and it absolutely hit the spot. My daughter and I loved our entire experience--everything from the food to the local neighborhood vibe to the incredibly friendly, attentive staff. Everything we ordered was fresh, cooked to perfection, and reasonably priced. We had the gyoza, edamame, Hamachi Lover, Ebi Shu Mai, and the $15 Beef Set (three beef skewers), accompanied by hot tea and Ramune. The beef skewers were a highlight--tender meat with seasoning that was spot-on. Warm, welcoming, prompt, and super efficient. The entire staff was friendly and accommodating, and our waiter was extremely helpful in guiding us through the menu. Top-tier service all around. The space is small and cozy with a simple, comfortable design. Seating is a bit tight and close to neighboring tables, but there's nothing wrong with being snug, rght? It gets busy, but customers tend to eat quickly, so even without reservations, the wait moves well. Most importantly, despite it being a intimate spot, we never felt rushed at all. It's simple, which is what makes it amazing. An incredible restaurant all around--I love this place and can't wait to return. Highly recommend!

It's simple. Great service, food and ambiance…read more I love this place and can't wait to return. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Quick service, plenty of seating, delicious noodles, dark & cozy…read more Cannot recommend this place enough, also want to keep it a secret. Parking situation was pretty terrible typical BK. Food & ambiance made it worth it.

- very good beef/rice - good eel…read more chewy eel - perfect satiation - small environment - i like the order and pay online function - lunch service ended at 230, we got in at 2:21 and were still served

4.5 and rounded up. A birthday was the occasion I arrived…read morewith a party of three on a Saturday evening in May, there's a lot of buzz around this restaurant so reservations are recommended, I was fortunate to snag ours a couple days in advance on Resy for 8pm, that was the only available time for a party of our size left. Arriving to the restaurant, the outside is subtle and minimalist, a single door with a single glass pane window showing the front interior. Walking into the foyer hallway is where the theme begins, you're transported to a Victorian meets Japanese vibe, like you're entering the abode of a well-traveled citizen of the world, walls covered with memorabilia, maps and decorative elements. Inside along the front section of the restaurant, the walls are lined with shelves of "personal effects," as if you were dining in Mr. Moto's study--a top hat, gloves, time pieces, books, maps and other classically European decor like miniature bronze busts, clocks and miniature ship model. On back left or a handful of booths that comfortably seat four, on back right a luxurious bar area rounds out the space. Curiously a fancy bell board is affixed above the bar, (the type that large mansions used to ring for servants, the old version using a system of ropes and pulleys,) I learned this is where a bell rings when you press the button at your table. After consuming most of the Kaisen don the staff will bring ochazuke fish broth simmering for 60 hours to pour over your rice and fish, as a savory and soupy way to end the meal. I'll say it in advance before getting to the rest of the food--that broth is delicious! We ordered to drink: - Peach Sake "Miwaku no Momo" 魅惑の桃 light, refreshing with juicy peach $60 per bottle: juicy indeed. Pretty dangerous stuff you could drink the whole bottle like juice lol. The following Kaisen don bowls came in Standard or Premium editions the latter being a $7 upcharge which included a heap of snow crab, crab claw, uni, extra nori sheets. I dunno if I'd call it a "heap" these days though it was a nice touch. - Aka Bowl (Premium $44): spicy salmon with cucumber, oshinko, uni and ikura. Served with sides of hamachi, soy sauce, egg yolk and oshinko. - Signature Bowl (Premium $46): tuna tartare with scallops, squid, surf clams, yuzu tobiko, cucumber, takuan, uni and ikura. Served with sides of hamachi, soy sauce, egg yolk and oshinko. - Chirashi Bowl (Premium $45): bluefin tuna, toro, scallops, salmon, and seabream sashimi slices with ikura and tamago. Served with sides of hamachi, soy sauce, and oshinko. All the fish was fresh and tender, from the three pieces of hamachi on the side to all the fish used in the Kaisen don. We collectively enjoyed and can recommend! If there is one thing I'd suggest is to order a couple apps, the kaisen don was a fair size though I would've preferred a little more food in hindsight. For dessert, we ordered both the Hojicha Pannacotta $10 and Matcha Tiramisu $12. The textures of both were terrific, and not too sweet. The panna cotta was smooth, silky, creamy, since it was a hojicha syrup poured over, most of the flavor of the hojicha ended up concentrated towards the bottom, I would've appreciated a stronger tea taste though it was yummy for sure. The tiramisu was super light and fluffy, I almost wanted a little more bite from it though flavor-wise I enjoyed the amount of matcha. The energy of different staff members varied between enthusiastic and energetic to calm and collected, though overall I can say they were friendly and knowledgeable. The bathroom is noteworthy in that it's hidden behind a bookshelf, they do a good job continuing the theme even in there too!

We were a party of 9 and came to Residence of Mr. Moto for a birthday dinner. We ordered a few…read morestarters to share and everyone ordered their own main course. Overall, there were some definite highlights, but also a few dishes that didn't quite live up to expectations. The uni shooter was probably my biggest disappointment. It was extremely salty, almost like a drank a cup of soy sauce, which completely overpowered the uni. For the price, I thought it was overpriced and, unfortunately, overhyped. The agedashi tofu, on the other hand, was made to perfection. The tofu was lightly crisped and soaked up all the savory, umami rich dashi. The dashi flavor was very well balanced as it was flavorful without being overly salty. Definitely one of my favorites of the meal. The chicken wings were also quite good. I liked that they were boneless and had a nice crispy skin while still being easy to eat. For the main course, I ordered the premium chirashi. The fish was generally very fresh and nicely presented. The only issue was that one piece of bluefin tuna had a noticeable tendon, which made that bite a little unpleasant. Another highlight was actually their tamago. It had a nice balance of savory and sweetness with a hint of sake to elevate the flavor. My favorite part of the chirashi was actually the ochazuke at the end. The fish based broth was hearty and flavorful, and it was such a comforting way to finish the meal. Definitely ended the dish on a high note. For dessert, the hojicha panna cotta was a standout. It was incredibly smooth with a strong roasted tea flavor, which I really enjoyed. I would definitely order this again. The green tea tiramisu was however a miss for me. It was a little too sweet, and I wish the ladyfingers had absorbed more of the green tea flavor. One of the ladyfingers was still quite hard, making it difficult to scoop up with the rest of the dessert. Overall, there were some really well-executed dishes, especially the agedashi tofu, chirashi with ochazuke, and hojicha panna cotta. I just wish a few of the other dishes had been more consistent, especially considering the prices. The staff were very attentive. My son accidentally spilled some water and someone immediately came to wipe down the table for us. Our server was also great as she was there when we needed her but never too bothersome. If I were to return, I would just focus on ordering their kaizen don, is really is their speciality.