Mikaku Sushi

REVIEW

January 29, 2010


CUISINE: Japanese, Sushi
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chinatown, Lower East Side, Nolita

 

85 Kenmare St.Between Cleveland Pl. and Mulberry St.

(p) 212-431-4820

 

Everyone has a secret comfort-food spot: the tiny hole-in-the-wall whose number is saved in your phone, the place you trudge towards at the end of a long day, when your thoughts become so food-centric you can hardly think about anything else.  In every neighborhood I’ve lived in, I’ve always found one of these places — and Mikaku is currently enjoying my embarrassingly frequent patronage.  

 

Mikaku is "worth it" in every way because it lives up to a humble promise: cheap, enjoyable food.  With no more than six tables, the restaurant itself is tiny — but their efficient delivery or takeout system is part of the appeal.  I can be in and out in five minutes, with a bowl of steaming hot udon ($6.15) tucked in a paper bug under my arm. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on January 29, 2010 2:09pm by Rachel Hochhauser | 0 comments





UO

REVIEW

January 21, 2010


CUISINE: Japanese, Sushi
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lower East Side

 

151 Rivington St. First Floor Between Clinton and Suffolk Sts.

(p) 212-677-5470

 

Located in an unmarked apartment building on the second floor of 151 Rivington Street, part of the fun of eating at this secret sushi place is finding it.  Your reward: a clean, modish room with white lacquered tables and black patent leather booths. 

 

The chic menu looks and feels like a party invitation. Divided into a few easily navigable categories, the first section, Plates from the Kitchen, reads like a tapas menu: smoked duck breast, boneless short ribs with roast fennel beer braise, buttered parchment roasted mushrooms.  The Sushi Bar offers tartares, carpaccio, and hamachi as well as a bunch of choices that beg for English translation.  And then there are the rolls, which range from the usuals (tuna, spicy tuna, eel avocado) to the more adventurous (lightly broiled whitefish, salmon tempura asparagus). CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on January 21, 2010 1:22pm by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments





Sushi Mambo

REVIEW

May 11, 2009


CUISINE: Japanese, Sushi
NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenwich Village, West Village

 

 

255 Bleecker St. at Cornelia St.

(p) 212-675-9805

 

I was delighted to discover Sushi Mambo was featured in a scene of one of my favorite movies: Prime.  And they don’t let you forget it; movie posters and signed photographs decorate the entryway.  But the memorabilia doesn’t detract from the charming (if hokey) décor and atmosphere.  Interestingly enough, in the film, the restaurant was jazzed up to serve as the setting for a sexy dinner — Uma Thurman leans over the table to feed a quail egg to her date — but in reality I prefer this restaurant because it is unassuming and comfortable.  It is situated on a dainty corner in the West Village and, inside, the numerous window seats boast great views for people watching...

 


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Posted in FOOD on May 11, 2009 7:34am by Jena Steinbach | 3 comments





KI SUSHI

REVIEW

March 18, 2009


CUISINE: Asian, Japanese, Sushi
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO

122 Smith Street Between Dean and Pacific 

(p) 718-935-0575

 

Ki Sushi serves fresh fish and interesting rolls with a fair price tag.  An impressive list of appetizers, all in the $5-7 range, goes beyond your average sushi spot with dishes like sauteed broccoli with garlic and toasted pine nuts, and fried eggplant with miso.  The sushi rolls also will not disappoint, particularly the special rolls.  We tried the seared tuna roll with asparagus, caviar, and wasabi sauce which, for only $1 more, took the standard spicy tuna roll to a whole new level.  The Ki sushi roll was massive and artfully crafted.  The rectangular pieces of sushi were layered with tuna, salmon, and yellowtail inside, and topped with spicy, crunchy crab, avocado, caviar, and finally, a gold (edible) leaf.  This roll was so pretty, I almost felt bad eating it.   Though the special rolls do come with special prices, when mixed with some of the standard rolls, the experience will be satisfying, both in your mouth and on your wallet.  


Posted in FOOD on March 18, 2009 9:00am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments





BLUE RIBBON SUSHI

REVIEW

February 20, 2009


CUISINE: Asian, Chicken, Japanese, Sushi
NEIGHBORHOOD: Soho

 

119 Sullivan Street between Prince and Spring

(p) 212-343-0404

 

The sushi at Blue Ribbon is expensive, and whether or not it's worth it is questionable.  The fried chicken, however, is a unanimous favorite, and the only item we’re willing to drop some serious cash for.  What makes the birds so delectable is a rather simple breading that includes matzo meal and flour, seasoned with togarashi peppers, paprika, cayenne, and sea salt.  The wings are served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce made with fresh wasabi and Mexican-imported honey. Blue Ribbon stays open really late, making it the perfect place for sophisticated late night munchies.

 


Posted in FOOD on February 20, 2009 12:00am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments