630 Midland Av
Staten Island, NY 10306
Richmond County
Phone: (718) 668-0898
Fax: unknownWebsite: no website on fileEmail: no email on fileHours: unknown
by David C. on I am writing this review trying to remember my experience from a year ago, November 2009. And I do plan to go back to do a more comprehensive review, because this one will be brief compared to the one I want to do. It was to celebrate a fellow rateclubser's graduation from his PhD program. We put together tables for a group of about 10 people. Ok, the uni rice bowl i tried from was the best uni i've had, EVER (sweet, silky, buttery, smooth, not bitter at all, something you want to roll around on your tongue and savor). Till I find something better, this is the standard for how uni should be prepared and served to customers who have gagged over the same ingredient at other japanese restaurants. We shared some omakase. It was DELICIOUS. I enjoyed every bit of it. Some types of sashimi stood out more than others. Overall, even if there are other fresh sashimi being served in ATL, this is the best prepared, and best tasting for me. Hotate and Maguro were exceptional. Also, Unagi roll was well done. And the shared Ika Maruyaki was presented beautifully, and tasted as good as it looked. The grilled salmon cheek I ordered was a bit more burnt than I would like but above average. I usually pounce on Hamachi Kama over the salmon, but they didn't have it that day, but I'm determined to try Hayakawa's next time. As the night winded down, people wanted to go to the bakery. BUT, some of us stayed and kept ordering at the bar, tapas style. Grilled pork belly was very good, balanced with some carrots and snap peas and cooked daikon, and a dollop of spicy mustard on top. One dish that might of been a limited-time special on the menu was the plum jellyfish. I couldn't believe how good it was. It was glassy, crunchy, flavorful, pungent. It was very unique and something I won't be forgetting anytime soon. OK maybe this was a not so brief review. Even after eating a full dinner, my stomach is already grumbling again writing about this place. Neeeeeeed to save up so I can go back soon.
by I Q. on I was so excited to find a new place in the city, but this place was really disappointing. :( Maybe it was the night I went, but the crowd was not diverse whatsoever. When I think of a "diverse" crowd, I imagine more than ONE type of person there. But we were the only non-Asians in the place. I just like when places have a more mixed crowd....especialy in such a diverse city like San Francisco. The space is nice inside, but way too crowded and no place to dance. The DJ was good up until about 11:30, when the place started blarring with house music. The drink prices were standard for this type of place -- about $10. We had one drink and left....just wasn't all that fun. I can see this place being a cool spot to go for after work drinks, but I wouldn't return for a night out.
by Lorrine Funes on Great for live Jazz. Didn't have tickets for Cassandra Wilson so lined up about an hour before the show and got seats at the bar. Food and drinks are expensive, but are good and with generous portion size (had a $12 fruit and cheese plate which came with way more than $12 worth of cheese on it, and very yummy!). The bouncers do a good job and are very professional.
