Shojin Cuisine at Kajitsu

Shojin Cuisine, an ancient Japanese culinary practice developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries.

Shojin Cuisine does not use meat or fish. Meals are prepared from fresh, in season vegetables, legumes, wild herbs, seeds and grains, chosen at the moment in the season that best reflects their flavor.



















You can also enjoy Real green tea served by a chef, Nishihara who learned tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan.




















Kajitsu, NYC
414 E 9th St
New York, NY
10009, USA
+1 212-228-4873

Kamo-Nanban Soba at MATSUGEN, NY.
If you go to Matsugen, I just recommend to eat Soba. Nothing else, really.

Kamo is duck. Then, what is Nanban?
Since Nanba, Osaka has been famously known to produce scallion (Negi), Japanese started to call Negi as Nanba.
Nanba turned into Nanban over time.


Matsugen
241 Church St
New York, NY 10013
212-925-0202

Matsugen New York

Matsugen opened at old 66 spot in Tribeca.
Jean George had a partnership with Matsugen, so this restaurant does not look like authentic Japanese restaurant... but Jean George didn't even involve menu creation.
But I am surprised he was actually ther yesterday..

Interior was a little intimidating. Tall ceiling, huge and tall dining table, and almost too perfect decoration.

















Matsugen Japan serves mainly soba noodle, but you can enjoy sushi, soba, and a little bit of every Japanese food here.

I only tried Soba noodle yesterday, but soba itself was really good.
My dish was Kamoseiro (you dip soba in duck soup)... Soup was a little bit too oily, but it was good enough to be worth coming back only for this.

















I had a chance to look around a kitchen inside, and they have their own soba flour machine, as well as handmade soba creation performance in front of window facing to the street.


I will definitely come back here to eat more variety menus.
But I would rather sit on the regular table so that I can relax and eat next time.



















Matsugen
241 Church St.
at Leonard St.
(212)925-0202

ZAGAT America's Top Japanese Restaurants Launch

Zagat launched latest book called "America's Top Japanese Restaurants".
This shows top Japanese restaurants from major cities in US.
Also, Japanese unique ingredients are introduced in first section, so that American people can get more familiar with Japanese ingredients to use.

Unfortunately, this book is not for sale. 100,000 were produced, and distributed to major Japanese restaurants in US.
Guide book will be handed to customers who love to eat Japanese food.

Benoit

Celebrity chef, Alain Ducasse opened 2 new restaurants on the same streets.
One is Adour at St. Regis Hotel. The other one is Benoit. French Bistro from Paris.
Benoit in Paris opened in 1912, and received 1 star from Michelin for the first time as a bistro.
in 2005, Alain Ducasse acquired Benoit from owner.

First, Alain opened Benoit Tokyo in Japan in 2005, then Benoit came to NY this year.

Benoit Tokyo has a great interior design, and it looks more like high end place... but Benoit NY is more like classic french bistro.... similar atmosphere as Balthazar, Pastis...



















Menu is pretty simple bistro menu.


French Onion Soup


















I always like when Onion soup comes to the table... smells great with cheese flavor.
This is very simple dish, but I can taste a lot of Sherry. Need a little salt, but I liked a taste over all.


Duck Foie Gras Confit with Parisienne Brioche


















As you can see, there were so much fat, and taste was a little too greasy.
I am not sure they did this on purpose, but I think this is a way too over powering to your mouth for appertizer.


I actually did not order any main dish, so I ordered 2 above apps.
I did not feel for any of main dish unfortunately..


By having only 2 dishes above, I rather go to Balthazar, Pastis...
But I definitely would like to come back and try some main dish before I say anything further..


Benoit NY
66 West 55th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
New York, New York
646-943-7373

15 East

15 East is one of my favorite Sushi restaurants in NY.

There are only about 9 seats at sushi counter, so you must make reservation in advance.


Interior is very simple yet modern.


I always order "omakase" which is chef tasting menu.
Sushi chef is Makoto Shimizu from Japan. He used to work at Jewel Bako.
His sushi creation is very beautiful, and most of fish are imported from Japan.


Tuna (Maguro)


















Sea urchin (Uni) is always good here...melting in your mouth. Very sweet.
15 East also serves great handmade soba noodle (see above picture). They are delicious.


$150-$200 per person. But I think it is definitely worth paying that much.
I go there every month, as I always crave their sushi.


15 East
15 E 15th St
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 647-0015

Greenwich Grill OPEN!

"Greenwich Grill" is opened in Tribeca today!!!

I had a chance to try their food last night with owner from Japan, and I can give you my sneak preview report.

It is located on Greenwich Street, between Vestry and Laight Streets.
Greenwich Grill has been carefully renovated to retain Romanesque Revival construction of the original 125 years old building which was bought by the company.


There is a bar counter on the right side, and seats on the left side.
It looks very casual, but you will find a very elegant dining after you walk through the narrow corridor.
A elegant dining space has great high ceiling with skylight.

1st floor offers "Pacific Grill" food.
Pacific Grill is a combination of Californian, Italian & traditional French cuisine.

You will see the menu at their website, and all of the menu sounds mouthwatering.


I tried Baked Tripe Stew. Only $10. Yes, it is a small portion, but you will enjoy full-body flavored tripe, chick peas, and tomato sauce. (see picture below)

Surprisingly (great surprise for me!!), there is a basement which offers completely different cuisine - authentic upscale sushi restaurant, called "Azabu".

You won't see any signs of the Sushi restaurant, so it is almost like hidden restaurant you don't anybody to know...

Sushi chef was brought from Japan, and he is only 29 years old.... his Sushi was amazing.
Great rice, great fish selection, and great atmosphere.

Also,,,, great price. What I mean "great" is "great bargain for NY sushi restaurant".

If you go Sushi Den, Sushi Yasuda, or 15 East, you pay $150-$200 per person easily including liquor. But here.... you pay $100 at most. That is much better price than all other high-end Sushi place in NY.


I definitely come back soon, and try many other dishes.
Greenwich Grill also offers lunch on Mon-Fri, and brunch on Sun.

Opentable reservation is already available, so that is a good news also.



Greenwich Grill
428 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 274-0427