Bars
Kappa Sake House
388 5th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215, 718-832-2970
www.kappasakehouse.com
Kappa Sake House, located in Park Slope, is one of the few good authentic
options in Brooklyn, and perhaps the only one that defines itself as a sake
bar. We love the name, which is a reference to mythical Japanese creatures
that live in the water (and were depicted drinking sake in a famous sake
campaign from the 60's and 70's). True to its name, this cute, low-key spot
has a fun, eclectic decor and classic Japanese movie posters on the walls. But
the really unique feature is the garden--with outdoor seating--in the back,
where you can sit outside and drink sake. They also have a small menu of
izakaya dishes. Try their signature grilled mackerel dish for a taste of home
style Japanese cooking. The owner (Fumiko) is very gracious, and might even
offer to play one of the movies from her classic Japanese movie collection,
which she features at Kappa's frequent movie nights. In addition to the movie
nights, they have a regular schedule of fun-sounding events.
Tomi Jazz
239 E 53 St., New York, NY 10022, 646-497-1254
www.tomijazz.com
Tomi Jazz is the cool, hidden jazz bar that you never knew existed.
Located in midtown, this basement-level space features an almost-daily
schedule of Japanese jazz singers and musicians. Make sure you stop by for one
of Senri Oe's regular performances for a truly fun night, or stop by any night
to discover some up-and-coming talent. The other star at Tomi Jazz is their
drinks list, which is one of the best overall lists we've seen, and includes a
great selection of sake, shochu, and wine. They also have a unique menu of
izakaya dishes and comfort food. The owners are very friendly and are usually
working behind the bar. There is a $10 cover (plus $10 minimum) for shows.
They have happy hour specials from 5:30 to 7:30 and are open until 4:00 AM.
Sake Bar Satsko
202 E 7 St., New York, NY 10009, 212-614-0933
www.satsko.com
Satsko, located in the East Village, is proof
that size and decor don't matter when it comes to atmosphere. At Satsko it's
about the people. This tiny, rough around the edges space is one of the coolest bars
we've had the pleasure of drinking sake in. It's always crowded with a
friendly mix of locals, yet somehow there's always a spot for one or two more
at the bar when we arrive. The bartenders are extremely cool and friendly, and very knowledgeable about sake, which is
a rare combination. The sake list is superb, one of the best in the city, and
includes the hard-to-find and always coveted namazake Masumi Arabashiri.
They also serve a small selection of izakaya and fusion dishes. Satsko also has a
location at 245 Eldridge St.
Decibel
240 E 9 St., New York, NY 10003, 212-979-2733
www.sakebardecibel.com
Decibel, also in the East Village, is the
oldest sake bar in the city (they opened in 1993). When you enter this grungy, basement level space,
it feels like you're entering a secret sake drinking club in a seedy part of
Tokyo. And for authenticity, that's about as real as it gets. Not
surprisingly, they have one of the best sake lists in NY, and also a nice menu of
izakaya dishes. Decibel doesn't take reservations, so there can be a wait at
peak times.
Shochu Bar Hatchan
210 E 44 St., New York, NY 10017, 212-687-5075
Hatchan
is one of only a few shochu bars in the city. It's a
small, cozy space that provides a simple atmosphere for enjoying their great
selection of shochu, in addition to sake. And because shochu still has the
reputation of being for those in the know, it's not your typical bar crowd. They also have a full menu
of izakaya, yakitori, and sushi dishes, provided by East restaurant located
next door.
Donburi-ya
137 E 47 St., New York, NY 10017, 212-980-7909
Donburi-ya, located in midtown, is a popular late-night comfort-food oriented
izakaya, named after their signature rice dish, donburi. The atmosphere is fun
and lively and the funky Spanish/Caribbean decor makes you feel like you're
sitting in a downtown tapas bar rather than a traditional Japanese restaurant.
They have a great selection of shochu.
Uminoie
86 E 3 St., New York, NY 10003, 646-654-1122
Uminoie is an unexpected oasis in an otherwise
grungy area of the East Village. The name is a Japanese word for casual
beachside restaurants, and the funky island decor--including fishing nets on
the walls--makes you feel like you're sitting in a beachside bar in the South
Pacific. They serve a creative menu of Goto Island-inspired seafood dishes,
including their signature Goto udon, which is handmade by the owner's father
and comes in a flying fish broth. They also have a large bar in the front of
the restaurant and the largest shochu list we've seen in NY (with over 50
shochus to choose from). The shochu is substantially discounted everyday
during their Happy Hour (7:00 - 9:00 PM).
Azusa
3 E 44 St., New York, NY 10017, 212-681-0001
Azusa is a comfortable and attractive multi-level favorite near Grand Central,
known for good value and service (especially during lunch). It's popular among Japanese businessmen who
frequent the always-packed bar near the entrance. The dining room features two
private tatami rooms, which add to the authentic atmosphere. We like their
udon and nabe, in particular, which makes it a good destination in the Fall
and Winter.
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© 2011 Kanpai NY
