Hibachi dining was once a novelty reserved for special occasions. While such spots are plentiful today, the challenge now is making sure the food is equal to the theatrics. Our dinner at Atami delivered on both counts. While on the pricey side (the same fare at lunch is half-off), our…
Japanese
A shabu-shabu joint from the fevered imagination of Tatsu Aikawa, the power behind Ramen Tatsu-Ya and Kemuri Tatsu-Ya.
It’s hard to remember the days when Musashino was the premier, albeit almost only, sushi spot in town. It’s where Tyson Cole (who went on to found the Uchi empire) and Kazu Fukumoto learned to slice fish, and now Fukumoto has his own spot. As you’re heralded by greetings, you’ll…
A roomful of (mostly young) folks contentedly wielding chopsticks and slurping noodles is proof that this California chain has found its niche in Midtown. Piping-hot brussels sprouts tempura and cold Sapporo beers got us off to a good start, but we agreed that the No. 1 ramen bowl—tonkotsu black, with…
This casual spot from the team behind Fat Bao is the first sushi bar in the northern Heights. Our initial experience with the inventive menu was hit-and-miss. The Balsamic Tuna was generous but overly sweet. The Miss Piggy roll intrigued, with its marinated apple and fried pork belly, but it…
Raw squid and smoked fish collar are just a couple of the dishes offered by the guys behind Ramen Tatsu-Ya.
A modern Japanese/sushi spot has landed in an attractive Heights area strip center.
Ramen noodles may never compete with pizza, but new food-delivery apps have made it possible to enjoy almost any restaurant meal in your pajamas. Michi’s new south location is capitalizing on this trend; it’s takeout or delivery only. It also thumbs its nose at the competition, because there are no…
Next time we visit this spot tucked away in Richardson, we’ll double our order of gyoza, six mouth-watering little pan-fried pods of pork and vegetables. Then we’ll dive in to one of the six ramens on the menu; the miso ramen, with a rich pork and chicken broth and a…
There were palpable withdrawal symptoms among longtime devotees of this fresh-fish temple when the restaurant, housed for decades below Chinatown in a somewhat awkward configuration, shuttered for a few months to move toward West Campus. It appears that the crew moved everything into the spot that formerly housed Fino and…
Head chef Yoshi Okai is now the ringmaster at Otoko, while celebrated executive chef Paul Qui completes drug rehab following being arrested for assault, a charge he denies. Live and in person most nights, Yoshi helped design the breathlessly anticipated 20-course tasting menu, served at a 12-person counter in an…
On the advice of a family friend and Longview native, we made a quick stop at this popular spot and sampled a bento box that was almost embarrassingly generous with its cornucopia of sushi, soup, salad, fried rice, shrimp tempura, and pork gyoza. After gazing longingly at another diner’s beef…
This new shopping center spot boasts a calm (no blasting TVs) but energetic atmosphere. Enjoy a complimentary bowl of miso soup while you peruse a large menu of sashimi, dumplings, grilled items, and rolls (we loved the Dragon). A nice selection of sakes makes pairing a cinch.
Nothing beats sitting at the sushi bar at this iconic Austin spot, especially when you meet newcomers experiencing it for the first time. We started with fish fresh from the Tsukiji fish market, including sweet and mild ocean trout with lemon zest and Maldon salt and tender amberjack with a…
