I'm an Izakaya Sensei. Self Proclaimed.

Living in NYC, we regularly have visitors. You'd think that going on the Staten Island Ferry would get old but honestly it doesn't. There's nothing like seeing the skyline of Manhattan on the ferry. And it also gives you a whole new perspective.

Father in law (FIL) and my 15 year old sister-in-law (SIL) were in town visiting and SIL had mentioned that she wanted to try something different and was up for anything.

Uh oh.

You do not tell that to Mr. Broad.

I pulled the reigns in a bit on Mr. Broad and we decided that Izakaya would be a good place to go due to their variety of food. When most people think of Japanese food they think sushi. Or Maybe a Benihana steak house. A very popular Japanese food-type is an Izakaya which is considered pub food. Some of the food they serve at Iazakaya's are Yakatori. It's like small kabobs. Can't get more simpler than that. You follow?

We've been to the two other sister restaurants in NYC of this place so this was the last one we tried.

Sobo Totto

211 E 43rd street

We ordered a lot. There were four of us so we went a bit crazy. Plus the portions were real small. I swear!!

First up, pickles and pickled radishes.

You know how sometimes you try things based on appearance?? Yeah I passed on this one. The other three of them had no problem with this one. Although I remember the radish received comments that it was a bit bland.

Fried Wonton Cheese- deep fried wontons filled with cheese

This sounds a lot better than it was. Basically an Asian take on mozzarella sticks. I'd stick to the American version.

Jidori Karaage- Japanese Style Fried Chicken

I was a bit disappointed in this chicken. I've had karage (which I normally heart) before but there was nothing Japanese to this. It was moreso just American fried chicken and didn't have any tang or tenderness I'm used to.

Tuna Sashimi marinated in Garlic Soy Sauce and Wasabi

One of the best dishes of the night.

The tuna was extremely fresh and I appreciated the thickness of the cut. A bit deceiving sashimi which is normally served paper thin. But you could actually taste the tuna this time.

Mori Soba served with cold dipping sauces.

It's really just cold Asian noodles. But don't tell that to Mr. Broad...He was happily slurping away!

And now for the Yakatori. The Kabob-like portion.

Asparagus wrapped in a slice of bacon. Can't get much better than this. Also ordered was an asparagus wrapped in chicken. You can guess which one was better.

Kobe beef tongue. This was ordered by Mr. Broad's father. Just in case you wonder whom he gets it from.

Hatsu. It means Heart. Ordered by Mr. Broad because he had to one-up his father.

Japanese Green peppers served with bonito flakes

I looove japanese green peppers. They really aren't spicy but have lots of spice and flavor.

Chicken Thigh and scallion.

Tastes much better than the quality of the picture.

A view of a bunch of stuff from Mr. Broad's side

Japanese peppers... A chicken meat ball with a quail egg.

Right around here we were doing the "should-we-or-shouldn't-we" game. Do we go for one last small dish. Well what do you think we decided.

A medley of tempura.

Pretty good if not typical. Do you see that white clump on the botton left. That's not tempura, it's daikon. Was soft, mush and quite possibly the oddest texture. And tasted uh, not good. How's that for specific-ness?...

Review:

Gotta love Izakaya. It's like tapas so it allows you to sample many different varieties. And don't be fooled by the "large" pictures with this post. They aren't. All of the "kabobs" are no longer than 3 inches. The camera definitely added some weight to these. (The myth is TRUE!) And they serve the dishes out as they are ready so it's a nice rolling dinner. Lots to chose from, lots to share, and Mr. Broad gets his Japanese fill. Again.

Rating: 7.5

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Japanese- It Ain't All Sushi

"Man, you guys loove the Asian" -Brother

And it's so true. I enjoy it and mainly because I have discovered so many different types of Asian food from meeting Mr. Broad. No longer is it only the Friday night Chinese food or my go-to Pad Thai (but still a favorite...). I have branched out to the many different regions. And Northern Thai is different than Southern Thai. And don't get me started on Japanese vs. Thai vs. Indian curries. Duh.

Oh and we're pretty sure that Mr. Broad was an Asian man in a former lifetime. Maybe he used to work the rice fields or managed a karaoke bar. Either way, he definitely was Asian.

Yakitorri Totto (aka Torys)
251 West 55th Street

So when Mr. Broad suggested Yakitori for last Friday night I was game. We had only done it once before with Mr. Broad's brother and sister-in-law and had a great time. Yakitori for the nonfoodie stands for grilled chicken. And it is several bite sized pieces of grilled chicken on skewers that they cook/marinade on an open grill. But of course, it's not only chicken anymore but includes different vegetables or meats. With some adventurous items in there as well. The menu even said, "Acquired taste" in some areas.

The skewers start around $3 and in theory it can be affordable depending on how many you order. So we went at it. But first the appetizers.

TAKO WASA: raw octopus marinated in mildly spicy wasabi sauce-
This is so not my thing and clearly I didn't order it but texture was all off. I was expecting smooth, silky diver scallop-like bites. What I got was slimy, smooth but at points crunchy. I don't know. Mr. Broad did mention that it was just eh after I made him admit that there can be Asian food he doesn't like.

JIDORI KARAAGE: Japanese style fried chicken
I have had Karage before (Mr. Broad had to remind me) and really liked it. This one, however, I loved. The presentation was very unique with all the meat on the top of the drumstick. A singular piece of chicken with the meat on top...

TEBA: Chicken wings

NATTO KINCHAKU: fermented soybeans in deep-fried bean curd w/ spicy mustard

And the inside...
YAKI NASU MISO DENKAKU: eggplant w/ miso paste
Definitely one of my favorites.



MISO DARE MUNE NIKU: chicken breast topped w/ scallion and special miso paste


CHICKEN OYSTER: rare part of thigh (sot l’y laisse)
Apparently a very rare cut of meat which I don't understand since I didn't realize chickens were so rare. But the oyster is a part of the thigh which. Well, it rocks. Extremely juicy.


Couldn't find this one on the menu online but it was a rice ball skewer covered in soy sauce.

ENOKI BACON: enoki mushroom wrapped in a slice of bacon

Review:
Torys is a lot of fun. And they have plenty of other options for those not wanting yakituri. Someone explained it once as Japanese tapas. Sure why not. We had some other skewers not photographed (or they were and didn't turn out as "pretty") from chicken wings to spare ribs. Oh and pork butt. How could I forget Mr. Broad ordered pork butt. Chewy.

Anyway, these places are a lot of fun. And would be great with a big group of people too. But yeah, that would require us to know a big group of people. Sigh...

In the meantime, Mr. Broad and I enjoy getting seated at the bar and watching them make the skewers right in front of us. And trying to get me to sit down and stop taking pictures. Oops.
Rating: 8

All our skewers at the end. We done good.

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Not Your College Ramen...

Restaurant Rewind...

Ippudo

Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village
654th Ave(between 2nd Ave & 8th St)

Remember those days when you were hungry and had no money? I'm talking about college not yesterday. Well, we used to eat ramen. For $1 you could buy not one, not two, but SEVERAL packages and it came in many artificial flavors. What's not to love? Take that Rachael Ray and your $40 a day challenge! Clearly one serving pretty much satisfied your weeks worth of sodium intake. But that's besides the point I digress.

Apparently ramen is Japanese soul food. No really, check the ippudo website. Ramen in NYC however is soon becoming the new black, the new cupcake, or last year's skinny jeans. Not yet, but soon. I'm pulling out the "soon to be trendy" card. So sign me up.

And maybe because I've only had "fresh" ramen at Ippudo but I get it. It's amazing. Apparently one of the best places to get ramen in the city. I've now been there twice- once with Mr. Broad for lunch and another time when our friends J + T and my cousin went to dinner. Mr. Broad out-ramens me by going there also with his brother. Yeah we like this place.

If you can deal with the wait (hell yeah! who's got stamina at 2 hours??) you're in for a real treat. And may I also suggest the pork buns?? Ah.mazing.

Pictures for your enjoyment:

Pork Buns (They look similar to tacos but ohso much better.)

Ramen- There are a couple of different types- we went for the Ramen Modern which had a much longer name that wasn't all English but let's just call it the Modern for this post. It's also their most popular. Mr. Broad got his with extra pork belly. Of course he did. Basically, freshly made noodles in a meat sauce with something about garlic oil, cabbage, scallions, pork...

Review: There is a lot already written praising Ippudo of which I would be repeating. Mr. Broad said things like, "Aah that's right!" And lots of slurping. (Sidenote. If people advise not to have soup on a first date in the US, I wonder if they say the same about ramen in Japan? Ponder... ) Okay. So the ramen was great. Mine had one piece of pork in it while Mr. Broad smiled smugly at his "extra pork belly" request. Oh and the pork buns? Wow. Best I've ever had but some of that may be due to the 2 hour and the I WANT FOOD NOW wait. Still. Awesome. And the cost? The bowl of ramen was $13 and the pork buns $8 for 2. Pretty good by NYC standards for dinner, however, perhaps a bit more than the ramen conessiur would pay? Eh, did I mention it's right near my office. Two hour lunch anyone?

Rating: A

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