JB wants to be Mr. Japanese, still. He loves it all - sushi (obviously), robata, ramen, teppanyaki, sake and, of course, izakaya - the japanese gastropub. In fact, it appears that these traditional Japanese small plates restaurants are starting to grow in prominence in New York as noted in Time Out and in a New York Times article written about Shigure that JB ripped out, handed to me and asked "When are we going?"
A few months later on a dark street in Tribeca we found ourselves in front of an almost invisible door about to enter this den of deliciousness. This place is so under the radar, we didn't need a reservation on a Saturday night. We were warmly welcomed by the bartender come hostess who showed us to a small table close to the bar with a great view of the sake map on the wall. For most of the meal, we were the only non-Japanese patrons in the place, an excellent sign of authenticity.
Being a brewpub, JB ordered a Japanese beer while I stuck to wine. It was impossible deciding what to order. In hindsight, we probably over ordered, but when in an izakaya.....
Each dish was a treat in itself.
Our highlights:
- Renkon Kimpira: These were pan fried lotus roots with a shishito pepper - crunchy and spicy, almost good for you
- Shio-Koji Fried Chicken: JB's favorite Japanese style fried chicken, white and dark meat
- Sashimi Maguaro & Avocado: Think tuna sashimi over guacamole. And then think amazing.
- Mini Zuke Maguro Don: More tuna, this time over rice. Sort of like a step up from your usual Tekka Don. JB wanted to move into to this dish.
- Fried Pork with a clean ponzu sauce (can't recall the Japanese name): I didn't want to like this one and then found myself taking piece after piece.
There were more plates than there was room on the table. Another excellent sign.
This is the kind of place you want to tell everyone about and then no one, it could be our own private restaurant. Our secret lair. But it wouldn't be fair if I didn't share.
Next time we're trying the sake menu, and of course, more small plates.
Until our next Burger,
KLB
Shigure
277 Church Street
New York, NY
212.965.0200
www.sakebar-shigure.com
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