Kai Restaurant & Ito En NY Tea Store

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822 Madison Ave (at Between 68th and 69th Street)
New York, NY 10065

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(212) 988-7277
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Tea Houses

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Reviews
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Best

A stunning presentation on a plate one after another..with a blend of authenticity and quintessential quality from Executive Chef Yamasaki. I recommend you once dine at the counte...

Worst

We just ate at Kai and were disapointed. The food was not very tasty, the portioins were tiny even for such a high quality restaurant. And the prices were way to high for what yo...

Wonderful Tea 2/3/2010

I haven't eaten here, but do stop by for their extensive selection of tea's. Just great! Pros: Great Tea more
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Irresistable- a little heaven on madison ave 12/17/2009

A stunning presentation on a plate one after another..with a blend of authenticity and quintessential quality from Executive Chef Yamasaki. I recommend you once dine at the counter seats (open kitchen) and meet the adorable chef, who nurtures your dish with extreme care for detail and finishing. experience how warmful he is and meaningful his dishes are. \r \r No food is ever perfect; whatever the however it is. But remember the food that made you truly, purely happy? perhaps with your beloved friends, or with brothers, mom and dad? I remember mine.,it was here at Kai. \r \r \r \r \r \r \r \r \r \r \r \r Pros: earthy lunch and heavenly dinner Cons: is there? more
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where the true things are.. 11/6/2009

'A little house' as the last stop of Manhattan's dining venue. It'll turn gracious for your first date, business convention, friendly neighbor's birthday, or just dropping by for a bite at the end of the day.\r \r Chef Yamasaki so exquisitely embodies the inherent storminess of all valuable things: an ingredient, a season, a culture, and wonder. And it is so tender, so impecable, and so Yummy! \r Occupy the dubious, Obey the venturous..\r \r and oh yes, i love to lunch there as well.\r \r \r \r \r \r Pros: Chef Yamasaki's Omakase more
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Lunch & Dinner- just divine as always.. 10/28/2009

I've commercially participated in experiencing at every exceptional Japanese cuisine in nyc. and I'll tell you one thing, ""Kai is a knockout!"" Chef Yamasaki's intimate delicacy devours your appetite. The truth shall be found in Chef Yamasaki's hands. I love him and his restaurant.\r \r The door is open for everyone, who dreams of such bliss. \r \r Don't forget to try Kagoshima or his Omakase! \r Pros: Excecutive Chef Yamasaki Cons: None more
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great 10/22/2009

Really enjoyed it. great food Pros: The best more
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Fabulous and elegant food, and teas! 10/22/2009

Having both the wonderful restaurant, food and the lovely shop in the same location! Splendid freshly made food, unbelievable choices. Very hi quality and same with the sake served. Service is excellent as well. Pros: The very caring and talented chefs and places both shop/rest Cons: A little costly more
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good tea 10/7/2009

you are in for some goooood tea. i love this place and am hooke don going every week. Pros: tea, asian food more
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Delicious Japanese Food!! 10/7/2009

My boyfriend and I come here at least once a week - we love their japanese food! Probably the best in New York, I won't go anywhere else. It's nice to escape the busy streets of New York City for a nice romantic evening out. Their teas are also to die for, we always finish our meals with a cup of one of their fabulous teas! more
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Fresh ingredients 10/7/2009

I have never had such fresh food from the ingredients to the fish. The food and drinks are amazing the service and food definitely justify the priciness of this restaurant. For those of you who like tea, they have an amazing selection of teas and herbs. highly recommended. Pros: amazing food more
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Awesome-ness! 10/7/2009

I had a really good dinner here and I don't usually write reviews for Restaurants. The food was fantastic and well worth the cost. I would absolutely go back. Thanks! Pros: Great Saki more
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Stick to the prix fixe 11/16/2007

The $85 seasonal prix fixe meals are recommneded. I think these would get nods from most NYC foodies.\r \r The $200 omakase was a disappointment. It was not any better than the prix fixe. Average quality ingredients (and quite frankly, the chef's good-but-not-remarkable skills) didn't not justify the $500 bill for dinner for two. I expected more. Pros: Prix Fixe menus are good Cons: Omakase do not live up to expectations more
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Mishima Beef 11/29/2006

Japanese Kaiseki is equivalent to Seasonal Tasting Menus here in the States. \r But at Kai, they prepare their cuisine with American ingredients. This challenge poses some difficulty because there are certain boundries professionals in the kitchen do not cross in order to preserve the traditions of one's culture. But what ever it is they do, it's working and I get floored each time I go. \r It's good to know, time and time again, their monthly menus come through and it always highlights the best in seasonal ingredients. \r Chef Yamazaki has been heading the kitchen at Kai since shortly after their opening, and has prepared some amazing meals for me. \r I recommend this place for people with a sophisticated palate. It's undeniably some of the best Japanese food one can get in the city. \r And if you can, try their Mishima (Japanese Beef) Steak dishes. It will make you re-think life. \r Pros: Impressive location Cons: Limited seating more
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delicious but very small portions 5/4/2006

Each bite of food at Kai was indeed delicious, fresh, and elegant. I had the black cod with yuzu sauce, which was wonderful. I must warn the reader that the portions sizes are very small (especially the appetizers), so if you plan to eat until you are full and do not intend to order the chef's special tasting menu, prepare to order and pay for an appetizer (1 dish for each person because the portions are not for sharing), a main entree, and the cold udon at the end of the meal. If you are someone who appreciates simplicity, elegance, and wonderfully presented and tasting seafood and vegetables regardless of portion size, Kai is your place. If you are someone who appreciates the same things but hope to have food to spare or share, Kai may not be the best option. The ambience is very calm and quiet. more
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Very authentic and creative Japanese food. 4/3/2006

Staff members are fluent in Japanese and English, and very knowledgeable about their food (very rare to find at most Japanese restaurants in the US...) Pricy indeed, but atmosphere and the setting pays off (stone dish is very elegant.) Excellent for bringing a date to impress, or business dinner. Sake collection was excellent (Try Nanbu Bijin), but pricy. Not too crazy about their sake martini. Most people eat there seem to be typical Upper East Side snobs, so be aware. Again, the waitress was awesome. She gets 10 for her excellent service and advice. Pros: Creative, Authentic, Elegant Cons: small dish, snobby clients, price more
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Authentic Japanese Food 11/13/2005

Excellent. We tried the prix fixe 8 course dinner with the salt encrusted black cod as the main meal. The fish is cooked in a thick salt/egg crust which is broken up right before you eat and is not for eating. Wow! The courses are small, thank god; It is so hard to get small portions in the U.S. now. The food is an experience. Get ready to spend some serious time enjoying the company of your friends. Service exceptional: unobtrusive, friendly. This is authentic Japanese food - California roll is not on the menu. Ambience - minimalist. Gotta love minimalism. With sake and tip walked out for $100 a person. Can't wait to come back. Pros: Food, Service, Ambience more
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Excellent!! 11/10/2005

Omakase course is beautiful and so delicious. You can enjoy real Japanese tea, since this restaurant is managed ItoEn, ""Teas' Tea"" company. They will give it to you as a souvenir!! more
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Not OK. 10/29/2005

We just ate at Kai and were disapointed. The food was not very tasty, the portioins were tiny even for such a high quality restaurant. And the prices were way to high for what you get. Example is the soup which was about 6 oz for $12 dollars and the mushrooms where $12 for about 1oz. We generally like good restaurants and eat out often but Kai was way to expensive for what we got. The grilled cheese at home afterwards was better.!! more
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so-so 7/15/2005

I love sushi, japanese, asian fusions, and eat it a lot, and just wasn't amazed here. The atmosphere, staff and food were all nice, but that's it. Compared to other reviews, I thought it was only average. I will say that the mushrooms were excellent. However, many of the accompanying sauces (presented on the fish, even the sashimi) overpower the fish. The sauce on the soba noodles was very salty for the simple taste/texture of the noodles. I can't say I hated it because there was nothing really wrong, but nothing that great either. I love Japanese food for the simplistic presentation, preparation, and use of superb ingredients and how it concentrates on the quality, taste, and respect for the food, not the chef's ability to create complex sauces or infused tastes. The presentation is very cool, but I missed the flavorful standalone qualities that quality seafood has elsewhere. more
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Professional work 7/14/2005

All the staff is absolutely professional!! I sometimes see the waiters don't have enough knowledge of their dishes. But they do. (that is A MUST, but not every restaurant can do...) If you want to dine with large party, I recommend to make reservation BASEMENT. There's nice and quiet, small but enough for 6 (or more). more
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Awesome 8/26/2004

This place puts other overpriced Japanese restaurants to shame. Both fusion dished and Japanese dishes are excellent, and service is superb. Certainly not cheap, but its worth every penny. If your there, might as well pay up and get the expensive omakase - will not disappoint. Pros: ambiance, tea more
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Menu for Kai Restaurant & Ito En NY Tea Store


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Award Winning, Highly Acclaimed Japanese Restaurant & Tea Shop

Editorial

  • The Scene
    This tiny sliver of a restaurant, perched above a gallery-like Madison Avenue Japanese tea shop, specializes in kaiseki, a meal of tiny courses traditionally served with tea....

  • 8/14/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:45 pm / Dinner First Seating 6:00 pm Closed Sunday and Monday Ito En Tea Shop: Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Master Card, Discover, Diner's Club
  • Neighborhoods: Lenox Hill, Midtown, Upper East Side
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