Ok, so this place is a bit pricey for not being in Manhattan, but it's less main stream Japanese and my stomach is as harsh a critc whether I am in Brooklyn or in Manhattan. I went to Zenkichi with my boyfriend. I felt that it would be a different experience. Good or bad, I couldn?t tell right away, but out of the ordinary, yes! The hostess led us up to the second floor dining area and the decor got more intricate as we climbed. Hidden nooks and crannies, and concrete floorboards trimmed with light boxes and Japanese pebbles. They sat us at table covered with a curtain, hidden from the world, it seemed. As we were going over the menu our waiter showed up with hot towelettes to wash up with, always a pleasant novelty. After that we ordered some drinks. My boy friend ordered a Sapporo ($5) but I felt like trying something new so I just pointed out one of the sakes on the menu and decided what the hell ($12.) After some commiseration over the menu with my boyfriend we decide that it would better to get a tasting menu so we could try a bunch of different things ($88.) Shortly after we received our drinks the first dish arrived; miso soup, then tuna sashimi and a plate of cold tofu with a soy sauce. Both of these were good but not amazing. Then the black cod arrived. If I had doubts up to this point all were dismissed by the time I finished my first bite. Every dish from then on was unbelievable. Even the grilled chicken, the most innocent of dishes, had strong character and flair. The food was great and wasn?t too greasy, always a problem with cooked Asian food. The deserts were a good and I was surprised that they were so different from the usual array of Asian desert options. I took the grapefruit jelly that was really refreshing and perfect for after a big meal and my boyfriend happily took care of the sesame mousse ice cream. I figured that in a place like this there is no use in being a good girl. You'll see me at the gym tomorrow.
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