Six of us dined here Saturday evening 18 April. All of us give it a thumbs-up. Sake is brewed in the back room, visible from one dining area, and the menu provides a very useful tutorial on the different types and brewing styles. It's quite good and reasonably priced. The food is smallish in portion but also in price. The idea is that a table will order several different items and pass them around. The choices cast a wide Asian and faux Asian, not just Japanese, net: dumplings, noodles, buns, bulgogi, kimchee, green curry chicken, etc. We tried a rather large sample, and all were very satisfactory, some such as the bulgogi excellent. It seems diners are fully expected to place new orders on a rather continual basis, as opposed to the more standard first course, followed after a time by a salad, then after a time the entree. This wouldn't work unless the wait staff is really on its toes. Our particular server, a very friendly and almost ever-present woman, was so attentive that we never had to get her attention to put in another order; she asked us before we had a chance, correctly perceiving when we wanted more. It was an enjoyable evening, with the only complaint being a common one at so many restaurants: the loud ambience. Why do so many restaurateurs think this is a good thing? Is 100 decibles more conducive to ""fun""? Suggestion: Have the host or hostess ask customers as they leave what their opinion is about the noise level. The results might be interesting. Still, a good place and a unique one for the Metro area. Oh yes, one other thing: One of our party was completely unfamiliar with Asian food. The diverse offerings and small plate approach were a good introduction for him and presumably would be for others in this category.
Pros: Menu set up for sharing many items
Cons: The decibel level, as usual
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