It’s in the heart of Little Italy, but you won’t hear any old crooners at this temple of Japanese haute cuisine. Instead, you'll find old-school rap on the soundtrack and graffiti art installations on the walls. And then there’s the bar, flanked by two faux-cherry trees in full bloom.
The fresh-spirited menu brims with shareable plates such as blistered shishito peppers and crispy chicken karaage. Entrées include duck breast with golden tomato confit, miso-glazed black cod or even Wagyu grilled tableside on a yakitori. The sashimi is straight-up sublime, but it’s the envelope-pushing items that make the most impact. Contemporary maki are a hit among the hungry hordes, and include the Tokyo Gangster, with shrimp and beef in a spicy black garlic sauce.