Sakagura Review – Enter one of New York’s Finest Sake Bars

To claim the title of a foodie in New York, you need to have dined at the most famous restaurants, be aware of the newest restaurants, and know the more discreet restaurants. The last point is particularly useful, as the secluded nature of some of these restaurants can often surprise and impress your guests, without going through an excessive budget.

Sakagura is one of these establishments. Located in the heart of Manhattan, minutes away from Grand Central and the United Nations, it is a great Japanese restaurant tucked away in the basement of an office tower.

Across the street sits Sushi Yasuda, what I consider the best Japanese restaurant for sushi enthusiasts. Next to it is the brand new Yakitori Totto, with a glitzy logo and stylish decor. However today, our goal is to follow this plain looking plastic light display. (I’ve proven the above foodie credentials, in one single block)

Small signage, even smaller text.

You have to look really close to see the words Sakagura. Clearly this is a restaurant for those in the know, or can read Japanese. Enter the hallway, past the security guard, down a flight of stairs, and you enter perhaps the best use of basement space -> restaurant in Manhattan.

From fluorescent office entrance to dimly lit basement.

This restaurant is most crowded during the lunch hours, and after work on weekdays as the tireless Japanese office workers come for a drink and snack of delicious foods. The crowd doesn’t thin out until late into the night, so call ahead for a reservation.

Drum like objects at entrance, are bathrooms.

What I really love about this place is how it transforms you from a busy Manhattan street, to a sanctuary of food and liquor. So I take a seat, order my drink from the expensive and expansive sake bar menu, and picked a few items from the menu that looked like it went well with sake. A combination of things raw, grilled, and filling.

Wall of Sake

The staff here is extremely knowledgeable about their drinks. As they claim to be the largest sake bar in NYC, the personnel need to back up the claim with experience. I’m not even going to pretend I know about sake, but the waiter’s recommendation was damn good, and affordable.

adorable bottle, over ice

Food portions are small, but all tasty. The hamachi with grated raddish and ponzu sauce was excellent, tartare wasn’t nearly as exciting. Take my advice and focus on the grilled items, which are all exceptional. Especially the grilled organic chicken, served with sea salt and grated chili pepper. Eating this stuff while drinking sake just seem to make people happy.

beautiful, delicious, and yes very tiny

Tuna Tartare

Grilled Squid, savory garlic sauce

An absolute must!

I ended the evening with two nice rice balls. I wasn’t expecting much except to fill my stomach, but was very surprised by how tasty the two fillings were.

Spicy Cod Roe and Katsuobushi (bonito flakes)

Walking out of the restaurant brought me back into midtown New York. Good food, good sake, late hours, modest pricing. Recommended to all current and up-and-coming fellow foodies.

CS

Rating:  

Sakagura (Make a Reservation)
211 E 43rd St
New York, NY 10017-4707
(212) 953-7253