6/17/11

Sakagura the izakaya

Izakaya: is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks. They are popular, casual places for after-work drinking.


But this was not after-work..and I was not drinking. Located in the Upper East Side, how fitting that this is in the basement of an office building. Sounds shady but inside is beautifully and elegantly designed. Me and my cousin went there and ordered numerous dishes. I'm not even sure I remember all of them (hey, I was sober)
Don't be surprised at the small dishes, izakayas are bar + snacks. The dishes are on the salty side that supposedly pairs well with sake. 
Special - Salt Grilled Oysters: perfectly cooked and seasoned well
MISO ONIGIRI aka rice balls:
A simple dish; the grilled miso was so good. I'm such a miso lover and will try to make this at home! 
Also had an hot udon in a broth that was similar to the Onsen Tamago.

TUNA TARTARE with fish roe and on the side vegetable tempura.
I can never refuse good quality raw fish :) Especially tartare.
Other dishes that I don't have images of but were equally as good:
SANSHOKU NASU DENGAKU

Grilled eggplants topped with 3 types of sauce. The sauces (eggyolk, sweet red, spinach) were salty but also very unique.
ONSEN TAMAGO (literally means 'egg in hot spring')
poached egg & salmon roe & seaurchin in a mild and light cold soup. The most high-class egg dish I've ever had and so worth it
IKA SHIOKARA
aka marinated raw squid. I love the chewy texture of raw squid. "Shio" means salt and this was the saltiest! 
OH-SO-GOOD



The meal was finished off with a Black Sesame Cream Brulee 
my favorite part was the black sesame ice cream. 
Sakagura
211 E 43rd St
Basement 1
(between 3rd Ave & 2nd Ave)
New YorkNY 10017

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