Monday, February 18, 2019

EN Japanese Brasserie is West Village's Stylish Japanese Spot (New York, NY)

There are so many great restaurants, including Japanese restaurants, in New York City that it's hard to choose or experience them all. Last fall I tried one that has actually been a mainstay in West Village for more than a decade, EN Japanese Brasserie. I hadn't paid attention to it before until the restaurateur opened Chateau Hanare in Los Angeles.

The restaurant is upscale and sleek, and the menu highlights many traditional Japanese cooking including homemade tofu, sushi, soba, and more. Considering they opened more than a decade ago, it's all the more impressive. EN offers three different kaiseki menus (including a vegan one) but I went a la carte on my visit.
EN Japanese Brasserie
Some of the highlights I tasted: Uni yuba sashimi (tofu skin sashimi from Kyoto topped with fresh uni, $24) - because I'm personally a fan of both tofu skin and uni
EN Jp Brasserie
Toro salmon aburi sushi ($8). Salmon belly is one of my favorite cuts, especially seared like this.
EN Jp Brasserie


I brought a friend with me who didn't eat seafood but is obsessed with chicken karaage so we had to get some: Chicken karaage seasoned with aromatic rock salt ($17). The batter was light and crispy and I love that it was all dark meat.
EN Jp Brasserie
Stone grilled kuroge washugyu (black Angus beef from Lindsay Ranch, Oregon)
EN Japanese Brasserie
They certainly procure some high quality meat here.
EN Japanese Brasserie
Soba noodles, dashi broth, duck breast, scallions ($17)
EN Jp Brasserie
Even now, a great soba noodle is not as easy to find as ramen, but En's soba with duck was excellent.

EN also has an extensive sake selection.
EN Japanese Brasserie
I asked the waiter to recommend me a sake an told him that I'm a big fan of Dassai. He gave us a blind tasting of 4 different sake that he thought I would enjoy. I love this level of service! Of course, my favorite was still the Dassai.
EN Japanese Brasserie
Dango for dessert
EN Japanese Brasserie
Green tea kakigori - this was massive! It's all ice, so it's ok, right?
EN Japanese Brasserie

I can certainly see why EN has stayed busy for so long. It is spacious, sleek, and pretty quiet which makes it a great spot for business meals or date nights. The menu is big enough and has items that would intrigue the adventurous eaters as well as safe enough for their less adventurous dining companions. The quality across the meal was consistent and the service was excellent.

EN Japanese Brasserie
435 Hudson St
New York, NY 10014
https://www.enjb.com/
EN Japanese Brasserie Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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