*This venue has moved to another location
Tori Shin may not be your idea of a typical Japanese restaurant; they do not serve seafood but rather specialize in chicken “yakatori” or skewered grilled chicken. But don’t sleep on this Upper East Side Michelin starred restaurant. Its use of high quality organic ingredients, meticulous arrangement of food, and exotic mix of flavors will leave you mesmerize with a new appreciation for Japanese cuisine remixed.
Entering Tori Shin through its sliding black wooden doors feels like entering a restaurant in Tokyo. The hostess and the grillers behind the bar announce your arrival in Japanese for the entire audience of diners and staff. The authenticity of the atmosphere begins with the people, the Japanese staff and predominately Japanese clientele. On one occasion, I overheard a Japanese guy, explaining to his American friend what “yakatori” is and how it is very similar to the food in Japan.
The restaurant has an authentic Japanese dining interior. In the middle a three sided bar (similar to a sushi bar) built with maple wood is paired with red leather chairs all of which occupy the majority of the small intimate space. A long red swayed bench sandwiched between 2 Japanese plants serves as a waiting area. Some uncovered tables by the windows are also available. Soft lighting and minimal noise allows for a very subdued setting.
Whenever I come to Tori Shin I always sit by the bar to witness the artistry of the grillers. The grillers are masters at their craft. Knowing the exact timing for turning the skewers to get the right balance of heat, and knowing exactly how much soy sauce to add to bring out the right flavors takes years of intense practice. The highly specialized techniques they use are unmatched. During a lunch visit I saw the same grillers meticulously butchering chickens and preparing skewers with ridiculous precision for the dinner service.
The omakase dinner is highly recommended. Priced at $55, it consists of 10 skewers (6 meats, 1 special meat and 2 vegetables,) grated daikon (to clean the palate,) a rice dish, pickled vegetables and dessert. Submit yourself to the chef, as I did and he will wow you as you watch him work. With over 40 chicken skewers grilled in charcoal, you will want to try all 40; the skewers are that good! The freshness of the organic chicken prepared with various types of sauces is amazing. Skewers like the chicken meatballs are moist with an indescribable chicken flavor. The special chicken meatballs with egg yolk sauce are enough to make you want to return again and again. The rice balls are as good as the skewers especially the Special Oyako Don made with chicken and egg over rice, it was definitely a sublime taste. I enjoyed the texture of the rice, soft and watery. Contrary to my previous posts where I mention that Asian cuisine is not known for their desserts, Tori Shin is the exception; the “Shiso Sorbet” or “Japanese Mojoto” was a unique threat. It tasted like a mojito but 10 times better.
Lunch is also good and affordable. Their $20 lunch omakase comes with 5 skewer (3 meats and 2 vegtables,) salad, miso soup, rice and kobachi. The option of A la carte is also available for both lunch and dinner.
In the past Tori Shin was only known to the locals and hard core foodies. Hopefully with exposure from entrance into the Michelin Guide, Tori Shin can become a destination restaurant not just enjoyed by the Upper East Siders. Great friendly service and amazing unique food are the makings of a winning combination.
Tori Shin
1193 1st Ave
New York, NY 10065
(212) 988-8408
Official Site
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