Yakitori Taisho (Japanese) – New York (7.5/10)
Nov 8th, 2006 by admin
Yakitori Taisho is one of the first restaurants that friends introduced me to, on my very first trip to New York ten years ago. I kept returning on subsequent trips and during my two year stay in the city. How do I explain the attraction of this little Japanese restaurant?
It’s on touristy St Marks Place, in a dingy basement location. It’s small, packed, noisy and very smokey because of the open grill. You have to brave long queues as it is incredibly popular. Even in the early hours of the morning, it’s still busy. Seating is around the counter, where you can watch the chefs preparing the food (but it’s very hot here), or at little tables on stools. If you enjoy your personal space, don’t come here. If you like clean toilets, don’t come here. The toilets are always dirty, with very wet floors. The Japanese waitresses are all rushed off their feet (a couple are downright rude) and it is perpetually chaotic. But the food arrives fast. It’s fantastic. And very cheap.
Kushiyaki or grilled skewers is the speciality – chicken balls, chicken wings, chicken gizzards, chicken hearts, chicken livers, chicken skin, bacon with asparagus, shitake mushrooms, quail eggs and the list goes on. There is also excellent okonomiyaki – like a Japanese omelette cooked on a griddle, with different ingredients (for example seafood or kimchi), served with a generous helping of mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce squeezed on top. The gyoza (grilled dumplings) are to die for, as is the whole grilled squid (I have this every time and it’s very tender, served just like at Japanese festivals on a wooden skewer). And of course, everything has to be washed down with pitchers of cold Japanese beer.
The verdict?
It’s not a place to take a first date, but it is the perfect place to have a rollicking great time with friends. Again and again.
Other NYC favourites – Florent in the Meatpacking District and Dok Suni in the East Village.
10 – Perfection, 9.5 – Sensational, 9 – Outstanding, 8.5 – Superb,
8 – Excellent, 7.5 – Very Good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 – Average
All the New York restaurant reviews on World Foodie Guide
Contact Details:
Yakitori Taisho
5 St. Marks Place (between 2nd & 3rd)
New York NY 10003
Tel: 212-228-5086
www.yakitoritaisho.com
