NYCReview
photo credit: Chikarashi Isso
Chikarashi Isso
Like Richie and Chas Tenenbaum, you wouldn’t know Chikarashi and Chikarashi Isso were related if it weren’t for the name. Whereas Chikarashi draws long lunch lines for fast-casual poke bowls, Chikarashi Isso is a high-end Japanese restaurant in FiDi where you’ll find wagyu with caviar and wok lobster with soft shell shrimp. Despite a diverse menu with tempura, yakitori, and soba, each of these dishes could pass as the restaurant’s specialty. That’s especially the case with the yakitori, and it’s why the chef’s selection, which includes six delicious skewers of chicken and vegetables for $18, needs to be on your table. While you could go for the $145 tasting menu, we recommend using this small spot near the Stock Exchange for laidback business meals when you’re looking to order a handful of excellent dishes and a few cocktails without committing to a big night out.