VIBE

The Japanese love their meat on a stick, and from the way this second-floor Midtown joint fills up at dinner, Manhattanites do as well. The specialty here is premium chicken, which is cooked, in all forms (be it meat or skin or knee bones), over small charcoal grills. The street food-style kebabs (yakitori means grilled chicken, usually on skewers) are balanced by more standard offerings like onigiri and pork dumplings and pair well with sake.

CROWD

Japanese expats, Midtown business suits, couples, and groups of friends hankering for the meat skewers.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Go casual with a comfortable top, denims, flats, and a funky bag.

GO HERE WITH

Clients or colleagues; friends; significant other; a casual date

WHY WE LIKE IT

If you’re a meat lover, this place will become your new go-to. And the prime Midtown location means you don’t need to journey too far from the city’s main attractions to satisfy your appetite.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The rare-cooked poultry in some of the dishes is unsettling (the traditional Japanese manner of grilling chicken is to leave the middle uncooked).

GOOD TO KNOW

The waits can get long at peak hours, so make sure you secure a reservation if you are pressed for time. The restaurant is somewhat hidden; it’s located on the second floor of an unassuming brick Midtown building–if you’re coming for the first time, keep the address on-hand just in case.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Bangkok

CLOSEST COMPS

Robataya NY (New York)

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