Kanoyama
NYC
175 2nd Avenue (@ 11th Street)
212-777-5266
Last week I had a lovely dinner at Kanoyama in the East Village. I went there because I thought it was a new restaurant, in the space where Pita Grill used to be on 2nd avenue, between 11th and 12th. (It now looks like a heavy wooden door, with no sign, so I was really curious…) However when I went inside, I realized the existing Kanoyama, which has been around for about two years, has just extended their space, just about doubling the dining area and adding a really big additional bar with an open oyster display.
The décor of Kanoyama is in my opinion, the decor of a typical semi-expensive Japanese spot in NYC.
I sat at the bar in the new part of the restaurant and was planning on just having a drink and an appetizer to check out the space, but everything looked so good, I ended up ordering way too much and had a huge amazing dinner.
When I sat down at the bar, the bartender was super friendly and spoke near perfect English. He let me taste a few sakes before I decided on the Tengumia Yamahai, which was really good even for being on the lower priced end of what Kanoyama has to offer. (A masa, or box, of Sake at Kanoyama ranges from $12-$30).
To start I had Kaki Gomaae (fresh persimmon with sesame paste), which was a first to me, but an awesome sweet, fresh, and interesting recommendation from the bartender.
Next was the rock shrimp tempura, which was decent, but I have kind of decided that once you’ve had it once, unless you are at Nobu or Bond Street, rock shrimp anywhere else will probably be a let down.
I also had the Black Cod appetizer, which came broiled and marinated in saikyo miso sauce… Another dish that when done right should melt in your mouth like butter… Kanoyama does it right.
Finally, because of my inherited love of blue crabs, I had to finish my meal off with the blue crab miso soup. The presentation was really cool, and the soup was good, however it kind of reiterated the fact that the only way to really eat blue crabs is when they are covered in Old Bay, a cold beer is close at hand, and you’re sitting outside at a picnic table covered in newspaper.
Overall I think Kanoyama is great. Oysters aren’t really my thing, but they seem to have a great selection as well as a really extensive raw bar. Besides being steps away from my house, the food is great, presentation awesome, and service impeccable. I’m not sure I will go by all the time for “just a drink and appetizer,” because my bill was $88 by the time I got out, but its definitely a great local spot when Bond Street is too busy and you want something better than a St. Marks street sushi joint.
BY: LAUREN BROWN
