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Zenkichi

Critics' Pick

77 N. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
nr. Wythe Ave. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
718-388-8985 Send to Phone

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Reader Rating:
7.2 out of 10
|
5 Reviews | Write a Review
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi

Photo by Gavin Thomas

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Official Website

zenkichi.com

Hours

Wed-Sat, 6pm-midnight; Sun, 5:30pm-11:30pm; Mon-Tue, closed

Nearby Subway Stops

L at Bedford Ave.

Prices

$5-$19

Payment Methods

MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

Good for Groups
Prix-Fixe
Romantic

Alcohol

Beer and Wine Only
Sake and Sojou

Reservations

Recommended

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Profile

Slipping through the unmarked door of this izakaya triggers a spine-tingling sensation akin to something illicit. A curtain encases each mahogany booth: Some are cozy versions with L-shaped benches; others are more group-friendly. Dim lanterns and mirrors play up the mazelike atmospherics across three stories of walkways littered with pebbles and bamboo stalks. After an initial greeting, the waiter disappears. He reappears only when summoned by a discretionary buzzer. This tactic leaves ample time for relishing the deftly executed seasonal small plates presented on speckled ceramic dishes. Heavenly pork kakuni is slow cooked over three days to achieve a puddinglike consistency. White soy sauce, sesame oil, and yuzu pepper provide a citrusy marinade for the maguro carpaccio's chilled, slippery tuna slabs. Even a basic dish like the grilled rice ball gets carefully worked over; the charred outer shell sits in piping-hot shiso sauce with bitter scallions and rich, woody mushrooms. With so many temptations, one surefire solution is the omakase ten-item tasting menu, handpicked by the chef. — Kate Appleton

Opt for Omakase

The chef's ten-item tasting menu is $92 per couple.

Recommended Dishes

Maguro carpaccio, $13.75; pork kakuni, $9.95

We really had a bad experience at Zinkichi. We had heard good things from friends, and we are very into food, so we were excited to go. We paid 200 dollars for a meal that was totally unacceptable for even 50. The food was not cooked properly, the portions were two bites each, and the flavors were not good together. Maybe we were there on a bad night- I hope so for their sake- But we really did not like it. I have never written one of these reviews before but it was so bad I thought I should warn. We did like our server though- he was very pleasant. Also the dining room was interesting, with curtains around each booth, and a doorbell to get the attention of the server. The food however was poor at best. (Our favorite restaurants right now are Momofuku Saam, Franny's, Motorino, Sushi Yasuda, Gramercy Tavern, and Lot 2- just so you know the type of food we do like)

Terrible food, Amazing decor

NYC_Gal from 10025 | Posted on 6/18/09

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)


Food:	1
Service:	10

Décor:	10

Value:	3

Small portions, chicken was half cooked, fish innards swim in unrecognizable sauce, ughÂ…and a claustrophobic felling over all (booths are separated by curtains). We spent 3 hours there, and left hungry. Stopped to get some takeout on our way back. Overpriced too.

Read All 5 Reviews >>

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