A lot of people might initially shy away from this Japanese restaurant because it's attached to a jazz club, but chef Shotaro Kamio deserves center stage. He adheres to his three-S philosophy: season, simple, surprise. He does a wonderful presentation of vegetables that might include broccolini, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms and whatever is in season. His chicken teriyaki is a revelation. It's lightly glazed and then served with a dipping sauce that diners brush on with a sprig of rosemary. He also serves exceptional sashimi and sushi rolls. The chef orchestrates the menu from a 3,500-square-foot open kitchen, below a bar and in front of a modern loft-like dining room.

 
Specialties: Sashimi; vegetable tempura; tempura lobster blossoms; poke trio with avocado puree; gindara black cod; pork prime rib; teriyaki chicken.

Hours

Dinner 5:30-10:30 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and until 11 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 5-11 p.m. Sun.; lounge open later.

Cuisines

• Japanese

Features

• Online Reservation
• Corkage ($20)
• Credit Cards: Accepted
• Full Bar
• Parking: Valet ($12)
• Seating (180 plus 200 in lounge)