Kirei Inspired Asian Cuisine

The solarium (front room) is beautiful! The rest of the space has a gilded brocade feel, fancier than we felt before sunset, at least today.HH food (crispy tuna, "karaage", truffle fries, beef sliders, crab rangoon) were underwhelming but the atmosphere was lovely at happy hour- quiet, spacious, good spot to meet and have a conversation that doesnt start loud and get louder with music and neighboring tables. The ginger cocktail and the $5 beer (Allagash rice lager) were good and our bartender and server really sweet, personable, attentive. Would give the ramen and beef noodles a try in the future, but the bar snacks did not impress.

I was so surprised to see that this place didn't have more reviews! We had such a wonderful dining experience here I just had to write about it.CONTEXT/FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Kirei was actually our plan B dining option (our original place was packed as we didn't make a reservation and we were trying to make a show later that evening). That said, we absolutely should have made this our top choice. This restaurant is connected to the Whitehall Hotel, but has its own entrance facing the street/acts as a standalone restaurant too. Upon walking in, there wasn't a clear host stand, but the bartender addressed me immediately and got me seated at a table for two with no wait time. The restaurant wasn't busy at all but there was truly a loss for anyone who didn't choose Kirei that night. MENU: Kirei's menu is curated from what we observed, a selection of small plates and mains. We were lucky to catch their Happy Hour (they have a generous Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 on weekdays). APPETIZERS: It was clear that every item we ordered was made from scratch and came out fresh, starting with the pork and scallion bao buns and two orders of dumplings (3 pork and 3 veggie). The bao was perfectly cooked (if you've had bao at subpar places you know that sometimes the bun can be overcooked, not cooked enough, etc.) and full of flavor. The dumplings were the true surprise though (in a good way). You'll see in the pictures how they were presented - what surrounds the dumplings was similar to the thin batter of a Vietnamese crepe. It elevated the presentation and made cutting through to get the three dumplings a fun experience. And those dumplings were SO GOOD. The wonton wrapping, the juicy, flavorful filling. These were made fresh, and if you've had dumplings before you can tell whether they've been previously frozen.MAINS: As if the appetizers weren't great already, Kirei continued the 5-star food experience with their mains. We ordered the miso glaze salmon and the Szechuan beef noodle soup. We would highly recommend both! For a lighter, flavorful fare the miso glaze salmon is the dish -- it comes with a generous salad and the salmon was cooked to perfection, really complimented by the miso glaze. Our favorite, hands down though, was the Szechuan beef noodle soup. The broth was rich with that Szechuan spice flavor (it also came with chili crisps on the side if you wanted to make it spicier), the noodles were perfectly cooked, and that beef! They use beef short ribs already off the bone, and every piece was so tender. You could easily cut through it. As I write this I'm already thinking about when we'll be back.Overall this was a plan B dining option that absolutely should have been our #1 choice. We look forward to dining here again next time we're in this part of downtown!

Popped in right after dinner for a night cap and really enjoyed the attentiveness of the service. They were close to closing, but the bartender was sure to recommend great drink options and made sure we didn't feel rushed or a bother.

The food was amazing, and the service was great. My server was Alex and he was awesome. This place is definitely underrated.

The sushi here is just meh. The service was subpar at best. The signature drinks had next to no alcohol, so order beer. It's a good place to duck into for happy hour from 4-6, but that's it.

Stopped in for happy hour from 4:30-6:30 on weekdays and was surprised to find a pretty good selection of drinks and apps. Bartender is friendly and open to good conversation. With the summer weather it is nice to sit out on their covered patio and enjoy a glass of wine.

Was a guest at The Whitehall Hotel and wanted breakfast before I started my day. Had the Whitehall Breakfast and it was delicious! The food was hot and well presented. The staff were polite and attentive. The environment was clean and not cramped.

The food was amazing! So as the service. We didn't order much cuz we came pretty late but we enjoyed every bite of it.

Food was good for breakfast but don't come here if time matters. Place had about 6 tables. No one to greet you. Took 5 minutes to see a worker. Amazing they have a 4.7, I hope dinner service is better.

Prepare to be amazed by Anthony, the world-class bartender at Kirei. His mixology artistry is a symphony of flavors that transports your taste buds to new heights. With every cocktail, Anthony crafts a masterpiece that tantalizes the senses.Anthony's personalized service is top-notch, making every guest feel like a VIP. His recommendations are spot-on, tailored to individual preferences with an attentive touch. It's clear that he takes pride in his craft, elevating the bar experience to a whole new level.What truly sets Anthony apart is his showmanship. Watching him behind the bar is like witnessing a performance - a perfectly choreographed dance of bottles and ingredients. The energy he brings to the space is contagious, making the ambiance truly electric.Kirei has struck gold with Anthony. His passion, expertise, and commitment to excellence make him a standout in the world of bartending. If you're seeking a world-class drinking experience, look no further than Kirei and the masterful creations of Anthony.