Hi-Collar

Hi-Collar's dessert selection is nothing short of spectacular, offering a truly indulgent experience for those with a love for Japanese sweets. I had the pleasure of trying their Green Tea Hot Cake, and it was an absolute masterpiece. The pancake itself was thick, fluffy, and infused with just the right amount of matcha flavor--delicately earthy without being overpowering. The toppings took it to another level: sweet azuki beans, rich chestnut compote, and a generous scoop of creamy matcha ice cream. Each component complemented the others beautifully, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and depth.Beyond the incredible flavors, the presentation was absolutely stunning. Every element was meticulously arranged, making the dish as visually appealing as it was delicious. To enhance the experience even further, I paired it with their Royal Milk Tea, which was smooth, well-brewed, and had a deep, comforting richness that paired wonderfully with the dessert.The entire experience felt like a carefully crafted moment of indulgence--one that left a lasting impression. Whether you're a dedicated matcha lover or simply enjoy exploring unique desserts, Hi-Collar is a must-visit destination. Their attention to detail, both in flavor and aesthetics, makes every bite feel special. I can't wait to return and explore more of their incredible menu!

First off: make a reservation. If you're going for lunch, you'll be allotted 1 hour but the service is quick and super friendly, so you will be in and out satisfied in a jiffy!The menu itself, a diverse array of Japanese food (and drinks) to choose from! I ordered the siphon Hana coffee with a tomato omurice. The siphon coffee is, for lack of a better word, aesthetic. It leads to a coffee with a nice finish. The omurice itself, was hearty, buttery and a touch sweet. Well worth an order if you've ever had any interest in trying this dish!The decor inside, super cute. Very cozy and elegant at the same time. Like walking into an eastern izakaya. Overall, I think its well worth a visit to satisfy you Japanese food craving!

Ambiance was 10/10! I loved the homey decorations and the beautiful skylight in the middle of the room. I went here for a galentines and it was wonderful. The food itself was very good: I liked the spaghetti the best, I thought the omelette could be more flavorful. The cake was sooo beautiful and I loved all the details on it. It wasn't too sweet and it was a nice treat to end the meal. I loveddd the teas and the cups it came with. Such unique flavors; sweet Berry had a hint of caramel which I loved. We were given an hour time limit which made us rush a bit so I wish the time limit could be extended. I also wish we were given utensils for each dish so we wouldn't have to use our own to scoop. I also wish our plates were bigger! Was a bit of a mess to mix all the food together.

Big fan of Hi-Collar, especially when it used to just be a small shop with just a coffee counter and a couple of tables.Flash forward and now Hi-Collar has moved to a much larger space. It still gives off private IYKYK vibes, the door is very non discreet but inside it's bright and airy and has a tiny pond in the middle with flowing water that makes it kind of zen.Frankly, I thought the food was not as good as it used to be, I ordered the Bon Katsu curry, and I think I just got regular pickies and not the Fukujinzuke pickles. Everything on the plate was made well, but I just didn't think it had that much cohesion. Usually when I eat this kind of food, I can't stop, but with this one, I thought it was a bit sweet and kept trying to mix up the bites with the potatoes and pickles but it didn't still really gel together for me.I also got the siphoned coffee, and maybe I am just not a coffee expert, but if I have to drink coffee black, I prefer to drink tea over coffee. I think I just like my coffee a bit more creamier.Still, this is the best place to get omurice ( which my husband ordered), so I would still definitely be back again to eat other things. I think I might have just ordered wrong this time. ( I felt adventurous! )

I loved the flavor of the green tea throughout these and loved the texture from the granola, fruit, and red bean paste. The cakes were a bit denser and drier than I thought they were going to be, but the flavor made up for it, and the ice cream helped to make it a bit softer. I definitely think the ambience takes this place to the next level. It's very hole in the wall vibes, but when you enter it's like entering an entirely different place. There are plants and water decor, and the general aura is very soothing, kind of giving sauna/spa energy? It's a really cute place to go with friends or on a date!

Perfect date night spot!! Hi-Collar is exactly like what I've seen million times in japanese drama. They serve western-influenced dishes (yoshoku) like omurice, hamburg steak and spaghetti. It is a brunch cafe at daytime, and transforms into a charming sake bar at night. We walked in before 6 on a Saturday night and were seated at the bar table. The warm lighting, retro and wooden furnishings really gave Haruki Murakami's novel vibes. ＊Napolitan Spaghetti $20If you watched the Netflex series "First Love", you should have heard of Napolitan spaghetti. The ingredients are very simple: ketchup, sausage, green pepper, onion and grated cheese. They presented it on a sizzling pan and put an omelette at the bottom. The sauce was sweet and I loved the veggies. Very homey and delicious. ＊Hayashi Omurice $29Hayashi is a western style beef stew cooked in a demi-glace sauce. It tasted like a blend of red wine and tomato paste. We cut the omelette and revealed the silky scrambled egg. It was served with a good amount of sliced wagyu beef, mushrooms and onions. Totally got the hype of their iconic omurice. Many reviews complained their portion size didn't match their steep price. My bf and I both thought their dishes were decently portioned and filling, given my bf usually eats a lot lol. Their lunch menu is cheaper but maybe the portion is different?

Really like the vibes here! Its small but modern and homey at the same time. Also love the japanese toiletd they had.Katsu hayashi is delicious, but I really loved their green tea hotcakes, highly reccomend. Will definitely be coming back to try their omurice

I've been to Hi-Collar a few times now and their food does not disappoint! They also provide a glimpse into Japan with their delicious food selections of omurice, Napolitan spaghetti, a katsu sandwich, and a tamago sandwich. I've tried each of these and they are all delicious! In additional to their tasty food, they also have quite the selection of coffees, including their own housemate blend. Their coffees also offer pour over, and they also sell the coffee beans for you to take home.This place gets quite busy, so it's best if you have a reservation. I've been tempting fate and have been dining as a walk in (as a party of 2), and we've been seated either immediately or very quickly (with the promise that we'd be done before their next party arrives). Their staff is also polite, which adds to the welcoming ambiance of this restaurant.

One of my newest favorite spots in NYC! We ordered their Hayashi Omurice, Napolitan Spaghetti (which was my favorite), and tangerine tea (from Jeju Island!). The eggs in the Omurice were runny and warm, a perfect blend with their savory sauce. The spaghetti had a really special umami flavor to it! I also liked how there was a layer of egg on the bottom of the dish. The tangerine tea was so fresh and I loved the overall ambiance of the restaurant as well.I definitely recommend coming here for lunch since they seem to be more known for their lunch items!

Cute Japanese Izakaya in the East village. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. All the food was delicious and I especially enjoyed the drinks as well. We were lucky enough to be seated at a table inside but the bar area outside seems to have a nice vibe too. Service was quick and friendly!