Izakaya MEW

This place thumps. Good music, loud socializing, and great energy.Excellent and fresh sushi. Great noodles with Yaki Udon. Fun party spot.

(4.5/5) The food here was fantastic. The kimchi cream udon was exactly the right amount of flavor and spice (not too spicy which I appreciated), the omu soba was large and filling and just the right amount of salty, and the appetizers (yellowtail carpaccio and eel) were great but I would put them a notch down from the main dishes because the portions were so small and the yellowtail was a bit chewy. The restaurant itself is a bit hidden from view because it's in a basement but once you get down there, it's super cozy and lively. The food came quickly which I appreciated and they were very patient, no rush at all even when there was a small line. I'd recommend them for sure -- make a reservation so you don't have to wait!

Everything here was delicious! We found this place randomly while searching for a place to eat after watching a show at the Lincoln Center.We happened to arrive a few minutes before the restaurant opened and when we got in line, we were the 3rd or 4th in line without a reservation. And then, the line got really long very fast. And once we entered the restaurant and was seated, the place filled up super duper fast and soon people coming in were informed of long waits. This is a great place for a night out or a date with a cool interior with interesting decorations. The servers were super nice and fast, which is smart because it helps turn over customers quicker. BUT they don't rush you at all, FYI.Back to the food, everything was delicious. Yes, I know I said that already, but I will say it again. It was hard to choose just enough food for 2 people. Food was definitely not cheap, but exorbitantly expensive for izakaya and sushi dishes. Here are the dishes my friend and I tried and were good:-age tofu ($8.95) - deep fried tofu in soy broth-Sashimi Moriawase ($22.95) - Chef's assorted sashimi selection-Amakara Sweet & Sour Ribs ($11.95) - Marinated sweet and sour fried pork ribs-Geso Kara ($13.95) - Deep-fried squid legsThis is definitely a popular place and worth checking out if you are in the area and you like Japanese food. Tips:-Make a reservation! Or go stand and wait and try to be the first few to go in when they open for the day.-They have their menu online with pictures, so it's helpful to see what the menu items are.-I saw a lot of people eating alone, so go even if it's only you. :)-Or maybe go with more people so that you can try more dishes. :)

I ordered takeout so I can really only speak to the food quality and oh my goodness. That kimchi cream udon was the best bowl of noodles I've had in a very long time (... maybe ever?). It had a rich, creamy, garlicky flavor with a perfect little bit of chili. It also came with salad and miso soup which made up a great meal for a reasonable price! This spot is located underground which gives it a cool lowkey vibe, but that does make it a bit easy to walk right by it (which I may have done ...lol). Once I figured out where it was, the staff was friendly and my order was ready right away. I definitely will come back to have a full dining experience!

This was a hard no for us.The reviews were raving...but not raving for us. Everything was subpar. Unfortunately nothing gave us the "'oh wow, this is fantastic! ". We also ended up sharing a table with another family - which is fine..however, not ideal..This restaurant is right in between 2 other restaurants. Taking the stairs straight down to the restaurant itself. I had the Fall in Toki drink, the cinnamon was a bit too much, not overpowering but just didn't work for me. Buta Potato Maki - this was diff and odd. The Amakara Sweet & Sour Ribs - soft and fell off the bone, unfortunately the hubs said it was so soft, some of the bones from the ribs did break apart pretty easily and he had a hard time spitting out all the small parts..Sushi - honestly, it was not anything special. It seemed like sushi from a chain restaurant, sadly enough. We were extremely disappointed in this..

Very solid ramen spot and pretty affordable for midtown. A very unassuming and cozy spot downstairs with tons of space. Food was great and came out quickly!

Omg this place is soooo goooood!! Would come back!* Mew Special Roll: 5/5 * Tuna Tartar Roll : 5/5 * creamy kimchi udon: 5/5 * Drinks:- Matcholic : 5/5--matcha infused vodka, st German, mayple syrup, gold flake garnish - Purple mellow : 5/5- butterfly pea tea infused vodka , sake, peach syrup , yuzi & lemon juice, marshmello Both drinks were good! If I had to pick I'd choose the matcholic !! But would get both * service : fast and friendly * ambiance : typical Korean vibes with bar ! great music, food and drinks

This spot is my favorite go-to restaurant because they make yummy calamari and fried chicken. It's tapas style and this place is always bustling with people. Their creamy udon is so delicious and flavorful. The hotpot was more simple than expected but definitely a healthy option. Be sure to visit!

This looks place has the best variety of dishes for lunch and dinner. The food is delicious and fairly priced. You can enjoy lovely cocktails and/or sake. Reservations highly recommended since it's small and busy. Staff and food come out quickly so you might want a bar or coffee shop visit after if it's a long catchup with a friend. It's a very welcoming vibe and they greet each table as they are seated.

Fun spot for some sushi and Japanese. I've been close by many times but never tried this basement place. Got in after a bit of a wait (no reservations for a single). The service is really friendly from everyone, and pretty prompt. The atmosphere is good and the place really clean and well kept. I didn't have much - a shrimp tempura roll and garlic rice, but both were fantastic. I'd like to come back and try more dishes after this great introductory experience. Check it out. Get a reservation (if you can).