1002 Beacon Street (St. Mary's St.) -
map Brookline, MA 02446
617.566.9688
One of two places that I feel comfortable in dining, as a Japanese person. The host and wait staff are the very courteous and polite. They all work together to serve the tables, so you don't have to worry about getting seated with a bad waitress.
Some highlights:
Sake - 八海山 純米吟醸酒 Hakkaisan Junmai Gingo Sake: A dry, grassy Ginjo with a crisp and almost papery aroma and a pleasantly tingling finish
Ika Natto - イカ納豆 Natto is fermented soy beans. It has a very viscous consistency and is mixed vigorously with soy sauce and green onions. This particular one comes with raw squid which makes for a more luxurious natto. Best served over rice.
Soft Shell Crab - ソフトシェル Soft Shell Crab fried whole and garnished with diced green onions and Japanese spicy radish. Dip it in a special soy based sauce. Perfect appetizer.
Chirashi Deluxe - 上チラシ An deluxe assortment of sashimi and pickled vegitables over a bed of sushi rice. The fish (ネタ）is fresh and the amount just right to fill you up.
Tonnkatsu - 豚かつ定食 Pork cutlet fried with japanese breadcrums (パン粉） served with rice and tonkatsu sauce. Classic Japanese meal and this restaurant does it well. My only problem is that it does not come with diced cabbage (キャベツ）, which is a staple for this meal in Japan.
Sushi - 寿司 The sushi here is lead by a Japanese head chef. If you sit at the counter and order directly from the sushi chef, you'll be able to get some special orders that are a commonplace in Japanese sushi dining. For example, order an Amaebi (アマエビ) and he'll cook the shell until it gets crispy with some garnish served on the side of the sushi!
Fried Ice Cream (てんぷらアイスクリーム） A mix of Ginger and Green Tea ice cream fried tempura style. Crispy fried on the outside, ice cold flavor on the inside. This is big, so make sure you order one for the two of you.
Total meal for two comes to about $50 or $60 depending on what you order and if you drink alcohol. Tea and water is free and there is ample parking on Beacon st.
JapanAmerican rating: 9 out of 10
ginza brookline
