Home Style Japanese cooking near St. Marks

[eatfood]

I can't find or remember this home style cooking restaurant near St Marks. It's a small place with a long communal table in the middle ( I think). Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

On another note, what other home styled Japanese cooking places are there in the area?

Thanks.

[FattyDumplin]

Kasadela. haven't been in a long time, but i always used to enjoy it. particularly their tempura shitake.

[Silverjay]

That's "Chiyono" on 6th St. "Natori", on St. M's between 1st & 2nd, is another decent homestyle place.

[eatfood]

Thanks, I've been to both. Chiyono was the name that eluded me. Thanks again!

Any other suggestions you have for that area for cooked Japanese food?

[Silverjay]

"Uninoie" on 3rd, btw 1st and 2nd I think, is better for shochu drinking than eating. But they cook small dishes. It's hit or miss. DId I mention they serve shochu? Usually a second or third stop in the night for me rather than a destination. I don't consider the area chow-worthy in terms of inexpensive Japanese food....Well, maybe a few places...

[kobetobiko]

The name should be 'uminoie".

[Silverjay]

Good catch! You know I knew what I meant!..."Sea Urchin House" could be a new concept too though...

[Simon]

hi Jay!...(i've based myself in Shanghai, but still check in on Manhattan and other boards)...

i agree that Uminoie is hit or miss foodwise...the fried small whitefish is great when they have it as a special and burdock root salad, etc are sometimes good...but i've had some very mediocre dishes too...but for shochu w/ a little snack, it's perfect, and also is a good place for a 2nd or 3rd stop on a date...

[Silverjay]

Good to hear from you....I kind of like the noodles she gets from her father. They're pretty good too.

[Polecat]

What's your take on Natori? Any recommended dishes?
The wife and I have passed by hundreds of times, always on the way to somewhere else, yet always curious.
P.

[Silverjay]

Hey P-Cat, I ordered from the specials menu. Can't recall the exact dishes, but only that I was satisfied. I've heard others speak well of here also. But it's not destination dining unless you're a homesick Nihonjin...No liquor license, so no shochu either. Same as Chiyono.

[Polecat]

Thanks, Jay. Sounds good. Will eventually try the place, but, since I'm heading to Japan in about six weeks anyway, will hold off.
P.

[Simon]

heya...Natori serves shochu, but it's not on the menu...nothing interesting: just some standard cheap mugi shochu...

Foodwise, the unagi/avocado salad or the maguro/avocado salad is a great bargain...and the gesso karaage (fried squid legs) is yummy...i agree: not a destination place at all...but a reliable affordable mellow joint...

[Silverjay]

Ahh, thanks for the clarification and the recs, though, I"m not sure that anything with avocado qualifies as Japanese "homestyle" cooking.