Neighborhood & Favorite Japanese Restaurants

[toddg]

I noticed in the CB3 agenda that there's a liquor license application for "Tomo Japanese Cuisine Inc., 86-12A 37th Avenue".  A quick web search turned up this site for a Japanese restaurant on Queens Blvd that is opening a second location in our neighborhood:
http://www.tomojc.com/index.html

This sounds exciting!  Has anybody tried the original location?

[Shelby2]

Haven't tried the original location but did happen to notice it the other day on my long walk back from the NYSC in Rego Park!  Looking forward to having more sushi options here.  Thanks for the heads up.

And it gets pretty decent reviews (3 of them) on yelp. http://www.yelp.com/biz/gige0Bps68Lk974vKytbGQ

[orzabelle]

hooray!  Something other than grilled meet up near me!

[Chingwa]

I've eaten at the Queens Boulevard location.  It's decent.  Not bad, but not great.  Should be better than happy kitchen though...

[MeliZoops]

i've always enjoyed happy kitchen - they're just WAAAAY too pricey.  and they close on random days sometimes...just 'cuz...

i'd love to have another japanese option.  hope this works out!

[spanishfish]

I find Happy Kitchen mediocre at best. We've ordered delivery from East 21 and it was much, much better. Happy Kitchen's Udon Noodles have no flavor. They don't use much spice in their dishes.

[erospolitico]

I will tell you all a secret about Happy Kitchen, besides high prices, the co-owner makes the sushi to cut down on costs, and they also take the waiters tips for themselves.

Also notice it is cash only, thats a bit shady

[orzabelle]

what does that have to do with shady?  I'm not a huge fan of HK, but plenty of places are cash only, due to the fact that credit cards cost the restaurant money.

And the owner making the sushi to cut costs?  Big whoop!  What restaurant owner doesn't want to cut costs?  If she is capable and willing to do it, what does it matter?

Again, not a fan, but the only thing that seems bothersome is taking the waiters' tips....but then, what waiter would stand for that and not quit immediately?

[MeliZoops]

waiters???  the place has two tables in a 3'x5' store.  i don't think you can call that waiting tables.

[jennsch]

HK may not be the best sushi in the world but it's decent. The spicy crunchy rolls (especially the shrimp and eel) are actually very good. I don't order as often as I'd like cause it's a bit pricier than it should be but when I'm craving sushi, it's worth it. One dish I love from them is the hijiki -- very tasty.

As for the people who work there, they're all incredibly nice (especially the delivery man -- he's a total sweetheart). If you ever want to know anything about the history of Jackson Heights, ask the guy who takes orders on Saturday night. He loves to talk about the neighborhood.

[toddg]

I agree.  Happy Kitchen serves decent sushi and some excellent other dishes, especially for such a tiny place.  I think it's wonderful to have them here, and am especially grateful for their proprietors' efforts on behalf of the historic district.   I enjoy East 21 too, but have found their quality inconsistent at times.  I'm looking forward to Tomo because I enjoy sushi best in a real restaurant setting, but unless their offerings are qualitatively different, I will probably continue to patronize Happy Kitchen for takeout.

[KC]

I think the best sushi by far in the neighborhood is at the Korean/Japanese place on 74th street where Broadway and Roosevelt all merge.  It caters primarily to a Korean crowd, and a lot of the stuff on the menu isn't even properly translated.  But the food is FANTASTIC. 

But I would be delighted to have sushi closer to home. 

[MeliZoops]

KC - thanks for the tip about the place on 74th and Broadway, next to Thai Son (the latter of which has excellent food).

I had been in the sushi place once to request a menu for my menu book at home.  not only did they not have a take away menu, but the place smelled so fishy that i wrote the place off.

I'll have to give it another shot!

[toddg]

For some reason, I never end up ordering sushi in a Korean restaurant.  Everytime I think of it, I get deterred by the prices, which I have found to be on the expensive side.  But I'll give it a try!

My favorite Korean restaurant in the neighborhood is Hae Woon Dae at 75-32 Broadway, but I like the one on 74th Street as well.

[Tigoillo]

Hey, has anyone heard any dates when Tomo might be opening? I hope it's soon!