Restaurant Week Review # 4 - Japonais

I heard so many great things about Japonais, in Union Square.  My roommate went with a friend who knew the chef, and she was treated to an extravagant dinner, with wine pairings and everything.  I pass it alot, and I have always wanted to go.  Restaurant Week presented the opportunity for me to try Japonais on a budget.  

I looked at the menu online, and it looked great.  Then a week later, the menu online was a little different.  Strange.  WHY does this always happen with restaurant week?  Who is posting these menus and then giving out different one?  

Then, after researching the menu, I did a little research on Japonais Restaurant Week.  People were hating on it.  I got really nervous.  Bad entrees.  Small portions.  Oh. No. 

I had the loveliest of dates for the evening - Mom.  We walked to Japonais.  When we arrived at 6:30, the hostess greeted us, asked us if we wanted to check our coats (we said no and she did not huff at us), and seated us.  She was lovely.  We were seated at a table for 4.  I love that.  The restaurant was not full, and so they gave us a big table, and they were pretty good about spreading diners out so you were not on top of each other.  I hate being seated on top of someone when the restaurant is kind of empty.  Give me a little elbow room people.  

Ok first and only complaint - there is a heater that runs against the wall and the heat, MY GOD THE HEAT was really....hot.  We were HOT.  Yes, it was cold outside.  But I felt like I was sitting on a heating pad.  

The appetizers - 6 choices!  Although I very much love a special date with Mom, this restaurant is good for a group so you can get one of everything! But, we made due.  First, we crossed off the salad.  We like salad, but it was not the most interesting choice.  Two carpaccio choices.  Nah.  It came down to (1) Sashimi (2) Crab cake and (3) Lobster spring rolls.  I read great things about the crab cake and the lobster, and my mom was not crazy about getting sashimi.  And I figured, if I like this meal, I can come back for sushi.  

So crab cake and spring rolls please!  O and waiter, what are your wine specials?  A Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for $8 a glass.  Lovely!  Chardonnay for Mom and Pinot for me.  My Mom LOVES RW special wines.  She was pleased.

There is the crab cake on the left.  It was small, but perfect.  The combination of flavors rocked.  And it was all I needed for an appetizer. 

Lobster Spring Rolls were incredible.  They were hot and delicious.  

As we waited for the entrees, the waiter occasionally checked on us.  He was extremely friendly.  He NEVER rushed us.  It was so lovely.  

So we are chatting, and really hot from the damn heater, and the entrees come out.  Our choices were salmon, chestnut chicken, and ribs.  My mom went for the chicken, and I went for the ribs.

The chicken was really tasty.  It was a nice portion.  The rice was great.  I had a few bites.  My Mom did not even finish it!!!!!  That is always good with RW! 



And then there are the ribs.  The ribs.  The ribs.  I love ribs.  I want more ribs.  I want to eat these ribs every day.  I want to eat them with a fork.  I want to eat them with my hands.  I want to eat them on a sandwich.  With a mouse.  In a house.  In my lunchbox.

Get it yet? The ribs were freaking amazing.  Awesome Awesome Awesome.

Then, dessert.  One choice.  That is actually not called a choice.  It is just called "here is your dessert restaurant week diner."  It was pumpkin cheesecake (I do not like pumpkin) with pineapple mousse (I do not like pineapple).  BUT I LOVED THIS DESSERT!!!!  And lets face it - a lot of Asian restaurants do not have great desserts.  So even though there was only one choice, it was a good choice, and it was big and tasty (twss).

So, if Japonais RW sounds good to you, there are still some reservations for tonight (either early or after 9 pm) and lots of dinner reservations for tomorrow night!  JUMP ON IT!

http://www.japonaisnewyork.com/index2.html

Have a delicious day!
NYCMenuGirl