EN Japanese Brasserie

Average User Rating

7.3

Great

About EN Japanese Brasserie

EN Japanese Brasserie marks the New York City debut of Bunkei, Bunko and Reika Yo, sibling restaurateurs from Japan. EN (one definition meaning "destiny") will offer a modern take on traditional Japanese home cooking. The classic brasserie theme of simple, hearty fare is translated through Japanese ingredients and sensibility by the highly-regarded Koji Nakan, who leads a team of chefs from Japan. EN features unique dishes rarely seen in New York, from many distinct handcrafted types of miso paste to a selection of homemade tofu and yuba (soy milk skin). Showcased against a backdrop of warm woods, antique carved panels, an open kitchen and reflecting pool, EN is housed in a cavernus, formerly industrial space in the West Village. Private dining rooms overlook the restaurant from the second floor and were designed to resemble the living room, dining room and library of a traditional Japanese home.

Quick Facts

Cuisine: Japanese
Accepts Credit Card: Yes
Parking: N/A

Atmosphere: N/A
Take Reservations: Yes
Serves Alcohol: N/A
Smoking Allowed:No

User Reviews for EN Japanese Brasserie

food		“...A friend who lives near this restaurant recommended it to me, and my wife and I went there for lunch. We took the bento lunch with miso cod that many o... “...Delicious and on par with food in Tokyo. Homemade fresh tofu is wonderful... “...We really enjoyed the Restaurant Week menu, especially the house made tofu. The tempura was delicious and light, and the cod was also wonderful... “...I went here for Restaurant Week, Winter 2011. I got here a little early and stood at the bar... “... We also started with the tofu as an appetizer which was extremely silky. Overall, we liked the food and would go back... “...arriving at 10 without reservations, the host, with a hipster stick up his bum, said he could seat us, but did nto tell us it was at the sushi bar behind a pile of bowls...
ambiance		“...Throw out any expectations you have about Japanese food, there's a couple of sushi rolls, but the place is all about modern preparations of both local and Japanese gourmet foods...
service		“...EN Japanese Brasserie fa. Although the menu changes seasonally, always on offer is the house specialty: scooped tofu, made hourly during dinner service... “...I can't stop coming back. I was their last night and I'm still thinking about the fresh scooped warm tofu... “... We loved the black sesame ice cream for dessert. The service was outstanding... “... the service is amazing for such a casual dining atmosphere and en, aside from japonais, is definitely a favorite (japanese) as of this past tuesdays' dinner... “... It's different than your typical Japanese res. The service was perfect as there was always someone around, checking on us to see if we needed anything... “...Huge disappointment. Soggy appetizers, inept wait staff and rude,arrogant management---and all that for overpriced fare...
value		“...she had ordered. I ordered a dashi crab soup that was full of salt and a fishless piece of crab... “... I strongly recommend the daily specials, the blue fin collar was. over all a little pricey but that comes with quality so it has value and I come back... “...This is my second visit to En Japanese Brasserie and again, my group and I were extremely please by the quality of food, the level of service, and the overall ambience and experience... “...so, the person below who wasn't "wowwed" obviously didn't order OFF of the regular menu. yes, i went for restaurant week, but i ordered off the regular... “...I ate at EN several months ago and thought everything was fantastic. The food was extremely fresh and authentic... “..."Nothing memorable. Great atmosphere, but not worth the price...
menu		“...While the setting was beautiful and the service. You would expect greatness from a place like this but the menu was very limited and the flavor sub-par... “...We went to EN for my wife's birthday and we thought this place was great. It is a big space, so not hard to get a reservation or just walk in... “...arriving at 10 witho. other then him the rest of the servers were sweet and friendly, tasting menu, good simple tastes, somtimes bordering on wonderful...
dishes		“... We took the bento lunch with miso cod that many of . We also ordered 4 small kyoto-style dishes (the waiter's recommendations on those were excellent)... “... Much to my disappointment, most dishes didn?t pair well with sake and shochu. That is to say, they are all too sweet and devoid of spices and surpris... “... Service is always efficient and polite. Very lovely room and immaculate detail to pots and serving dishes make this the best Japanese in the city... “... The tofu was absolutely delicious! The rest of the food was also good, the sashimi . We went for the pre-fix in order to try a lot of different dishes... “...Thro. Sample dishes we've had include sea urchin hot pot, stone grilled chicken served table side, crab miso soup, Berkshire pork with ponzu sauce, etc... “...Unique seasonal dishes and great drinks make this a welcome spot on the weekends!...
cod		“...A friend who lives near this restaurant recommended it to me, and my wife . We took the bento lunch with miso cod that many of the reviews mention here... “... This was ok but it was a nice counter to the Asparagus. For the Main course, I had the Miso marinaded black cod... “... The only downside to the duck was there were only 3 pieces and had a bit of fat on it. The miso cod was also good...

All Reviews for EN Japanese Brasserie

Faith
February 02, 2009

Food

5

Decor

3

Service

5

We went to this restaurant for Restaurant Week in New York and were pretty disappointed all around. I had read a description of the restaurant as being modeled like a Japanese home, but the restaurant was obviously a converted warehouse with some nice design details--not a recreated Japanese home. The Restaurant Week Menu was extremely limited--more so than other restaurants--and was structured completely differently from the normal menu, which is all little plates instead of a 3 course meal. The food was used high quality ingredients, but the result was merely serviceable. The portions were small, the flavors unremarkable, and the pretense and expense was high. We left considering a diner.

I Ate:
- miso glazed salmon: something I could make at home ($35)
Overall Rating

4.5

"Average"
Anonymous

December 05, 2011

Food

10

Decor

10

Service

10

Well allow me to begin with mentioning I usually do not review places. How to begin? Recently, I ate at EN Japanese Brasserie in New York City. So I am orginally from Austin although have been to New York a bunch of times. I really enjoy the uniqueness of dining places. I thought EN Japanese Brasserie to generally be classy all the way, from decor through the presentation. Service in that restaurant was so pleasant! The vibe was remarkable. The order arrived extremely fast. Even though virtually no real complaints. Among the couple of appetizers 2 main courses we ordered, We'd rate 3 as very good just one as pretty good My husband and I had a fantastic night! So refreshing since there are a lot of NYC places to eat that are poor. Also was to experience NYC establishment without a lot of attitude. I'm a huge fan of the place. Go today prior to when the news becomes crazy. We definitely will be soon.

Overall Rating

10

"Perfect"

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Comments

EN Japanese Brasserie Tips

Great destination for lunch. Had the Cod lunch set and the flavors were interesting. Wash it down with a Matcha Green Tea.

A.J. B.

I recommend absolutely everything on the menu. Best way to enjoy is reserving the tatami room for you and 7 friends. – Teri, Media + Events

SEGA

Just one of the 300-plus restaurants participating in NYC Restaurant Week (1/16/2012 to 2/10/2012). See nycgo.com for the full roster. Read More

NYC: The Official Guide

the tasting menu and the fried chicken are two of the most amazing things you'll order. you can't go wrong. see if you can snag one of the rooms upstairs (the couch room is so relaxing)

naveen

One of the most elegant dining experiences ever - a bit pricey but worth every penny. Our tip: Book reservations during restaurant week and snag a three-course meal for $40.