Shinbashi

Once upon a time, Shinbashi served as a NYC midtown restaurant fixture where waitresses wore customary Japanese garb and the kitchen peddled in dishes still foreign to American palates.  Ruth Reichl regarded Shinbashi a “venerable Japanese”  in 1998, while Bryan Miller awarded it: “Weirdest Dish II: Raw lobster in the shell,” in 1986.

Though the raw lobster is conspicuously missing from the new menu, Shinbashi is nonetheless having its second coming in the three-story space, formerly home to Savannah Steak.  Owner Shinichi Tomonari is dutifully carrying on the family tradition, initiated by his mother in 1974, when the notion of eating raw crustacean was a novel concept.

The menu offers a generous selection of raw fish as well as cooked dishes, including beef sukiyaki, toro tartar with quail egg and tempura udon.  Chef Kazutaki Imori (Nobu) oversees the maple sushi bar, with seating for twenty.

Phone: 7 East 48th St., btwn Madison & 5th Aves.
Address: (212)813-2406
Hours: Dinner, Mon-Sat, 5:30pm-9:30pm; Lunch, Mon-Fri, 11:45am-2:30pm; Closed Sundays. 

Until we eat again,
Restaurant Girl
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