The Iki Ideal

When my favorite Broadway diner sold out to make room for a new Japanese restaurant, I was upset. Kits does not need more average Japanese restaurants, but it is hard to find the perfect benny. My resentment towards Iki Japanese Restaurant only lasted 10 minutes into my first visit. They have left the space much the same, with big comfy booths and a small patio. It does not feel Japanese, but it is a very welcoming space.

Much like Yuji’s sushi, Iki has a menu full of surprising fusion dishes, japanese classics, and izakaya must-haves. They do amazing things with yam fries. Everything is extremely fresh and brown rice is always an option.

In a recent visit, we started with tuna and salmon sashimi, which was easily the best I have had this summer (and that is saying quite a lot). Extremely fresh, well cut, gorgeous fish. We also shared an interesting salad with three kinds of mushroom, featuring a large portabello mushroom and balsamic reduction. The grilled black cod was outrageously good with a couple of their heavily souped up tempura yam fries, ($6.50) and a lobster crispy roll, served with lobster miso, ($9) was delicious. Finally, a mini-sukiyaki finsihed us off in comfort-food style.

I highly recommend Iki both for their cost-effective lunch specials, and for a more indulgent (but still very affordable) dinner.