Bessou — Restaurant in New York

I came here to Bessou this evening after looking at the reviews and the menu, me and a friend had a reservation for 7:30 we got in around 7:20pm, was seated inside promptly. Everything going good so far, waited served us our water and we placed our order for a smashed potatoes appetizer and nanban chicken small dish, soy koji steak platter, and salmon crispy rice. At about 7:45pm the smashed potatoes came out and nanban chicken came out, honestly very good dishes enjoyed them both the scalion aioli on both was very good. Slowly time started rolling it was around 8:15pm there was no sign of the other two orders, not even a follow up from our server, so one employee came up to asked if everything was okay, I said it's been how long already no follow up on our next meals and what have you, he said he will go check. Eventually shows up like 10 or so mins later with our meals, I explained what was the delay for the steak platter and salmon crispy rice, and a manager came out apologized and asked if we wanted some sake or whatever I said it was okay and explained they were busy which I felt hard to believe, because the other parties next to us had four entrees served in a shorter span than us. After we were done the manager asked if we wanted any ice cream and really pushed us to order the salted caramel which wasn't even that good to begin with not knowing we were going to be charged for it , after she took off 10% our bill for the delay. Overall very disappointed expected much better from this restaurant. I was generous to leave a tip even though I felt it was not deserved from our waiter who failed to follow up with us that after 30 mins no main meal has yet to come...

This is a review of the even by Tasting Collective that we attended. It was a 9-Course Modern Japanese Soul Food Feast. Since my favorite cuisine in the world is Japanese food, I was super excited for this event.

The Bessou means Holiday Villa, or home away from home, kind of vacation home. The owner opened Bessou to offer a traditional home cooked Japanese food, with a modern twist. The inside is rather small but cozy and home-y. I liked the simplicity of the interior, with some elements that reminds me of traditional Japanese home, like the use of wood on floor and walls, the light fixture, and geometric lines and shapes.

They have a small bar seating at the end, where you can look into their kitchen. They do serve alcohol, all sorts of Japanese sake (hot and cold) and beer. Pretty nice selection, so if you like sake or beer, you should check out their drink menu.

At this event, we got to try Beef Shortrib Kakuni, Charred Eggplant Caponata, Crispy Rice Salad, Grilled Romaine, Onigiri with Mushroom, Roasted Carrots and Kabocha, Tortilla Japonesa, Whole Dorade, and Strawberry Matcha Shortcake. They were all very tasty. Not so much "home-cooked" food, unless your mom is a chef... But it was still really nice.

We had a great dinner here at Bessou. The servers did a nice job handling our group, and the owner & chef are really sweet. I hope they will have continuous success so that we can go back for another visit. They are open for Brunch as well, I might want to try their Japanese breakfast items in the near future… Read my full review of this restaurant and food on my food blog,...

The Nori Fries at Bessou are a revelation, transforming what is typically a casual bite into something unexpectedly pleasant. From the moment you take your first bite, it's clear that this dish is not just any ordinary food but an exquisitely designed masterpiece. The texture, framed by its salty and savory nori, sets the tone for the impeccable experience that follows.

Inside, the fresh potato is soothing, with a soft, ambient texture that avoids the overly crumbly consistency that plagues typical fries. Each bite is a harmonious blend of contrasts, where the crisp outer layer meets the tender, almost buttery interior. This balance makes every mouthful a delight, with just the right amount of give under your teeth, enhancing the sensory experience.

The flavors and tones of the brown and light green BBQ sauce and scallion mayo create a calm, clean taste that is both refreshing and comforting. The scallion mayo, with its subtle oniony bite, provides a creamy counterpoint to the crisp nori, while the BBQ sauce, bold and spicy, adds a layer of complexity without overpowering the dish. Together, these elements work in perfect harmony, offering a refined, yet approachable flavor profile that elevates the fries from a simple side dish to a highlight of the meal.

Each fry is meticulously seasoned, ensuring that the nori’s umami-rich taste is present in every bite, while the sauces are thoughtfully portioned to enhance rather than drown the delicate flavors. The result is a dish that surprises and delights, making the humble French fry an unforgettable part of the Bessou...