Izakaya MEW — Restaurant in New York

This experience was nothing short of horrifying. I’m still trying to get over the shock of how unprofessional the service was. So we went to lunch , as a party of seven. Unfortunately, we couldn’t book a table of seven due to such a large party. So we had to make two separate reservations. When we got there we politely asked the hostess if we could be seated next to each other. Immediately, our smiles were met with a frown. Instead of being professional, she started to scold us, though we tried to explain to her that the app didn’t allow us to book a table of seven. In the end we didn’t end up being near each other, which was okay, but the worst was yet to come. When we were trying to sit down, a waitress was putting down the cutlery. When we approached the table that we were seated at, the waitress told us to “back away, because this is not your table”. We calmly explained to her that the hostess told us that we would be sitting here. Still, she kept on yelling at us to go away and make room for the other customers. I was surprised at the rudeness that was given towards us. I’m not sure where the aggression was coming from, but this was absolutely unacceptable. The food was just short of average, nothing impressive. Moving on, this one waiter kept slamming the dishes down on the table. I don’t know where this anger was coming from, maybe they were having a bad day or it was racial? I’m not really sure, but either way it is unacceptable. One dish was sent to our table that we didn’t want, so our friend got to our table to retrieve it. Then the waiter who was slamming food down on our table, walked up to her screaming in her face to go back to the table. This grown adult man was screaming in someone’s face and pointing and waving his hands at her. I am truly appalled. Just shocked. I have never in my life had such a horrible experience in a restaurant. If you can’t be polite and respectful then don’t work in customer service or in any job that requires just an ounce of hospitality. Please fix your attitudes, then come back to me. Overall, I don’t recommend this restaurant, and truly hope that their customer...

Izakaya Mew offers outdoor seating during these times shared with Cho Dang Gol. Although it proclaims to be an izakaya restaurant, it offers a variety of nigiri and sushi roll options. The dynamite roll was fairly solid although I think you would be better off going to a dedicated sushi restaurant if that is the main course they are seeking. The yellowtail carpaccio is excellent with fresh tasting fish and a bright, apple ponzu dressing. The hamachi kamayaki is very nicely grilled while still retaining a moist, tender flesh. The takoyaki is exactly as you would expect with a crisp exterior and a tender piece of octopus inside. The entrees are primarily fusions of Korean, Japanese, and Western dishes, think Yoshoku with some Korean flavors as well. The omu soba is a play on omurice but with yakisoba as the starch, pretty good although honestly a bit much in terms of quantity. The kimchi cream udon is basically a creamy shrimp and asparagus pasta dish but with bouncy, chewy udon noodles as the pasta. Really quite tasty although it is fairly heavy on the palette and the kimchi offers much more in the way of color rather than flavor. Would definitely recommend this dish to everybody who comes here but I would recommend sharing it with another person as I think it simply becomes too creamy and homogenous to eat an entire plate of on your own. The yuzu cheesecake is a pretty nice NY style cheesecake but there isn't any taste of yuzu which I think would really help. The warabimochi and azuki on the other hand is a really great dessert with the cold, chewy warabimochi coated in kinako being a true delight. Although I wouldn't describe the food and atmosphere as being a particularly authentic izakaya experience, it was a great Japanese fusion food experience and certainly one of the better fusion restaurants in Manhattan. I recommend coming with a friend and ordering a variety of the sides and...

Izakaya Mew is a gem hidden in the heart of NYC, offering incredible drinks and delicious food in a cozy, lively setting. Despite being busy, the space exudes a warm, inviting atmosphere with dim lighting, wooden accents, and an intimate vibe that makes you feel right at home. The perfect blend of comfort and excitement, it’s a place where you can enjoy a lively night without feeling overwhelmed.

We started the night with their Purple Mellow, a beautifully crafted cocktail with butterfly pea tea-infused vodka, sake, peach syrup, yuzu, lemon juice, and a touch of marshmallow. The balance of floral, citrus, and sweetness made it both refreshing and unique. Another standout was the Take Me Home, a delightful blend of rum, triple sec, prosecco, peach syrup, lemon juice, and a hint of thyme with a strawberry garnish. It was light, fizzy, and full of bright, fruity flavors perfect for a fun night out.

For food, the Sashimi Moriawase was a must-try, featuring chutoro, sake, hotate, kampachi, and yellowtail. Every piece was incredibly fresh, buttery, and practically melted in our mouths. The Hamachi Tataki was another highlight thinly sliced yellowtail topped with jalapeño, scallion, cilantro, and a rich garlic truffle soy sauce that elevated every bite.

The Gyu Don was decent, though the rice was slightly undercooked, which took away from the experience. However, the Kimchi Cream Udon more than made up for it thick, creamy udon noodles mixed with kimchi, shrimp, and assorted vegetables. It had the richness of carbonara but with a spicy, tangy twist that made it unforgettable.

Izakaya Mew delivers on both drinks and food in a cozy yet lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for a casual but exceptional dining experience, where you can unwind and enjoy great flavors. Would definitely return for another round of cocktails and that...