Kinoko — Restaurant in New York

I'll start with the small plates. The "Golden Beet" was a little piece of culinary genius. I completely expected to be impressed with Kelseay (the chef) and her creations, but from the very first bite of our first menu item our whole table was in love. I'm not even a fan of beets, but the combination of the whipped feta and the "shiitake and walnut chili crunch" created the perfect flavor and spice and the beets just melted in your mouth. Next were the "Gulf Shrimp & Louisiana Crawfish" dumplings. I was raised in the Panhandle of Florida. Gumbo and Jambalaya were regular suppers in my household. The dumpling I had captured all the flavors and spices of a whole bowl of seafood gumbo and wrapped it in a beautifully prepared dumpling. I've never had anything like it before, it was truly original. Once we had the first two menu items from the small plates, the table went a little crazy and ordered 3 of the Fish Sushi Rolls, the Nola Roll being my favorite! That being said, it was hard to choose a favorite. Next was the "Jambalaya Fried Rice". By this time everyone was getting close to being full, but when that plate dropped it was go time. Even the fried rice was extra good. It had a new set of flavors I wasn't used to in a fried rice, and it tasted so fresh! When we showed up to try out Kinoko, we weren't planning on ordering the whole dang menu, but hell after the first couple plates we really felt compelled to go the extra mile while we were there and try as much of this beautifully prepared cuisine as we could stand. After all, were only visiting family here in Brooklyn for a short time. That being said, Kinoko is one of the first stops were going to make the next time were up. To conclude the meal, we ordered a "Golden Beet" and "Nola Roll" to-go for a late night snack and paid compliments to the chef Kelseay as well as the entire staff. I couldn't recommend this restaurant enough. Do yourself a favor and bring people you care about with you to dine here and enjoy one of the most beautiful things about life,...

I fear I am never going to shut up about this place. Stumbled in here after having no plans and I’m so glad we did! Most of the time I try sushi I am at least a little underwhelmed on some of the dishes or rolls… well, consider me fully whelmed. Kinoko is INCREDIBLE.

Every employee was super helpful and kind, we got seated quickly, the space was clean with ample seating both indoors and out. The owner/chef Kelseay stopped by to chat, and welcomed us to the neighborhood warmly. This place opened up ~6 months ago, but it felt so cozy and operated smoothly it seems like it’s been a neighborhood staple for years.

Tried the Firefighter Roll, from the special menu - this is to die for. Absolutely sacrifice your soul and spend eternity in purgatory or whatever just to have a nibble. I loved it. It was wrapped in foil and we got to have a small and sensible pyrotechnic moment, as the roll was heated to melty perfection.

The volcano roll was also a star, plated nicely and delicious. One of the things that stood out the most though was how a seemingly basic cucumber & avocado roll could be so tasty. With the addition of the kinoko chili oil which incorporates mushrooms, it elevated it to perfection. Really well priced roll too!

The chili oil made an appearance on another special that we loved: the scallop nigiri with shiitake and the chili crunch. The scallops were perfectly buttery and soft.

I did not have a single bad bite or even underwhelming bite. Every moment of this dining experience was pure taste bud bliss.

GO HERE IMMEDIATELY. Meal with 4 items fed 2 people to fullness for under $100 😌 Including 20% tip, which you absolutely should be tipping at minimum… tbh they deserve a million dollars.

Update: every single vegan option is amazing. The Mango Tango and the Creole Roll are both so...

Kinoko in Brooklyn offers a unique fusion of Japanese, Cajun, and Creole cuisines, showcasing a delightful and innovative menu that marries different culinary traditions. Located in Greenpoint, it's a vibrant spot that brings a fresh twist to traditional sushi and introduces creative dishes that blend various flavors and techniques.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Kelseay Dukae, who draws inspiration from her New Orleans roots and her passion for sushi. Among the standout offerings are vegan temaki options, such as panko-fried oyster mushrooms with yuzu kosho mayo and hot agave, and jackfruit sneauxcrab with cucumbers and spicy mayo. The menu also features a salmon temaki with pastrami cured hot smoked salmon, whipped scallion cream cheese, and cucumbers, showcasing Dukae's innovative approach to sushi.

Further embracing the fusion theme, Kinoko serves a gumbo ramen described as "Nola meets Japanese," blending Dukae's Creole background with her culinary expertise. The restaurant's cozy atmosphere is complemented by a selection of wines, sake, and beer, making it a comfortable place to enjoy unique flavors and combinations.

With its commitment to serving vegan-friendly dishes alongside ethically sourced fish and seasonal vegetables, Kinoko stands out as a testament to Dukae's culinary journey and her ability to bring different worlds of flavor together...