The Hidden Pearl — Restaurant in New York

Tl:dr the drinks are quite mediocre and overpriced. Not worth the hype.

We had two rounds of drinks here. Overall, they were mostly under-diluted, unbalanced, and you should expect better at an $18 price point.

Second Harvest Mezcal, Hojicha, Yuzu, Lavender, Peach, Hemp Milk, Zarame Japanese Sugar

Very odd drink. Under-diluted, tasted unpleasantly intense and mainly of peach. Couldn’t taste the mezcal at all. It was served on the rocks despite being carbonated. Not sure I’ve ever seen that before. Better as a highball?

Winter In Tokyo Sesame infused Japanese Whisky, Yellow Chartreuse, Cranberry, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Citrus

Another odd flavoured and under-diluted one. Tasted strongly of the herb infusions. This was still on the menu in April, which perhaps indicates a lack of seriousness about the bar program.

Wild Basil Negroni Shiso Infused Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth

Best of the four. A fine negroni but served with no twist and didn’t taste like one had been expressed and discarded either.

Ocha Old Fashioned Hojicha Infused Japanese Whisky, Wakamomo Baby Peach, Orange Blossom, Zarame Japanese Sugar, Angostura, Orange Bitters

By far the worst of the four. Mouth desertification, overwhelming and off-putting tannin flavor from the tea. Borderline undrinkable. Someone left this infusion way too long. Not only that, but the drink was cloudy and muddy with particles of tea (pictured). Wish it was put through a coffee filter or milk/fat washed. No amount of letting this sit on ice made it pleasant to drink. The cloudy ice cube was stamped with their logo which was a nice touch, but seems not worth the effort unless you’re going to use clear ice. Amateurish drink.

The room is cute and bright, and we had some nice snack sausages. This came very well reviewed but there are better drinks a stones throw away if you keep your ear...

I love experimental cocktails, and this place uses fresh ingredients like herbs and vegetables in combination with harder-to-find spirits to make their cocktails unique.

Victoria and G were amazing bartenders! I learned that they previously worked at other well-known bars in the neighborhood. I stayed and tried a few things during my first time here, since it was such a relaxing vibe.

The Shinigami with the bell pepper and then the passionfruit was super addictive, couldn't put it down. I am really glad i tried this one, and I'm already craving it again.

The Tomato One was so cool. like a bloody mary on a date lol. Sexy and peppery!

As for the Sea Witch, the carbonation and barley shochu were a perfect pair. It was sweet n salty (from the plantain and salted tamarind) like a perfect electrolyte drink. I can see myself getting this before a night out.

The wild basil (shiso) negroni was classically delicious. The shiso offers a smooth and rounded bitterness.

The Kappa was interesting and v different from the other milk punch. The unripe mango in this was the star for me. Its such an underrated flavor

I was there for happy hour so I snacked on their pork belly buns. The pork belly melted in my mouth, and the sauce was balanced

This place was recommended to me by a local bartender who makes creative cocktails, so it had been on my list for a while. Can't wait to bring friends here so we...

Tucked away inside the Japanese restaurant Wanpaku, this small, intimate speakeasy bar is a hidden gem. With limited seating at the bar and just a few tables, it has an exclusive, cozy feel. No reservations needed--just walk right in! One of the highlights is their impressive selection of Japanese whiskeys, perfect for whiskey lovers.

Ocha Old Fashioned - Absolutely delicious. The hojicha-infused whiskey shines through beautifully, creating a smooth and well-balanced cocktail. The baby peach garnish was a fun touch. Easily my favorite!!!

Winter in Tokyo - A solid choice, though quite heavy on the sesame flavor. Slightly sweet with a cranberry garnish, it's unique and enjoyable if you appreciate nutty, toasty notes.

Belladonna - A hard pass for me. I was told it resembled a Manhattan, but it was nowhere near one. It was served with a salty lotus root chip on the side. Overly salty and unbalanced, it was honestly unpleasant. This is one cocktail I wouldn't recommend--it should be taken off the menu.

On the bright side, the bartender was kind enough to take the Belladonna off my bill, which I appreciated. While I'd consider coming back to see if they introduce more innovative cocktails, I wouldn't rush...