TORA NYC — Restaurant in New York

Maybe I caught the place on an off night, but man, I was underwhelmed. The kinoko mushrooms were fantastic; aside from that, everything else was pretty mid.

Japanese tacos were stale and the sushi didn't seem terribly fresh. The shrimp tempura in the surf and turf speciality roll was a bit soggy. The house hot sake was the worst house hot sake I've had at a Japanese restaurant. Wanted to try more food, but after the pork jowls and squid yakitori both failed in the texture and flavor departments, I decided to bail.

I will say, the service was incredible. The earthenware plates, sake bottle, and sake cups added to the dining experience and the modern-chic-fusion ambiance the establishment seemingly strives for.

Might come back to give one of the noodle dishes and the yokan specialty roll a try because I really want to like this place. The Japanese dining scene is full of strong options; I was hoping to add this one to my personal list of go-to's. Whether I end up giving this place another try and adjusting my review up a star, I doubt it'll hold the esteem I hoped...

A Delightful Fusion of Flavors: A Must-Visit Spot!

I recently dined at this cozy spot and was blown away by the delicious fusion of flavors! The men taiko pasta was a perfect balance of creamy and savory, with a rich umami kick from the mentaiko that had me savoring every bite. It’s definitely a dish I’d return for!

The cocktails with mezcal were equally impressive—bold, smoky, and perfectly crafted. They added a unique flair to the meal and paired wonderfully with the food.

But the highlight for me was the grilled skewer from the izakaya section. Everything was cooked to perfection, juicy and tender with a zesty, spicy punch that left my taste buds dancing.

If you’re looking for a spot with inventive dishes and a warm, inviting atmosphere, this is the place to be. Highly recommend!

Plus, the non-alcoholic selections are beyond I personally love Matcha with coconut...

I have lived in nyc for over 12 years and in that time had maaany meals. This is by far the best meal I have ever had in my entire life. It almost doesn’t feel real because every course was so perfect and expertly prepared. To start we had the grilled squid with a spicy citrusy sweet sauce, the vegetable tempura, and the oysters which were topped with yuzu vinegar and some fresh salmon roe (what a bite omg). Then we had the mentaiko pasta with crispy bacon which was so creamy salty and unctuous and also had the tora Don (raw shrimp, raw scallop, king crab, Ikura, uni, and a little bit of caviar) which was the most mind blowing bite of the whole meal. I will definitely be coming back to try more stuff. It’s insane that this place is tucked away off knickerbocker. Might be the best Japanese food in the whole city. Just the absolute best dinner I have ever...