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This is like an izakaya, but more sophisticated, and in that cultural-transplant-embracing-the-city way, very NYC. Fun, relaxing atmosphere. The owner greets you as you enter and sees to it that you are attended to, making sure that everybody is happy with their experience (and keeping the staff on their toes). It helps that he's incredibly cute and very funny. Japanese posters of European films from the 60s and 70s on one wall are an unexpected twist. The food itself is very tasty. They have a lot of sharing plates on the menu as well as substantial fare like chanpon and okonomiyaki. I'd never had "niku miso" which is miso, ground pork, scallions and spices served over fresh asparagus, but got it on suggestion and loved it. Normally I don't expect anything much with chicken wings but theirs are standout delicious. Unpretentious, cool, fun and not your usual Japanese dining experience, definitely rewarding. Crowd struck me as lots of Japanese expats and unaffected neighborhood types. It looks like they're still ironing out minor kinks after just opening so I won't completely fault them for that. Will be back soon.