Riki

This is a very traditional place, a cozy relaxed environment where everyone is just drinking and eating apps. The food is delish, everything is so well prepared, the menu is extensive and reminds me of home. For those of you (i.e., food girl) who don't appreciate this or complain about its operating hours (really, the world does not revolve around you), don't come here, stay with some worse options.

I've been to this place twice this month, and I've had a good experience both times. The waitstaff is nice, and i like the private rooms where you have to take off your shoes. A must-try is the monjyayaki (kind of like okonomiyaki except runnier). Will keep coming back.

This is a fine example of a traditional Japanese drinking establishment. What most Americans do not know is that in Japan, when people entertain, they go to places like this to imbibe and eat very tasty appetizers. I am offended by the review below by shop girl, who assumed that the place would be open, and because they didn't open for business until 6pm, gave them a bad rating. The world does not revolve around primadonnas like you. Good riddance.

The misconception among non-Japanese is that all they eat is sushi sushi sushi. This place is not particularly known for their sushi. The best foods here are the cooked ones, especially the appetizers. Order like a Japanese and you will not be disappointed. Please, be daring and try new things, not just sushi. It tells you something when many of the customers dining there are Japanese, doesn't it?

First time going to the restaurant. Service was attentive and pleasant. We did not order any sushi. So I can't comment on that. But what we had (all cooked, hot dishes) was ok. Personally, I had tastier food down at St. Mark's area. I would not go back to this place again.

A friend took me to Riki's recently and I thought the food was average and the price a bit high for the quality, but ok. I didn't mind the service as much then, and was glad to at least have another Japanese option in the Grand Central area besides Chikubu, who are exhorbitantly overpriced and cheap with their portions, even by Japanese standards. So I took my elderly mother to Riki's on Tuesday, since we had been walking quite a bit and were a bit far from St. Mark's, where most of the good Japanese restaurants in NYC are. We got to Riki's at 4:50 and found a "Closed" sign at the door. We went in anyway, assuming they'd be opening at 5:00, like everyone else who closes between lunch and dinner. We were told they wouldn't be open until 6:00 and weren't even allowed to sit and rest while we waited for them to open. I can't believe I made my mother walk around to find this very average spot, just to be told that we had to leave and come back at 6:00. Not good.

Riki does very well with its entrenched Japanese client base, but I guess they don't mind that the food is overpriced for what it is. Riki's advantage over other shops of its ilk is its big size, not to mention the elegant bar on the second floor, but the food is merely serviceable, considering it is slightly more expensive and not as varied as its downtown brethren (think Yokocho). The $16 pitcher of beer is no bargain, either. The atmosphere is oftentimes pleasant however, hence the fact the place is packed practically every night.