Yoshi

I first started eating at this Smith Street spot when I moved to the neighborhood in January 2011. At that time it was pretty good Janese cuisine for the money, though with a clear Chinese slant. Changes started to creep into the menu late last Spring and the food began a steady decline. The management decided to try to become a hot spot this past Summer and hired a dj for weekend nights- a disaster. The decline in food quality continued until now, one year later, I am giving up on this place. There is too much really good food in better surroundings available from its neighborhood competitors.

I either order takeout or eat at Yoshi for lunch a couple times a month since they opened and this is one of the best sushi restaurants in Brooklyn. Everything on the menu here is top notch and particularly the sushi is super clean and beautiful. I recommend their maki and special rolls. Their miso soup couldn't be more perfect with tender bits of silky tofu, enoki mushrooms and seaweed bits with a not too salty broth. Basically if you are in the area and ordering takeout from another sushi place, you are really missing out.

I live around the corner from Kiku and have been there several times: the food is always great (tasty, fresh, high quality) and for the price, I doubt you could beat it. The atmosphere is also really nice, relaxed but also cool and trendy, clean, etc. I don't know why they don't seem to get more business! It's a fantastic place and their lunch special is a great deal for great food.

Kiku has a lounge like atmosphere with a great bar and happy hour includes all drinks not just the bottom shelf stuff. They have low lounge seating in the back and regular tables up front. The service and food is always great and the menu is very reasonable. Great place, even if you just want a drink by yourself.