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Meet Izi, A New Japanese Izakaya In Times Square With Whiskey Flights
By
Nell Casey
Published May 5, 2016
Modified May 5, 2016
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courtesy Izi
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By
Nell Casey
Published May 5, 2016
Modified May 5, 2016
Share
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Prolific restaurant group BR Guest Hospitality—who run Blue Water Grill and the Dos Caminos fleet, among many others—have opened their latest, Izi, beneath their 15-year-old Times Square oasis Blue Fin. The smaller new sibling serves a Japanese izakaya-style menu of small snacks and shareable items meant to complement boozing. Photos of the new space included a darling little whiskey cart which, sadly, does not take jaunts into the dining room to offer a steady supply of alcohol.
The whiskey selection's pretty interesting, mobile or not. There are 22 types in all, including American selections from all over the country including bourbons from Kentucky and lesser known brands for those unfamiliar with craft whiskies. Japan's whiskies are well-represented, too, with options from Hibiki, Nikka and Iwai distilleries. Flights are a solid way to try them out, with three Japanese whiskies for $20 and three Americans for $21, plus another sake flight for $16.
Seafood's been an important part of the BR Guest philosophy, and here they'll explore that through a selection of sushi rolls, sashimi, crudos, pokes and shellfish towers. Kobe Beef Sliders ($21), Rock Shrimp Wontons ($17) and Mini Lobster Rolls ($22) are the Central Casting options for 90's Wall Street bros, while Hamachi Poke ($19) with crispy rice and avocado crema is a go-to for the contemporary foodie hive mind. Finish it all up with the Rocky Road to a Big Fortune ($21), a fist-sized fortune cookie covered in chocolate, marshmallow, peanuts and pumped with white and dark chocolate mousses.
W New York—Times Square at 1567 Broadway, 212-918-1405; izinewyork.com
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Nell Casey
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