EN Japanese Brasserie

From the moment it opened up in 2004, EN has been a cantina of sorts for New York’s fashion elite. Big names from Alexander Wang, Diane Von Furstenberg to Carolina Herrera have all dined on the bites, from sushi to robata grill. So there’s nothing new about EN Japanese Brasserie. Instead, this review of EN restaurant in NYC is to report that it’s maybe even better than ever.

Atmosphere

I used to hang at EN restaurant in NYC when it first opened as when I could afford it, it was my favorite scene-y restaurant. Looking back on it, the modern design and sleek decor were prolific back then, as not much needs to be updated 20 years later. The restaurant essentially is the same as it was the day it opened, but yet it’s still relevant in design and aesthetic.

There is a nice crowd on any given evening at EN. It’s always a good sign when people whose ancestry is Japanese make up a good portion of diners at EN. Additionally there are couples on dates, people who look like they work in fashion and an overall attractive crowd. One of my favorite fashion journalists is Derek Blasberg and he recently had his birthday party at EN. So it seems even recently the restaurant has had a resurgence as a place where the cool kids hang.

Food + Beverage

The beauty of the food at EN Japanese Brasserie is there’s something for everyone. It’s also food that you can eat several times a week, which is part of the secret of its success. Long gone are the days that EN was the hottest restaurant in town, but what’s left is above average food. When EN opened they would make the tofu fresh twice an hour. While the ceremony around the tofu is now gone, that same tofu is still made fresh, and the food is better than ever.

Our table ordered half the menu, and all of it was good. My friends liked the Japanese sweet potato croquettes and the tuna tartare topped with caviar was also a hit. On our starters besides the tofu I also liked the shrimp tempura with avocado that was wrapped in a rice paper. We had the claypot salmon which takes 40 minutes as a middle course along with the egg custard with black truffle.

For my main I had the Dungeness crab with the garlic shiso rice and steamed vegetables. It was light and generous in size that I took half of it home. My friends had the chicken and beef robata grill, as well as the miso cod. Everything was tops on execution and healthy and light. It had been awhile since I had eaten at EN, but it’s officially back on my rotation for both dine-in and delivery.

Beverage is a Highlight

I am normally not very impressed by cocktails but the Cucumber was like a vodka based margarita rimmed with salt. It was so fresh and light, I ordered two. EN Japanese has something like over 60 Japanese whiskies and 80+ sakes. It would be a shame not to eat here but you could just come for drinks and sit in their music room listening to rare vinyl. I didn’t realize it but the Music Bar is open until 2am on the weekends so I’ll have to add it to my list for late night drinks.

Service

EN restaurant in NYC represents the very best of traditional Japanese service updated for the 21st century. There’s a respectful deference in the culture of service but it’s not over-the-top that it feels unnatural or awkward. Instead, you have a team whose focus is doing right by you and ensuring you ahve a good time.

The service is one of the big reasons that EN continues to bring in the loyal crowds, night after night. I also have no idea how the team is so patient. On a recent visit, we were that large group who took forever to order. Most waitstaff nowadays would lose their s*** and inform you that they would come back when you’re ready. Our waiter was quite the opposite. In lieu of losing patience with us, he engaged with each person at our table, to help us figure it out. I got the impression actually that the team at EN has very little turnover. The employees seemed like they were happy to be there. This showed through in our entire experience at EN.

Overall: 8/10

A go-to restaurant when you need a last minute meal or when you want good, actually really good, Japanese food. EN is also a good option for large groups and when you want to drop in to the Music Room for a late night drink.

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FAQs

Q: Where is EN Japanese Brasserie located?

A: EN restaurant is a Japanese Brasserie is located at 435 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014.

Q: What are the hours of operation of EN restaurant in NYC?

A: The hours of operation of EN restaurant in NYC are as follows:

Q: What kind of food does EN restaurant in NYC serve?

A: EN Japanese Brasserie serves a variety of Japanese dishes, from fresh tofu, robata grill, claypot rice and sushi.