Pretty good food here, the crispy pork cheeks were really good, loved them and the duck breast too.. Portion is just right. I need to come back to try their brunch, heard they serve the bacon donburi

Came here with a group of 4 for dinner, place was small with not too many tables, but we sat comfortably and noise level was moderate enough for us to talk without shouting over each other. Ordered drinks from their cocktail list to start (brownstone, desert lily, revival meeting), but were not what we expected so we had to send them back. The drinks were too strong for us with the alcohol overpowering the rest of the ingredients. We decided to approach dinner family style so we could all try a few of the dishes on the menu. Mackarel tataki and duck meatballs to start, followed by flat iron steak, spicy lobster noodles and the whole snapper. Wasn't too keen on the whole fish when we were ordering, as I had imagined it steamed and bones were going to be tricky, but it turned out being hands down my favorite dish of the night. It was slightly crispy on the outside, and although not deboned, the fish fillet came apart easily and was extremely tender. Flavor was simple with the ginger soy glaze, yet felt surprisingly right. We devoured the fish. The mackarel tataki was a bit too fishy and sinewy for my taste even though I usually love sashimi and tartare. Felt like something was missing from the ingredients to make it stand out. Duck meatballs, steak, spicy lobster noodles were great. Exactly what you'd expect to get based on the menu description.

One of THE BEST meals I've had in awhile. Well I've had a lot of good food lately, since that's what I look for, but this was a STANDOUT place. First, the place is really nice. Light grey marble tables opposite dark accents with candle light make it really minimalistic chic mixed with the inviting quality that candlelight adds. Really enjoyed the feel of the place as soon as I walked in. Our waiter did a great job of confirming up our choices and making sure we tried great menu items. Highly recommend the pork cheek fritters and the duck meatballs to start. Both had dynamic flavors distinctly different from one another. Everything tasted super fresh. My friend and I both opted for the fish special that evening. I came in fixed on the steak, but was diverted quickly from the waiter who really couldn't praise it more. It was a durad filet that was cooked to perfection. Nice crispy flavorful skin atop a flaky moist fillet. It was complemented with a side of buttery greens, something (damn it's escaping me) in a curry sauce and then a garlic yogurt style aioli. Seriously good. The flavor didn't let up. Then we finished the meal with a cake that was served with an apple puree and creme fraiche to dip it in. Really good. I can't wait to come back with other friends to try even more things. And you can't beat the prices! 2 cocktails, 2 apps, 2 entrees, and dessert for $48/person. Yeah, it's good. Deal Seeking Diva tip: Check out their happy hour specials every day from 5-7:30PM. Saw they had HH on a sandwich board outside the restaurant when I arrived.

At first glance, it might be easy to overlook Bara. There's a plethora of restaurants offering similar "fusion" themes, and the concept of shared small plates is nothing particularly novel. One shouldn't judge a book by its cover, however; take note that Ian Alvarez, the chef behind Bara, has done time behind a varied number of kitchens, including Frank's, Momofuku Noodle Bar, and Buttermilk Channel. It's, perhaps, a little confusing as to why he would open up a restaurant offering dishes with roots in Japanese and French cuisine, but needless to say, I was certainly curious. The space is minimalistic, with the typical set up of rows of two-tops and a small bar area that allows some peeks into the kitchen. We were only one of a few of parties seated, so service was on point throughout the meal and our questions regarding the food and drinks menu were quickly addressed. The menu is split out into small "1st" and large "2nd" plates, with a handful of sides available as well; they're ideal for sharing, especially for those who want to try as much as the menu as possible. From the small plates, the East Coast Oysters are an easy starter for lovers of these bivalves. The Montauk oysters we had definitely leaned on the brinier side, but the addition of water kimchi and yuzu helped make them more palatable. A more unique bite are the Grilled Duck Meatballs, which were surprisingly tender given the nature of the protein, and had an added punch of umami thanks to a generous side of miso mustard. Also worth an order is the Chawanmushi Custard, a modern take on the traditional steamed egg custard that's topped with crab salad, radish, and celery; the added freshness and crispness is a welcome counter to the soft egg base. I'm sad to see that the Bacon Donburi is no longer available on the menu, but it's one of the heartier dishes that we tried. Just imagine: a hearty base of warm sushi rice topped with a slow-poached egg, pickled cucumbers and mushrooms, umeboshi, a generous serving of bacon, and a drizzle of plum sauce. Of all the dishes we tried, it was probably the most "fusion"-esque and one of the more successful in execution. The bowl had the ideal balance of savoriness, richness, acidity, and texture - and the plum sauce contributed just the right amount of sweetness to round out the dimension. Bara doesn't seem have to have received the amount of the love and publicity that I think it deserves. For those that are hesitant, their newly launched Happy Hour (available on both weekdays and weekends) appears to be the perfect way to sample what the restaurant has to offer - and I can assure you, it'll be worth the chance.

It was one of my treat myself nights where I try out a new restaurant. I was the last guest of the night and the service was still impeccable. They're attentive and simply nice. I ordered the Gem Salad and Flatiron Steak. The salad was fine, but nothing special. But my steak was simply delicious! I loved the asian twist to the steak. The sauce might be a bit heavy for some, but it was perfect for me. For $22, it was just an awesome value in the city. I am definitely coming back with a friend for their lobster noodles and mushroom side! I don't think anyone can go wrong with giving this place a try.

This place is small and cozy. I got the duck as my entree and it was delicious. It was a little on the chewy side. My friend got the fish. That dish was really big. The fish was also good.

I stumbled upon Bara two weeks ago, which replaced the previous restaurant - Prima. It was a quiet night; just exactly the environment I wanted. it was low lit, rustic; background music couldn't be better. Service was attentive and prompt. I was handed the menu and served my choice of wine shortly after seated. Interesting menu, it is "the wine bar tradition of Paris with the Japanese izakaya" (in its own words). I started with the mackerel tataki with shaved horseradish ponzu trout roe. Refreshing! Love the slightly pungent tasting from the radish - almost wasabi like. And The crunchy rice crisp adds good contrast to the texture. Topped it with trout roe which adds briny and sweetness to the dish. It's simple yet have layers of flavors. Second came the honeycomb tripe. Love it! I like tripe and I ordered them every time I go to izakaya or Chinese restaurants. This was not the regular version I had tried. Instead of miso, it was simmered in lobster cream, paired with glazed baby carrots, tarragon. Very savory and perfectly portioned. The was so soft and juicy, almost melt in my mouth! i will come back just for this one. I was not too hungry so did not get to explore the menu extensively. And I shall be back and try more soon. Especially I just noticed they are offering a special spring tasting menu end of this month :) Service was on point. It is obviously a perfect date spot. But if you come here solo like myself, you can always take up one of the four bar seats where you can have a peek into the kitchen.