Kajitsu
414 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10009
212.228.4873
www.kajitsunyc.com
I owe this unique find to my friend Rachel who is fortunate enough to live not far from this charming restaurant that offers vegetarian Shojin cuisine in a space that is so peaceful that it is far easier to think you are in Kyoto than Manhattan.
Kajitsu changes its menu just once a month, offering five- and seven-course menus for $50 and $70, respectively. (Sake pairings are available.) Each month's menu is posted on the website on the first day of the month.
When you enter, you are led to a tranquil, quiet space with minimalist Japanese decor. What stands out here are the details - from the few art pieces to the service to each little serving bowl. The website explains you may notice carefully repaired cracks or chips on some of the pieces as many are up to 200 years old. The careful repairs represent respect for the master potters.
My friend and I opted for the seven-course menu, which started with my favorite dish of the evening: chilled tomato aspic with avocado, fresh peas, wasabi and umadashi sauce (below). The combination of flavors played well, with every bite leading to something a bit new.
Noodles (kept chilled with an ice cube buried underneath them) with sesame dipping sauce were a little more ordinary and came before the soup with simmered watermelon, shiso and junsai shoots (below). The soup was another surprising blend of flavors and textures.
Buckwheat risotto with porcini mushrooms (below in cup), fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with corn and an array of fruit made for fun mix of foods, with the fried zucchini blossom a wonderful standout. The fruits were a nice palate cleanser.
The main course was a spaghetti squash stuffed with chilled summer vegetable soup served over mixed tempura. It was good and the presentation was lovely, but it was not outstanding.
After a course of asparagus rice, we finished the evening with a heavenly fresh peach mochi and then some matcha tea.
This is one of the more unique vegetarian restaurants I have visited and I highly recommend a visit. I can't wait to return.
414 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10009
212.228.4873
www.kajitsunyc.com
I owe this unique find to my friend Rachel who is fortunate enough to live not far from this charming restaurant that offers vegetarian Shojin cuisine in a space that is so peaceful that it is far easier to think you are in Kyoto than Manhattan.
Kajitsu changes its menu just once a month, offering five- and seven-course menus for $50 and $70, respectively. (Sake pairings are available.) Each month's menu is posted on the website on the first day of the month.
When you enter, you are led to a tranquil, quiet space with minimalist Japanese decor. What stands out here are the details - from the few art pieces to the service to each little serving bowl. The website explains you may notice carefully repaired cracks or chips on some of the pieces as many are up to 200 years old. The careful repairs represent respect for the master potters.
My friend and I opted for the seven-course menu, which started with my favorite dish of the evening: chilled tomato aspic with avocado, fresh peas, wasabi and umadashi sauce (below). The combination of flavors played well, with every bite leading to something a bit new.
Noodles (kept chilled with an ice cube buried underneath them) with sesame dipping sauce were a little more ordinary and came before the soup with simmered watermelon, shiso and junsai shoots (below). The soup was another surprising blend of flavors and textures.
Buckwheat risotto with porcini mushrooms (below in cup), fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with corn and an array of fruit made for fun mix of foods, with the fried zucchini blossom a wonderful standout. The fruits were a nice palate cleanser.
The main course was a spaghetti squash stuffed with chilled summer vegetable soup served over mixed tempura. It was good and the presentation was lovely, but it was not outstanding.After a course of asparagus rice, we finished the evening with a heavenly fresh peach mochi and then some matcha tea.
This is one of the more unique vegetarian restaurants I have visited and I highly recommend a visit. I can't wait to return.
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