Sen NYC

12 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
www.senrestaurant.com/nyc/

Went to this new-ish Japanese restaurant when it first opened a few months ago. So perhaps they were still working out the kinks.

Uber-hipster wannabe vibe. Lounge out front, with formal dining further back.

First off, the restaurant may have hired too much wait-staff. Or perhaps the Saturday dinner rush comes later in the evening? I have never been waited on by so many people, so poorly. Was met at the door by at least three "hosts".

Was early for my dinner reservation and my dinner date had yet to arrive. They suggested that I sit at the bar to wait for my dinner companion as opposed to seating me at my table even though the restaurant was nearly empty. I was escorted to the bar by two (2 ?!?) hosts. When my dinner date did arrive, there was a bit of confusion as to whom should escort us to our table. By this point, there must have been at least five "hosts" wandering around clueless and just waiting expectantly at the entrance for I guess the rush that never did come--at least not while I was there. (I left at around 9:30 p.m.)

We finally got seated and we must have been waited on by at least five other wait staff. Ridiculous and confusing.

Food
King California sushi roll (Alaskan snow crab, avocado, and cucumber) was okay. Have had wayyy better rolls at Asuka (see previous posts).

Vegetable tempura was really good. Very lightly fried, and not greasy at all. The fine sea salt gave it a very nice crunch! Ponzu sauce was light and tasty.

Main entree, which was touted as being the most popular dish at the restaurant was the Mero--Japanese sea bass with crisp puffed rice and black goma ponzu sauce. It was not plated in the most appealing manner. It seemed like a big round, mound of fish. Found it rather tasteless.

Drink
Unmemorable. Think we ordered a bottle of some kind of riesling.


Pros: Large space with a cool, dark vibe. Vegetable tempura.
Cons: Too try-hard feel for the expense. And the food was mostly mediocre at best.