I love Izakayas. I always look for them wherever I go. I sent some friends to one in Las Vegas, and it was their best dining experience in what happens to be a great food town. In New York, there are 6 great Izakayas that are amazing. But this Izakaya left me a bit unimpressed. The food was not as precise and pristine and clean as I expect from Japanese cuisine. There is a nice variety, but the quality was not impressive. I had heard so much good about this, but I think the high ratings were not justified unfortunately. The place needs more precision and fresher incredients. Perhaps they are trying to do too much. I might go back and try the ramen. I have heard good things from a Japanese expat-but she is quite young, and sometimes younger eaters have a different sensibility than old fogies like me. My wife-Asian-was even less impressed.