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Haru Sake Bar: There’s nothing wrong with Haru Sake Bar, per se, but the Upper East Side’s addition to the chic Haru Sushi chain does seem to have something amiss. The stylish spot serves up intricate and well-made sushi, though it panders more toward the trendy than the authentic. All the usual suspects are on the menu (from toro to tempura to teriyaki); the popular “Gramercy Park,” sports white tuna and pickled jalapeno peppers topped with lemon, cilantro, tobiko and yuko miso sauce ($18), while the “Strawberry Fin” tops yellowtail, jalapenos and mango with scallops, wasabi tobiko and fresh strawberries ($17). The dishes are prettily plated and presented, the sake-based cocktails (like the Ultimate Saketini: Ultimat Vodka, sake and plum wine, $12) are fresh and fruity, and the dimly lit, dark wood décor is sleek without being showy. So what’s the problem? Even though the sushi bar is capable and enjoyable, it’s simply not that memorable...a problem made worse by the fact that there’s a Haru Sushi with the same menu right across the street. Even less helpful, NYC houses dozens of other sushi bars with an identical menu and vibe. So, yes, Haru Sake Bar is...nice. But this is New York—nice gets you nowhere.
Reviewed 9/27/11 |
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