Take the 6 train to Astor Place and walk south one block.
PAYMENT
POPULAR DISH
Choose your weapons, point, and shoot. You pick your type of meat, your cut of meat, your marinade, your dipping sauce, your side veggies and then you cook it yourself to your preferred temperature. The mustard miso dressing on the gyu-kaku salad is
on-point, the ahi poke (raw tuna, Hawaiian style) is a fish lover's heaven and the yuzu (Japanese citrus) marinade is tangy perfection.
UNIQUE DISH
Affordable Kobe beef is nearly impossible to find, so go for it. The portions are small and inexpensive, so it's best to order a few different items and give your palate a party.
DRINKS
There is a full bar, an ample wine and beer list, and an impressive selection of saki. For a new twist on an old fave, try one of the sho-chu mojitos. (shochu is a vodka-ish alcohol similar to Korean Soju).
SEATING
The place is humongous, but gets packed. Best bet is to make reservations on the website.
AMBIENCE/CLIENTELE
Picture Benihana's dressed in a tuxedo. It's sleek and fabulous, but not snobby, and always filled with festivity.
Extras/Notes
Gyu-Kaku means "bull's horn," a name that reflects the management's emphasis on high quality service. The bull's horn is meant to represent an antenna that is attuned to the needs
of each customer. Hey, don't ask me, it's an Eastern thing.
OTHER ONES
Apparently, there are 800 locations worldwide, with 8 in the US and 2 in New York.
. Midtown: 805 3rd Ave., 2nd Floor (between 49th St. and 50th St.), Manhattan 10022, (212) 702-8816. This location is also open for lunch
(Mon-Sat: 11:30 AM-2 PM)
