Wasabi Grill in New City Opens
Wasabi Grill — the new sushi and hibachi restaurant — is bringing a sophisticated but playful feel to the dining scene in New City. There’s something just hip about it.
The restaurant opens for dinner today, but had a few pre-opening parties this weekend. Owner Doug Chi Nguyen invited a few friends and family to check out the scene. I went last night.
When you walk in there’s a small lounge area lined with stone. Nine white Buddhas with big bellies are lit in nine recessed squares. A leather couch and a few ottomans are gathered in a semicircle for easy conversation.
The restaurant’s walls are green and the bar is back lit with like the one at Wasabi in Nyack.
Three televisions above the bar are in sync with the three televisions by the communal tables across from it:
A large party could take a whole table, or prepare to make friends.
In the back of the room there’s a banquette and mirrors tilt down from the wall toward the diners. There are also a few two-tops along side the sushi bar and hibachi grill.
You will be able to sit at the sushi and hibachi bar eventually, but last night it was being used for the buffet:
Chef Doug:
Sushi platters:
Lo Mein:
Beef with honey sauce and with mustard sauce, lo mein, and chicken:
The cocktail menu is full of fun old-school drinks like zombies and my mai tai:
Yum.
A look at the cocktail menu:
Nice prices, too.
The drinks are usually served in the white Buddha:
I went to Wasabi Grill last night. The food was excellent. I had the Rib Eye pan seared in an iron skillet with teriyaki sauce. someone at the table had the short ribs in plum sauce that was AMAZING.
Thrilled to see Diane there as a bartender. She was a bartender at Restaurant X and is super nice and professional.
My only “complaint” is the lighting levels seemed a little bright. Not much of a complaint… just dim them a little.
We’ll be back.