THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Aburiya Toranoko

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Aburiya Toranoko Restaurant Review:

Michael Hide Cardenas, owner of the Lazy Ox Canteen just next door, operates Aburiya Toranoko with chef/partner Hisaharu Kawabe, and the place has earned almost as much of a cult following as its acclaimed neighbor. The funky eatery has an edgy urban vibe, with a design billed as sort of a Big Apple-Little Tokyo hybrid. In addition to artsy graffiti, some impressive murals are featured, including one of a tiger behind the sushi bar. Toranoko offers an extensive, wide-ranging menu that includes quality sushi and sashimi, as well as the kind of comfort food we have come to expect from an authentic izakaya. Char-grilled specialties include chicken livers, duck, Kobe sausage and lamb chops, while beef tongue stew, deep-fried squid, fried chicken, uni-topped house-made tofu, and okonomiyaki (pork or seafood on savory pancakes) only begin to round out the menu. A first-rate selection of sakés is offered, plus Japanese beers and shochu. We enjoy this place because it is so different from other Japanese restaurants in town, and despite its long menu, good execution and service consistently prevail. For dessert, consider a light green tea pudding or brûléed cheesecake.