THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Chanto

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Chanto Restaurant Review:

Once a ’90s hotspot, this three-level West Village space now houses Chanto, the Japanese chain’s first venture in the United States. A massive faux fire projected on the wall greets diners and ornate chandeliers and massive picture windows looking down on bustling Seventh Avenue make for a sleek and elegant atmosphere. Service is attentive without being intrusive. But Chanto’s shine dulls when the plates hit your table. The choki choki steak---which is actually short ribs, cut off the bone at your table by the server---is chewy and can’t be saved by the spicy miso sauce accompaniment. The sushi rolls, some of which are standard fare, are fine but not exceptional, highlighted by the inventive fish ‘n’ chips roll (fluke wrapped in potato). The wasabi Caesar salad and the signature dish, King of Kimchi, seafood wrapped in kimchi, are menu standouts.