#NIKUX

[jasmineway]

Niku X // 9-9-2023

Every now and then, you have to go for the Instagram pick. Especially when one of your friends invites you to said pick for your birthday. I previously had a near-meal here for Sofia's birthday, but because they wouldn't allow me to get a steak menu due to allergies if the rest of the party ordered sushi, I'd missed that evening (she and I would come back later for this experience... more on that later).

Arrival

Valet is outside on the busy DTLA street, so you will cross a good number of stairs and a modern fountain on your way up the steps to the Intercontinental Hotel. The restaurant is just tucked away on the second floor off the lobby, but you'll find it via a cool mosaic that just as much screams subway tile as it does vintage mosaic.

The Menu

There are no choices to select from, as the Yakiniku menu is pretty much prix fixe. I did get one swap self-selected by my server, a clean dressed gentleman in a full 3 piece suit (yes, everyone on staff seems impeccably dressed even when cooking).

I didn't pay too close attention to their beverage menu, but the cocktails hit solidly for Tony and I quite enjoyed my zero-proof Yuzu whatever I had.

First came our amuse bouche. I wish I could remember what this was, but these photos were lost to time for a solid year and a half before a harddrive recovery brought them back. It was rich and had notes of miso.

In replacement of a certain deadly ingredient, I was offered a 'bone marrow appetizer,' something I expected to be a small mallowy slice to eat with a creative interpretation of carb. Instead, I was brought out what looked like a brontosaurus bone, that immediately proceeded to become flambe'd.

Tony, my dining partner in crime and eager dining companion, was very excited when they started plating accoutrements.

Course One:

Accoutrements, aka, The Five

The Five: Wheat / Almond / Rice / Corn / Barley / Corn Potage / Wagyu Tallow Popcorn

Course Two:

Raw Tuna for Tony, Brontosaurus for Jazz (no I'm not over it)

Sashimi and Tartare: A5 Hyogo Tenderloin / Half Moon Bay Wasabi / A5 Miyazaki Rib Cap

Brontosaurus bone on milk bread... lives rent free in my dreams.

The Grill - Yakiniku

Yakiniku / Grill Pichuberry / Sunomono / Cornichons / Burdock

The menu doesn't really make a ton of sense to me from a flow or organization standpoint, so I'll list the types of Wagyu our chef then came to cook in front of us, JBBQ style:

Charcoal Grilled Vegetable Sesame / Miso / Tomato / Sweet Pepper / Squashini

Masami Ranch Beef Tongue Shio Kombu / Meyer Lemon

Stone Axe Chuck Rib Ume Chimichurri Marinade

A5 Toriyama Top Blade (Misuji) Asian Pear / Yakiniku / Jidori Egg Yolk

The Reveal

They had real artistry to revealing the wagyu, which I can summarize with this photo... it was dreamy, and this picture has not been edited.

Everything was cooked to perfection, which is really important, because on a future visit, things were not, and it killed the experience (tl;dr our chef that visit was inexperienced and unintentionally unprofessional. They also did not let me order said giant bone marrow a la carte, despite specifically citing it when I made the reservation, explaining it's gatekept behind a fancy sharable Tomahawk menu which... why have it on the a la carte options at all then? Sof also got an upset stomach that night so truly your chef matters).

There was also two bonus meats after The Reveal, which included:

Masami Ranch Striploin Strawberry Sukiyaki Shiso Leaf / Chives / Lavender Radish / Currant

A5 Toriyama Chuck Roll Sabayon Jidori Egg Yolk / Summer Truffle / Charcoal Grilled Onigiri

Closer:

Chilled Somen Dragon Fruit / Shimeji

Sorbet

Overall, this evening (with Tony) was spectacular. It was definitely a bit overhyped, and we were made to wait a good 20m past our reservation time despite arriving early, but for the price-to-taste-x-quality it was a really good match the first go around about ~$150 a person. The latter visit when little things compounded was not as convincing, but I do feel everyone meant well (I just can't help but wonder if attending with a known local foodie vs. coming to treat my own friend, despite running similar tabs, had anything to do with the latter experience).

I'd say, if you can field the cost, it's worth giving a shot. I believe in the team making a good experience. However, if it's a special occasion and this is a big splurge, maybe save it for somewhere with more consistency. There's a lot to be said for style, of which here has plenty--but their logistics needs a little work before it's a smooth sailing reccomendation.

Until next time!

[imeventz]

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