Gaijin - Étlap

I had a wonderful first visit to this restaurant. The okonomiyaki, freshly made and served hot on a personal teppanyaki pan, had a fantastic balance of flavors. The mochi donut was also a delightful and creative treat. I rate this place 4 stars mainly because the flavors could be more pronounced based on my experience, and the prices could be a bit more affordable. Nevertheless, this is definitely a restaurant I would visit again!

My friend and shared the following 3 plates: Marinated beef ribs, octopus okonomiyaki with crispy rice , and matcha citrus mochi donut. We went in hungry and the above was filling enough and no leftovers so I was happy I didn't do the tasting menu for 40. Marinated beef ribs came with 3 slices of beef and a small scoop of rice about 3 tablespoons . The beef was tender and well seasoned. Octopus okonomiyaki Osaka style was very much like the one I had in Osaka, Japan so I was impressed. The ingredients were fresh, crisp, and cooked to perfection. I do wish for more octopus meat, but that's me being greedy. The one disappointing dish was the mochi donut. It wa so heavy and dense and not like t...

I particularly enjoyed the cauliflower base, which added a wonderful heartiness to the dish. While a side of white rice could complement it well, it certainly didn’t detract from the meal's quality. The homemade kimchi and pickled vegetables were simply delicious. The chef and owner, Paul Virant, was kind enough to stop by our table to take our order and chat with us. It was fantastic to engage with him and see other patrons being treated so warmly by the staff, who were incredibly hospitable! I really enjoyed sitting at the counter and watching the cooking process. Lastly, the coffee was among the best I’ve ever had—it was rich, layered with flavor, and not bitter at all. I paired it wit...