We went to a new restaurant on Erie Boulevard last night, and if a well attended Monday night is an indication of the demand for the rest of the week, this place is a winner.
Koto’s is a Japanese steak house combining my two favorite kinds of Japanese food: sushi and a hibachi grill. Tom, Harry, Natalie and I opted for a regular table and sushi, but our seats in the elevated center gave us a full view of three hibachi grills so we vowed to return soon for the full experience at the grill.
Our sushi was delicious. It was fresh, inventive, and the service was rapid and thorough. The hibachi grill beside us was colorful, aromatic, lively and at one point, incendiary. The comical chef put just a little too much oil on the grill and the resulting smoke set off the fire alarm. Anxious owners scurried with cell phones as surely the Syracuse Fire Department wanted to know if everything was OK. It was. The downdraft fans were momentarily overwhelmed and let a little too much smoke waft toward the ceiling. I’m sure they’ll adjust all the hardware in this two week old establishment to prevent the alarm from happening again.
The grill chefs were magicians with their knives and spatulas, and one in particular delighted the room with his careful toss of bite sized food right into the open mouths of the diners who were seated around the grill like theater. I didn’t know these people but I was pulling for each one of them to get the food in their mouths and not the tip of their nose. I don’t even know what was thrown; a scallop? A cucumber? I can’t recall because I was laughing at the spectacle.
The interior of Koto’s is updated and sophisticated, with lots of black and cream and lighting in jewel tones that changes without you even being aware of it. The prettiest section is the room in the back which features dramatic white lighting on dry-stacked stone forming sections of the walls. The back room handles dining room overflow and hosts private functions as well.
Japanese food is healthy and fresh, and doesn’t overwhelm the plate and the palate with volume. It is artistic as much as it is delicious. Give it a try.
Not usually a busy night in restaurants, Monday saw many diners at Koto's
Most of all, try the hibachi grill with a group of friends, or go by yourself and form a table with strangers. You’ll be amazed and entertained and oh, you’ll leave with plenty of good food in your belly.
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