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"It’s not every day that dinner begins with rhododendron kombucha in the backyard of a Fort Greene townhouse, convincingly retrofitted into a Japanese tea room. This restaurant stands out for its kaiseki-style dishes with Polish flourishes, like a traditional potato dumpling crossed with sweet mochiko flour, then filled with warm cheesecake, and served over raspberries and sour cream. But Ikigai is just as noteworthy for operating as a non-profit—they donate earnings from their $185 tasting menu to Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, an organization that combats food insecurity. Remember this for a special occasion that feels thoughtful and relaxed at the same time." - willa moore, bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick