David L.
Yelp
I have a cold, and it's raining outside -- perhaps it wasn't the best idea to walk 77 streets and 7 avenues, but I was bored, had nothing better to do, and was desperately in search of comforting -- next week my life is being flipped entirely upside-down and until then I'm in need of constant distraction... I've walked by Japan Premium Beef a couple times in the past couple weeks, during my walking explorations of Little Italy and SoHo and Chinatown, but hadn't yet built up the nerve to puruse, that is until today -- with a hell-for-leather attitude, I finally got up the gumption.
First thing's first, it's like stepping into a set from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey -- the scene in the glowing-room toward the end of the film (where Dave approaches the Monolith and becomes a free-floating fetus and, metaphorically, returns to and equals Mother Earth)... Perhaps I've said too much?... Anyway, needless to say, the storefront is is stark and austere, a thing of beauty of art -- and the service is phenomenally informative and patient.
I bought some flank steak (to make a tartare with lots of shallots, topped with a quail egg, and capers and cornichon on the side), some tongue (to grill, and serve with lemon and wasabi, accompanied by steamed asparagus), and some ground meat (to make a hamburger patty, covered in Cabralles, with a side of roasted brussel sprouts) -- and, boy oh boy, let me tell you, I cooked this stuff as soon as I got home -- by the by, they packed it immaculately, perfect for my long walk back... Just moments ago I finished eating everything...A little fat, a little salt, a little pepper, and a hot frying pan -- that's all I needed to prepare three different dishes... Hot damn this stuff is really really good -- a very comforting meal for myself (I have a cold), extremely high quality meat, very little effort required, for $15... Pure bliss!
I'll definitely be coming back. How soon, I cannot say. But whenever there's a special occasion, or next time I'm feeling under the weather (which, thankfully, is infrequently), you'll definitely be sure to find me here.