Tribeca’s First Sushi Restaurant Reinvented

Zutto, Tribeca’s first sushi restaurant, has been a Hudson St. staple for thirty years. While the name and location remain the same, the new chef, Joshua Smookler, has reinvented the classic sushi spot and turned it into a Japanese American izakaya-inspired pub.

The new Japanese menu draws from Smookler’s French culinary training and features an extensive wine, beer, shochu and sake program. One of the chef’s favorite dishes is his signature ramen, which he makes using his own noodle recipe and broths. A menu favorite is the tonkotsu classic bowl, which comes with smoky chasu, sweet pickled ginger, sesame and kikurage.

Although the food alone makes a trip to Tribeca worthwhile, the drink menu is an added bonus. Zutto now features Asahi on draft, which is brewed in Japan and then shipped here. In bottles, the restaurant offers Schneider Weisse, Allagash Dubbel and Hitachino Nest. For wine, Zutto has reds and whites, ranging from Hautes Noelles’ 2010 Muscadet Sur Lie to Kenzo Estate’s 2007 Bordeaux blend. The new menu also offers around 60 different sake, such as Hakushika “Snow Beauty” Junmai and Yaegaki Mu.

To end your meal at this Japanese pub, try the salty sweet chocolate caramel crème du pot or the caramelized brioche with grilled bananas and homemade vanilla ice cream. The mouth-watering desserts, interesting menu and extensive drink list will make you glad Smookler updated this classic sushi spot.

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