mary eats

My review of the Japanese Izakaya, Shoubu runs in the Times today. You can read it here.

This Japanese drinking den takes a décor clue from TGIFridays. Edo era posters, vintage sake ads, and the luck cat, clutter the restaurant with their kitschy charm. The iconic red lanterns hang about the restaurant casting an underworld glow. A mod deal wouldn’t be out of place, nor is group of drunk college girls gossiping away in the corner. The idea here is to stop in for a bite and a pint before heading home, attempting to compost a meal from the menu’s myriad of appetizers will prove tiresome, on your palate and wallet. Instead opt for the okonomiyaki, a fluffy seafood and cabbage pancake, or the Vietnamese salad rolls. Sake is available, starting at 9,000won, budget conscious will do fine with the Korean Chunghwa 3,000won.