Bar Masa

Owned and overseen by Chef Masa Takayama, who also owns Masa next door, Bar Masa is more casual with no reservations needed. The scene is a long, slender room that is split length-wise, with banquette-backed tables hidden behind Japanese linen curtains on the left, and a svelte, polished wood bar spanning to the right. Diners can begin with a few pieces of sashimi, as the fish here is the most pristine and fresh in the city. Menu items are familiar, yet many, like yakisoba with Kobe-style beef, feature the finest ingredients. The tempura is light and excellent, and other small dishes--including squid jerky and chicken skewers--are fun for sharing.