Ever since I heard about the news of this Japanese restaurant opening in NYC, I was so excited to visit and try the unique dining experience this place offers. Just few months before their one year anniversary, I finally got to visit them for the first time! What is so unique about this restaurant? Well, it is a place where you can catch your own fish…literally!
The first thing you see when you enter is a large fish tank, and a massive, wooden boat, suspended from the ceiling! The 60-foot-long boat is handmade, designed and sized specifically to fit this space. Very impressive, indeed!
They have a fully stocked bar up front near the entrance, and seating alongside walls, going all the way back. They have some dividers between some tables, providing a sense of privacy of some sort. The dividers do not block the view or the noise completely, keeping the space open and airy. Heavy use of wood and bricks, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
The lighting in this restaurant is very creative and interesting. One section has a light bulbs hanging from a small wooden boat. Above the booth in the back, light bulbs loosely wrapped around wooden wheel.
Up the stairs, they have more seating and more fish tanks. Here, you get to feel like you are actually on that massive boat! You also get to have a nice view of the downstairs from here.
The second floor fish tanks contain more than the regular fishes. Here, you can get Fluke, Lobster, Abalone, Flounder, and Rockfish. They also have a tank that contains the same kind of fishes as the one downstairs.
Not to worry, information on the fish – what kind they are, where they are, and how they can be cooked – are all indicated in the Zauo Fish Book. It also has instruction on how to fish at Zauo. They were cute, easy to read and understand, and fun to look at.
First, we had to obtain a Fishing License by signing a waiver. Wear it around your neck, get a poncho so that you won’t get splashed during your encounter with an energetic fish.
Each kind of fish has its own tank, so you know exactly what kind of fish you are after. This is very important, since the price of fish vary a lot, between $38 and $158. Another thing to note is their no-catch-and-release policy. That means, you have to eat what you catch. So make sure you locate the correct fish tank. They have Rainbow Trout, Salmon Trout, and Striped Bass on the first floor (also on the second floor tank as well). Once you are in your poncho and gotten a fishing rod, a staff, or “Fish Attendant” will be assigned to you, guiding and helping you fish from the beginning to the end. My hubby and I bravely went over to the Rainbow Trout fish tank, and started fishing!
Our fish attendant explained the fishes in tanks, guided us on the best way to catch one. The bait was made of something between a gum and slime. It glows in the dark, so you can see your bait under the water. It was recommended to hold the bait still, let the fish nibble on it, and then pull it out as quickly as you can. This one easier said than done. I think the fishes in the tank have had some practice releasing the bait… But, I caught my fish and my fish attendant proudly scooped it out into the air. After my hubby caught his fish, we were then ushered over to a taiko drum. They did a celebratory drum and cheer to commemorate our catch. It was kind of funny but very much fun. It did give us a feeling of accomplishment. That being said, you might not want to have a table right near the taiko drum…
We had decide on how we want our fishes to be cooked right there, so that the staff can take them away to the kitchen. Each fish can be cooked in four ways: sashimi, tempura, simmered in soy sauce, or grilled with salt. But then, a staff told me something really fun. He told me we can get our fish to be cooked half-and-half. And even more, there was an option to get Shabu Shabu (for additional cost)! So, we decided to do half Shabu Shabu ($24/half fish), and half Salt Grilled ($19/half fish).
There were four of us, and only two of us went fishing. So, we ordered several side dishes, which is always a good choice, as it takes time to prepare your freshly caught fish. We had Oshinko ($8), assorted Japanese style pickles. I liked that they offered various kinds of oshinko, but at the same time, the portion of each was a bit small. It was very good though, tasty and good quality.
We also had Tako-Wasabi ($7), chopped raw octopus flavored with wasabi. It was fresh with really nice flavor of wasabi, without being overwhelming. Then, Agedashi Go Tofu ($11), deep fried tofu in a savory dashi sauce. It came with a few veggies, this one was really tasty. And last but least, Tako Kara-Age (11), fried octopus. Lightly fried, with nice crunchy exterior and fluffy, bouncy inside. Each item was tasty, but again, a bit small in portion, especially for a group of four or more.
We did have some cold, tasty drinks to accompany our food. I ordered Kinoene Yuagari Yuzu Sake (10/glass) from Fruit Sake section. They brought a small glass in a wooden masu cup, and a small bottle containing the sake. In such case, the amount of sake given to you is more than the glass can contain. It shows appreciation of your business by the restaurant, and yes, a really cool way to have your drink too. It was really good sake, especially for the ones who enjoys fruity drinks like me.
Another drink of choice was Kirin Ichiban Draft Beer ($8). I took this photo after my hubby had a sip or two. You can’t go wrong with a Japanese beer when enjoying some Japanese food…
Now, the main dish, our freshly caught Rainbow Trout! Half of the fish was cooked “Salt Grilled” with their special salt blend. Broiled over an open flame. Simple yet comforting. The fish was plump and juicy, really good!
But when it comes to “fun” dining, Shabu Shabu style took the spot light. We got all excited when a staff brought the Shabu Shabu kit (?) to the table and lit the fire. Half of our fish was sliced nice and thin as they should, beautifully plated.
We each took a piece of raw rainbow trout slice, and cooked in the boiling water. You can cook as much or as little as you like, dip it in the dipping sauce and off you go! It was fun and tasty, especially with a fun group!
After the seafood feast, we decided to order one dessert to share. We chose Matcha Tira”MASU” ($10). It is a matcha tiramisu, placed in the “masu”, hence the name of the dessert. It had “Zauo” written on the top in Japanese, I thought that was a cute touch.
The matcha tiramisu was really good, very creamy with wonderful matcha flavor. It had sponge cake on the bottom, fluffy and airy. We obviously enjoyed them since it disappeared quickly…
The bathroom is located on the second floor, a bit tucked away. They had one bathroom for each sex, so they can be a line for the bathroom in a narrow hallway. The bathroom was clean, well-lit, and organized.
Needless to say, we had loads of fun! My hubby and I got to fish for our dinner, while our friends and staffs cheered us on. Fishing is NOT a requirement here, you can still order the fish off the menu, just gonna cost you around $10 – $20 more. So, by fishing, you are gonna save that much money! Not in a mood for fish? They have all sorts of appetizers, sushi, soup, rice, and noodle dishes.
Zauo is a Japanese restaurant, with over a dozen locations in Japan. This is their first international location. I heard they have Japanese chefs preparing the dishes here in NYC, which is pretty cool. I really hope they will do well. I heard they now have third floor open, for Sushi Omakase only.
If you are looking for a fun dining activities for your family or friends, this might be a good spot! Who ever thought you can go fishing in a middle of Manhattan?
Zauo – 152 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011