"It’s Bohemian
industrial," Jack Luu says in describing Shinjuku Japanese
Cuisine, the restaurant he manages on Atlantic Avenue.
"There are hand-pressed heavy metal I-beams, and instead
of the conventional wood sushi bar, ours is made of brass edged
in silver – very beautiful."
He’s as enthusiastic about the food as he is the surroundings.
For two big eaters, Luu recommends the "Love Boat":
10 pieces of sushi, 18 slices of sashimi, one maki roll selected
by the chef and the Alaskan salmon roll plus miso soup and salad.
"Everyone who comes in since we opened on July Fourth says,
’Wow. Wonderful. Very fresh,’" says Luu.
One of his favorite menu items is the Empire roll, filled with
soft-shell crab, eel, avocado and salmon caviar rolled in thin
slices of cucumber instead of rice.
There’s a hibachi section on the menu, too. "But,"
says Luu, "it’s not like Benihani. We do the cooking in
the kitchen."
The wine list is small but growing; and the six sakes offered
include one that is "slightly sweet, unfiltered and milky
white" and another that’s "oaky with a cedar cast."
Luu can accommodate parties up to 12 behind the screens of the
private tatami room, the perfect place for a cruise on the Love
Boat.
Shinjuku Japanese Cuisine (177 Atlantic Ave. between Clinton
and Court streets in Brooklyn Heights) accepts Visa, MasterCard,
American Express and Discover. Entrees: $9.95 to $45.95 (for
the "Love Boat" for two). The restaurant serves lunch
and dinner seven days a week. For reservations call (718) 935-1300.
