I love all of the Blue Ribbon restaurants, and was excited to try their new baby, Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya. This new spot, located in the old Shang space in the Thompson LES Hotel, is great! I stopped in last month, ate a lot of food, and loved it all. This is the perfect place for drinks and great Japanese bites. It is a Japanese tavern, with great food. The fact this place is open til 2am, is also awesome, for it will be satisfying my late night downtown Japanese cravings for years to come!

We started with an assortment of their vegetables, which were refreshing, flavorful, and perfect.

Horse mackerel sashimi, is magically presented.

Short rib skewers were delicious.

Sea Scallop and miso butter skewers were unbelievable and orgasmic. A must order. Wow!

Beef tongue, with daikon, shitake, and black truffle teriyaki was tasty as can be.

Oxtail and bone marrow fried rice is absolutely mindblowing! The best fried rice dish I've ever had. My second culinary orgasm of the evening. Order it, trust me.

The fried chicken served here is also something to talk about. Why? Because it is beyond awesome! Some of the best in town, you must order it too. You can thank me later. I would describe it as "Awesome Squared". The Colonel would be proud.

End with a green tea creme bruleé, and your evening will be complete.

The Lower East Side of Manhattan can get a little nutty at night, with hoards of drunkards ruling the streets. Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya offers a fabulous escape to tickle your taste buds, and satisfy your thirst, in a space geared for eating, drinking, and conversing. It's a great place.

Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya
190 Allen St. (second floor of the Thompson LES Hotel, entrance on Orchard)
New York, NY 10002
212-466-0404

www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/nyc/thompson-les/eat/blue-ribbon-sushi-izakaya