Glossy Sashimi and Grilled Wagyu Off West 54th Street

The counter here runs long, and the sashimi arrives stacked high on shredded daikon, mackerel and tuna glinting beside oysters on the half shell and a spray of shiso. This is an izakaya that swings between raw and grilled without losing focus. Sliced wagyu lands on a black plate in a pool of sauce, its edges charred, blistered tomatoes tucked around it. Cubes of beef and chicken come off the grill glossy, paired with two dipping sauces for trading bites across the table. The dragon roll is the showpiece, avocado fanned over shrimp tempura and finished with a dark ribbon of eel sauce. West 54th Street stays calm enough to actually talk over dinner. A 4.7 rating across more than 900 reviews backs up a room that stays busy well into the evening. Come hungry, order in waves, and let the kitchen set the pace.