Entering Budonoki feels like stepping into a cool party: neon LED wall art lights up the room; 2000s R&B hits are bumping; and the fun, inviting vibe permeates all corners. The most important aspect about this 2024 Eater Best New Restaurant winner, however, is its inventive and irreverent food. Helmed by executive chef Dan Rabilwongse with partners Eric Bedroussian and Josh Hartley, Budonoki is an adventure that combines Japanese precision with bright Thai flavors and French techniques.
The most iconic drink at Budonoki is the Girl’s Night Out, a sweet and citrusy plum wine cocktail that arrives in an adorable animal-shaped mug. Half the fun of ordering this drink is seeing which whimsical creature you’ll get; options include otters, whales, and penguins. There’s also an extensive sake menu to peruse.
A birthday party (book a large patio table or the round table with a lazy Susan that foregrounds the host’s stand), a meal out with friends, or a date night that doesn’t feel too fancy but still impresses.
Save room for dessert. Although the flavors rotate, the soft serve is never cloying, and arrives with an adorable spoon shaped like a shovel that you can take home.