East Village kaiseki Tsukimi is a one-Michelin-starred restaurant that’s been open for six years, and still feels refreshingly elegant and modern under the helm of co-owners executive chef Takanori Akiyama and manager Karen Lin. Its name is the Japanese word for “moon viewing,” the autumnal festival honoring the full moon. It’s a $250, 12-course tasting menu bookable through both Tock and OpenTable, with sake (with an emphasis on breweries led by female tojis, aka master brewers) available and the matcha service finale.
The tasting counter is one of the more unique ones I’ve experienced: Two sets of six counter seats face each other, sandwiching the service area. The servers and chefs serve each group separately instead of talking to everyone at the same time.
The restaurant signals new seasonal menus by the colors of the noren at the door.