Glad they are doing well, and that the food is in top shape. We had a great meal there a few weeks ago, even though we didn’t get served by Chef Tomita (damn gwb traffic). The second chef(anyone know his name?) has improved a lot, and I feel that as long as Chef Tomita is in the house doing the prep it’s still great. The switch to all nigiri seems to be good for business, less overhead and less confusing for customers. I feel like he’s gone slightly in the more creative direction, but the fish is still so fantastic that it doesn’t feel at all contrived. I’m happy that business has picked up, although I guess it means I’ll have to book next time more than 2 days out. Can’t wait to go back again…I have a res for Uchu kaisake for my birthday, but now i’m debating whether to switch.
I have eaten at both in the last two weeks. Both are excellent however Uchū is more expensive. All things being equal I would give the nod to Cagen however you will get more non-Sushi dishes at Uchū and since you have been to Cagen I would factor that in to the mix.
Just did Uchu kaiseki last weekend and was blown away. Caviar hand roll, the soft scrambled egg with squash and trout roe, and the rice with maitake mushrooms and white truffles were standouts and the other dishes were all excellent. Can’t speak for Cagen obviously but depends on what you are looking for.
Oops I missed that Ethan has a reservation at the Kaiseki side. Given the Cagen comparison I immediately thought it was the Sushi side. I know its very confusing. I should amend my prior comments, there is no Sushi at all on the Kaiseki menu and the price is about the same as Cagen. It really all depends on whether you want Sushi or not in comparing the two options.
Uchu Kaiseki is the place right now. Amazing dinner, great vibe and even a good play list.
Yes. The vibe and playlist were both surprisingly different than expected. Much more hip and less formal and stuffy for a typical meal of that quality. We did the beverage pairing as well and thought it exceeded expectations.
Reservation booked for kaiseki! Looking forward to it. Leaning towards drink pairings, perhaps with a side bottle of Champagne on hand to supplement.
love that supplemental champagne idea 
The drink pairing for our tasting was a really refreshing cocktail with sparkling Riesling to start (all diners received that), then it was a Leflaive white burg (for 2 courses), a delicious sake, a vintage champagne, a muscadet, a red burg (for 2 courses) and then 2 cocktails to close things out. The wine pours were a little light but the servers were willing to pour some more if you were still finishing the course and your glass was empty.
A side bottle of champagne wouldn’t be terrible. 
Good modern Portuguese experience at Cervo’s with last Saturday’s dinner. Rustic with some modern twist, very original (in my opinion), and great service. I also like the hip, deep-in-Chinatown vibe of the restaurant and its location. Wine list doesn’t appeal to me much, but the allowed byo with reasonable corkage is a plus.
Other than the more formal/expensive Aldea, I can’t think of any other good Portuguese in Manhattan.
Another amazing meal at Secchu Yokota. So fortunate to have this place in my hood. On a Monday night the place was filled with industry people from Atera, Blanca, Uchu, etc.
the Leflaive was a Macon. YMMV.
Not sure what the red burg was. We BYO’d a grand cru red burg and a nice champagne. it was plenty for the 2 of us. They do give everyone a welcome tiny cocktail and another to close.
Just got back from a quick work trip. Late dinner at Maialino the first night which was solid. Agnolotti Dal Plin to start was on point and grilled pork shoulder with kohlrabi and faro was nice. 2011 Producttori Montefico was a nice pairing all around.
Next night we had an early business dinner at Delmonico Kitchen before going to the Knicks game. Steak was cooked perfectly but way under seasoned. Room very loud and cramped but they did a good job of getting us out before the game started. Just another steakhouse.
Had some early morning meetings in downtown on the last day so we had the driver swing us by Katz on the way to the airport. It has been probably 10 years since I was last there but was glad to see the pastrami is still very good. I would put it behind Langers but that is splitting hairs.
Went to Cagen last night for the first time and loved it. Terrific food and absolutely lovely people. Brought a bottle of 96 Salon which was in great form. I wouldn’t have found it without reading this thread so thanks to all for the tips.
Need a reco for an after theater spot near Union Square. Looking at Casa Mono, Nix, maybe Aldea? Did Grammercy Tavern earlier this year.
All solid options. Other popular restaurants in that area lately have been Cote, Nur, ABCV, Le Coq Rico, Cosme, and Union Square Cafe. And there’s always Corkbuzz.
A couple of notable local dining over the last month:
Cote Korean Steakhouse - what am I missing here?
Tramonti Pizza - had just become my current favorite Manhattan pizza/pasta joint.
https://www.tramontipizzanyc.com/
I dined at Cote last week. The room was very loud, the walls cold and grey and the lighting was bright and stark. It’s a place to go with a group, more casual than traditionally what one thinks of when one thinks of a Michelin star. That aside, it is fun and festive, the food is good, the cuts of meat very good, and the wine list and wine service are solid. The price point is also reasonable.
Shuko if you’re into sushi.
Went to Atla Sunday night. Hipsters rejoice! Cool ambiance, more like a coffee shop vibe, with some west coast twist. Really exciting flavors but usurious prices (I think they’ve ratcheted up the menu since they opened) for the generally small portions. I really was hoping to love it, and there were things to love (the veggie medley had some spectuacular flavor, king prawns were perfectly cooked, cocktails were interesting but not super complex), but yeesh, I felt like I had to eat after leaving and spending coin.