Hiroko's Place

Super different type of coffee shop-- japanese syphon style of brewing...really cool! Nice out of the way place to have a cup of coffee and some modern japanese meals. Not a japanese as in sushi--- japanese as in crazy hamburgers and curry dishes! Menu sounds strange but somehow, it works....

Hiroko's Place is easily one of my favorite spots in NY when looking for a place with good food where you can have meaningful conversations with friends. The atmosphere is so homey and welcoming that you can spend hours there without ever feeling rushed. On a recent visit, two other patrons were dining solo - one was studying and the other reading a book. It literally feels like someone's living room. You must order the coffee. Comfort food is the best way to describe the food, and it's so fitting that even Goldilocks would describe it as "just right".

Pros: casual, laid back atmosphere

Cons: not open late

Hiroko's Place, as the name suggests, is a small, cozy place with beat up leather sofas and kitschy furniture and decor. The menu is pretty casual with japansese-style hamburger platters (which resemble sloppy joes), curry platters, hot dog platters, and a bunch of other cozy Japanese food. I had the omu-platter which was really good. IT was chicken fried rice with ketchup topped by a scrambled egg. The ketchup might sound weird but it's actually very good. The tea is really good and comes in a cute glass teapot. Overall, this is a great place to catch a casual bite to eat if in the area. The piano and microphone suggest that live music might happen at some point......

This charming place makes you feel right at home - a Japanese living room to be exact. The tofu salad is simple and fresh. The Omu-Rice (Ketchup Chicken Fried Rice topped w/ an Omelette) is yummy, they offer another version of it (w/ a diff name) for an additional $1, but the only diff is that they decorate the omelette on top w/ a ketchup smiley face. The Japanese Hamburg Set is just ok - nothing like Cafe Mami in Boston. I'd go again to try the Curry or Japanese style pastas. This place is also very reasonably priced.

Pros: Fresh Tofu Salad, Yummy Omu-Rice

Cons: Japanese Hamburg Set disappointing