Hello World, Meet My New Friend Izi
I am usually hesitant to try hotel restaurants, especially those located in Time Square, but I didn't mind Izi, a new fun and modern Izkaya located on the first floor of Blue Fin (who recently celebrated their 15th anniversary - congrats!).
We had drinks upstairs at Blue Fin while we waited for our table. I got a special cocktail with whiskey and pineapple and my friend got something with rum and grapefruit. He loved his, I'm not a huge whiskey drinker, but this was tolerable and I loved the fresh piece of pineapple!
After we finished our drinks we were seated downstairs at the sushi bar. Unlike most of my restaurant visits, I went in cold turkey without studying the menu days before. It was kind of nice to be surprised, especially as I gazed at the sushi, sliders and giant fortune cookie desserts around me {major Instagram moment to come...}.
I had to try a little bit of everything (well almost everything) - here's what we got and yes I had leftovers.
Shares
Rainbow Kale Caesar: not what you'd expect at an asian restaurant, but it was delicious! It reminded me of Sweetgreen's Kale Caesar.
Kobe Beef Sliders with Tomato Bacon Jam: these were juicy and flavorful.. loved the pickle too!
Mini Lobster Rolls: these were delish and this picture does't really do the dish justice. It was a little mayo-ey, but hey.. what's wrong with that.
Izi Poké
Hamachi Poke with Crispy Rice and Avocado Crema: this was one of my favorite dishes.. anything with crispy rice hits my g-spot.
Sushi
Tuna with Avocado and Ponzu: yummy and fresh!
Californiacation with Crab, Shrimp, Cucumber, Avocado and Mango Sauce: or as I call it, a "sophisticated Cali Roll."
Sudachi Shrimp with Salmon, Pickled Cucumber, Watercress, Avocado and Sudachi Lime: my favorite roll of the night.
Miso Chile Lobster Roll with Salmon, Daikon and Avocado: wasn't a fan of this one.. it was WAY too spicy - I had to take the salmon off the top of the roll to tolerate it. It also looked just like the Sudachi Shrimp roll
Entrée
Sticky Fried Chicken: Wings and Drumsticks with Peanuts in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce: I mean.. who doesn't like fried chicken drenched in sauce. This was perfect in every way, shape and form. Well.. except for my form.
Dessert
Rocky Road To A Big Fortune: Chocolate Covered Giant Fortune Cookie topped with Marshmallows, Peanuts and Reeses Pieces; filled with White and Dark Chocolate Mousse: enough said.
Banana Foster Ice Cream Sandwiches: Banana Ice Cream, Snickers Doodle and Butterscotch Rum Sauce: This was good if you're into bananas, Snickers Doodle and rum!
Overall I really enjoyed my experience at Izi. The restaurant vibe is the opposite of most Time Square restaurants, but tourists staying at the W should definitely try it out and Manhattanites should check it out before their next Broadway show.
The sushi lobster roll was way too spicy for my liking, but the rest of the food was delicious! The Hamachi Poké and Fried Chicken were definitely my favorites and the chicken also tasted amazing the next day! New friend, you were almost climactic and get a 8/10.
Izi
1567 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
212 918 1405
