New York - May 18, 2001

Haru Today?

Haru restaurant

Let’s see, Jekyll and Hyde, T.G.I. Friday’s or…Haru! Yes, the Upper West Side and Upper East side cult sushi restaurant today opens its third outpost, and it’s dead-center Manhattan.

And—hold onto your chopsticks—without the line. Gone is the minimalist design—the new Haru has Japanese murals, dramatic cedar trees, and vintage Japanese newspapers on the ceiling. The real killer is the bar. Think Sex and the City meets Japan.

Dinner a la client? Why not? If they haven’t cut your expense budget yet, live large!) The 4,500-square-foot space officially opens next week, but we got the skinny ahead of time, and the owners said they’d let you in, too!

So, hit it. The menu includes staples like tuna tataki and creative sushi and sashimi, as well as fork-and-knife fare like New York strip steak with wasabi croquette, spicy shallots, and ginger sauce.

Nobu? Whatever. We’re so over TriBeCa. Save the A, C, and E trains for another day.