Ginger - Good Food, Good Vibrations

Ginger, a petite Japanese restaurant in the East Village, is a veritable gem. The food is superb, the service cheerful and the ambience steeped in good energy. For such an intimate setting, Ginger boasts an extensive menu, with traditional sushi, typical Japanese entrees, and some innovative twists. Not well versed in sushi myself, I had expert friends Wes and Brad in tow. Everything was delectable, but we sampled so much that I'll just hit the highlights.

For appetizers we chose the Octopus Salad ($8), the Mango Cocktail with Shrimp ($8) and the Crispy Tuna Tartar ($9). The octopus salad was a savory delight, the tuna tartar light and crunchy, but the mango cocktail was absolutely scrumptious. As Brad said, “The flavor practically explodes in your mouth.”  We also couldn't resist the Yakitori ($5) and the Endame ($4). The chicken was perfectly flavored and the baby soybeans delightful - unlike any I've tried before.

This flair for daring flavor seems a hallmark of Ginger. Much of the sushi is created with uniquely layered spices and flavors. The Rocco Maki Roll ($8) with its combination of eel and banana is one good example. Banana in sushi?! It works! It was sublime, as was the Red Head Maki Roll ($11) with eel, avocado and spicy tuna and the Queen Maki Roll ($11) with tuna, avocado and tobiko. And for the sushi-shy, try the Tatsuta Age ($12.75), a scrumptious treat of breaded fried chicken which comes with, as Wes said, “a slammin' miso soup.”

And the food isn't the only thing that sets this little jewel of a restaurant apart. Ginger's design incorporates principles of feng shui and, although not practitioners ourselves, my guests and I noticed immediately how gently soothing the ambience seemed.

Feng shui, meaning “wind, water,” is a Japanese philosophy that believes we and our environment are sustained by an invisible energy called chi. Chi moves like wind, but can eddy and become trapped like water and stagnate. A feng shui practitioner creates space for chi to flow favorably.

In Ginger's case that practitioner is Albert (who was also one of our charming hosts). Albert tells us, for instance, that the ceramic roosters in one niche of Ginger represent good reputation. The south wall is painted a rich red color, which traditionally enhances clarity and intelligence. The north wall is green, a color typically used to enhance growing energy. Towards the rear there is yellow, representing the power to nourish and sustain. How appropriate, for a venue that nourishes so delightfully.

You can't go wrong at Ginger. With inspired edibles, delightful service and such reasonable prices, it's inspired dining and Zen some. --David Douglas

Ginger, 109 First Avenue (Sixth Street), 212-260-6223