Located in the Hotel Kabuki, this Japanese-baseball-themed restaurant and lounge offers flavorful, festive Japanese small plates, beer and sake in welcoming, pub-like environs.. The Scene
The vibe in this spacious restaurant and bar can be listed somewhere between diner (booths are large and comfortable), pub (beer is a focus) and hotel bar (a full bar and flat-screen televisions dominate), with lounge-like appeal offset by a touch of the surreal. Kooky design elements include vintage Japanese-baseball-card wallpaper and fairly random piped-in music. Add the warmth of well-trained servers and the allure of sometimes exotic, sometimes familiar, but always delicious bar bites, however, and the experience can be transporting.

The Food
We loved it here. Beer and sake lovers will settle right into chef Nicolaus Balla's (Americano) seasonal menu of small Japanese dishes meant to complement those particular libations. Favorites include Black Butte Porter tempura-fried mushroom caps, rich Berkshire pork belly braised with house-made kimchee, and yakimono--grilled skewers of chicken, beef, hamachi or pork belly. Memorable chicken wings are spiced with togarashi and layered with cornmeal, citrus and honey--and are not to be missed. Not everything is fried: There are choices for vegetarians and the health-conscious, including long dishes of cured and raw fish, refreshing salads, and traditional rice, soup and pickles.

Hits: Though friendly and approachable (as izakaya should be), what could be just-pub-food is transformed into fun, fine dining by chef Balla's deft hand.

Misses: We wish the kitchen were open past 10pm.…