Before I start my review I just want to add a tidbit about actually finding Kono. It's in a dimly lit, long, but narrow corridor, similar to streets you might find in Japan. If you think you found it you're probably right. It took me a minute to venture down this little alley.
Let's start with the atmosphere, it was a small venue but despite that you could easily have your own conversations. If you're sitting on the side like myself, you're in for the pleasure of watching them prepare all the food over the charcoal grill. Who doesn't love dinner and a show.
All of the food was fantastic and midway through you can even order some Alla carte items that may have not been on the chefs selection for that experience. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I really appreciated they also took the time to explain each cut and which seasoning or none may go with it.
All of the staff were not only friendly but just very professional and helpful. The hostess at the front was also extremely kind and friendly.
I would totally recommend this spot for a date, taking a client, or even just solo dining. Truly a hidden gem, I'm shocked this flew under my radar for so long.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheila Xia
A special meal celebrating my husband’s birthday and the Kono team really made it extra special. The food was so so good and so were the drinks. The service was incredible to every single detail from a warm call to confirm the occasion and food restrictions to friendly welcome to the waiters cleaning the table and explaining smoothly. Truly amazing! The chefs were so friendly and professional. Highly recommended if you are looking for a unique experience.
Best chicken ever. He knows what he is doing and confident. Chicken hearts can taste good unlike other restaurants I have been to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bianca Ritorto
This was not just a meal, it was an experience. Highlighting the service first of all, and how nice and welcome everyone made us feel. Such an intimate setting, and a truly enjoyable 2 hour dinner. Highlights for us were the chicken oysters, the peppers, chicken pate and the wagyu piece we had from the extra pieces to choose from. The creme brulee was a showstopper and an incredible last dish. Make sure to order it since it’s also extra but very worth it. Loved our sake drinks and how the servers tailored them to our tastes perfectly. If you’re looking for a high end experience like this, this is definitely the place for it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian Le
incredible tasting and exceptional service
AC Slater
Kono was a wonderful yakitori omakase experience. Chef Kono is a true master at his craft and everything we ate was incredibly delicious and perfectly prepared. His use of temperatures, textures, and binchotan coal cooking techniques highlighted every part of the chicken as he intended it to.
We shared a pairing and added the Osetra caviar supplement, which was absolutely the right thing to do. We normally pass on more caviar, but thought it would take the tonkatsu thigh nugget to a new level, which it did. The pairing consisted mostly of sake and our server was very heavy handed with the pours in two separate glasses, which also consisted of periodic refills. Our favorite non-skewer bites were the monaka chicken thigh and liver with truffle which was so perfectly balanced, the nugget, and the ridiculous slider that was basically everything umami exploding with every bite. We did add-ons of gizzard and heart artery and we were given a bonus dessert of smoky brown sugar panna cotta for our special occasion. Our experience lasted 2.5 hours and was perfectly paced although I'm not sure we could have eaten another bite. Japanese whiskey options were impressive but we opted to pass. Service was great and the setting speaks for itself. A+ meal at Kono.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie L
I came here on a date, and the experience was quite unique. The chef uses every part of the chicken to create an innovative take on yakitori. While it is on the pricier side at $175 per person, the quality of the food made it worthwhile. The yakitori was exceptional, and watching the chef prepare each dish right in front of you added a personal touch to the meal. The space is intimate, with only counter seating, and they offer luxurious add-ons like caviar and truffle, paired with an excellent selection of wines.
Everything was delicious! And the service was excellent. I loved it! The sake pairing is generous so you might consider sharing. The captions on the photos may not be exact since there is no written menu but it’s all chicken cooked to perfection.
Zack Roif
one of the absolute best in the city
Daphne Shen
Hidden in the valley beside the Joe’s Shanghai. Kinda hidden as you have to buzz in.
For starters, I will save time for some ppl: they NO LONGER SERVE the ovary with the egg ( 提灯（ちょうちん）(cho u chi n) ) if that’s the main drive for you to come here.
The honorable mentions of the meal are the liver+truffle amuse bouche app, chicken meatball skewer + rice ball + egg yolk, and the add-ons.
The other apps are savory tofu + shiso flower, uni + scallop + chicken (taste like fish all together).
Then 9 courses of yakitori:
1️⃣ chicken tail 2️⃣ chicken heart 3️⃣ chicken oyster 4️⃣ morels 5️⃣ thigh + cartridge 6️⃣ inner thighs 7️⃣ White asparagus on miso 8️⃣ Chicken katsu (no seasoning inside, mild peppercorn, with applesauce, taste like high-end McDonald’s chicken nugget) 9️⃣ Chicken meatball + rice + egg yolk
A la carte had a few extra items. Remember to ask for the price because they won’t tell you proactively.
Add-ons (9-12 extra for yakitori, 50 for Wagyu)
1️⃣ Neck 2️⃣ Backbone (New item? Love the collagen) 3️⃣ Chest cartilage? (New item? 4️⃣ chicken feet 5️⃣ Wagyu beef
Slightly overcooked my Wagyu add-on as it is slightly more medium than I wanted.
Desserts: 1️⃣ chicken consommé (they should’ve put noodles in here) 2️⃣ yuzu sorbet
I HATE the pace of this tasting menu. My friends and I are either hangry or hungry. Wasn’t offered any water until I asked. I don’t know how they decide on the order of receiving the yakitoris earlier or later but I was (not so secretly) angry 😡.
Cannot complain the skill of master Kono too much though. Most of the grilling is perfection. I just think a good dinning experience relies more than just food itself.
Anna
At 8:30 on a Monday, the restaurant was fully booked. Hip-hop music played in the background, and the sleek, black-themed interior gave the place a cool, modern vibe. The cozy counter seating surrounded the open kitchen like a stage, making the whole experience feel like watching a live performance. The chef was incredibly friendly, keeping rhythm with the music as he skillfully worked the charcoal grill.
As you might expect, every skewer was perfectly cooked—tender, juicy, and absolutely delicious. I also had the chance to try some rare cuts that you don’t often come across. One highlight was the tsukune, served slider-style on a fluffy bun. The combination of the truffle-scented sauce and rich egg yolk was simply divine.
Patrick Allen
So rich and decadent. Incredible yakitori experience.
Before I start my review I just want to add a tidbit about actually finding Kono. It's in a dimly lit, long, but narrow corridor, similar to streets you might find in Japan. If you think you found it you're probably right. It took me a minute to venture down this little alley.
Let's start with the atmosphere, it was a small venue but despite that you could easily have your own conversations. If you're sitting on the side like myself, you're in for the pleasure of watching them prepare all the food over the charcoal grill. Who doesn't love dinner and a show.
All of the food was fantastic and midway through you can even order some Alla carte items that may have not been on the chefs selection for that experience. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I really appreciated they also took the time to explain each cut and which seasoning or none may go with it.
All of the staff were not only friendly but just very professional and helpful. The hostess at the front was also extremely kind and friendly.
I would totally recommend this spot for a date, taking a client, or even just solo dining. Truly a hidden gem, I'm shocked this flew under my radar for so long.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A special meal celebrating my husband’s birthday and the Kono team really made it extra special. The food was so so good and so were the drinks. The service was incredible to every single detail from a warm call to confirm the occasion and food restrictions to friendly welcome to the waiters cleaning the table and explaining smoothly. Truly amazing! The chefs were so friendly and professional. Highly recommended if you are looking for a unique experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Oyster, Yakitori, Fuji Apple Compote, Sandwich Chicken, Chicken Broth
Excellent experience! The food, ambience, and service was exceptional. Great selection of Japanese whisky- just be ready to drop some $$$
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
great quality food, impeccable service
Awesome 👏 👏👏
Beautiful performance 🔥🔥🔥
Unbelievable taste 👅😋🫶
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best chicken ever. He knows what he is doing and confident. Chicken hearts can taste good unlike other restaurants I have been to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was not just a meal, it was an experience. Highlighting the service first of all, and how nice and welcome everyone made us feel. Such an intimate setting, and a truly enjoyable 2 hour dinner.
Highlights for us were the chicken oysters, the peppers, chicken pate and the wagyu piece we had from the extra pieces to choose from.
The creme brulee was a showstopper and an incredible last dish. Make sure to order it since it’s also extra but very worth it.
Loved our sake drinks and how the servers tailored them to our tastes perfectly.
If you’re looking for a high end experience like this, this is definitely the place for it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
incredible tasting and exceptional service
Kono was a wonderful yakitori omakase experience. Chef Kono is a true master at his craft and everything we ate was incredibly delicious and perfectly prepared. His use of temperatures, textures, and binchotan coal cooking techniques highlighted every part of the chicken as he intended it to.
We shared a pairing and added the Osetra caviar supplement, which was absolutely the right thing to do. We normally pass on more caviar, but thought it would take the tonkatsu thigh nugget to a new level, which it did. The pairing consisted mostly of sake and our server was very heavy handed with the pours in two separate glasses, which also consisted of periodic refills. Our favorite non-skewer bites were the monaka chicken thigh and liver with truffle which was so perfectly balanced, the nugget, and the ridiculous slider that was basically everything umami exploding with every bite. We did add-ons of gizzard and heart artery and we were given a bonus dessert of smoky brown sugar panna cotta for our special occasion. Our experience lasted 2.5 hours and was perfectly paced although I'm not sure we could have eaten another bite. Japanese whiskey options were impressive but we opted to pass. Service was great and the setting speaks for itself. A+ meal at Kono.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came here on a date, and the experience was quite unique. The chef uses every part of the chicken to create an innovative take on yakitori. While it is on the pricier side at $175 per person, the quality of the food made it worthwhile. The yakitori was exceptional, and watching the chef prepare each dish right in front of you added a personal touch to the meal. The space is intimate, with only counter seating, and they offer luxurious add-ons like caviar and truffle, paired with an excellent selection of wines.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Everything was delicious! And the service was excellent. I loved it! The sake pairing is generous so you might consider sharing. The captions on the photos may not be exact since there is no written menu but it’s all chicken cooked to perfection.
one of the absolute best in the city
Hidden in the valley beside the Joe’s Shanghai. Kinda hidden as you have to buzz in.
For starters, I will save time for some ppl: they NO LONGER SERVE the ovary with the egg ( 提灯（ちょうちん）(cho u chi n) ) if that’s the main drive for you to come here.
The honorable mentions of the meal are the liver+truffle amuse bouche app, chicken meatball skewer + rice ball + egg yolk, and the add-ons.
The other apps are savory tofu + shiso flower, uni + scallop + chicken (taste like fish all together).
Then 9 courses of yakitori:
1️⃣ chicken tail
2️⃣ chicken heart
3️⃣ chicken oyster
4️⃣ morels
5️⃣ thigh + cartridge
6️⃣ inner thighs
7️⃣ White asparagus on miso
8️⃣ Chicken katsu (no seasoning inside, mild peppercorn, with applesauce, taste like high-end McDonald’s chicken nugget)
9️⃣ Chicken meatball + rice + egg yolk
A la carte had a few extra items. Remember to ask for the price because they won’t tell you proactively.
Add-ons (9-12 extra for yakitori, 50 for Wagyu)
1️⃣ Neck
2️⃣ Backbone (New item? Love the collagen)
3️⃣ Chest cartilage? (New item?
4️⃣ chicken feet
5️⃣ Wagyu beef
Slightly overcooked my Wagyu add-on as it is slightly more medium than I wanted.
Desserts:
1️⃣ chicken consommé (they should’ve put noodles in here)
2️⃣ yuzu sorbet
I HATE the pace of this tasting menu. My friends and I are either hangry or hungry. Wasn’t offered any water until I asked. I don’t know how they decide on the order of receiving the yakitoris earlier or later but I was (not so secretly) angry 😡.
Cannot complain the skill of master Kono too much though. Most of the grilling is perfection. I just think a good dinning experience relies more than just food itself.
At 8:30 on a Monday, the restaurant was fully booked. Hip-hop music played in the background, and the sleek, black-themed interior gave the place a cool, modern vibe. The cozy counter seating surrounded the open kitchen like a stage, making the whole experience feel like watching a live performance. The chef was incredibly friendly, keeping rhythm with the music as he skillfully worked the charcoal grill.
As you might expect, every skewer was perfectly cooked—tender, juicy, and absolutely delicious. I also had the chance to try some rare cuts that you don’t often come across. One highlight was the tsukune, served slider-style on a fluffy bun. The combination of the truffle-scented sauce and rich egg yolk was simply divine.
So rich and decadent. Incredible yakitori experience.
Loading...