Reservation-only. Posh, clubby, vibe. Great music, incredible food. The presentation of every course is spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yakitori
Jing Yang
The food was good. But I was sad to not have a lot of the rare parts mentioned in the nytimes and older reviews like the ovary with inlaid egg and the rooster crown. The rarity was what I was really looking for at this kind of price point. Chicken belly skin was one of my favorite yakitoris of the night. Seeing the cooking done over the grill was amazing. It was also a nice and lively atmosphere unlike other omakases establishment, which I enjoyed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Max Marshall
Phenomenal meal and fun experience. Chef's soundtrack is A+ too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tail
Eed C.
Honestly, I felt like I was getting punked. I kept waiting for the cameras to come out telling me it was all a joke. It's chicken - let's be real. And not even good chicken. For a total of $600 for two people, it's almost laughable. We ate over-salted chicken skewers for three hours. It was a smoke and mirrors experience, and I'm just glad I have at least a good story to share... but goodness gracious, their marketing is amazing to have tricked everyone into thinking this is something special. They certainly got me!
Athena H.
Definitely a little expensive for what it is, but the quality and ambiance are certainly there. Wish there was slightly more variety in seasoning, but the chicken does really shine. Their iteration of an old fashioned is also unexpectedly good.
Rainey C.
Such an amazing and unique experience! Never had anything like it, here in the city or elsewhere. The concept overall is super creative and every course is prepared so thoughtfully. My personal favorites were the Chicken Pate with Truffle Sandwich, Chicken "Oysters", Chicken Katsu with Fuji Apple, and Chicken Thigh mixed with Duck Meat with Dipping Egg. The service was impeccable and the yakitori being cooked on the flames is a show in itself. The flavors are curated so carefully, with some paired with optional extra seasonings. It was a mix of sweet, savory, and umami among the courses. As a complimentary birthday course, they brought out a yuzu sorbet and azuki red bean ice cream at the end for dessert (on top of the set menu's dessert already which was the creamiest creme brulee). Overall such a great experience and top notch preparation of the food, and we definitely left very full!! Loved the ambiance as well, not too loud and pretty intimate.
Luke Wang
A cozy and intimate dining experience with such a unique concept. Every dish and skewer was well thought out with amazing different flavor and texture. As the dinner goes on the room also continues to fill with the aroma of the beautiful smokiness from the charcoal grill that is right in the middle of the dining room. The chef is super passionate about what he does and you can tell from the amazing food. The service is friendly and precise.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tail, Morel Mushroom
Benjamin Hill
The staff are second to none. Great atmosphere and best service I’ve had in my life. Sabrina and management make this place the best experience in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Benjamin H.
The staff at Kono are amazing. Great service. Great atmosphere. Great experience. I could listen to Sabrina talk all night too.
Sabina A K.
What's there not to love about Kono? The soup was warm and layered in flavors, those thin little chives topped it off. Then came this crispy chicken skin atop cream with a healthy dollop or Norwegian caviar. It was the most delicate roe I've ever had as they almost dissolve in your mouth. They make this deeply flavored tare for the yakitori that could have been a 1000 year recipe wich was giving me a little molasses notes. All the skewers were top line but I really liked the knee, oyster, heart, and those little gems of morells. They had a nice selection of junmai diginjo, which is our favorite style. Also every time anyone gets up to use the restroom this friendly kimono clad woman would refold your napkin and pull the chair out for you when you get back. Finally the chef was soooo friendly and really made a point to talk with every guest. It was also nice to watch the whole operation take place right in front of me as the chef was vibing out on the music the whole time he was on the grill. Amazing.
Chickens are one of the most miserable animal species on earth, gotten to this point because of how delicious they are, unfortunately for them and perhaps fortunate for us. And now there is finally a place that gives tribute and justice to their lives that’s often taken for granted. Kono. Never would I have thought I would eat a chicken omakase and yet here we are—starting with the chicken soup with baby scallions, to numerous yakitoris of various chicken parts (including whole hearts, the tail/butt, inner knees, all perfectly grilled and seasoned with a dance), to pates and finally a meatball dipped in a beautiful orange egg. In between there are dishes that give you a break from chicken. We loved the fig, arguably that may have been my favorite dish. Anyway, the chickens came from an Amish farm in east Pennsylvania. This was the meal where I felt the most animal<>food connection. Their lives were honored in this meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elaine
My first omakase yakitori. This was truly an experience. From the service, to the food, to the atmosphere. This is hidden in an alleyway in the heart of Chinatown, a little pricey but it’s worth the experience. We got to experience the different parts of a chicken while listening to old school hip hop.
Jessica Shu
One of the best meals I’ve ever had for the price point, can’t wait to come back
Andrew M.
Very good omakase yakitori meal although I came away feeling slight underwhelmed by the experience. Service and mood are on point. Everyone throuhgout the meal is attentive to your needs, and the space really puts an exclusive focus on the food. Most of the interior is dark with nothing to catch the eye so you will absolutely be focused on the food that is coming your way. Given Kono is clearly trying for fine dining yakitori I found their presentation to be hit and miss. Some dishes are inventively presented (the chicken skin and caviar comes to mind) with playful playting, but much of it is standard yakitori presentation which really isn't very exciting. Some skewers have some additional compliments but much of them are presented in pretty classic fashion which makes it feel somewhat boring compared to say, Kochi's approach to skewers. Some of the dishes and skewers were very good, some O.k., but nothing stood out as transcendant. Chicken hearts were very good, the Chicken "oyster" probably the best, and personally I found the belly to be too chewy. The chicken pate mini sandwich is the closest they come to something playful like a lot great places to eat but like other bites here the taste was pretty good, not amazing. With the check likely to run you over 300 USD, Kono is not a cheap experience and I personally didn't find it to be a smashing success. But, it's definitely worthy of your attention.
Hannah H.
Kono offers a yakitori tasting menu, which the protein focus is the chicken. Items such as chicken tail, chicken belly, chicken heart, chicken neck, and other prepartions, such as katsu, tsukune burger, and chilled udon with the chicken skin were part of the set. Everything tasted clean and were well-presented. The restaurant gives an intimate space, so it's great for date nights and small get-togethers. Staff were kind and friendly. +yakitori-focused omakase
Reservation-only. Posh, clubby, vibe. Great music, incredible food. The presentation of every course is spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yakitori
The food was good. But I was sad to not have a lot of the rare parts mentioned in the nytimes and older reviews like the ovary with inlaid egg and the rooster crown. The rarity was what I was really looking for at this kind of price point. Chicken belly skin was one of my favorite yakitoris of the night. Seeing the cooking done over the grill was amazing. It was also a nice and lively atmosphere unlike other omakases establishment, which I enjoyed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Phenomenal meal and fun experience. Chef's soundtrack is A+ too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tail
Honestly, I felt like I was getting punked. I kept waiting for the cameras to come out telling me it was all a joke. It's chicken - let's be real. And not even good chicken. For a total of $600 for two people, it's almost laughable. We ate over-salted chicken skewers for three hours. It was a smoke and mirrors experience, and I'm just glad I have at least a good story to share... but goodness gracious, their marketing is amazing to have tricked everyone into thinking this is something special. They certainly got me!
Definitely a little expensive for what it is, but the quality and ambiance are certainly there. Wish there was slightly more variety in seasoning, but the chicken does really shine. Their iteration of an old fashioned is also unexpectedly good.
Such an amazing and unique experience! Never had anything like it, here in the city or elsewhere. The concept overall is super creative and every course is prepared so thoughtfully. My personal favorites were the Chicken Pate with Truffle Sandwich, Chicken "Oysters", Chicken Katsu with Fuji Apple, and Chicken Thigh mixed with Duck Meat with Dipping Egg. The service was impeccable and the yakitori being cooked on the flames is a show in itself. The flavors are curated so carefully, with some paired with optional extra seasonings. It was a mix of sweet, savory, and umami among the courses. As a complimentary birthday course, they brought out a yuzu sorbet and azuki red bean ice cream at the end for dessert (on top of the set menu's dessert already which was the creamiest creme brulee). Overall such a great experience and top notch preparation of the food, and we definitely left very full!! Loved the ambiance as well, not too loud and pretty intimate.
A cozy and intimate dining experience with such a unique concept. Every dish and skewer was well thought out with amazing different flavor and texture. As the dinner goes on the room also continues to fill with the aroma of the beautiful smokiness from the charcoal grill that is right in the middle of the dining room. The chef is super passionate about what he does and you can tell from the amazing food. The service is friendly and precise.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tail, Morel Mushroom
The staff are second to none. Great atmosphere and best service I’ve had in my life. Sabrina and management make this place the best experience in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff at Kono are amazing. Great service. Great atmosphere. Great experience. I could listen to Sabrina talk all night too.
What's there not to love about Kono? The soup was warm and layered in flavors, those thin little chives topped it off. Then came this crispy chicken skin atop cream with a healthy dollop or Norwegian caviar. It was the most delicate roe I've ever had as they almost dissolve in your mouth. They make this deeply flavored tare for the yakitori that could have been a 1000 year recipe wich was giving me a little molasses notes. All the skewers were top line but I really liked the knee, oyster, heart, and those little gems of morells. They had a nice selection of junmai diginjo, which is our favorite style. Also every time anyone gets up to use the restroom this friendly kimono clad woman would refold your napkin and pull the chair out for you when you get back. Finally the chef was soooo friendly and really made a point to talk with every guest. It was also nice to watch the whole operation take place right in front of me as the chef was vibing out on the music the whole time he was on the grill. Amazing.
Restaurantji Recommends
Chickens are one of the most miserable animal species on earth, gotten to this point because of how delicious they are, unfortunately for them and perhaps fortunate for us. And now there is finally a place that gives tribute and justice to their lives that’s often taken for granted. Kono. Never would I have thought I would eat a chicken omakase and yet here we are—starting with the chicken soup with baby scallions, to numerous yakitoris of various chicken parts (including whole hearts, the tail/butt, inner knees, all perfectly grilled and seasoned with a dance), to pates and finally a meatball dipped in a beautiful orange egg. In between there are dishes that give you a break from chicken. We loved the fig, arguably that may have been my favorite dish. Anyway, the chickens came from an Amish farm in east Pennsylvania. This was the meal where I felt the most animal<>food connection. Their lives were honored in this meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My first omakase yakitori. This was truly an experience. From the service, to the food, to the atmosphere. This is hidden in an alleyway in the heart of Chinatown, a little pricey but it’s worth the experience. We got to experience the different parts of a chicken while listening to old school hip hop.
One of the best meals I’ve ever had for the price point, can’t wait to come back
Very good omakase yakitori meal although I came away feeling slight underwhelmed by the experience. Service and mood are on point. Everyone throuhgout the meal is attentive to your needs, and the space really puts an exclusive focus on the food. Most of the interior is dark with nothing to catch the eye so you will absolutely be focused on the food that is coming your way. Given Kono is clearly trying for fine dining yakitori I found their presentation to be hit and miss. Some dishes are inventively presented (the chicken skin and caviar comes to mind) with playful playting, but much of it is standard yakitori presentation which really isn't very exciting. Some skewers have some additional compliments but much of them are presented in pretty classic fashion which makes it feel somewhat boring compared to say, Kochi's approach to skewers. Some of the dishes and skewers were very good, some O.k., but nothing stood out as transcendant. Chicken hearts were very good, the Chicken "oyster" probably the best, and personally I found the belly to be too chewy. The chicken pate mini sandwich is the closest they come to something playful like a lot great places to eat but like other bites here the taste was pretty good, not amazing. With the check likely to run you over 300 USD, Kono is not a cheap experience and I personally didn't find it to be a smashing success. But, it's definitely worthy of your attention.
Kono offers a yakitori tasting menu, which the protein focus is the chicken. Items such as chicken tail, chicken belly, chicken heart, chicken neck, and other prepartions, such as katsu, tsukune burger, and chilled udon with the chicken skin were part of the set. Everything tasted clean and were well-presented. The restaurant gives an intimate space, so it's great for date nights and small get-togethers. Staff were kind and friendly. +yakitori-focused omakase