[Installing the awnings for Ritz Asia, via Flickr]

Nobu (Nobu Next Door, Nobu Fifty Seven) fans rejoice….Taking over the northwest corner of MacDougal and Bleecker is Japanese newcomer, Ritz Asia. The owners managed to recruit two chefs from the Nobu Waikiki at the Waikiki Parc Hotel to head up the kitchen. Although they firmly dismiss the culinary crime of menu piracy, it is hard to deny the presence of so many Nobu classics. But with prices listed at nearly half the cost, who cares! Pending some disaster with bad ingredients, this may very well be the best recession news to hit the food scene yet…

Nobu items in Red / Ritz Asia in Blue:

• Bigeye & Bluefin Toro Tartar $34 / Tuna Tartar $10
• Nobu Sashimi Tacos (3 pieces) $21 / Tuna Tortilla Pizza $9 More»