Ritz Asia, West Viallage Newcomer Set To Woo Nobu Fans, Best Recession News To Hit Food Scene Yet!

by JESSE O'NEILL · February 12, 2009

    [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

    Bigeye Tuna Tataki with Ponzu $20 / Tuna or Yellowtail Tataki $9

    Fresh Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno $19 / Sliced Hamachi (topped with jalapeno and yuzu soy) $9

    New Style Sashimi $18 / New Style Sashimi (white fish sashimi in ponzu sauce & hot oil) $9

    Rock Shrimp Tempura with Ponzu or Creamy Spicy Sauce $20 / Rock Shrimp (lightly battered with creamy spicy sauce) $7

    Chilean Sea Bass with Black Bean Sauce $32 / Steamed Chilean Sea Bass (black bean sauce, chive, hot oil) $17

    Broiled Black Cod with Miso $26 / Broiled Black Cod (glazed in saikyo miso sauce) $16