Kaikagetsu NYC

Authentic and delicious Japanese food. The Hida beef is amazing but everything else is great. It is like being back in Japan. The sashimi was very fresh. The menu changes every month and is seasonal which is a plus too!

I have been coming to Kaikagetsu as a guest now for over four years, maybe even more! It is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in all of New York City.

Their offering of true Kaiseki cuisine, sheltered in the busy city, allows for an intimate & ambiance-experience focused dinner.

Their chefs come trained at the highest level, in Japan, and always deliver a unique & memorable experience each time. Many menu items priced affordable & if you want the full experience, there is nothing better.

Highly highly recommend. Kaikagetsu is a favorite stop of mine & I can’t wait to go again:)

For $170? I suggest you go to Nakazawa or even Jua (for less).

Absolutely felt like I was robbed. The food was mediocre. The service and staff were very nice, but if the food is mediocre then it’s a 1 star for me. Sorry, but you can’t charge $170 and serve several cold and tasteless courses (including a sashimi plate with soy sauce!). The only premium ingredient was the beef. There wasn’t uni, caviar, truffle, etc.

I hate being this harsh on a place but I don’t want you to be robbed either. Hopefully they can read this feedback and up their game.

We won a meal here in our son’s school PTA auction - what a treat - the whole experience was unique and original.
It was so interesting to see what was coming out of the kitchen next in this multi-course dining experience, far beyond what we’d had at other Japanese restaurants.

Beyond mere sushi or Japanese steak house fare, this felt almost like being in a foreign country, where so much was new and unexpected, from the unfamiliar flavors to the way shellfish were presented to the meats that seemed to melt in the mouth.
We loved this experience, as well as the staff who made us feel like new friends.
Bravo!

Excellent staff. Delicious food, but the one thing that got to me was the beautiful service. If you're looking for a real Japanese experience, this is the place to be?

The food was delicious and there was a lot of variety in their Getsu course. The restaurant is not very busy and the atmosphere is intimate. They accommodated all the various dietary restrictions in my party. They were very responsive in addressing any concerns I had about the dietary restrictions.

My first time coming here and Kaikagetsu is the only place in NYC to serve Hida beef daily! Super soft and melts in the mouth. I would definitely recommend for a traditional Japanese treat!

Was not impressive. Duck was dry. Sashimi were fresh. Saikyoyaki was good. Sukiyaki was too salty. Not worth for the price tag.

A lovely authentic Japanese kaiseki restaurant in an intimate setting. The sashimi, beef, and sake were incredible, and the staff was very kind. Perfect for a special occasion or fancy date. We’ll definitely be back!

Don’t get fooled by the unassuming exterior. By far one the best Japanese restaurant experience I’ve had in a while. Every single dish was prepared, cooked and presented in such a meticulous unique way. Staffs and manager were impeccable, friendly, attentive and professional. Bravo!

Very good deal to have traditional Japanese Kaiseki in lower east side. There were two options on the menu, one with wagyu one with out ($85 only, but one dishes less than the other).

Definitely will visit here in the future.

Great place for a Japanese set menu with a variety of noodles, meat and fish. Amazing service was provided throughout the meal. It’s a bit pricey but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I ate here 6 months ago and still can't stop thinking about how excellent the experience and meal was. This is a top notch dining experience not to be missed. It is worth every penny.

Damn. On a whim I checked and got a last minute reservation.
First off, this quaint unassuming restaurant stands out amongst the hustle bustle of the LES especially on a weekend. The service is top notch.the server was patient, polite and attentive. What more can you ask for. He was knowledgeable on everything the restaurant was serving which is not always the case with even high end places.
3 menus. $90/120/160. You get more dishes and the better stuff with the higher end range. I'd say go for the hida beef dishes because that's their specialty here.
Side note. What is hida beef?

Hida beef is actually a variety of wagyu beef. Hida beef cattle are a breed of Japanese black cattle that have been raised in Gigu Prefecture (where Takayama is located) for at least 14 months. What sets Hida beef apart from other beef is its muscle and marbling. Some say that this comes from the fresh, clean air and pristine waters of the Gifu region. Whatever the reason, it results in beautifully tender meat.

Their menu rotates with every season but a constant would be the Hida beef. My attached photos would be the appetizer (eggplant, scallops, sea bream), a sashimi plate (king salmon, fatty Tuna, blue fin tuna, some fancy shrimp, and a type of white fish), miso gratin sea urchin in a half shell, tofu dumpling with sea bream in a dashi broth, the main courses would be a nabe pot (hot pot) with hida beef. The 2 ways of prep would be as a sukiyaki or as a shabu shabu dish. The sukiyaki would be more flavorful. I'd suggest get one of each so you can compare. And lastly, hida beef prepped as sushi over rice in 3 ways. Radish topping, uni topping and the walnut reduction. Take note of contrasting flavors with the hida beef as you sample each one.

All in all. A wonderful experience and well worth the prices. The one thing that I found uninspiring would be the dessert. I mean it wasn't bad. But after the extraordinary meal it seemed very ordinary. I'll definitely check it out as the menu changes again.

I had a wonderful dinner here last night. Food was authentic, fresh, and creative- impeccibly plated and with generous portions. Three tasting menus were offered, at various price points. We selected the mid-tier and high-tier to share. While pricey, we felt it to be an excellent value. The decor offers a genuine trip to Kyoto or Osaka, very nice decor for a special occasion. Nice bar, with limited selection, but high end options. The service is Michilin-class, ultra professional, while not overbearing. Halfway through our meal, their largest circular booth opened up and the staff insisted to upgrade us to their best table. A free tasting of the bartender's favorite whisky was delivered to our table as a surprise. They made sure we had a wonderful evening, and we felt like family by the time we left. We're still talking about the dinner, highly recommend!

Amazing Japanese dishes and unbelievable hospitality! Japanese sake was also great. I have to come here again

Did the $130 course dinner. So good and reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. Sad I forgot to take a picture of the waygu nigiri. One of my faves. The staff were also great

Was a lovely 5 course meal that was just enough to satisfy. The service was amazing and very friendly.

A definitely recommended and most original Japanese Kaiseiki restaurant!

This restaurant changes their menu every season, but it always have Hida beef in the set (one of the most famous beef from Japan).

I would recommend to try their set with Sukiyaki and Beef sushi for the first time. It’s super delicate and delicious.
The beef would literally melt in your mouth, which is a super special experience.

The service here is also overwhelming. They add water almost every minute, pull chair for you, introducing every dish in details, and fulfills almost all of your needs.

To be mentioned, the set is usually around 90 - 135, which is pricy but definitely worth it!

A hidden gem in the east village, really recommended!

The waiter provided phenomenal service to me and my friend. The Hida beef was absolutely phenomenal as well indeed. The flavor of each dish really shines in their unique and unpretentious way. I would highly recommend the beef sukiyaki as your selection for the evening。