In this city, restaurants come and go faster than you can say "sustainable locavore burger." And even though there are great new additions to the culinary landscape popping up every week, you've gotta give kudos to anyone who can stick it out for over a year. With that in mind, we bring you Still Got It, our tribute to establishments that continue to serve mouthwatering meals and drinks long after the buzz has faded—or if the lingering hype is still justified.
Williamsburg spot Bozu advertises as a "Japanese tapas lounge," and it's true that the joint whips up some pretty quality small plates, like wasabi-smothered tuna tar tar ($8), fried kataifi-wrapped jumbo shrimp ($9) and sake-soaked pork belly ($9). But the real magic is in the sushi "bombs," larger-than-roll-sized circular balls of rice topped with colorful, compact pieces of raw fish and a whole host of other ingredients, like roe, cabbage and raddish.
The Spicy McBomb ($6) is a particularly fiery favorite, topped with tuna, cucumber and kaitafi and sprinkled with spicy mayo. The Hotate Bomb ($6) are decadent little mounds made with scallops and fresh wasabi. And if you're going all out, go for the Party Bombs ($24), a 12-piece combination dish comprised of the Spicy McBomb, Pink Bomb (salmon and scallion), McLow Bomb (tuna, avocado and a wasabi cream sauce) and your choice of the Ikura (salmon roe and cucumber) Una (eel, mint leaf and wasabi cream sauce) or Spicy Una bombs.
Bozu's more than just its bombs; though its nondescript warehouse-ey exterior is easily missed by Grand Street passersby, it boasts a massive indoor space complete with a bar, backroom and beautifully decorated patio packed with hip locals. And though the restaurant serves standard sake, wine and a selection of Japanese beers, their specialty cocktails—Eastern twists on classic drinks like margaritas and pina coladas—are well worth a try. Opt for the lychee martini ($9) or "Sesame Shake" ($8), made with Beniotome, white sesame and soy milk; if you're feeling adventurous, there's an $8 spicy wasabi, vodka and sake combination drink on the menu as well. Fire away.
Bozu is located at 296 Grand Street between Roebling and Havemeyer Streets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-7770, oibozu.com).
