Family Recipe

A curved, blond-wood ceiling and glowing pendant lamps make Family Recipe an inviting place to sample Japanese home cooking. Chef/owner Akiko Thurnauer grew up in Tokyo, but is a longtime New Yorker who has done stints at Nobu and Kitchen Club, a now-closed SoHo treasure. She might send out fat shrimp chips while you're deciding among dishes like miso-marinated flank steak, spicy tofu buns or slow-cooked grass-fed short ribs with sesame miso sauce. The menu changes frequently, but you'll always find fish and vegan options and an excellent sake list. There is no sushi.