Decibel
New York, NY 10003-7530
Phone: (212) 979-2733
- Cross Street:
- Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue
- Directions:
- 6 at Astor Pl; N, R, at 8th St; L at 3rd Ave
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 8pm-2:50am, Sun 8pm-12:50am
Editorial Review for Decibel – by Karen Hudes
The Scene
The basement locale and outside buzzer lend Decibel a speakeasy feel, and the inside is a charm. A crowd with a high street-style quotient makes noise over the pop soundtrack, while waitresses in gorgeous hapis shuttle sake to the tables. The dark, wooden interior contains red paper lanterns, framed gold fans, kitschy good-luck kitties and shelves of Japanese bric-a-brac.
The Draw
The accessible, in-the-know staff may offer guidance in navigating the extensive sake list, divided into categories based on the brewing process and ranging from mild to very dry. (Dry sakes served cold are a fine way to go.) Try the special Nigori, a sweet, partially unfiltered sake with a milky texture, or chance the hot sake special with a globefish fin. Among the appetizers are steamed shumai, edamame, sauteed seaweed and noodles.
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User Reviews for Decibel
10/05/2008 Posted by NinaBa
Yeah, the ambience and crap...I would not send people to Cipriani though like some fan below if people complain on extremly rude service,the stench, the chicken cage atmosphere, and I would not say it was worth my buck( in fact for $28 for a tiny bottle) either. 3 skinny girls (me and my friends) were squeezed so we could not move anything without hitting someones elbow or back..Transforming some skunky NY basement into "yakuza den" pretense - no not my fare. And waiter stopped us , claiming we did not leave enough for tip!
Pros: Max Brenner chocolate upstairs
Cons: Skunk hole
12/04/2007 Posted by beiar
Look- I've seen all these reviews-- pros, cons, but the backbone is this-- if you've got company in from out of town and you want to give them an experience that they will remember and enjoy long after they leave, Decibel is a great little spot to go-- yes, its very small, yes, it's very dim inside, yes it's a little cramped-- please, let's all just go to Cipriani if we are looking for a CLEAN WELL LIGHTED PLACE with five star service and a Zagat rating through the roof, and we will pay for it too-- but if you want to go to a fun little funky sake bar on the east side with a great sake selection and a whole lot of CHARACTER, which includes foresaid FUNKINESS then decibel is a great spot-- don't go to Cipriani looking for sake and a nice dark little nook to get tight on sake with your friends, and don't go to decibel expecting a Cipriani or even a Nobu-- they are different restaurants.
Pros: Great Sake, Great place to take guests for a great NY experience
Cons: slow service, little funky, little too loud
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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