Rockmeisha Izakaya

05/13/09

Nasty Service, Cheap and Tacky, Overlypriced

by LacyLove

Our waiter was rude and obnoxious. The spicy tuna roll we ordered had a piece of metal brillo pad in it. Yes brillo pad, the ones they use to scrub the dishes. They charged us half price for the roll when we kindly mentioned we didn't want another one.

Upon getting take-out another night, I was told that in order to get extra soy sauce I had to pay extra! Are you kidding me! Pay extra for soy sauce. Even to get my spicy mayo on the side rather then in the roll, I had to pay extra for that as well. After explaining that the takeout was for two people, I was given a plastic cup to poor the soy sauce in rather then an additional soy sauce. Finally after pleading and explaining I was handed a small packet of soy sauce! And just ONE packet! My takeout order was $29 and I had to beg for extra soy sauce. Never again! The owner/chef is rude and has no idea about customer service. Beware

• Pros: OK Spicy Tuna
• Cons: Piece of metal in tuna roll, CHARGES FOR EXTRA SOY SAUCE!

09/13/08

Excellent and Authentic Japanese Izakaya Atmosphere!

by akalefty

I really enjoyed Rockmeisha, it reminded me of similar places I like in Tokyo. Rockmeisha is an izakaya, a Japanese-style pub, so they've got a big selection of different sakes and beers, as well as a good menu of snack-y food.

I had Shiroyuki sake and buta-nira (pork, bean sprouts and leeks fried in a small cast-iron skillet and served sizzling), both were excellent. Reading the reviews, I clearly have to try out the ramen next time I get back there...

(I actually decided, on the strength of some of the other reviews, to go back this evening and try out the ramen. Good move.)

• Pros: One of the most authentic izakaya I've found, outside of Tokyo...
• Cons: It's in New York, rather than close to where I live.

08/05/08

Great Quality Food.

by foodID27

Everything that is cooked at this restaurant is authentic and the best example of taste and presentation possible. Easily the best tasting japanese food in NY. The one drawback is that it is a little bit too expensive for me to go a lot. It's atmosphere is very regular and not fancy, but the dishes are pretty small, and not cheap. So if you want to eat a full meal, you will have to order a few things. One last point I want to make is that the RAMEN at Rockmeisha, is the best I have had in NY. (and i have been a lot) I have also been to many Ramen shops in more than one city in Japan, and it's the only NY made ramen that people would buy in Japan too. The owner of Rockmeisha actually imports the ramen noodles from his own small town in Kyushu, where his type of "tonkotsu ramen" comes from. like all of their dishes, it's also small, but worth trying, especially if you don't ever plan on visiting japan. (it may be the closest you ever get)

• Pros: Best, most authentic japanese food i have had in NY.
• Cons: Dishes are a bit small, but i guess that's the nature of a tapas place.

05/08/07

Fantastic local Japanese joint with Kyushu specialities

by girlgotgame

I adore Rockmeisha! Little place tucked away on Barrow St just east of 7th Ave. in the West Village. It's my favorite Japanese joint, possibly the most underrated, because it serves dishes from the chef's home of Kyushu that you really can't find anywhere else in town. It's a gem. Real downhome Japanese food, comforting. Try to order things you don't see elsewhere in town (Japanese soupy omelettes, fried chicken with tartar sauce, pork with leeks and sprouts in a cast-iron pan), but standards like broiled mackerel, freshly wrapped gyoza, and shrimp dumplings are great, too. I don't ever go there for just sushi. The ramen is fantastic with special noodles flown in from Japan and an authentic, rich tonkotsu broth (especially good for people who want an authentic rich broth that is not quite as thick as Minka's). Those noodles are addictive. Service is super friendly and laid-back, but attentive. Not good for groups of more than 6.

• Pros: great, authentic, local Japanese food; very friendly service and ambiance; open late
• Cons: no fresh green tea!; cha-shu for the ramen soup was average

10/18/06

Move Over Cheers, meet Rocky's

by bigappletv

I was also introduced to Rockmeisha by a REALLY OLD (in age) classmate in my Japanese language class, and haven't stopped going since. I have been here so many times that they now have a special named after me called the Marc-San Special (a dinner order of beef negemaki & two orders chicken yakatori) and let me tell you that this is the best tasting food in NYC. I should know because I am a recovering Fat-Man. Enjoy a nice, and romantic night out at Rocky's and enjoy the music of the past and the food of today.

Pros: The Japanese menu is varied and consistently good, the staff is unbelievably great, and the whole setting is very comfortable.

Cons: There are no cons except some of the sketchy con-like people that walk around the area. TMenner has no idea what he's talking about except for all o fthe positives he mentioned.