Yakitori Totto

Yakitori Totto in NYC is a culinary gem. The skewers are a flavorful dance of perfectly grilled ingredients, each bite a tantalizing blend of textures and tastes. The cozy ambiance and authentic Japanese grill experience elevate the dining adventure. From succulent chicken to expertly crafted small plates, every dish showcases culinary finesse. The extensive sake selection complements the meal seamlessly. Yakitori Totto is a haven for food enthusiasts, a place where traditional techniques meet modern palate delights, leaving patrons with a savory memory of New York's exceptional dining scene.

Food 7/10 Pricey but decent yakitori. Some of the skewers were a little salty and oily, but we ordered a wide array of dishes. I enjoyed the smokiness, and their chicken don was good too. Left very full and content. Atmosphere 6/10 Very smokey inside, wished their ventilation was better. Service 6/10 The took forever to bring up wings and the gizzard sigh.

Really enjoyed our dinner here - came on a Tuesday night with a reservation, which I'd recommend - the place was packed throughout the evening and it's not a big venue to start with. We ordered the chicken skin and heart (of course), the pork neck, miso aubergine, shisito peppers stuffed with tsukune, okra with bonito, grilled rice cakes with miso and some other assorted sides. The chicken skin, neck, okra, and stuffed peppers are must-orders in my book. Annoyed we forgot to order the smelt! The cocktail drinks weren't anything super special, just fine - so I feel like there's other places you can go before/after if you're inclined. The matcha affogato was a little odd (the matcha is of course quite runny), but the mochi in the dish were wonderful. If you're fancying a sweet treat, my vote goes for the apricot kernel pudding instead - a soft, creamy, pannacotta like option.

Skewers came out quick. Servers very attentive. Was recommended chef special of chicken knuckles but it was not there when we came. We had salmon crispy rice which was great with the japanese mayo, tofu was also great with the soup base, the wagyu beef was not that tender but tasted ok, the toto pork neck was the best, the eel was ok, and the chicken thigh was average.

3.5 / 5.0 - Yakitori Totto used to be one of my favorite Japanese spots in the city, serving authentic Japanese food. During my most recent visit, I was overcharged for a rice ball—only ordered one, but was charged for 2. They’re $5 each, so including tax and tip, that’s $6.50 of overcharge. I only realized after I got home and called the restaurant the next day, but they never picked up. Considering the amount, I never followed up, but it left a poor impression. Still giving 3.5 stars, considering how delicious the food was, although a bit pricey. One of the great things about Yakitori Totto is that you can order a variety of dishes to share. My friend and I ordered: - Kyona Arugula Salad ($15+) - Dashimaki Tamago ($11+) - Gyoza / Dumplings ($10+) - Eringi x2 - Momo - Negima - Sasami x2 - Yakinasu Dengaku x2 - Yakionigiri - Onigiri / Rice Ball *All skewers and rice ball: $5+ each I would recommend everything except for: - Sasami (unless you like wasabi—no flavor without it) - Yakinasu Dengaku (I love dengaku in general, but the amount of miso paste on the eggplant was overpowering) - Yakionigiri (my friend ordered this and it wasn’t what we’d envisioned) If you’re not a big eater or drinker, this may be enough food for you and you could keep the cost under $100 per person. Drinks were $10 or higher ($10+ for beer, $12+ for plum wine), so you can easily exceed $100 if you have a couple of drinks and more skewers. So it’s not a cheap option, but if you’re looking for a taste of Japan, you can find it here.

First time coming here after watching the interview between Anderson Cooper and Anthony Bourdain. The grilled meat and vegetables here are PHENOMENAL. Cooked to perfection and affordable. Juicy yet not overly tender. The perfect transfer of flavor of the grill. Don’t pass on the dessert either, the banana pudding and tofu pudding were another level. Service is casual and efficient. Highly recommend.