Ally Martin

Review of Daikaya

1F- no reservations. Not just a dining etiquette, ...

1F- no reservations. Not just a dining etiquette, a promise. I sat at the ramen bar and ordered the spicy miso ramen. It was well balanced and had a depth that is missing in lesser ramen shops and bars. I ordered with extra wakame and the server did not even blink, she knew her stuff.
The ramen is great, but that s not want this little shop did to earn a 5. The show you get (if you re paying attention) from the kitchen is fantastic, almost like a ballet. Okay, not that romantic, it s three chefs working their asses off, but in a very coordinated way. They have a simple line up. Chef #1 places the bowl and puts a scoop of flavor in the bowl, depending on the type of broth. Chef #2 fills that bowl with tasty broth from a giant pot. Then, the two get to whisking! Where is chef #3? Toppings of course. He s diligently making the toppings this whole time, keeping an eye out for the right time. Chef #2 throws the fresh ramen in the boiling water and there is a few seconds of peace while steam fills the kitchen and #1 and #2 exchange a quick word.
Then lighting fast the noodles come out (5-6 baskets at a time) and are put in their bowls, quickly followed by their toppings. A server comes along and delicately places the nori in the bowl, and the darlings are whisked off to be slurped up!
It was really fantastic to watch over and over again and felt really authentic.