62 Thomas St
New York, NY
Tel: (212) 964-7777
Website: www.megurestaurants.com
When Koji Imai opened Megu in 2004, he already owned nearly 30 restaurants in Tokyo. Megu is his most ambitious venture yet. Towering porcelain columns made of rice bowls and sake cups flank the entry; a giant ice Buddha slowly melts in the dining room as diners devour incredibly creamy edamame soup, rice cracker–coated fried asparagus and ma po tofu, a stew made with Kobe beef instead of the usual pork. Imai is planning a smaller restaurant in the Trump World Tower near the United Nations, set to open in November, and a place in Times Square called Maimon that will specialize in skewers and oysters.