Kitaku - New Japanese Fusion Joint

Kitaku Japanese Fusion - 29-21 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

718.606.8508

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

23rd Avenue welcomes Japanese Fusion restaurant, Kitaku, open just shy of a month. Kitaku is noticeable not only because of its "Grand Opening" paraphernalia like colorful flags--it also happens to be the only Japanese restaurant in this neck of the woods.

I immediately saw the value that a place like this offers--light Asian fare at fair prices. Their Hibachi specials are unbeatable--$4.49 for veggies, $5.49 for chicken and $6.49 for beef and shrimp. Another plus is the diversity of the menu, which includes traditional and inventive sushi rolls (tuna roll, Greek, BMW roll), Bento Boxes, Noodle Dishes, more traditional American entrees such as New York Strip Steak and even new dishes that are unheard of in Japanese restaurants such as the Smoked Salmon Pizzette.

Below is a sampling of Kitaku's eclectic offering:

Appetizers

Rock Shrimp Tempura - Lightly fried crispy rock shrimp served with spicy aioli sauce...$7

Harumaki - Crispy pork spring rolls with sweet and sour chili sauce...$4

Smoked Salmon Pizzette - Tobiko and smoked salmon with crispy potatoes and rice latka with a tangy sauce on top...$8

Specialty Sushi Rolls

Greek Roll - Tuna, salmon, avocado inside; tuna, salmon, eel on top with crunchy scallion, caviar in special sauce...$12

BMW Roll - Tuna, salmon, avocado, caviar inside; white tuna, pepper tuna outside topped with Chef's special sauce...$12

Spicy Mango Lobster Roll - Lobster tempura, lobster salad, cucumber, caviar wrapped in special soybean paper with Chef's special sauce...$13.95

Bento Box (comes with rice, gyoza, California roll, soup and salad)

Chicken, salmon, beef or shrimp teriyaki...$9

Beef Negimaki...$9

Veggie or Shrimp Tempura...$9

Entrees

Grilled Lamb Chop - American style grilled lamb chop with carrots, red pepper and celery in Chef's special sauce...$26

XO Scallop - Lightly pan-fried sea scallop cooked in Chef's special wine sauce...$23

Mango Chicken/Shrimp - Sauteed chicken/shrimp with asparagus, red pepper, mango, mushroom, bamboo shoot in Chef's special sauce...$16 (chicken)...$19 (shrimp)

Email me at critic@foodistanyc.com if you'd like to see the whole menu.

Try it out and let me know what you think.