Kasadela

The creamy little petit four sized goma tofu was very tahini-y and not very tofu-y.  I was hoping for something more along the lines of the delicate black sesame flecked tofu I once got in a depachika, one of the fancy food basements in Tokyo department stores.  At $10, the cod with yuzu could have used a little more cod.  Our piece was about the size and thickness of a McDonald's hamburger patty.  5 golf ball potato croquettes were crispy and excellent.  The little pyramid of fried squid rings was spicy and tart with plenty of ponzu.  6 tiles of eggplant tarred with hoisin sweet red miso couldn't be prettier.  The tasting glass, like a long shot, of dai gin jo sake was a perfect Tuesday after work libation, but I'll be damned if I can remember what the sake was called. 

But how did the bill for this elfin meal come out to $28 per person with tip?  That's all we ate, between two people, plus my friend Tati's small bottle of beer and a bowl of rice each.  I could have easily eaten two more of everything.  By myself.  I know, I know, it's an izakaya, it's more about grazing.  Still, this whole small plates trend may be good for getting wasted, but it sucks for getting full.  Gyu dokko?

Kasadela
647 E. 11th St. btwn Ave. B and Ave. C
212-777-1582
L Train to 1st Ave., 14th St. Bus to the east side