Karasu

"Karasu always seems to be somewhere you don’t expect. Usually, that means running a Japanese speakeasy and izakaya in a back room of Walter’s in Fort Greene. And currently, it means operating a pop-up at 128 Meserole Street in East Williamsburg. Wednesday through Sunday until Halloween, they’re serving skewers and small plates, karaage fried chicken, and excellent cocktails at indoor and outdoor tables beginning at 5pm." - matt tervooren

"Karasu is sort of like a Japanese speakeasy in the back of Walter’s, except nobody calls it a speakeasy and it’s definitely not a secret. That’s probably why we like it so much: there’s no password or fake door, just low lighting and a lot of Japanese whisky. Put on an outfit, order the prime rib for two, some karaage, and anything from the cocktail menu. In case you need a pre-dinner drink, they have a Happy Hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5-7pm. You’re bound to feel ten times cooler than anyone who didn’t start their night at a bar in the back of a restaurant." - Willa Moore, Bryan Kim

"Karasu is an izakaya hidden in the back of Walter’s in Fort Greene with unique cocktails and very good versions of karaage and tonkatsu. You don’t knock on any fake doors or turn a giant bookshelf to get in. You just need a friend or a date who wants to get to know you before you spend two hours together weeping at contemporary dance pieces inspired by dodo birds. Although you should probably make a reservation to guarantee that you’ll get in and out within your pre-show window. " - team infatuation

"If you give a slight push to the nondescript door at the back of Walter’s in Fort Greene, you’ll find a mellow place decorated with vinyl and sake bottles called Karasu. At this Japanese bar and restaurant, you can sit on a stool and sip a Toki highball, or hang out at a little table and eat some tuna tataki. There’s a small food menu with a few snacks and some larger items like ikura don and a $95 ribeye for two, although you don’t necessarily have to eat a full meal here. Make a reservation, and stop by for Happy Hour if you don’t enjoy paying full price for oysters and sake." - bryan kim, sonal shah

"All of the one-two punches on this list are designed for efficiency. But none are as easy as this one - because Karasu is the Japanese cocktail bar through the hidden back door of Walter’s. Despite sharing the same roof, these two operations feel like fully different experiences. At Karasu, order freely from the interesting cocktail menu, drink from a glass that’ll make you want to go to more estate sales, and settle into the vibey (but not sceney) environment. You’ll want to stay a while." - katherine lewin