Nestled in Greenpoint, Rule of Thirds serves inventive Japanese comfort food in a stylish, airy space, with highlight dishes like their fluffy soufflé pancake and chicken katsu sandwich perfect for sharing over cocktails.
"In the event that nobody stands up and yells “kanpai” during your meal as would’ve been the case during a meal inside this Japanese spot, you don’t need to fret. The whole point is to get you excited to drink sake, but considering the range of varieties and serving sizes, along with the very knowledgeable staff, you should have plenty of encouragement on your own. Pair it with some very good small plates, like karaage chicken or pork jowl skewers, Thursday through Monday from 5-10pm. Reservations are encouraged and available through their website." - matt tervooren
"A Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar with an industrial interior and a cozy outdoor space, offering dishes like Yaki Onigiri and Smoked Pork Ribs." - Alexis Benveniste
"Although it is flanked by warehouses, the interior design of this hip, 85-seat restaurant features a neat, sleek, Scandinavian aesthetic.A meal here is delightfully untethered by tradition. The cuisine is essentially Japanese, albeit with a perceptible dash of urbanity. The simple, shareable plates are most cherished and include vegan items, like house-made chilled silken tofu with soy milk, okra, ginger and black garlic. Almond miso soup is velvety, while hamachi collar is brushed with miso butter and grilled until slightly blistered for a particularly satisfying dish. Steamed Japanese cheesecake is light and fluffy, but it's the passion fruit puree on top that hits all the right notes." - Michelin Inspector
"There are many things we like about Rule of Thirds, a beautifully designed Japanese restaurant in a sprawling, industrial space. Their dining room is a lovely place to drink an excellent cocktail and eat some sashimi or large-format tonkatsu. Brunch is also a big draw, in part because of their soufflé pancake. In addition to beer and cocktails, they also serve a bunch of sake and shochu, and you can book a big, set-menu brunch or dinner if you have a party of eight or more." - neha talreja, bryan kim
"This Japanese restaurant in the heart of Greenpoint is especially helpful to keep on your radar if you have a bigger wedding party and want catering that stays clear of the ordinary. Wedding packages at Rule of Thirds have a 100 person minimum, with items like chicken karaage, yuzo kosho tuna salad, and mochi ice cream available." - Eater Staff
