japanese luxurious, up on the 2nd floor at Pabu - The Boston Globe

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Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

Sashimi at Pabu, the new eastern restaurant in the Millennium Tower in Downtown Crossing.

where to Pabu, a japanese restaurant discovered on the 2d floor of luxury apartment constructing Millennium Tower.

What for Sushi, small plates, and butter-basted steaks at an idea from two acclaimed cooks: Michelin-starred James Beard award winner Michael Mina and Ken Tominaga. it's an offshoot of their San Francisco restaurant of the same name. (a 3rd Pabu, within the 4 Seasons in Baltimore, opened in 2012 and closed two years later.)

The scene Steely Dan is taking part in in the elevator on the manner up. Orchids greet you as you enter the restaurant. A bar and lounge area is shrouded in darkness, which offers option to the golden glow of the eating enviornment. traditional japanese design facets are translated into tasteful restaurant decor. A wood constitution comparable to a temple gate frames booths the place businesses of 20-somethings chopstick up slivers of sashimi and drink sake; at the end of the room is a sushi bar backed with the aid of a gold wall painted with cranes, within the trend of a jap screen. large windows offer a view of Downtown Crossing (i can see you, guy prancing round at the BSC throughout the style); flocks of flickering candles easy a way to the restrooms. The bar is busy, populated by way of men in button-downs and sweater-clad couples sipping craft cocktails.

What you're ingesting government chef Ben Steigers hails from San Francisco's Pabu. He offers up small plates just like the one-chew "satisfied spoon" oyster, topped with sea urchin, roe, and more; residence-made tofu; chicken karaage, fried with ginger-soy marinade; mushroom tempura; and lobster okonomiyaki, a japanese snack that falls someplace between omelet and pancake. There's a variety of robatayaki, grilled skewers of hen elements, pork belly, and more. The sushi bar sources fish from Tokyo's Tsukiji Market as well as New England. after which Pabu turns right into a high-conclusion steakhouse, incorporating eastern flavors on the meat and within the facets (bonito within the potato puree, shiso with the crunchy lotus root).

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take care of a drink? in case you're attracted to jap whiskey or sake, come here: each are a focus. Cocktails are thoughtful and artistic, from the Eighth advantage (junmai sake with vodka, pineapple gum, lemon, and cardamom) to the two Dots & a Dashi (japanese whiskey with dashi and bitters). There's also wine and often japanese beer.

Overheard A bartender presents a gourd-shaped shaker to a diner at the bar: "Are you universal? here is togarashi for the skewers, but i love it on every thing," he confides. "Ooh, the chopsticks are extra-pretty," a lady coos, and her date smiles indulgently: "You're at all times so excited!" A server touts the ocean urchin to a skeptic: "Or, as chef calls it, ocean custard." The mood is cozy. What's lacking? the man within the snappy grey go well with knows: "Do you note no one right here is speaking politics?" "Is the constructing full?" somebody wonders. "I heard it became relatively close." "it all depends on the euro," someone opines. a couple departs, bidding farewell to some newfound friends: "decent to look you! See you in Chelsea!"

Millennium Tower, three Franklin St., ground 2, Downtown Crossing, Boston, 857-327-7228, www.michaelmina.internet

Devra First will also be reached at dfirst@globe.com. observe her on Twitter @devrafirst.