Midtown Lunch

The much anticipated Glaze Teriyaki (Lexington between 54th & 55th) is set to have their grand opening today, and will be serving their Seattle based Japanese and Korean inspired teriyaki dishes for lunch. In honor of the grand opening, the Glaze team wants to give 3 Midtown Lunch’ers free teriyaki for a year! All you have to do to enter is reply in the comments below and share either your favorite teriyaki memory or write an original teriyaki inspired haiku. The contest is open from now until midnight next Tuesday (12/14).  Limit one entry per person, winners will be selected randomly.

Curious to see what you’ll get if you win? We snuck into their soft opening/preview last night to give you a first look. And the early indicators are more than promising.  (In other words, you’re going to want to win this prize.)

There’s a good amount of forethought that went into the concept of the restaurant and the food. The restaurant is modeled after traditional Seattle teriyaki joints when tend to be utilitarian, inexpensive Mom and Pop joints. Instead, Glaze’s décor is a carefully formulated hipster-garage chic with counters made of reclaimed Douglas Fir lumber from an old factory and chairs that were produced locally in Brooklyn.

In keeping with the recent dining trends, the menu exhibits contemporary bravado with a focus on organic proteins, locally sourced vegetables, and artisanal products, such as Brooklyn bottled Bruce Cost ginger ales.

The menu immediately passes the ML $10 litmus test – basic lunch plates are $9.50 and under, and arrive with either white or brown rice, and a small side salad. They also offer combinations of two meats ($10), such as the chicken thigh and pork loin teriyaki combo pictured above. Other previews of Glaze have been eager to point out the lineage of the house made teriyaki sauce, which was conceptualized by Glaze’s owner, a Seattle native, and Glaze’s Chef, the former executive Chef of Rosa Mexicano. A more discerning teriyaki expert might be able to find fault in the sauce – I however, could not.

The execution of proteins is commendably done across the board. Aforementioned chicken thighs and pork were tender and meaty, with nary the stringiness or gristle that may be found on lesser quality beasts. Teriyaki lacquered chunks of organic salmon ($9.50) were similarly moist and proficiently cooked.

Diners can also opt to create a combo of gyoza, cucumber salad or sautéed vegetables for an additional $2. The gyoza add-on arrives as a four-some, in veggie, chicken, or pork flavors. I found the pork gyoza to be pleasantly crispy, and blissfully meaty.

An appetizer menu is also available, and includes edamame ($3), vegetable miso soup ($3), Japanese shishito peppers ($5), cucumber salad ($3), cold soba salad ($3.50), the aforementioned crispy gyoza (5 for $3.50) or the charred pork rib ($5) pictured above.

For dessert, a small bowl of toasted almond rice pudding ($2) was slightly sweet, slightly crunchy and thoroughly refreshing.

Despite the early parade of publicity, at this point I will say that Glaze seems to be worth the hype.  Obviously they were putting on their A-Game for the “worthy” invitees, but you can be sure that I’ll be back – not only to do a follow-up quality check and make sure they weren’t just turning on the charm for the food bloggers, but because the food actually seems like it’s going to be quite good, the atmosphere was comfortable, and the service was polished.

Meanwhile, I’m already green with envy at the three lucky winners-to-be. So recall that happy teriyaki memory or pen a witty haiku and leave it in the comments. A year’s worth of free teriyaki awaits!

Glaze Teriyaki, 638 Lexington Ave. (btw 54+55th St), 212-935-3400 (website and menu)

*Fine Print: One entry per person. Each winner can get one meal per visit – (appetizer, entree, side and dessert). Does not include beverages. In-store only, not for delivery. Non-transferable