Find out what’s not on the sign after the jump.

I spoke to someone working inside the restaurant who told me that the food will basically be exactly the same (with some new items), and that people who bring in Chiyoda receipts will get a 10% discount.  Plus there will be an official “Grand Opening” on September 13th (with t-shirts!).

From the looks of the extensive renovations, we’re guessing it’s going to look very different… but besides that, it sounds like not much else will change. Either way, I’m pretty excited to check out the new spot when it opens.

You can check out some PR’ish photos of their food, an idiot’s a beginner’s guide to sushi, plus a look at their very hip looking “customized bento” menu, on their facebook page.

In case you missed it in the forums a few weeks ago, Chiyoda Sushi (on 41st btw. Mad+5th) has discounted a number of their bentos and one of their large sushi boxes.  It doesn’t say on the signs when it ends, but according to their website today is the final day-  so this is your last chance.  (Unless they decide to extend it… hint hint.)

Related:
Chiyoda Sushi (aka more Japanese fun!!!)
20% off on all bento boxes at Chiyoda Sushi in midtown

I have already written a ton on Chiyoda, not only about the actual store on 41st, but also about their super fantastic online bento ordering service, and their “delivery guy” who sells them on the street (50th St. btw. 6+7th) during lunch.  Well, Katagiri is now the third place in the area you can buy Chiyoda stuff, and is a great option for anyone working on the Upper west hand corner of Midtown.

Photos after the jump…

Because it is just a kiosk, the selection is obviously not going to be as large as Chiyoda itself, but they have some pretty tasty options…

The day I was there they had all sorts of goodies, ranging from tofu salad and soba noodle salad to tempura, sushi bento boxes and the fancy little sashimi boxes that set the actual store on 41st apart from its Japanese neighbors.  Some things can be a little pricey, but if you are looking for a higher quality of Japanese bentos, it is worth it.

For a complete +/-, check out the Original Post on Chiyoda… with two extra minuses:

• A lot of the food is not made on premise, so it’s not going to be as fresh as what you get at the Chiyoda on 41st. 
• The selection is not going to be as large.   

Other then that, it’s a keeper!

Chiyoda Sushi inside Katagiri Japanese Market, 224 E. 59th St. (btw. 2+3rd), 212-755-3556

But like all rules, there are some exceptions.  For example, when delivery is made to be fun!  Like in the case of Chiyoda Sushi.  Chiyoda is a place I’ve written about a few times.  Along with Yagura & Cafe Zaiya, it makes up the Japanese Trinity on 41st btw. Mad+5th., my favorite block for Midtown Lunch’ing.  Unfortunately it’s a little too far for me to make it down there too often-  but last week, I discovered (thanks to an email tipster), that they have delivery- and it’s fun!

Chiyoda has a special online delivery menu that is really fun to look at, even if you don’t want to order.  Each day they offer three different lunch boxes, and the schedule for the entire week is posted here (http://www.chiyodasushiny.com/bento_en.html).  But it gets better.  Not sure what one of the items is?  Each morning, you can click on the box and it will show you a picture of the item.  How cool is that?

The boxes range in price from $6 to $8 and there is no delivery charge, or tax- the only requirement is that your office orders a minimum of 3 boxes.  Don’t have two friends who want to order weird Japanese boxed lunches… there is still one more way to get your bento fix- and it’s the best part of the whole story.

The Chiyoda guy on the street with Bento boxes, after the jump…

On 50th St. btw. 6+7th there is a building with so many Japanese businesses that they have a delivery guy assigned just to that block.  Each day between 11:30am and Noon, he sets up shop outside the building and everyone who ordered delivery (you must do it before 10am) comes outside to pick up their boxes.

But here’s the best part.  He brings extra!  So, if you don’t feel like calling in advance, or you forget, or one day you’re walking along in that area and don’t know what to eat, you can just stop by, and see what he’s got.  If you like what you see, he’ll sell you a box right on the street.  Let’s say you work in that area, but you don’t want to leave it to chance (they can run out).  Call ahead and place your order- then let them know you’ll pick it up outside the building on 50th st. btw. 6+7th.  That way you don’t have to order the 3 box minimum.  It’s a fool proof scheme!

When I tried Chiyoda’s delivery thing, I didn’t want to leave it to chance- so I called and ordered the $7 Higawari box, which on this day was Pork w/ Ginger.  I told the lady on the phone, I would  pick it up from the guy on 50th.  At 11:45am they called to let me know he was down there, so I could go and pick up my $7 box.  Here’s what I got:

For a bento breakdown, click on the photo

It wasn’t hot, and it’s not the most filling lunch in the world- but it was very satisfying.  Like any authentic Bento Box, it was a perfect balance between rice, meat, vegetables and pickles.  Not too heavy, but not so light and healthy that it was boring.  I can’t wait to see what they are serving today!

THE + (What someone who likes this place will say)

• If you love Chiyoda, but don’t work near 41st btw. Mad+5th it’s a great way to get their food without traveling too far
• It is a totally authentic Japanese boxed lunch
• At $6-8 it is reasonably priced, considering you don’t have to pay tax or delivery charge
• If you work near 50th btw. 6+7th you don’t have to order the minimum 3 boxes.  You can just pick up your one box from the guy who stands there between 11:30 and Noon.
• If you don’t want to order, or miss the cut off time (10am), you can just go by the 50th St. delivery location.  He almost always has a few extra boxes for sale for stragglers.

THE – (What someone who doesn’t like this place will say)

• Some of the ingredients and bentos are a little too weird for the average American
• Because of the delivery, it doesn’t seem as fresh.  Hot stuff isn’t hot, and I know some people would feel weird about eating raw fish from a box sold on the street (I however, am not one of those people.  It it’s good enough for the Japanese people who work in Midtown, it’s good enough for me!).
• If you are not going to pick it up on 50th, than you have to order a minimum of 3 boxes to take advantage of the delivery.
• You must place your order before 10am so they can map out their delivery route
• The delivery guy on 50th St. is usually only there from 11:30am to Noon(sometimes later, but you’re taking a chance), so it may be too early for some people to eat lunch
• It may be illegal.  There was another bento box delivery guy on 50th btw. 6+7th, who seemed very nervous to talk to me.  He wouldn’t even tell me where the restaurant he was from was located.
• I am super fat and need more to eat.  This isn’t Japan!

Chiyoda Sushi Delivery, 212-889-1260 or just go to 50th btw. 6+7th and see what they’ve got.  For a complete weekly menu go to http://www.chiyodasushiny.com/bento.html

Some places I like to blather on and on about… and some places are best left to the pics:

More food porn, and the +/- after the jump…

Despite both being pre-packaged to-go Japanese places, Chiyoda and Cafe Zaiya are very different.  First, Cafe Zaiya is more like a bakery, that also has bento boxes, rice balls and assorted sandwiches.  At Chiyoda, the focus is on the savory items.  They have a few desserts- but it is really about your main course.  While Zaiya is made for grabbing something quick and scarfing it down, the food at Chiyoda is much more refined, and you can tell a lot of effort went into making the dishes.  There are also healthier options (unlike Zaiya).

Along with that refinement is a much calmer atmosphere; because of the layout, it’s not nearly as crowded as Zaiya.  The downside is, the seating area is super small- so it’s alot easier if you plan to take things to go.  If you want a real sit down meal, they do have a proper sushi bar in the back.

Between my wife and I we tried a few different things… and everything was really good (for pre-packaged food).  The sushi was better than most- and even though the rice still had that “made this morning” texture, it tasted really good once you got used to it.  The salmon and avocado tartare (seen above) was delicious, and only $3.50.  We also got a few pieces of the vegetable and shrimp tempura patty (2 for $1.75), and the Chicken & Vegetable Onigiri (rice ball)- both of which were excellent.  The rice balls at Chiyoda are more exciting (i.e. Chicken & Vegetable) than the ones at Zaiya so they tend to be more expensive (one actually has raw fish in it… something Zaiya doesn’t do).

All in all the best way to enjoy Chiyoda is to go with someone else so you can share a bunch of different things.  We spent about $20 and had lunch for two (including some sushi)… but there’s a ton more things I still want to try.  Bento boxes, steamed sushi (whatever that is), fried chicken cubes, yakitori, Udon & Soba soups… the fun never stops!  It’s not often I say this… but definitely worth the walk from any part of Midtown.

THE +

• A huge variety of Japanese dishes and snacks
• A slightly more upscale version of Cafe Zaiya
• They have healthier options
• Their rice balls are more exciting than most take out Japanese places (Though Oms/b still has nothing to worry about…)
• It is not nearly as hectic as Cafe Zaiya, so you have time to decide what you want

THE -

• It is a little more expensive… and with two cheaper bento box places on the same street, you may not want to spend the extra money
• There is very little seating in the back, so you may have to take your food to go
• There is no bakery!!!  (Where’s my beard papa???)

Chiyoda Sushi, 16 E. 41st (btw. Mad & 5th), 212-400-8880