Japanese-inspired minimalist mixing at NYC’s Bar Goto.
Around the corner from the busy E Houston Street in New York City is Bar Goto, a Japanese bar founded by bartender Kenta Goto. After moving to Manhattan from Tokyo over two decades ago, Goto mastered mixology during a seven-year stint at The Pegu Club. With his newfound cocktail knowledge and innate knack for Japanese culture, he went on to open a modern and upscale izakaya in the Lower East Side.
The dimly lit intimate space is both welcoming and flattering with an unassuming exterior. It offers a spectrum of vibes, from quiet moments during the early evenings of the week to the complete opposite: bustling energy on the weekends.
Bar Goto highlights the stunning subtleties of Japanese aesthetics while staying true to its Lower East Side origin. The excellent taste of the concoctions results from the expert mind of Kenta Goto, winner of the 2011 Spirited Award for American Bartender. His gift that separates him from the rest is the ability to create drinks that are simple on the surface, yet complex within.
Koharu Usui, bartender at Bar Goto and its sister establishment, Bar Goto Niban explaines what guests can expect from both minimalistic locations.
“We are detail-oriented and prioritize a positive and memorable customer experience. Located in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights, down the street from the Barclays Center, Bar Goto Niban follows the original Bar Goto with a similar concept but a different menu, allowing for a completely unique guest experience at either location. Bar Goto Niban is inviting, elegant and more spacious than its sister concept. Our team ensures quality control and outstanding customer service with a minimalist menu and manageable space.”
Usui then went on to express her excitement for their upcoming Spring Menu. “The new spring menu is full of floral flavors! There’s bergamot in the Paradaisu, chrysanthemum in the Kiku, and floral spice of sansho pepper in the Yuzu Sour, the Jasmine & Apricot, and of course, our signature Sakura Martini. Besides the Kiku, I’m particularly excited about the Jasmine & Apricot, which is a riff on a French 75 with jasmine tea-infused gin, apricot liqueur, and yellow plum brandy. It’s topped with an edible apple blossom which, if you bite into it, complements the cocktails’ flavors.”
While Koharu’s synopsis paints a pretty picture of Bar Goto’s elegancies, such few words simply cannot capture everything the spot has in store. So, get over to the Lower East Side to take it all in yourself!
The post The Minimalist Experience at NYC’s Bar Goto appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
