Ariyoshi (CLOSED)

Just south of Union Square, this Japanese izakaya offers a serene spot adorned with faux maple branches sprouting out of the walls and paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. What’s even more Zen-inducing than its rustic decor is an entrée-sized starter of tofu salad ($5.50), which marries crispness—romaine lettuce, radish slices and cherry tomatoes—with the silkiness of warm, nutty tofu slices. A sprinkling of a light citrus-and-miso vinaigrette balances out the pairing and is ideal for the dressing-averse.