Tatany 52 (CLOSED)

Specials are handwritten on posters in Japanese; the lighting aims for dim but ends up as weak fluorescent; and the raw fish can be uneven in quality and freshness. So why bother? The same reason you paw through flea markets: those few perfect finds, like a special of superbuttery, flavorful chutoro for cheap, or deliciously smoky, fluffy chawan mushi. The place is crazy during lunch, but that’s when you get the best deals. Don’t forget to bring a kanji-reading pal along.