Tomi Jazz (Midtown East)
Lovers of jazz and unique, somewhat-hidden underground bars, this one's for you.
Located underground right next to Málà Project in Midtown East, Tomi Jazz is a popular spot amongst those that love jazz and seek out the venue’s unique atmosphere. Doors open at 5 PM everyday, but lines begin forming fast, so make sure to get here on time if you want to minimize your time in line (we arrived at 5:10 and waited 2 hours).
Upon (finally) getting inside, guests are taken to an underground musical cavern that looks like a completely separate world from the outside. The dark, quirkily-decorated interior is laden with booths and tables, with a small section in the front corner for jazz bands to perform. While there are also more “private” booths in the back that resemble normal restaurants, I highly recommend getting a seat at the front to watch the musicians play (this costs an extra $10 USD per person, at the time of this writing).
The jazz musicians play their set while servers are bustling about taking orders and delivering food. For how compact the space is and how hectic things can look, everything operates seamlessly, ensuring that the guest’s experience is as smooth as possible. There is also bar seating for those coming solo or just wanting drinks while enjoying the show. While there is an upstairs area as well, this seems to be closed off as a lounge for the musicians.
And while the jazz music and atmosphere are unique in themselves, the food is also tasty, which one may not necessarily expect from a jazz bar. Below are some of my favorite highlights:
The Ozeki Sho Chiku Bai Nigori unfiltered sake is by far some of the best sake I’ve ever had. While filtered sake may have a harsher “bite” to it, this one is instead smooth and has sweet, almost fruity notes. It is easy for anyone to drink, and makes for a pleasant pairing with the food offerings that Tomi has.
The jellyfish comes sliced in a small cup and works great as a tiny appetizer to share with the table. Its consistency is best described as being similar to Jell-O but with a firmer crunch. While mostly flavorless, the sesame oil garnishing rounds it out well.
The fried oysters are a customer favorite. While fried oysters can sometimes be dry or tough, these ones are cooked well, having a balanced juiciness and crunch when bitten into. This is also a small dish that can be treated as an appetizer or side course.
Moving onto the entree-sized dishes, the stir-fried cod roe udon is another popular option. Visually, this is reminiscent of sea urchin pasta, and its consistency is fairly similar as well. The cod roe (egg) adds a creamy but briny richness that goes well with the udon noodle’s texture. While it may not be super filling by itself, it is delicious and worth trying if you’re in the mood.
Next up, the okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake that comes sizzling hot on a skillet when served. The pink bonito flake shavings on top curl with the heat, making the dish seem alive. The pancake is fried to the right consistency, having a crunch similar to a flattened tater tot. The Japanese mayo and tonkotsu sauces drizzled on top also give a savory flavor profile to the dish. A great option for sharing.
Lastly, the hayashi rice is a classic beef and rice dish. It comes with an elliptical mound of rice with a cup full of beef and beef-based demi glaze sauce. The flavor can best be described as beef bourguignon and is overall pretty good. For those wanting a heartier and more filling dish, this is an excellent option.
While the lines may be long and fill up quickly, I firmly believe that Tomi Jazz is worth visiting, if even once. The truly unique atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious food make it a perfect spot for exploring, either by yourself, or with a date.
