Colliding Continents

Monday, September 21, 2009

Decibel - Sake Bar, Plain & Simple.

Decibel Sake Bar, New York, NY

Decibel has been around since 1993, tucked away underground with only a small sign indicating its existence, it can easily be missed but once found it is a very cool surprise. Making my way down the stairs, my curiosity kicked into overdrive with a flurry of images flashing through my mind trying to anticipate what I was about to walk into. I thought of the movie Rising Sun specifically the scene of characters engaged in nyotaimori - the practice of eating from a naked body - silly I know, but I have an overactive imagination. With every step I thought of something else until I hit the dreaded line where imagination meets rationale - "What if it is just some corporate, yuppie set up where a bunch of bankers take clients...ewww." That thought was quickly washed away as I entered the door and was greeted by the host wearing the most unenthusiastic expression as he stood behind a rope and asked for ID.

The first thing that caught my eye were the walls, adorned with graffiti covering almost every square inch of available space. Coupled with lanterns and prints, the clash of the traditional Japanese restaurant art with urban expression was perfect. It was a set up, it must've been, because I fell in love instantly. Much like the graffiti on the walls, the menu was packed with a list of every imaginable type of sake. I opted for a light, crisp sake the name of which escapes me. It starts with an H. It was good.

Decibel is dark, not broodingly like an old Pub but interesting, like something out of a Manga graphic novel. It is a place you can get away and disappear from the insanity of Manhattan or a great place for a small group of friends to talk. This is where I see myself talking to someone for hours and not realizing what time it is until the staff stares over at us in unison and gives us the universal "get out of my bar" look.