Hibino: Opens Monday

ABrooklynLife doesn't get invited to many pre-opening parties (although we do like them!), but the kind folks over at new Japanese tapas and sushi spot Hibino extended the invitation for their Friday night pre-party. We didn't get a full taste of the menu, but what we did try made us want to come back for more.

Before I talk about the food, however, I want to warn you that the rapid intake of a lovely sake, Muroka Namagenshu, may have left my memory just a wee bit fuzzy. I also learned something about unfiltered sake. Since I normally order unfiltered nigori sake, which is milky, I had assumed that all unfiltered sake is milky. Not so, and this unprocessed sake had the crispness and clarity of a deeply flavored champagne, without the bubbles.

So, to the food. Do keep in mind that none of the dishes that were laid out were labeled, so I'm doing my best to match taste with menu description (it seems like such a simple task, doesn't it?). I say this mainly because one of my favorite dishes, which I'll describe as deep-fried rice balls stuffed with eel, isn't on the current menu. What we tried: braised beef; broiled salmon; fresh-made tofu, served cold; barely cooked asparagus in sauce; and several type of nigiri. If you've never had it before, the fresh-made tofu should top your list: light and creamy, it's totally unlike tofu you find at the grocery store or in most restaurants. And above all, the hospitality was first-rate. I've been to many pre-opening tastings for my day job, and the genuine care and love the owner and employees have for their restaurant is obvious. I wish them the best and plan to be back. Official opening is Monday.