Tomo

1077 Flushing Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11237
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718.456.3695

Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-11pm; Sat 1pm-11pm; Sun 1pm-10:30pm
Cards: All Major
Booze: None
Subway: L to Morgan Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: Yes
Bushwick BK says:

The dining area in Tomo is one long, leather banquette faced with masculine chairs, softened by a pink light that cascades over a curved wall made of various-sized slices of 1×6 wood planks — modern, but well-done and comfortable. After a month, the menus still smell like plastic and the Ozeki Sake dispenser is ready to be broken in. Tomo just acquired its liquor license — wine, beer, and sake is now available.

The sashimi and sushi are surprisingly fresh. The portions are generous — glistening slabs of fish draped over rice like king-sized comforters on full-sized beds. Yellowtail, squid, and salmon were supple; only the tuna was lean and lackluster. The simple fish preparations are best; the more elaborate rolls, heavy with crispy fried flakes, gloppy mayo, sweet eel sauce, and avocado taste stonerific.

The menu is large, rooted in raw Japanese fare with more ambitious entrees like rack of lamb with plum wine sauce and crispy red snapper. Chef Yoshi Wong, who designs and executes the menu, trained at a sushi apprenticeship in Tokyo for three years. One of the current owners (there are three) was a regular customer at his sushi counter in Queens before he cherry-picked him for Tomo. Mr. Wong, like the enthusiastic waitresses, is talkative and friendly, slicing flesh and sending out complimentary plates of vinegared cucumber topped with spicy tuna tartare.

Some of the best offerings are in the starter section of the menu. A sprightly seaweed salad was a heap of marine greens, lubed with sesame oil and chile ($4). Also nice was a sauté of assorted mushrooms — shitake, enoki, and cremini in a garlic-scented buttery pile ($4). The prices are a couple of dollars cheaper than in Williamsburg or Manhattan; basic rolls are 4 dollars, larger ones 8 or 9, and lunch specials, complete with miso soup and salad, are 8.

Gothamist

188 Berry St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.384.2138

Rating: ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Sun-Thurs 5pm-2am; Fri-Sat 5pm-4am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Food/Menu: Mexican
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Yes
Gothamist says:

Do not resist, join the team, and step inside the big new double-decker Mexican restaurant-bar-mechanical bull destination that opened earlier this week next to Radegast Hall in Williamsburg. We’re not in Kokie’s anymore, Toto. Called Viva El Toro, the massive space boasts the only mechanical bull in all of Brooklyn, according to the owner, who is extremely proud of her salsa. (Pictured here.) This is now the ultimate place to load up on Mexican food, pound tequila, ride the bull, lose your lunch, rinse, and repeat. Alternatively, it seems like a pretty great place to laugh at others doing all that. On Mondays whoever rides the bull the longest gets free margaritas! The menu includes all the standard items such as Carne Asada ($17), Fajitas ($14-$16), Tacos ($9-$10), Chile Rellenos ($13), and Quesadillas.

Metromix says:

Paging Four Square: It’s about time to add a mechanical bull badge. Manhattan has two of the robotic beasts, and now Williamsburg will be able to take part in the faux-rodeo. Viva El Toro isn’t the most notable bar in the neighborhood, except for what they have tucked away in the back. Up front it’s a typical wooden bar with a bunch of sports fans hanging out and watching the multiple televisions. But in back, up a small staircase, behold: The inanimate creature is ready to take you on. Expect hipsters to line up at their chance to throw down (aka get thrown). If you want to go for the ride, here’s a crucial tip: drink lots of tequila first.