Bon Appetit released its Hot 10 today. The list covers the 10 best new restaurants in America, and it includes a unique East Austin restaurant that has captivated critics around the country.
Brisket at Kemuri. (Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell)
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, which nabbed the #8 spot on the list, blends Japanese izakaya and Texas smokehouse for good eats and a real good time. The food captivated the Bon App writers, as did the vibe. The magazine’s restaurant editor Andrew Knowlton wrote:
And at no place did I party more than at Kemuri Tatsu-ya in East Austin. That’s bound to happen when you combine a raucous izakaya (think Japanese pub) and a smoky Texas BBQ joint with the “keep it weird” mantra of the capital.
But it wasn’t just the sweet vibes that captivated the writer. The food is no joke.
But it’s the more oddball, ambitious dishes that really show Kemuri’s penchant for playfulness. “Hot pocketz,” a kind of crispy sandwich involving fried tofu slices, gouda, and yes, more brisket, can’t possibly be delicate and nuanced, can it? Let’s just say I’m still trying to re-create them at home. Then there’s the octopus fritter topped with Texas chili that defies classification.
This isn’t the first national nod for the East Austin restaurant from the owners of Ramen Tatsu-Ya. Kemuri took a spot on the Best New Restaurants list from GQ earlier this year, as well. And, of course, we raved about it with our review in March.
RELATED
- Cultural exchange: Excellent Kemuri Tatsu-Ya mashes up Texas and Japan
- 2016 Austin360 Dining Guide: The Top 25 restaurants in Austin (Kemuri and June’s weren’t eligible for this list.)
