We have some smart interns here at D. If you don’t believe me, check out the Japanese Meredith Stein uses in the following recap. (Photos by Meredith Stein)
Where the Geisha House once stood (on Cedar Springs at Gables in Uptown), NAAN’s second location has opened its doors in its place, along with the new sports bar, Orange. The official grand opening for the Japanese eatery is next Monday, but I scored a preview last night. And let me tell you—とてもおいしかったです(oishi-katta-desu, meaning it was very tasty). The new location houses the restaurant’s first hibachi grill, a must-try. Our chef was cute-as-a-button as he flung his utensils around in showman’s style, cooking up a tasty beef number. It was my favorite dish. I also tried their volcano roll, which seemed to melt in my mouth. And the head bartender was pretty much a rock star, as his martini concoctions were right on. Though service was a bit on the slow side initially, the geniality of the staff made up for the waiting time.
“We’ve got the atmosphere for any kind of person,” says GM Evan McLellan. And he’s absolutely right. The vibe is different from the original NAAN in the Shops at Legacy. This spot’s a little more laid-back, while still maintaining that upscale climate. It’s definitely a family-friendly locale, and the hibachi room is meant to be enjoyed. A few steps down the hall is Orange, the restaurant’s “sociable sister,” so to speak. The sports bar is full of HD televisions (“we do the UFC fights here”), there are game machines, and a juke box. Oh, and a gleaming centerpiece of booze bottles within the bar.
The new restaurant is attempting to cater toward the college crowd. There’s a separate menu consisting entirely of university-named rolls, and college sports team memorabilia is strewn throughout the bar. (There was supposedly an SMU party going down later that night, so I guess it’s working for them.)
Count on karaoke nights every Thursday and Friday after 10 PM., happy hour from 3-7PM every day, and an all-day sushi happy hour on Sundays. かんぱい (kanpai: cheers!)
