☞ EAT: Sun Chan

A good example of an authentic Japanese restaurant is Sun Chan on the southern fringes of Morningside Heights. On any night, this Japanese izakaya is at least half filled with Japanese ex-pats who live uptown. The owners and staff are also Japanese. Below 14th Street, this is the norm at any Japanese institution, but uptowners are still getting their bearings on Asian cultures.

An izakaya is a tapas type of Japanese restaurant that serves hot and cold plates made to enjoy with helpings of beer or saki. Yakatori skewers of grilled meats or sushi options are quite popular along with daily specials you will not find for the entire 100 blocks of uptown Manhattan. The front is pretty shabby, but welcoming with bright red, traditional Japanese signs at the entrance and a well worn interior feels like a mom & pop Japanese izakaya in the 1990's. It all works, though, in a nostalgic, low-key way, and prices are decent enough. Weekends are packed, so come early or later in the evening. 2707 Broadway between 103rd and 104th Street. Tel.(212) 749-5008. Take the 1 train to 103rd Street or the 1, 2, 3 train to 96th street and walk four blocks north.