Restaurant Name: Kokoro
Location: 526 Main Street, Lafayette, IN (map it)
Phone: (765) 742-8180
Hours: Tues – Fri: 11:30-1:30; 5:30-9:30; Sat: 5 – 9:30
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Review:
Kokoro, in my experience mostly just referred to as “Tony’s” is a restaurant with outstanding food and sketchy service. That is to say, Tony, expects you are there for the excellent food; you’ll get it when it’s ready. Tony’s wife, a delightful lady, is typically the server (at least during lunch when I normally go). Tony seems to recognize his departure from the “customer is always right” attitude inasmuch as his website is “sushinazi.com.”
The atmosphere is pleasant and the decor is nice. Warning: it’s not cheap. A lunch plate runs $10 on average, and a dinner plate goes for about $20. In addition, Tony has a liquor license in case you want a beer or something.
When I go, it’s primarily for the sushi. I don’t claim to have a discerning palate for such things, but among Lafayette’s surprising number of sushi offerings (for a Midwestern town of its size), I think Tony has the best. I could probably die happy, drowning in his spicy sauce. But, occasionally when I’m in the mood for something else, I have been extremely happy with the pork fried rice.
I wouldn’t recommend taking kids there – in fact, I guess I’m not positive they are allowed since I have never seen any. The wait on the food can be too long for an impatient child. But, if you don’t have to be anywhere, and you want really good Japanese food, Tony’s is definitely a place to check out.
(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve seen a family or two in there. Have also seen families leave in a “huff” due to the wait, not understanding how Tony works. There should be a huge sign in the window – don’t bring kids, don’t come before a show, bring people you like to talk to in case it takes an hour or two. It’ll be worth it.
We generally get there for dinner right when he opens, because you’re guaranteed a meal in less than an hour at that point.
And yeah, death by drowning in Tony’s spicy sauce would be my preferred way to go, also.
We’ve taken our kids there plenty of times – the trick is to order early, and order often – so get a few things in as you sit down, and then add as you need. My daughter loves the chicken tempura, my son will eat anything Tony will make for him!!!
I will say the food is very very good. I like Tony’s Curry best. I’ve talked to Tony about his curry. He said that it always takes him about 18 hours to cook the curry sauce rather than use low quality quick cooking. I would say it worth to wait about 1~2 hours if you want quality food. Just as people said before, you can go earlier and your food will be faster.