Fire + Water

Fire + Water is a dual concept restaurant in the East Village - Fire will serve dim sum (it’s not open just yet), and Water offers an eight-course omakase for $65 per person. It’s from the people behind Ladybird and Avant Garden, and like both of those spots, it’s entirely vegan.

Water has about 10 seats in a space that looks like a fancy treehouse in the mountains in Japan. Two chefs prepare and serve all of the dishes behind the bar, and while the menu changes nightly, you can expect Japanese-influenced things like fresh tofu with ponzu, mushroom chirashi with wasabi, and pumpkin tempura. All of the food is enjoyable, but so far, we haven’t tried anything we’d make a trip back for. That said, the space is very comfortable, and if you’re dining with a vegan or want a lighter date-night meal, then Water is a good option.