Not being familiar with the Japanese-Italian fusion fare Chef Christine Lau is serving up with her all-female led kitchen at Kimika, I had done my research. I wasn’t thorough enough. I didn’t realize for midday weekends they only offered a brunch menu.

Our waitress Ailin was lovely, steering me toward the Amalfi swizzle ($14). This cocktail — a blend of Ten to One rum, house-made limoncello and Chinola (passion fruit liqueur) sprinkled with crushed pink peppercorns — was reminiscent of a refreshing beach drink.

We started with di palo’s burrata ($22) fried pizzette. It’s ethereal fried dough quarters served with oozing burrata and a bowl of marinated tomatoes. The combination is not to be missed.

Ailin had described the cotechino katsu & tamago sando sandwich as the best thing she ever ate! The Panko-coated Italian sausage came layered with tonkatsu sauce on crustless milk bread with egg salad on another slice ($18). Oddly there’s a third, unnecessary, slice of bread. Not the home run I was hoping for.

What I would recommend is their baked farm eggs with sweet sausage, spicy cabbage, fresh edamame and scallions served with toast crisps. I suggest sharing this egg dish as it’s too hearty a portion for one. Or, maybe we were just too full from the yummy pizzette.

 

Kimika
Nolita
40 Kenmare St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 256-9280