Manhattan's First 2D Restaurant Opens
Shirokuro, Manhattan's first two-dimensional restaurant, opened at 103 Second Ave as an omakase spot with white walls and black outlines creating a hand-drawn, comic-book effect. The playfully surreal environment offers not just a meal, but a full sensory experience. Enso no Sato Japanese restaurant opened in Huntington, drawing attention for its yakitori and traditional technique in an intimate setting.
The 2D restaurant trend, which uses monochrome interiors and bold black outlines to create the illusion of being inside a drawing, first gained popularity in Seoul, South Korea, in 2017. The concept was inspired by the Korean drama "W – Two Worlds," where characters move between the real world and a fantasy webtoon. This Instagram-friendly aesthetic has since spread to cities like Tokyo, Lisbon, and now, Manhattan. Shirokuro, whose name translates to "white-black" in Japanese, was brought to life by owner James Lim and artist Mirim Yoo. Yoo spent three months hand-painting every detail of the interior, from the furniture to the floors, using a Japanese ink painting technique to create the immersive, storybook environment. The goal was to create a living sketchbook where art and food intersect. Despite its high-concept design, Shirokuro aims for accessibility. The omakase menu is notably affordable for Manhattan, with a 10-course option for $50 and a 16-course meal for $80. The experience is crafted by Master Sushi Chef Hiroji Sawatari, who previously worked at the 2-Michelin-starred Sushi Yasuda. A hidden door within Shirokuro's illustrated walls reveals a speakeasy-style space that now houses Boka, a Korean fried chicken restaurant that was previously located on St. Mark's Place. While Shirokuro is Manhattan's first 2D restaurant, New York City's first foray into the trend was Kravings Kafe, which opened in Brooklyn in 2023. Meanwhile, Enso no Sato in Huntington offers a more traditional Japanese experience with a dual focus on sushi and izakaya-style small plates. The restaurant is led by owner Keai Carmen Shi and Chef Alex Zheng, a 25-year veteran who most recently worked at the acclaimed restaurant Nobu. The name "Enso no Sato" translates to "in the village," with "Enso" referencing the hand-inked circle symbolizing enlightenment in Zen Buddhism. The menu features weekly changes based on the best seasonal fish for its omakase, which is priced at $85 for 12 courses and $135 for 18 courses. A key feature of Enso no Sato's menu is yakitori, or grilled skewers. Traditional yakitori preparation often involves grilling over a special oak-based charcoal called binchō-tan, which burns cleanly at a high temperature, imparting a distinct smoky flavor to the chicken.
