Sit at the counter to watch them twirl, ladle and splash, and cook frozen appetizers like shumai and spring rolls, best avoided.
Sit at the counter to shoot the breeze with the locals, or nab one of the booths if you prefer a view of the restaurant, with its lazy ceiling fans and glass cabinets stacked with sandwiches.
Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema urged me to sit at the counter to get the full experience, including the banter between the regulars and the gruff but somehow charming owner Art Carlson, who's been running this place for more than 30 years.
The bartender, who squeezes the fruit & vegetable juice cocktails, sits at the counter to have his lunch, after the rush is over.
He hugged her and then came out from behind the counter to sit with her at a table in the empty restaurant.
"And for people who eat in the restaurant, the useful life is only as long as it takes them to walk from the counter to sit down and eat". A move to abandon foam packaging would come as McDonald's is experimenting with radical changes in location, decor, food and service, trying to find the right adult-oriented combinations.
The shop feels like Groundwork Coffee Co., with beans and burlap and a counter to sit at and drink and sample from that chocolate tasting menu.
If you prefer to place your order with the chef personally, it is recommended that you sit at the sushi counter to avoid any confusion or delay with your order.
The dining room is beautiful, all dark grey slate, polished wood and zen-like vibes, but the best place to sit is at kappo-style counter to watch the masters at work, honing pristine plates of stone-seared prawns and peas, and hake cheek and shiso tempura.
Bolton manager Neil Lennon: "I have to pay Mark [Warburton, Brentford manager] a compliment - he set his team out not to sit back but to counter-attack well, but for 30 minutes of the second half we were magnificent.
