Bar Bushido Traditional Japanese Sake Bar Now Open In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Bar Bushido, a new traditional Japanese izakaya from acclaimed chef and Taproot owner Jeff Taibe, recently opened its doors to customers in the city's Wall Street area.

Located at 51 Wall Street, Bar Bushido offers an atmosphere ideal for hanging out with friends and loved ones while sharing some delicious food and enjoying great beers, cocktails and sake together.

The traditional Japanese izakaya, or sake bar, officially opened for business in late January and has already received a warm reception from customers, according to Taibe, who operates the restaurant with Taproot co-owner Steph Sweeney.

"So far, it's been exciting to see people's reaction to really just stripping away the thought of what a restaurant is," Taibe said to Patch, "but still offering top quality food and some of the best cocktails around."

According to Taibe, the aim of opening an izakaya in Norwalk was to create a space where customers can "grab a drink, settle in and get comfortable."

See also: New Traditional Japanese Sake Bar To Open Soon In Norwalk

A unique aspect of the Bar Bushido experience is the difference between its front and back areas.

According to Taibe, the front primarily functions as a bar, offering food and drinks in a loud, casual and fun atmosphere that may not always be child-friendly. The back serves as a quieter handroll bar, which he emphasized is different from sushi.

The front also offers limited reservations for booths that fit two to six guests, as well as a communal table for large parties. All other spaces in front are first come/first serve with a running waitlist for bar seats, tables or counter seating, according to Taibe.

Orders in front are placed directly by customers through QR code machines throughout the bar, for which guest wifi is provided. There is no table service in this area, Taibe said.

"There's been a little pushback with the QR codes," Taibe said, "but once people get going, they turn quickly and start having a good time."

The front area also offers space for customers to watch sumo wrestling, which Taibe noted is always fun to see guests react to.

"People tend to chuckle a bit or ask why they are watching sumo," Taibe said, "but then you see those same people into it and moving and reacting to each match."

Guests seeking a more traditional table service experience can dine in the back area, which is full service and reservation only. Walk-ins are only seated in this area if there is an opening, Taibe said.

The menu at Bar Bushido offers a variety of items for customers to enjoy over drinks, including koji beef jerky, pork katsu pockets, ramen and a wide selection of yakitori, a Japanese type of skewered chicken.

"Oddly enough, I thought we'd be a ramen place, which I offer but didn't want to be known for," Taibe said, "but luckily people are honestly eating everything. So far, there is no 'loser' on the menu. The grilled stuff sells a lot, and that was our whole focus. We're so happy to see it."

Some popular cocktails among guests have included the Oni Fans, the Take Me Back To Edo and the Personal Columns.

"I am also seeing a lot of people getting the different sakes," Taibe said, "which again, we really wanted to highlight some beautiful sakes not only from Japan, but from Brooklyn as well."

The opening of Bar Bushido marks another new addition to the city's growing Wall Street area that has seen a number of businesses open in recent months.

US Furniture, a popular furniture and mattress retailer, recently opened a new store space near Bar Bushido at 84 Wall Street after relocating from its previous space on Richards Avenue.

Flying Scotsman, a bar focused on finely crafted cocktails and unique whisky experiences, held its official grand opening at 30 Main Street in October.

The area also saw a noticeable loss late last year when New York Bakery, a Norwalk staple with a history that dates back to the 1950's, permanently closed its doors just before Thanksgiving.

Greater Norwalk Chamber President Shannon O'Toole Giandurco noted the vibrancy of this area of the city can be attributed to several factors.

"The Norwalk Conservatory has brought energy and foot traffic to the neighborhood, with students contributing to a walkable community," O'Toole Giandurco said to Patch. "In addition, the efforts of developers to revitalize and modernize the buildings have created an attractive environment for businesses. The variety of offerings with restaurant and dining experiences continue to draw locals and visitors. It's this combination of cultural enrichment, strategic development and diverse offerings that makes this area a go-to destination."

Bar Bushido's front kitchen hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., according to their website.

The back area is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.