Local Restaurant Review: Shiro of Japan Long Island Japanese Cuisine

Shiro of Japan is known as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Nassau County Long Island. Located on Old Country Road in Carle Place, a high traffic area, Shiro of Japan has been around for more than 30 years, although switching management more than once and having had a visual remodeling over a year ago, to update its look. Shiro of Japan is not only a Japanese style steakhouse, serving hibachi style table cooked meals, it also has a sushi bar and a martini bar. Having a Japanese garden style dining room makes Shiro of Japan essentially 3 kinds of restaurants rolled up into one. There are Tatami rooms and sometimes live music and the sushi bar seems to be most popular with the lunchtime business crowd.

Because Shiro of Japan is a popular venue, you should make reservations if you don't want to wait. You are also likely to experience a nearby birthday party or two or maybe even three or four. So, be prepared for some birthday squealing and songs periodically throughout your meal. Also be prepared to be seated close or with another party of diners you didn't arrive with. So, if you want a quiet Japanese dining experience or a romantic dinner, think again. Shiro of Japan is a place for good Japanese food and an entertaining experience in a vibrant atmosphere. You are guaranteed to find your eyes following one or more shows, whether it is planned or unplanned.

The restaurant is cheerful and spirited. The staff is courteous and the menu ranges from the expected Japanese dishes to the more exotic. The hibachi meals are served with onion soup, which is really a broth that is similar to miso soup. The popular table grill trick is called the onion volcano. This is where a pile of onions flames up in a startling and enchanting display. If you order fried rice, it will be prepared on the hibachi grill as well. You can feel the heat of the grill when the food is being prepared, but it is temporary. Shiro of Japan offers a wide variety of dishes from combo platters of steak and chicken or steak and seafood, shrimp, lobster, fresh fish, vegetable salads and mixes, and various udon noodle dishes. The food is prepared with teriyaki marinades and exotic spices to intensify and enhance the natural flavors and juices. You can have soft vegetables such as sautéed onions, mushrooms and zucchini or crisp bean sprouts or steamed vegetables. You can have warm soft tofu served with your onion soup, or a zesty miso and ginger dressing on your simple salad.

Shiro of Japan has a wide selection of sushi choices from fresh salmon sashimi or rolled squid or fluke or tuna rolls or shrimp and crab mixtures. There is a surcharge if two people are sharing a combo platter.
Other main menu items include Broiled Chilean Sea Bass with miso sauce, salmon salad, and many other interesting delights. If you still have room for dessert there is a variety of sweet treats that range from Italian Tiramisu to various ice creams and sorbets to cleanse the pallet. The green tea is smooth and refreshing and a nice way to wind down the meal while you are waiting for your check or doggy bag.

Shiro of Japan is a worthwhile and fun dining experience that is reasonably priced and likely to offer you a temporary and uplifting escape from your own kitchen. Lots of customers return again and again. So, if you are out and about on Long Island and in the mood for Japanese cuisine then Shiro of Japan on Old Country Road in Carle Place should be added to your list of stops.