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RULE OF THIRDS

Updated

Phone: (347) 334-6684

Address: 29 NORMAN AVENUE 11222

TLDR

Vibrant Japanese spot w/ amazing date night vibes. Known for killer happy hour deals, delicious tuna & nori, and must-try Wagyu. Save room for rave-worthy sesame soft serve!

Reddit Sentiment for RULE OF THIRDS(based on 36 Reddit opinions)

67% Positive22% Neutral11% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

japanese 28american 4japanese-american 4pancakes 18souffle pancakes 6pancake 5View All

Neighborhoods

Greenpoint

Instagram Posts References

Summary
Summary

Details

This Japanese restaurant in Greenpoint is a popular spot for date nights and happy hour, with positive reviews highlighting dishes like the tuna and nori, flavorful karaage, and the delicious Wagyu short rib and zabuton steak. Desserts, particularly the sesame and strawberry soft serve, are also a hit. While many praise the food and ambiance, some Reddit users have found the food to be mediocre or overpriced, with specific criticisms of dry katsu and pancakes tasting like scrambled eggs.

Food Overview

The Japanese cuisine here receives mixed reviews. While many praise dishes like the tuna and nori, flavorful karaage, Wagyu short rib, and Zabuton steak, and rave about the sesame and strawberry soft serve, a recurring sentiment on Reddit is that the food can be mediocre, overpriced, and sometimes inconsistent. Specific criticisms include dry katsu, pancakes that some found unappetizing, and a general feeling of it being a tourist trap.

Highlights / Recommended

"The Japanese-inspired soufflé pancakes and the Wagyu short rib and Zabuton steak are frequently highlighted as must-try dishes. The sesame and strawberry soft serve are also highly recommended for dessert."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • souffle pancake(3)
  • japanese breakfast set(2)
  • pancake(2)

Customer Sentiment

Overall customer sentiment leans positive, with many praising the ambiance, happy hour deals, and specific dishes like Wagyu steak and soft serve. However, a notable portion of feedback on Reddit expresses disappointment, citing mediocre food quality, high prices, and inconsistencies.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About RULE OF THIRDS

This post highlights a strong negative sentiment regarding the food quality, with multiple comments describing it as not tasting good, mediocre, and not worth the price. The pancake is mentioned as being photogenic but not great.
A user shared a mixed experience, finding the grilled fish dish 'okay' but not exceptional, disliking a sando for its dry bread, yet enjoying the souffle pancake. Another user found the restaurant mediocre overall, advising others to avoid it.
This thread discusses the Japanese pancakes, with some users praising them as Japanese-inspired soufflé pancakes or 'hottokeki,' while others note a different style or find them too sweet. Some confirm a positive experience with the pancakes.
A user recommends Rule of Thirds for its excellent food, drinks, and beautiful space, contradicting a past negative impression from 8 years prior. Another user also recommended it.
A positive review highlights the souffle pancake and a summer corn & crab dish as very good, also mentioning complimentary soft serves.
Multiple users recommend the restaurant for its Japanese and izakaya offerings, with one specifically praising the brunch menu, pickled daikon, and pancakes.
A user recommends the duck at this Japanese restaurant, advising to call ahead for reservations as it sells out.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Does Anyone Know A Good Japanese Pancake Place

"Clarifying that Rule of Thirds is Japanese-inspired, not Korean, and that their hottokeki is indeed a type of soufflé pancake."

Positive
May 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: Does Anyone Know A Good Japanese Pancake Place

"Rule of Thirds offers a different style of Japanese pancake compared to classic soufflé pancakes, described as 'hottokeki inspired'."

Neutral
May 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: Does Anyone Know A Good Japanese Pancake Place

"Rule of Thirds has a great, large, shareable soufflé pancake that is ordered at the beginning of the meal and served at the end. It is Japanese-inspired and is a hottokeki, which is a type of soufflé pancake."

Positive
May 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: Does Anyone Know A Good Japanese Pancake Place

"Rule of Thirds offers an interesting take on Japanese pancakes and is worth a visit."

Positive
May 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: Sos Last Minute Restaurant Rec For Husbands 40th

"Rule of Thirds in Greenpoint is mentioned as a possible restaurant choice."

Positive
Apr 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Recommendations For Duck

"Recommends Rules of Thirds for duck, specifying it's a Japanese restaurant. Advised to call ahead for duck reservations as they run out."

Positive
Nov 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Nicefine Dining Japanese Spot

"This user recommended Rule of Thirds in response to a request for nice Japanese dining options."

Neutral
Nov 6, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Plan Ideashelp Please

"Expressed that Rule of Thirds fits the need for cute places and will try it, especially wanting to spend time in Brooklyn."

Positive
Oct 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Plan Ideashelp Please

"Rule of Thirds in Brooklyn is recommended as a lovely brunch spot."

Positive
Oct 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Williamsburg And Greenpoint Dining Solo Eat

"Rule of Thirds is recommended for a beautiful, lighter meal."

Positive
Oct 21, 2025View Comment →

From post: Williamsburg And Greenpoint Dining Solo Eat

"Rule of Thirds is recommended, and the commenter prefers their brunch menu over the dinner menu, specifically enjoying the pickled daikon and pancakes."

Positive
Oct 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Williamsburg And Greenpoint Dining Solo Eat

"The user confirms their recommendation for Rule of Thirds."

Positive
Oct 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Williamsburg And Greenpoint Dining Solo Eat

"Rule of Thirds is recommended."

Positive
Oct 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: 10 Year Anniversary Dinner

"The commenter stated they have been going to rule of third and have had an excellent experience without doubt."

Positive
Sep 29, 2025View Comment →

From post: Good Restaurant With A Private Room For 810

"Responding to a query about food quality from 8 years ago, this commenter stated that their recent experience at Rule of Thirds was excellent for both food and drinks, and also noted it's a beautiful space."

Positive
Sep 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Good Restaurant With A Private Room For 810

"Rule of Thirds in Greenpoint was recommended. Another user questioned the food quality based on a past experience from 8 years ago."

Neutral
Sep 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Some Casual Bites In Williamsburg

"The commenter highlighted the souffle pancake and the summer corn & crab dish as being very good. They also mentioned receiving complimentary watermelon and sesame soft serve."

Positive
Aug 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Soft Serve In Nyc

"The author found the habanada pepper flavor at Rule of Thirds to be "wild" but notes it's not currently on their website menu, possibly a special."

Neutral
Aug 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Soft Serve In Nyc

"The author tried Rule of Thirds' white sesame flavor, which they did not care for, unlike the previously enjoyed habanada pepper flavor."

Negative
Aug 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Private Dining Without A Required Minimum

"This restaurant has private dining rooms that are enclosed outdoor spaces. The experience requires ordering from a prix fixe menu, but there is no minimum spend mentioned."

Neutral
Aug 8, 2025View Comment →