Japanese kissaten cafe by day, cozy sake lounge with jazz by night. Exceptional coffee, fluffy pancakes, and inventive sandwiches.
Hi-Collar offers a unique dual experience as a Japanese kissaten cafe by day and a jazzy lounge by night. By day, it focuses on meticulously prepared coffee with rotating global roasts, alongside a food menu featuring delightful sandwiches and sweet milk bread desserts. As evening falls, it transforms into a bar with a selection of sake and whiskies, often accompanied by live jazz performances.
Hi-Collar is celebrated for its Japanese cafe fare, with particular acclaim for its fluffy pancakes (though not the soufflé variety), omurice, and sandwiches, such as the egg salad sando, which one reviewer called a 'religious experience.' The dessert menu also features a highly-praised Japanese sweet potato dish. Their coffee program, especially the siphon pour over and Kyoto-style iced coffee, receives significant praise.
"Highly recommended dishes include the fluffy Japanese-style pancakes, omurice, various sandwiches like the egg salad sando, and the matcha affogato. Their siphon pour over coffee is also a standout item."
Customers generally have a very positive sentiment, praising the unique dual-concept of the cafe and bar, excellent coffee program, and delicious Japanese-inspired dishes like pancakes and sandwiches.
Important Note
While known for its daytime cafe offerings and evening bar, one comment suggests the dinner program is not what the establishment is primarily known for. Also, the 'pancakes' are noted as being fluffy Japanese-style, not the soufflé variety.
"Hi Collar is described as a coffee shop by day and sake/cocktail bar at night with a dinner program and reasonable prices. It's part of the TIC restaurant group in the East Village and is located near Sakebar Decibel."
Positive"Following up on a previous suggestion, Hi Collar is confirmed as a viable option, with the caveat that another option might be preferred if time limits were not a factor."
Positive"Hi Collar is listed as a recommendation."
Positive"Hi Collar is suggested as a dining option."
Positive"Hi-Collar features a Japanese sweet potato dish on their dessert menu, which the commenter describes as "the most delicious caramelized sweet potato with sweet cream.""
Positive"The user recommended the hot cakes at Hi-Collar but was unsure if they offered chocolate chips."
Positive"Hi-Collar is listed as a potential restaurant that serves Yoshoku cuisine, which is a Japanese take on Western foods."
Neutral"The user found the description of Hi Collar's 'Kisaten' vibe during the day to be appealing for a quiet experience, and noted that they also host live jazz at night, seeing it as a potential alternative to Decibel."
Positive"Hi Collar is recommended as part of the TIC restaurant group. It operates as a Japanese cafe (kisaten) during the day and transforms into a sake bar at night with a more substantial food menu than Decibel. It occasionally hosts jazz nights and is good for conversation, unlike Decibel, the expectation isn't necessarily buying whole bottles of sake."
Positive"Hi-Collar in the East Village is recommended for sake and has a nice ambiance."
Positive"Hi Collar is mentioned as one of the many Japanese restaurants in the East Village owned by TIC restaurant group, which was instrumental in introducing authentic non-sushi Japanese cuisine to NYC."
Positive"Hi Collar was suggested for its live Jazz nights and authentic kissaten style cafe atmosphere, noting that the food isn't high-end."
Positive"A user inquired about Hi-Collar on a jazz night, asking if the $20 cover charge is worth the extra cost for a cooler experience. The response suggested that Hi-Collar is more of a bar at night and its dinner program is not what it's known for."
Neutral"During the day, Hi Collar operates as a Japanese Kisaten (cafe) and offers Yoshoku (Japanese Western Cuisine). Recommended dishes include Siphon Pour Over, Fluffy Pancakes, Omurice, and a Sando. This recommendation was made despite the original request being for dinner."
Neutral"Hi Collar operates as a full kissaten during the day with a great coffee program, including Siphon Pour over, and transforms into a sake/whiskey bar at night. They take quality black coffee seriously."
Positive"Hi Collar was mentioned because they imported Japanese toilets, a feature also found in other Japanese restaurants, but Hi Collar came to mind immediately."
Positive"This place offers Japanese Pancakes that are not quite souffle but are popular for brunch. They also have a good coffee program."
Positive"Recommended Hi Collar for brunch, highlighting its omurice, fluffy pancakes, and siphon pour over as well-regarded options. It's described as a Japanese kissaten by day and sake bar at night."
Positive"This user suggested Hi-Collar as a cafe or brunch spot."
Positive"This user agreed with the recommendation for Hi-Collar, indicating it was also their thought for a good pancake spot."
Neutral
