It’s a blessing and a curse that Anjin is so popular (good luck getting a reservation before 10pm). This 20-seat Izakaya is the prescription to a bad day—you’re seated overlooking a bustling kitchen, making conversation with the chefs, and eying the dishes next to you with envy. Start with the skewers, including some chewy and perfectly-marinated chicken hearts, then move on to one of their outstanding vegetable-forward dishes over whipped tofu. Some favorites we’ve tried from the seasonal menu are a puffed rice-dusted beet salad with persimmon and an eggplant and snap pea dish that could make a BBQ city consider going vegan. You can’t miss their pork collar sandwich with miso egg salad on crispy Texas toast-style milk bread, which has quickly joined the city’s top sandwich tier alongside the Z-man. End with a twist of their soft serve (we’ve seen flavors from matcha to ginger pear) topped with Pocky and Hello Pandas. Oh, and about those reservations—we’ve had luck booking another while we’re there.