{Dining Out} Eating Out for a Cause: Helping Japan

"Disaster Relief for Japan" sushi roll from Sushi Samba 7 (photo courtesy of Sushi Samba)

For the first few days this week, you may have noticed that my blog was pretty quiet.  We had been watching the events in Japan and our mood was sombre.  The stories of the people affected touched us deeply and we wanted to do all we could to help.  The easiest way for us to help was by donating money to the American Red Cross (you can click on the ad on the right that will take you to the Red Cross donation page.  Also, if you have a website or blog and would like to donate ad space to the Red Cross, click here).

Since we like to dine out, we also compiled a list of restaurants who are offering to donate proceeds or a portion of sales to Japan relief organizations:   

Sushi Samba (locations in NYC, Chicago, Miami, and Las Vegas) will be offering a special Disaster Relief for Japan roll ($12) until the end of March.  All of the proceeds from sales of this special sushi roll will be donated to the American Red Cross.  Here in NYC, both locations (Sushi Samba 7 and Sushi Samba Park) are offering a special sushi roll made with kani, eel, tamago, cucumber (the special rolls differ nationwide).

Nobu (Nobu Next Door, Nobu, Nobu 57) will be donating $50 from every $150 Omakase (Chef's Tasting menu) sold to a relief organization helping those in need.

Terroir wine bar (Tribeca, East Village locations) will be serving a special Yoshi Fried Chicken plate ($6) with all proceeds donated to Japanese relief.  Named after a line cook at Hearth and his favorite family meal, the YFC is boneless chicken thighs marinated in garlic, ginger, and soy, covered in cornstarch, and fried to a crispy bite.

Megu (UN Plaza, Tribeca locations) will be donating 5% of its beverage sales from now through March 20th to the Japanese Red Cross.

SHO will donate 10% of its sake sales from now through March 23rd to the Japanese Red Cross.

Toqueville and 15 East will donate 5% of beverage sales from now through March 22nd to the Japanese Red Cross.