We’ve seen bubbles, we’ve seen greenhouses, but these heated tables (which are part of a Japanese tradition) may just take the cake for best cold-weather outdoor dining set-up in NYC!
Dr. Clark in Chinatown has a gorgeously designed interior, which sadly many people were unable to see as it first opened during the pandemic. Now it’s doing limited indoor seating, but its biggest draw may be its outdoor “Kotatsu” tables for keeping you warm all winter long.
Coming from the same owners as The Izakaya in the East Village (restaurateur Yudai Kanayama), Dr. Clark is themed around Hokkaido, Japan’s most Northern island known for its cold climate and amazing snow-covered mountains for skiing and snowboarding. And that experience with chilly weather was perfect for preparing for the upcoming outdoor dining season in NYC.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, a “Kotatsu” is a low table with a heater attached and then covered with a futon blanket. “It is a heater with a long history which started in the 14th century,” they write. “Japan has a custom from old times of sitting directly on the floor without a chair. When you use a Kotatsu, you sit directly on the floor and put your feet in the futon blanket.” Of course, back then it wasn’t an electric heater, but rather a charcoal fire in a hollowed-out portion of the floor. The current electric portion came about in the 1960s.
“It’s beautifully designed and we can proudly say it’s the best outdoor setting in NYC,” they told us via Instagram. “Those heat lamps unfortunately can’t beat the NYC coldness, but these Kotatsu tables can beat the Hokkaido coldness: 20°F in a snow igloo with just t-shirts.”
The Dr. Clark team imported the special Kotatsu heaters specifically for outdoor dining in NYC, and each has a remote control so customers can decide how warm they want it. You can also put your feet inside the table covered with a futon.
“It’s super warm and comfortable” they continued. “You can fall asleep there and never want to leave.” (That’s clearly what happened to the customer below!)
One of their signature dishes is also perfect for the cold weather: table-top Hokkaido-style lamb BBQ. They also serve Japanese specialties like Jingisukan for two, Hokkaido-style fried chicken, and a creative Ramen salad.
Right now they have 8 Kotatsu tables set up. You can reserve them via their website here.
featured image source: Courtesy Dr. Clark