Luxury Japanese barbecue spot sparks date-night craze: reservations selling out fast

Tucked into the Love, Makoto food hall, Beloved BBQ is a low-lit, 70-seat spot where premium Japanese barbecue meets tableside theater. The restaurant?s focus on top-grade beef and interactive service makes it one of the most talked-about small-format concepts in the city right now.

On arrival the ritual is immediate: staff prepare the smokeless tabletop grill by rubbing it with rendered beef fat, a simple gesture that sets the tone for a meal built around fat, smoke and quick-fire cooking. The dining room?s dark walls and close seating keep attention on the food?particularly the restaurant?s selection of imported A5 wagyu and heritage American cuts?while a handful of inventive starters provide contrast.

What to order

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• A5 wagyu sushi (around $18) ? A concentrated way to taste super-premium beef without committing to a full steak; delicate, buttery slices rest on vinegared rice for an immediate hit of texture and richness.
• Truffle salmon sushi with yuzu (about $20) ? Lighter than the wagyu but complex: fresh salmon brightened with yuzu and layered with an undercurrent of truffle oil.
• Spicy miso prime hanger (approximately $18) ? Nicely charred slices tossed with shredded shiso that crisp as they meet the heat, offering a balance of spice and herbaceousness.
• Udon mac n cheese (roughly $14) ? Small udon noodles suspended in a five-cheese sauce and served in a stone bowl that keeps the dish bubbling and creates a satisfyingly crisp edge.
• Pickle plate ($12) ? A colorful assortment of spinach, squash, pickled cabbage, cucumber and Japanese-style kimchi; acidic and textural, it?s the counterpoint to richer grilled cuts.
• Veggie fried rice (about $20) ? Presented in a hot stone bowl and finished tableside with a poached egg, it develops a crunchy, bibimbap-like crust that complements the meat-forward elements.

The menu?s composition rewards sharing: buy a few small plates, add a couple of steaks, and you get a progression of flavors rather than a single dominant course. Prices are on the premium side, but portions and the quality of beef make the place suitable for special occasions or focused tastings rather than casual weeknight dining.

Insider tip

Drinks and desserts carry the same performative edge as the grilled meats. Order the Manhattan if you want a cocktail smoked at the table and finished with a faint shiitake aroma. For a warm finish, the hot buttered sake blends butter and cinnamon and is topped tableside with a charred blowfish fin that lends a briny note.

Service leans into the theatrical?expect servers to finish dishes on hot stones at your table?so allow time for pacing. If you’re trying to limit cost but still taste premium beef, the wagyu sushi gives you the essence of A5 without the full steak bill.

Why it matters now: Beloved BBQ exemplifies two ongoing dining trends?specialized operators within food halls, and experiential, ingredient-driven meals that emphasize showmanship and provenance. For diners seeking a focused, grill-centered meal with distinctive small plates and theatrical service, this is an instructive example of where contemporary BBQ and Japanese technique intersect.