A New Brookline Izakaya Is Dripping With Meaty Skewers

A new Japanese restaurant has opened in a coveted space in Brookline Village: Ōmori Izakaya is now open — currently serving a preview menu until more of a grand opening that might happen this weekend — at 195 Washington St. The sizable space, which includes a patio, was previously home to Best Burger Bar, which closed about a year ago after just over a year in business.

Ōmori reportedly has ties to New Sushi (with locations in Allston and Boston) and all-you-can-eat Nijiya Sushi in Medford.

The preview menu is already fairly substantial, ranging from sushi to ramen and beyond. Reflective of the “izakaya” in its name — a word that refers to a casual Japanese pub — there are plenty of drink-friendly snacks, including yakitori and kushiyaki, dumplings, tempura, and more, as well as heartier entrees, such as yakisoba with chicken or grilled salmon with seasonal vegetables. (See below for a look at the current menu.) Beer, sake, and other boozy options will be available once the grand opening gets underway.

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Ōmori joins a crowded dining scene in Brookline Village that also includes Blossom Bar, Pon Thai Bistro, Magnolia Smokehouse, the recently opened Migaku, and lots more. And it’s not the only izakaya to open in the region in recent months: Allston’s popular Ittoku just moved across the river to Cambridge’s Porter Square.

Ōmori is currently open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, with some lunch specials available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Here’s the menu as of November 19 (subject to change):

• Omori Is Opening in the Former Best Burger Bar Space in Brookline Village [BRT]
• New Restaurant Coming To Brookline Village [Patch]