In their lust for culinary cross-pollination, chefs from the Battery to Harlem are hitching miso to guacamole with promiscuous abandon. He was the executive chef for five grand years at haute French La Caravelle, whose owners, Andre and Rita Jammet, are his partners in Sono, along with former Danny Meyer honcho Larry Goldenberg.
Some dishes dud out.
Like Tabla, where Indian accents are applied to American classics, Sono isn't for everyone. At Caravelle, Ono added an Asian blush to the French repertoire through sparing use of Japanese ingredients. But at Sono, he's buying in bulk, and the menu is steeped in more miso, wasabi and yuzu than you'll find at Yohan Plaza. The setting is a Japanese-inspired harmony of plaster walls, wood floor and ceiling, rattan accents and luxurious peach banquettes. It's more elegant than other high-end exotic destinations like Vong or China Grill.