I went to my favourite aquarium supply store today. And I asked them how the little Korean and Japanese restaurant hole-in-the-wall next door was and they said it was good. So I went in and it was fantastic.
I am going to skip fewer holes-in-the-walls. Maybe the little places try harder?
My favorite Japanese restaurant for the longest time was an absolute dive on West 42nd street, between 7th and 8th Avenue.
It was dingy, it was dim, there was one guy working, but he made stupendously good ramen, soba, and udon.