It can be difficult to find unique restaurant concepts in this city. There's a lot of "New American" happening. So when we come across a place we'd describe as a sexy lounge that only serves mochi, French pastries and cocktails—three somewhat disparate concepts brought together by a desire to do all of them elaborately—we get excited.

La Maison De Makoto is that place. It's in the West Village and opening Monday. 

You know how doing a first-date lunch can be awkward because lunch is so inherently businesslike and unromantic? It takes some of the pressure off to be sure, but it's a little more difficult to settle into. That's not a problem here, because here, you're skipping sandwiches and soup and going straight for adorable desserts. There's a built-in beginner's intimacy when you're getting to know each other over spheres of Japanese ice cream wrapped in rice dough. And if you've just come off a successful dinner date, how can you possibly go wrong capping it off at a charming cocktail lounge that also specializes in preciously plated sweets? 

The full tale of LMDM can only be told through the medium of photography, so follow us inside for comely treats and smoking coconuts filled with rum...