NYC Tastes

I'm always on the hunt for quality sushi at an affordable price.  Back in the day I could eat just about anywhere but unfortunately after multiple meals at the greats like Hatsuhana ,  Cagen  and Sushi Yasuda I just can't go back to the neighborhood  sushi spots anymore.  And although  Sugarfish  is more affordable and close by the hour long waits continue to be an issue. So last week I headed to the Upper West Side to check out the much talked about Sushi Yasaka. This tiny little spot located just off the 1, 2, 3 train station is cozy with no frills.  Just a few small tables in the front and an L-shaped sushi bar in back perfect for watching the sushi chefs. I ordered the mini Omakase; that day a chefs selection of Snapper, Yellowtail, Ebi, Bluefish, Otoro, Saba and Toro Roll. Wow- everything was so fresh!  The otoro melted ever so slightly into the sushi rice, the ebi was delicate and sweet and the toro roll was just perfect.  A...

One of the hottest sushi joints out of  California just opened up in the Flatiron district; Sugarfish a casual but trendy spot touting high quality sushi at an affordable price.   The main draw at Sugarfish are the "Trust Me"menus available at both dinner and lunch which give the diner a sampling of menu items designed around portion size; the regular Trust Me for the average diner, the Trust Me Lite for smaller appetites and the Nozawa Trust Me (named for Chef Nozawa ) for those with bigger appetites or in this case for a couple who likes to share.  To begin a bowl of Tuna Sashimi. Sugarfish uses Albacore for its tuna, a cut usually reserved in NYC for sandwiches and salads.  The texture was surprisingly rich and creamy, sprinkled with chopped scallions and brushed with a bit of soy, I would come here for this wonderful dish alone. Salt dusted organic Edamame to snack on with the sashimi before moving onto the sushi course. First plate Albacore, ...

Monday birthdays are usually the worst.  Actually all of my birthdays are usually the worst but surprisingly this one turned out quite great.  It started out having to go to work (worst) but then I ditched out early for a late solo lunch at Sushi of Gari 46. Chef Matsatoshi "Gari" Sugio is probably one of NYC's most well known sushi chefs.  He opened his flagship restaurant Sushi of Gari Upper East Side back in 1997 and has continued to open spots all over the city and beyond including Tokyo and Los Angeles.  His signature style of sushi topped with various sauces has created a cult like following. Tuna with creamy tofu sauce, Japanese Snapper with salad, Black Snapper topped with seaweed and the crazy combination of Fluke with mushroom risotto were just a few of the interesting pieces. Of course there was the standard Spicy Tuna Roll but all of the other nigiri had a fun little twist.  Nothing completely blew me away but it was a tasty,...

Iron Chef Morimoto opened a ramen bar in midtown and because it's the incredible Morimoto this place is much more than just a noodle joint.  There's rich chunks of house made Peking Duck inside a crisp goyza shell with cucumber, hoisin and a sweet apricot chili sauce. There's a satisfying Braised Pork Belly Bao served with a wedge of lettuce and a smear of mustard mayo... ...and one of the most incredible poke bowls I've had in NYC to date.  Thick cubes of soy marinated tuna tossed with nori and scallion atop a bed of fluffy white rice.  I seriously have dreams about this bowl. And then of course there's Ramen available in small or large size with four different variations including spicy curry coconut and steamed Tokyo Chicken.  We got the standard Tonkotsu with thick strips of pork, mushroom and soft boiled egg all inside a silky, creamy broth.   Everything about Momosan was fantastic.  I really enjoyed the fun decor, the service was great and...

Almost every sushi spot in the city offers some sort of lunch special.  Many are pretty terrible (slimy green salad and stringy spicy tuna rolls anyone) but some are absolutely fantastic.  Like any of the 15 different lunch specials at Momoya all for under $20.   Miso soup or salad always to start; the standard carrot-ginger dressing on top of crisp greens and sliced radish.   Followed by entree choices like Bento Box with Teriyaki Chicken or Salmon, Donburi with Eel or classic Sushi Bar dishes like the 6 piece sushi with California roll. As you can see each piece of fish is beautifully dressed; sliced jalapeno on Yellowtail, yuzu mayo dollop atop Ebi and fish roe on Snapper.  The sushi is always incredibly fresh and even the avocado in the roll was the perfect ripened texture.  Plus sitting at the sushi bar means conversing with the chef's who are so friendly and eager to share their delicious creations. Momoya offers lunch 7 d...

The corner of 24th Street and 3rd Avenue has been a revolving door of restaurants for the past 10 years.  I finally  thought we had a solid place when Intoeca e Liquori moved in then BOOM!  All three of the Inoteca's shuttered at once and the space sat vacant until just last month when Natsumi Tapas moved in. They kept the layout of the restaurant alone; the same sleek bar with great corner windows and sexy low lit dining room.  Plus they've added a daily happy hour including a spicy Jalapeno Margarita and a small list of wine and beer. The menu is described as Japanese- Italian fusion with specialty sushi rolls, flatbread pizzas and pastas like Green Tea Gnocchi and Shrimp Fettuccine with yuzu tobiko. The Tuna Roll and Yellowtail Sushi were solid; definitely up to neighborhood sushi joint standards.  And the Filet Mignon Tataki was cooked perfect but overpowered by too much garlic truffle on top.   A slightly lighter hand with the sauce and this di...

Hatsuhana is one of NYC's longest running sushi restaurants.  It opened in 1976 and over the past four decades their mission has remained the same; creating the perfect sushi rice and obtaining the freshest fish from around the globe.  My last meal was at the Park Avenue  location about four years ago so this visit was way overdue.  I stopped in at right around noon and the space was already filled with a mix of business men and women from the surrounding area.  Luckily I was able to get the last seat at the upstairs sushi bar and ordered the Sushi Lunch which comes with 5 pieces of sushi, choice of two rolls and miso soup or salad. I ordered a Spicy Tuna and Yellowtail Scallion roll, then requested no salmon due to my allergy which was happily accommodated with another piece of luscious tuna. The fish was served on a long Hawaiian Ti Leaf, expertly cut by the chef's behind the bar and so incredibly tender certain pieces seemed...

I've been looking for a great neighborhood sushi joint and while this is definitely more East Village than Gramercy it's worth the extra walk for it's warm causal atmosphere and delicious sushi.  The lunch Bento Box comes with four pieces of sushi, sticky rice, California Roll, two chicken shumai and a big bowl of miso soup. The sushi selection changes depending on the chef but usually includes Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail and either Mackerel or Seabass.  I request no salmon due to my allergy and it's always greeted with "no problem" and a smile.  Everything from the fish to the greens is incredibly fresh and service is always quick and efficient.  For just $11.50 at lunch this is an absolute steal in the East Village. Yuba Restaurant 105 East 9th Street between 3rd & 4th Avenue New York, NY 10003

We celebrate Mr. T's birthday with an omakase every year.  It used to be our annual meal at Sushi Yasuda but since he went back to Japan we've been trying out new places and this year it was Cagen; the cozy sushi den located inside the old East Village Kajitsu space.  We sat at the eight person sushi bar right in front of Chef and owner Toshio Tomita and let him work his magic. Cagen offers both a Kappo Omakase and Sushi Omakase of which we went the latter.  To begin a cool summer Gazpacho with shrimp and cucumber. Red Snapper with plum paste and yuzu Fluke with chimichurri Tai (Sea Bream) Engawa (Halibut) Kasago (Red Perch) Japanese Mackrels Baby Snapper Fugu (Blowfish) with fresh wasabi A trio of Squid preparations Kumamoto Oyster with kelp sauce and salt Seared Shrimp Scallop with Japanese Red Sauce Wagyu Beef with chili flake Toro ...

When I'm having a serious sushi craving in Brooklyn Heights there's only one place I go to- Hibino. The food is always fresh and their lunch specials are some of the best in the city.  In addition to a daily rotating Obento Box with entree choices like Grilled Salmon Collar and Pork Sausage, is their classic Sushi Lunch. It includes a piping hot bowl of Miso Soup filled with silky strands of tofu... ...and a small green salad dressed with a light ginger vinaigrette and your choice of two rolls. My last visit I tried the Scallion Yellowtail and Spicy Tuna. I find many spicy tuna rolls are filled with leftover cuts of fish, the mayo covering up the lines of fat giving the roll a gross stringy texture.  At Hibino the roll is filled with a big, fresh square of tuna then topped off with a dollop of extra spicy sauce.  It's so clean and easy...never a gross roll here. All of this incredible food for only $10.00.  It's really one...