Denise L.
Yelp
I learned about Hoseki from Time Out NYC's Instagram account, and was glad to be able to try this hidden omakase restaurant inside Saks Fifth! On the lower floor amidst fine jewelry stalls, this tiny restaurant only seats 6 people at the top of each hour between 12-4 pm. I was able to get reservations online through the Resy app.
Chef Daniel Kim comes to the counter to make each sushi course. When I've been to different cities in Japan, omakase for sushi chefs really is about giving your full, undivided attention to a single piece of sushi each course. This is not an experience for those who are super hungry and looking for a large volume of food. You are meant to appreciate the subtleties of the ingredients that enhance high-quality fish.
During my visit, we were served fluke, amberjack, ocean trout, salmon roe, scallop, wagyu beef, and a crab handroll, to name but a few! For all courses, you pay $95 and they're currently only doing lunch service, though there's a possibility they'll expand to include dinner service as well.
The quality of the ingredients are certainly high, though I would say they stick to tradition and don't veer too far from it. There's a lot of competition even in NYC for good sushi, so I can't claim this is the best I've ever had. (I reserve that to the incredible places I've been in Kyoto!) Chef Kim was very warm and kind, but quiet. I think given how intimate the space is, what could add to the experience is having him talk a bit about where he sources all the ingredients, why he's made each course the way he has, or engage a little more with those who come to sit and dine. It could break the ice in a room where you essentially are sitting for an hour with strangers! The quiet can be awkward, but then again. Perhaps you are an introvert that doesn't mind the silence.
Otherwise, I'd certainly recommend supporting this business and giving it a try! If you're looking for a more affordable/accessible "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" experience, it's fun to feel like you're going into a speakeasy that no one else knows about.