Franklin Reitzas
Google
I visited Wegmans' new Japanese fusion restaurant for their opening night, arriving for the first seating at 5:30pm. I went in with high expectations and was genuinely impressed by the overall experience.
Would I return? Absolutely yes. My intent to recommend is high, especially for special occasions or serious food enthusiasts. With some minor refinements, this restaurant could be on track for a Michelin star, with service and presentation already at a 10/10 level.
From the moment we were seated, the service was truly exceptional. Daniel, our knowledgeable server/sommelier, guided us through our evening with expertise and warmth, while the General Manager Nick went above and beyond by personally visiting our table multiple times throughout our meal. When we mentioned wanting to experience signature dishes beyond traditional sushi offerings, Nick thoughtfully curated a personalized tasting menu featuring their most unique creations.
This level of attention and customization made our first visit feel special and demonstrated the staff's genuine commitment to creating a memorable dining experience despite it being their opening night.
We decided to share everything to sample more of their offerings, which worked perfectly despite the smaller portion sizes.
The seared hokkaido scallop with shredded truffles was outstanding - it literally melted in my mouth, especially with the added uni on top. A bit pricy.. was it worth it.. yes...
The half lobster with ginger tarragon butter and lime dashi was expertly prepared, with the meat removed and placed back in its shell, making it incredibly easy to eat with chopsticks without any work required.
The Chilean seabass wrapped in cedar wood with yuzu miso marinade was the absolute highlight of our meal. Incredibly soft with perfect flavor balance - creamy, savory with a hint of sweetness.
We also ordered the tuna tataki with sweet onion and maple-soy dressing, which was slightly disappointing for a restaurant of this caliber - it tasted like frozen Ahi tuna, rather than a bluefin species... this dish was very flavorful though and could greatly benefit from a higher quality tuna.
The koji marinated cauliflower with shiso chimichurri and miso walnuts was acceptable but needed improvement - it was slightly undercooked and would benefit from blanching before baking.
Our meal ended on a high note with handmade mochi for dessert, which featured a beautiful presentation, soft texture, and deliciously creamy filling.
The restaurant features an open kitchen sushi bar concept with a drink bar, though it's not an omakase experience where you order directly from the chef. The ambiance has potential but needs refinement - the lighting was too bright for dinner service, especially at opening time. More targeted lighting to highlight the beautiful dishes would enhance the dining experience and create a more intimate atmosphere.
This is definitely a pricey dining experience, but the quality of most dishes justifies the cost. The combination of excellent service, stunning presentation, and exceptional food makes it a standout addition to NYC!