Sonya H.
Yelp
Absolutely incredible and easily one of the best spots for high-quality, but not break-the-bank expensive sushi in NYC. Shiki Omakase has been on my bucket list since they first took the internet by storm with their $65 12-course omakase, so I was ecstatic when I finally managed to snag a reservation. While $65 for 12 pieces of sushi certainly sounds expensive -- and it is -- most omakase sets can easily cost upwards of $150 to $200. Despite their low (ish) cost, Shiki manages to deliver an outstanding set of sushi with top-tier service. The fish was super fresh, and it was really fun to be able to watch the chefs prepare the sushi right in front of you.
Their menu rotates seasonally and depending on what's available at the markets that day, but when we visited, we were treated to their oysters, madai, hamachi, salmon, akamizuki, hotate, kanpachi, toro and caviar, uni and truffle, albacore tuna, A5 wagyu with uni, and unagi. Every single bite was phenomenal, with the perfect ratio of fish to rice, and with a great balance of other toppings, sauces, and flavors to create a fun experience of different textures and flavors with each bite. A few of my favorite pieces included the uni with truffle -- it was so rich and creamy, and it had a great earthiness and umami flavor from the truffle; it can be tough to balance two such strong flavors together, but they did an amazing job -- and albacore tuna with chili crisp.
They're also fully willing to accommodate dietary restrictions; I don't eat meat, so they substituted my A5 wagyu piece with a toro and uni nigiri. The combination was incredibly decadent -- the toro was rich and fatty, and served the role of the wagyu perfectly. It paired wonderfully with the remarkably creamy uni, which was super fresh and didn't have any of the dreaded fishiness that uni so often does.
In an effort to seat as many people as possible in this popular, but incredibly small, space, tables are limited to just one hour. The meals are pretty efficient, but they still do a good job of pacing the pieces so that you can still fully enjoy each bite without feeling rushed. The main thing lacking in this experience vs. a traditional omakase is that you aren't able to have a full conversation with the chef. It's still a pretty intimate experience, with only around 10-15 people allowed in the restaurant per slot, but the best part of most omakase is that you have one chef assigned to you and maybe one other party, so they're able to have a full conversation with you throughout the meal, answering questions, bantering, and really showcasing their craft. I absolutely love Shiki as a slightly more accessible option for omakase, and they've quickly become one of my favorite special occasion / treat destinations. However, if you want the true omakase experience, it might not be the right place for you.