Sushi Ishikawa UWS

This was the best omakase experience I've had. My girlfriend and I came here to celebrate her birthday. The chef was charismatic, knowledgeable, and welcoming. He explained every dish to us, and you can definitely tell how passionate he is. The whole room had a great vibe as we talked and ate good food together. The waitress was so informative, caring, and hilarious. I would come here again and recommend others go as well!

Ishikawa is one of my go to’s for omakase. Chef Don and Nini always deliver a great experience! Chef expertly pairs the fish with citrus, truffle, foie gras and different sauces. Everything complements each other beautifully! There are signature pieces like toro with truffle, but enough seasonal changes that you always get a unique meal. Nini also delivers top notch service. It’s always a fun and delicious meal! Highly recommend!!

What’s not to love? Between each carefully curated piece of fish, our water cups and wine glasses (BYOB!) were always full. Each course was packed with simple, orchestrated flavors that either melts in the mouth or is just bursting with natural flavors. Chef Don is extremely attentive, skilled, and knowledgeable. He explains every course with succinct notes and I can tell he’s very passionate about what he does. I loved the dessert and overall experience. I would come here time and time again!

Hands down my #1 omakase experience! Sushi Ishikawa blew me away. I’ve tried several omakase spots, but this one tops them all. Every course was a work of art, but the Kanougani especially—it melted in my mouth. We went for Mother’s Day, and it truly made the occasion feel special. Once I had this omakase, Sushi Ishikawa set the bar so high for sushi. The vibe was intimate yet relaxed—perfect for savoring each bite without any rush. The chefs were welcoming, and you could feel the care they put into every dish. If you’re looking for an unforgettable sushi night, this is it.

If you're expecting an authentic, high-end omakase experience, you'll be seriously disappointed. There isn't a single Japanese person in sight — not in the kitchen, not among the servers, not even among the guests. The menu was developed by a Vietnamese chef, and it shows — the dishes feel more like a fusion of different cuisines than true Japanese fare. The worst part, however, was the service. Our server acted more like a bartender doing a stand-up routine, constantly cracking loud jokes and interrupting conversations at every table. It's hard to believe a space that only seats 12 people could be this noisy. For the entire two-hour omakase course, it felt like we were being tortured by nonstop chatter.

Sushi was delicious with a wide variety of flavors throughout the 15 course omakase. I never liked it uni (even after having tried it 6 times at different restaurants). However, the waitress convinced me to try their uni. I tried it and surprisingly, I loved it! It really does matter where you go for uni. The staff where friendly with very attentive service. My water glass was never empty for more then a minute. You should definitely check this place out if you love omakase.

My wife and I had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and the chefs and hostess were amazing and made the meal highly memorable. Shinqua, the server, and her kind and professional nature was a highlight and created an experience that we wont soon forget.

Im definitely an Omakase lover and having tried many top sushi restaurants in the city, I have to add Ishikawa to my favorites list. This omakase is modern, combining exquisite pieces with awesome flavors and textures, definitely gave me a "wow" factor. One thing that IMPRESSED me is the use of Kama toro which is a rare piece since you can get only 2 pieces in a whole tuna ( collar area) and are considerably small. Not many restaurants get it since it's limited and expensive. All the pieces gave me a super pleasant sensation and trust me, you'll get caviar, truffle, foie gras as well if season availability. The ambiance is cool, chef Pham has a great personality and he knows what he's doing putting his own expertise and passion into what he makes (his dad was his mentor). Service very attentive as well. See you soon!

This hidden gem on the UWS served 18 courses for $175, with a more creative twist to your traditional omakase (think lots of toppings and creative combinations of ingredients). The inside is very clean and minimal, and the service is amazing! The hosts will explain each piece to you, point out their favorites, and even start chatting with you! Since we came for a birthday celebration, my friend also got a candle and we got 2 glasses of champagne to celebrate at the end of the meal. There is an extensive list of sake here, and me and my friend got a carafe to share for $40. It was extremely fruity and refreshing! As for the omakase, all the fish and ingredients are extremely fresh, and we even got three types of uni throughout the meal as well as some appetizers and a light and delicious matcha coconut panna cotta dessert. My favorite pieces were all the uni, the seared ebi, toro and crab, chutoro, hamachi, and the luxurious handroll. Great place for a special occasion with the best ingredients, really creative pieces, and exceptional service.

Sushi Ishikawa was amazing! Be sure to be on the lookout for the restaurant, which is down a set of stairs on 80th Street and easy to miss. When you arrive, the staff are super attentive, quickly bringing you to your seat and offering to hang your coat in the back. The vibe inside is very cozy and there is traditional omakase counter seating. This was by far one of the most intricate and fun omakase experiences in NYC! My party was lucky and Chef Don served us. Not only is the sushi super innovative, but also the chef provided an entertaining and memorable evening for us. It's clear that sushi is his passion - each piece that was served was so creative and had the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Chef Don and the staff also explain each course to you. Everything was delicious, but some highlights included: - Sea bream with yuzu, bamboo, and salt - Lobster, shiso leaf tempura, and ikura - A5 wagyu with foie gras, dehydrated wagyu, and microgreens - King salmon with chili vinaigrette and crispy Thai basil - Scallop, shrimp tempura, and Hokkaido uni (note: I usually don't even like uni, but this experience changed me!) If you're looking for an unforgettable experience and high quality sushi, definitely visit Sushi Ishikawa!

One of the best omakases ive been to. The price was great and value was definitely there. The chef took the time to learn your palate and allergies and tried to accommodate as best possible. Some of the bites didnt quite gel together but they always asked for feedback and added another piece to make up for it. Overall it was great and I will definitely be coming again.

Omg. This place!!! The service is top tier. The ambiance is next level. The omakase is to die for. I've been here a few times and it will stay on my rotation. Favorite omakase in the city.

Is good . I like. Quality high. Ambiance high. Service high. Price also not the worst considering the other prices in nyc and what you get for the price.

Don is redefining the sweet spot on what is considered fast sushi and Michelin rated sushi. He's best of both worlds with the price point to match. His version of what modern sushi is supposed to be is spot on. Delicious, filling and just perfect in every way. Much better than spots like Sushi Nakazawa imo.

Amazing again! Sinhua is soooo nice and attentive and patient. The food...unbelievable! Second time and it's just the same as last time - so generous with ingredients like caviar and truffle - so innovative! My favorite omakase

Incredible value and high quality sushi. Our chef was very friendly and got a good sense of humor. We must have had more than 15 courses, and I enjoyed those 8 pieces the most. I can't wait to go back again. The ambiance is intimate but also lively.

A bit more private than the Upper East Side location and tucked away at the garden level of a townhouse, Sushi Ishikawa UWS maintains the same level of quality that the original location delivers. Chef Don mans both locations at different points of the week. It is always great to get a counter seat with the man himself, but you won't be disappointed regardless of whoever serves you from behind the counter!

Every single course was absolutely delicious from start to finish. I didn't think I was going to be full midway through the courses, but was absolutely stuffed at the end! Will definitely come back in the future! Service was amazing along with the chef! Very nice atmosphere and people!

This place was phenomenal! I haven't had many omakase spots but I think this is my favorite restaurant. These are some of my favs! The service was amazing! Be careful when you are looking for the location. It is easy to miss!

An incredible journey for your palate, with 17 courses of diverse flavors and textures that never once overwhelmed me. I was pushing it by arriving within an hour of closing but since I was alone they gladly accommodated me. The service was exceptional which felt authentically friendly and they cared to get to know me and share insightful recommendations for other restaurants in the neighborhood to see as well while visiting. The courses were enough for even somebody like me who has a big appetite. I could tell they're aging things right as there's that rare melt in your mouth fatty tuna sensation you come to recognize from Tokyo and can almost never get in the USA. The fried softshell crab over scallop with the slightly spicy sauce was a great dish which I was told is influenced by the Vietnamese owner's memories of dishes from home. Multiple dishes like these broke the monotony of typical omakase like the ones I find in LA. The intimate low light, all bar seating puts you front and center with the chef and felt like a private dining experience. I can't wait to come back and am so glad they survived through the pandemic as I know they opened up in Jan. 2020!

The service here was top notch and each piece melted in my mouth. Would definitely recommend!!!

Super worth the price. Truly an amazing experience, really great for special occasions. We went for my boyfriends birthday and they took such good care of us. Ambiance in here is so sexy and the chef / staff were very welcoming and hospitable. Haven't had sushi like this everrrr. COME ON AN EMPTY STOMACH!!!

One of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Fish was extremely fresh but more importantly, the combination of flavors were heavenly. Service was attentive, friendly, and so much fun. Loved the intimate environment as well (diners sit around the sushi bar). Highly recommend.

If you're looking for a great intimate omakase experience in NYC stop by Sushi Ishikawa. It's a place that's hidden from the street, but once you get in it's a nice small quaint place ready to serve you various kinds of sushi! Was brought here for my surprise bday and it certainly did not disappoint. We had the 17 course meal and every bite was perfectly done to a perfection by an entertaining and skilled itamae. Food was fresh, flavorful, and not a single one of the items was a disappointment! This place is small and is a great place to take a significant other without dealing with large crowds! Definitely adding this place to one of my favorties in NYC!

What an amazing experience. I brought two of my friends who have not done omakase before. They both loved this experience. One even said that this may be his best NYC dining experience ever from the service to the ambiance to the delicious almost appearing never ending pieces that consistently got better and better! I don't know how they can now try other omakase places. The pieces went from classic simple ones like the scallop to beautifully created unique pieces in design and in taste. My favorite was the tempura shiso topped with lobster then topped with ikura. Everything was as amazing!!! Even the steamed egg and the dessert. As the deliciousness kept coming, we all thought 175 was worth it! Ironically, the only thing that was not as good as the other pieces was the last piece - the hand roll. I thought the uni they used in it was a touch bitter! Maybe the hand roll can be re-created to really end this amazing meal with a bang! Can't wait to bring my other friends here.

If you think you've had great sushi before, think again. Sushi Ishikawa, led by the extraordinary Chef Don, takes sushi to a whole new level. The precision of the technique, the freshness of every ingredient, and the unique flavor combinations make every visit an unparalleled journey for the senses. The atmosphere is intimate and inviting, adding to the feeling of a truly personal experience. Once you've tasted Chef Don's creations, there's no going back - you'll crave this experience over and over again. Sushi Ishikawa is not just dining; it's falling in love with sushi all over again, every time.

Everything was fantastic. I'm a big fan of creative omakase and this is it. Lots of aburi which I like. One dish was fried soft shell crab with uni on top. So good. Atleast 5 pieces had globs of Ossetra caviar on them. I think 4 had uni on them. There was wagyu powder. Lots of black truffle and truffle salt. There was torched foi gras. You get the picture, it's not traditional sushi by any means. But it's fun and inventive and very extravagant. You get a dessert and two glasses of champagne ( per couple) if it's your birthday or anniversary. Chef was very nice. Only complaint was the music was pretty lane. 2000s hits. Hey Delilah played. Overall a great opulent time.

I have to preface this review by saying that I am usually a boring, hidebound sushi traditionalist. I do not enjoy, and have never enjoyed, new fangled "American" sushi like Sushi of Gari or other places of that ilk, where toppings and sauces are often used to obscure less-than-prime neta. For perspective, uber traditionalist Eiji Ichimura has been my longtime favorite sushi itamae in NYC (though my Pardner is less fond than I am of things like shiokara -- salted fish guts -- that Ichimura-san likes to pull out on occasion for favored customers). But.... a recent meal at Sushi Ishikawa (omakase only, 17 courses; $175*) may have won me over to the dark side. Itamae Don Pham's food is not traditional, edomae-style sushi, but each piece is created with an understanding of tradition. Pham-san draws on all his roots -- training as a classical sushi itamae and familiarity with fine Vietnamese and French dining -- to produce food that is utterly unique and exceptional. He pays a lot of attention to textures and progression, serving milder-tasting, more simply-prepared fish first before moving on to fattier, more strongly-flavored and more complexly-garnished nigiri. A number of nigiri were as decadent as a dessert, with layers upon layers of umami-laden flavor (think foie gras, molecular gastronomy-esque wagyu powder, caviar, uni from San Diego and Hokkaido, truffles, etc...). Pham-san makes liberal use of his butane torch. (To be honest, I would, too, if I had one. Those things look fun!) I admit there were times when I just wanted to taste the fish by itself or otherwise deconstruct the components of an eight-ingredient piece of nigiri because everything was of good to excellent quality -- but in no case did the overall bite disappoint. Although most nigiri were made with run of the mill wasabi paste, several special pieces included real wasabi root -- freshly grated from a huge, beautiful, pristinely fresh piece -- and that was a lovely touch. Shari is cooler and pressed / compacted slightly more than some itamae serve it. I imagine that is in part for structural stability as the neta became more and more complex. Neta to shari ratios were perfect in my book. I can't end this review without noting that the staff's sense of hospitality is absolutely amazing. Pham-san is probably the most approachable, entertaining, kind, and non-judgmental sushi itamae and oyakata in NYC and it was as much a pleasure to enjoy his company as it was to eat his food. His right-hand woman in front of the counter (Nita IIRC?) was witty and wonderful, as well -- and also firm! She quickly reprimanded me for flipping a nigiri piece upside down to eat early in the meal. It doesn't work for this style of well-topped nigiri. At some point, we asked what some white powdery stuff was on a piece (wagyu powder). She joked that it was cocaine. The digs are unusual. It's a basement space that's wedged in next to a balloon specialist (fun to watch if you show up a few minutes early for dinner and wait at the door). Don't be discouraged by first appearances. Once you enter the sliding door, the restaurant within is a beautiful, elegant oasis of deliciousness and fun. :) We cannot wait to go again!! * No pun intended, but this is bargain basement pricing for an omakase meal of this quality.

This is by far my favorite sushi spot in the city and the place I take all my friends I'm trying to impress! Chef Don Pham has created an exquisite, seasonal menu that far surpasses all other sushi spots in the city. Each piece was decadent and unique with unique toppings (i.e. chili jam, miso-marinated barley, shiso tempura) and premium ingredients (multiple types of uni, truffle, wagyu, toro, caviar, etc). If you want traditional omakase though, this is not for you. You'll leave full after the omakase meal which includes dessert and yuzu sake! Highly recommend- the service and food is top notch!

Indulgent as always. We knew Chef Don was going to be at the west side location so we booked accordingly. We got the expected experience here: luxuriously garnished bites, served with enthusiasm. You get strong flavors here, thanks to the generous helpings of rich ingredients, including several kinds of uni and toro, wagyu, foie gras and caviar. The non-obvious highlights are the sea perch (the rarity and quality happily explained by the chef) and the truly sublime chawanmushi. Finished off with a few rounds of delicious yuzu sake. Service is attentive and fun. One thing to note is that the space is relatively small but it works since it's all counter seating for omakase, so you get front row seats to the chef magic.

Another great omakase experience w Chef Don Pham! Having him as our sushi chef for the night really highlighted his passion and love for his trade. Hopefully there will be many more lucky people to get the experience to chat w him! He is extremely entertaining and made our experience more enjoyable. Outstanding quality and unique pairings to enhance flavors of the fish. All fish are sourced and flown in from Japan. Looking forward to our next visit!

If you like fusion omakase, this place is for you. I normally lean towards a more traditional omakase, however I really enjoyed my experience here as well! The different ingredients in tandem with the sushi paired extremely well. Additionally the order of the courses flowed very nicely. Highly recommend to check it out. (Of note, I came here for the Valentine's Day special menu. Not sure if it may be vastly different from the regular menu.)

One of THE best values for Omakase dining in the City! Don Pham takes a unique approach to his art by combining traditional sushi flavors & textures with the earthy richness of foie gras, shaved black truffles and seared wagyu. Each bite is a delectable explosion of taste. The wine & sake menu is not to be underestimated and perfectly matched to the incredible cuisine. But, what really ties this all together is the vibe! While you may see folks dressed to the nines, you'll find as many - if not more - dressed casually. There is nothing stuffy or pretentious about this place! Sushi Ishikawa is all about a good time with friends, family & amazing food. Don and his incredible staff go out of their way to insure everyone has a memorable experience. It's one of the reasons why we keep coming back time after time.

Pro Tip/ Look for Balloon Kings and you'll find this hidden gem. Could I please please give them more Stars!! We were very lucky to have gotten the last 2 seats for the 5PM seating (impromptu btw, counting my lucky stars). 17 course Omakase along with Sake Pairing. Our chef was David who was super engaging and also added extra truffle for one of my pieces when I said, I didn't eat greens! Sadly didn't get our manager's name - she was out of this world! She was warm, knowledgeable and HILARIOUS! Believe the venue is a 12 seater and 2 reservations were regulars on a first name basis with her. The pieces flowed and layered on so well... I kept saying 'this is my favourite' only to be topped by the next piece. Come hungry :) I cannot wait to revisit this establishment (over and over again)!

We had a late seating at Ishikawa UWS, and it was wonderful. The food was incredible as usual (the inventiveness with each piece is always wonderful - the tempura'd pieces this time were especially fun). We were also the last to leave and, as we were finishing up, Hiro was able to tell us a few stories that added an intimate aspect to the experience. His and everyone's service was absolutely perfect, and I'd strongly recommend Ishikawa (as well as the UES one from past visits) over any other omakase place in this price range. If you get Hiro, you're in luck.

Cuisine: 10 Service: 9 Decor: 8 Value: 10 Overall: 9 Unlike his original UES location, Chef Don opened a smaller, more intimate sushi bar. He is here at times, but most days, it's helmed by his good buddy Chef Ken. I have known Chef Ken over 10 years from the days where I was a regular at Geisha Table. Trust me, on the days Don is not here, the restaurant does not miss a beat. Four of us attended the restaurant two days after it opened to celebrate my birthday. The sushi was top notch as always. It's not traditional, but who the hell cares? The oceanic combinations are divine. For two of my guests that have never experienced omakase with Chef Don and Ken, this was beyond memorable. Both agreed that it was in their top three omakase experiences all time. Here's what we had for the night. Sushi: Nodoguro (Black Throat Sea Perch) - chives Namadako (Live Octopus) - smoked salt, lemon zest Otoro (Fatty Tuna) - seared, shaved truffle Aji (Horse Mackerel) - fried shallots, chives Dungeness Crab, Otoro, Caviar Lobster, Ikura (Salmon Roe), Shiso Tempura Triple Chutoro, Black Truffle Botan Ebi (Spot Prawn), Shaved Bottarga (Mullet Roe) Hokkaido Uni, Ikura, Caviar, Black Truffle Tasmanian Sea Trout - sweet miso SB Uni, Zucchini Blossom Tempura, Shaved Truffle Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, Foie Gras, Wagyu Fat Powder Otoro, Akami, Caviar - gold flakes Sashimi: Shima Aji - fried shallots, sweet chili sauce Hokkaido Uni & Scallop - uni sauce Hand Roll Uni, Toro, Ikura, Takuan, Rice Puffs The meal was absolutely amazing, we added a few more pieces, including my favorite Uni (swapped Santa Barbara for Hokkaido), Zucchini Blossom Tempura, Shaved Black Truffle. I can easily eat two dozen of these babies if they didn't break my bank. If you had omakases before, get ready for a different kind of experience. If you never had an omakase before, but love sushi, then get ready to have your mind blown.

The quality and taste of each offering was sensational. The chef and the server were personable, informative and gracious. My guest and I look forward to returning. I am a Sushaholic who has lived, worked and travelled in Asia.

Amazing omakase from Chef Pham!!! From the service to the food - everything was superb. The UWS location is small with just a counter with two chefs making the pieces and I believe chef Pham is here on the weekends. I had too many memorable pieces that I can't say which one was my favorite but they were all so good!!! This is probably one of my top 3 favorite places to go for omakase but if you're looking for something traditional, then I wouldn't recommend it. The omakase here is more creative, a bit fusion but delicious since the flavors work so well. I will be back for sure!!!

sushi ishikawa is a contemporary omakase that focuses on the combination of the ingredients and how different flavors can enhance others. they have really nice ingredients such as uni, caviar, truffle etc. and i find that sometimes omakases will use these strong flavors to distract from less fresh fish, but i feel like ishikawa didn't do this at all! instead they used these flavors to elevate others in the dish. the service here was great, they explained each piece to us and the overall experience was very intimate as there are only 12 seats. for $175pp for 17 courses + a dessert i think it's worth a try!

One of the best sushi experiences we've ever had, the chefs were super cool and made the entire experience worth remembering. Highly recommended for anyone that likes a good omakase. We look forward to coming back soon!

Sushi Ishikawa has been on my list for the longest time and I finally came here for their New Years Eve event and could not be more impressed. We had an 18 course menu and 2 types of sake. The pieces are more experimental than traditional but everything was absolutely delicious. My favorite piece was a shiso leaf topped with lobster and a lobster brain sauce. Not only was the quality of the ingredients divine but the experience was exceptional. We were sat with Chef Don who had commentary about where every ingredient came from. You can see how passionate he is. Our wait staff was also very knowledgable about the menu and had great recommendations for the sake. It is pretty pricey but I think it's worth every penny for special events!

I'm not sure who the snob was who left this place a bad review, but this was the greatest Omakase I have ever had. The UWS location is quaint and exactly what you would expect. Getting to watch the chef assemble and speak with him enhanced the experience. The quality of the rice and fish are top notch. Yes they add fancy ingredients, but I would argue it enhances the overall flavor, not detract from it. If they use truffle it is shaved so thin it melts immediately. It's not like they add pounds of truffle and mask the main ingredients. This is a must try if you are in NYC!

Out of all the NYC Omakases, this was my #1 for its incredible value, taste, and portions! I like this UWS location a lot more as it offers more privacy and a more traditional omakase experience with counter-only seating. The menu is different as well, with a fixed tasting menu of ~18 courses. As for the meal, each course looked like a work of art with stacks of toppings and garnishes. Almost every other piece had uni, caviar, truffles, or combinations of all three! They definitely do not skimp on these expensive ingredients and toppings and everything still maintained amazing freshness and quality. I especially loved innovative ingredients like freeze-dried wagyu (or "cocaine" as they call it)! Moreover, I loved how there were palate cleansers and non-sushi courses in between, including a delicious chawanmushi and deep fried oysters. If you prefer more experimental and innovative sushi, this place is definitely for you!

The omakase experience here is pretty awesome and one I will definitely never forget. The truffle, the foie gras, the otoro, wagyu and everything here was literally amazing with each piece that was handed to us. We had 2 carafes of sake here and they were great. I think it was called black dragon and I forgot the other. Would definitely come back here and the $175 omakase is definitely worth EVERY PENNY... My cousin and I went to a Michelin starred restaurant called Le Cou Cou and nothing we were served there was anything close to amazing as we were served here. This place was definitely nice and the servers and chef was very interactive and helpful with questions and comments. Will definitely have to come back if I ever decide to come back to NYC!

AMAZING OMAKASE. Food 5/5: Unique and delicious pieces, a beautiful and nicely portioned dinner. Didn't feel too full afterwards, which I thought was very satisfactory. Perfect amount of rice. Service 4.5/5: I think out chef forgot to add caviar on one of our pieces, but otherwise he was extremely nice and the waiter introduced each piece to us. Environment 5/5: Amazing bathroom-beautiful candle scent, lovely aroma and dim lighting. A little tight in the walking space but very graceful and elegant.

Hands down best omakase experience in New York! Already thinking about going back! The pieces we imaginative and I have never had such fun bites. The wine pairing was fantastic & a must do for only $65. Plus the ladies working there are literally the cutest and so fun! Overall 10/10 service, food, & atmosphere!!

If you know me, you know that omakase is always on my mind. I can say Sushi Ishikawa is in my top 2 in NYC. Environment: Chef Pham does such a wonderful job of creating a warm and welcoming environment. The first time I dined in, I was not seated with Chef Pham but at the other side of the omakase bar. The second time I came, he pointed out the seat I was in the first time and said he remembered my friends and I and welcomed us back. Chef Pham and his entire team are so professional and sweet! Food: I don't even know where to start. I normally like traditional omakase (less is more) but wow this dining experience is like no other. If you like truffle, caviar, and uni, you'll be on another planet. Every piece melts in your mouth and each piece just gets better and better. There are different "tiers" to the omakase menu and I always recommend getting the top tier (it will not disappoint, pinky promise). I haven't been back to indoor dine since covid but even the takeout blew me away. My advice when getting takeout omakase is to eat it right when you get it (I always eat it in the car right outside the restaurant). I've honestly been dreaming about the day that I can go back to indoor dining just so I can visit sushi Ishikawa again. I would say that the pricing is very fair considering the quality of the fish & the experience. 10/10 recommend that you treat yourself.

Hands down the best tasting Sushi. A neighborhood gem. Almost thought I had the wrong address. You have to walk down stairs and enter what you almost might mistake for a hidden speakeasy. So here's the bad. People walk from outside to ask questions and interrupt the experience. The decor is nothing that really contributes to the experience either. Now the good. The fish is first rate and they are quite creative with tge sushi. The flavors really come together. Based on what they deliver and the price point Sushi Ishikawa is a must try

Have been many times and love everything about it here. The staff is always friendly and inviting. The space is great. The sushi is always excellent and a mix of their signature pieces and whatever is fresh and in season. All things considered, the price is super reasonable and I think is the best trade off of quality vs. price of pretty much anywhere. Looking forward to going back soon!

Overall, I enjoyed my dinner here but don't think I will return. I liked the cozy atmosphere and the price was also reasonable compared to how much omakase at other places cost lately. The food was creative but wasn't my style though I overheard other customers say they loved the food. My main gripe is that a lot of the combinations didn't work and were confusing. What is the point of adding toro and caviar on top of crab when the crab is overpowering so you can't even taste the toro and caviar? The bread in the uni dish was mushy rather than being lightly toasted so it didn't provide a contrast to the uni. The flavors in a lot of the dishes seemed to contrast rather than enhance each other. It felt like a waste of some of the high quality ingredients. I had high hopes but was a little disappointed given that even though nothing was bad, at the same time I can't really remember any piece as being outstanding.

Absolutely no words for how good this place was- a friend brought me here for my birthday dinner & we were literally blown away start to finish. It's a super unassuming place - located below street level- but once you're inside it's a very intimate 12 or so counter seating. All the staff were so kind and attentive. We've been to a lot of omokase spots in NY, but hands down this is our new favorite. Every piece was a unique innovative combination of flavors but the best part was that none of it took away from the actual taste of the fish and you can tell that each piece was incredibly fresh. I also absolutely love uni & there were like 3 or 4 different types of uni throughout this meal so bonus points from me! The entire meal is 17 courses and we were STUFFED at the end. Writing this review a little bit after our meal so I don't even remember all the exact pieces but highly highly recommend everyone to check this spot out!

This isn't sushi. Shari has too much water so the grains of rice mush together. The flaws are more evident when paired with netas like cuttlefish. The condition of the shari ruined most pieces. Netas are smothered in "luxury" ingredients like caviar truffles etc. If I wanted to eat that I'd go to a French restaurant. The overkill of ingredients piled on top of the fish turn this restaurant into not a "sushi" restaurant but more of a fusion restaurant. In the end, does it taste good? Some pieces were good. However, it's like getting good pizza when you actually wanted to get great pasta. Similar but not the same. Tried the east side and this new place. Too many traditional omakase options to go back. Go here if you want sushi that's not really sushi.

I had their 15 course omakase, paid extra for their wagyu, and had their sake pairing. I have literally never had so much uni, truffle, or just such high quality ingredients in one seating. I will tell you right now, I will come back for more.

All I can say is YUM. This place was such a treat. From the intimate ambiance, service, and food this was the ultimate omakase experience. If you're looking for for an omakase experience outside of midtown look no further! I've had omakase end with hand rolls that weren't as good as the other pieces, but they know how to end with a bang-that handroll was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth.

Recommended to this sushi restaurant by a sushi enthusiast, I was not disappointed. Looking for a nice New Year's Eve meal, we definitely treated ourselves! We ordered an omakase course and a Toro, Uni, Ikura Don and it was amazing!! Honestly the best sushi I've had in the states. Their customer service was superb and tbh I was a bit surprised. Understanding they were extremely busy on NYE, they went above and beyond to express their apologize for the delayed take out by making it up to us and calling me personally after New Years to make sure we enjoyed our meal and that everything was as expected. I was completely shook that this level of customer service still exist. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for quality sushi. I can't wait to go back for more uni!

Came here for my birthday and it was amazing! The hostess was very attentive. Every piece of sushi we had was so fresh, flavorful and just beautiful to look at (and eat of course)! The sake was so smooth that we ended up ordering 2 carafes. Next time we will just order a bottle. Pro tip: If it is your birthday, they give you and your guest a free glass of champagne! Cheers to that!

Honestly. this is the best restaurant in nyc. The sushi is the highest quality I ever had and the flavor combinations are 10x beyond anything I have ever experienced. I can't say enough about this place. The price per person might seem high but the quality of ingredients in each piece of sushi makes this place a complete steal. 15/10 do not miss out!