Sushi Kai - East Village

I’ve had my eye on Sushi Kai for quite some time, but only now did I finally get to try it out. I’m a big fan of omakase, but it does tend to get pricey. Sushi Kai is a great “affordable” alternative if you’re trying to have high-quality sushi, without breaking the bank. Their omakase course comes with a three piece entree, 12-15 courses, and a hand roll, all for $85 per person - not bad! Once I entered, I really liked the cozy and chill vibe. Made the dining experience really comfortable and relaxing. And of course, the food. I was very surprised by the quality and freshness of the fish. All were super soft and melted in your mouth. Paired well with the perfect amount of rice and garnishes. The rice to fish combo was spot on - a lot of places will often go too heavy on the rice and it overpowers the fish, but the sushi chefs here do. A great job and creating the ultimate balance. Soju selection was good too and reasonably priced. I got the Dassai 39 bottle and it was very good, sweet and silky, paired very well with the fish. Great experience and awesome sushi. Will be back!

Cozy, friendly spot with fresh fish at a good price. The nigiri toppings are minimal but pair perfectly. Fave is the salmon nigiri with the tomato on top, and of course the Uni. Chef accommodates allergies or dislikes and makes great selections (and is very friendly). I frequent a lot of omakase spots in the city, and this is a good weekly spot. The only thing I'd change is the first dish appetizer - it's unnecessary and isn't as good as the rest of the experience. Love that it's BYOB also! It's definitely fast but that's what omakase is. Didn't feel overly rushed. @ eva.on.eats for more recommendations!

We went here on a Friday evening for the $85 15-course omakase that included an appetizer, 10 nigiri, uni ikura don, and a hand roll. Also got Japanese beers and a small bottle of dry sake to share. The chilean sea bass was my favorite as part of the appetizer and the uni ikura don. Tbh, none of the nigiris really stood out for me since it was a bit hard to taste the fish and somehow tasted all similar since all of them either had caviar, truffle and/or ponzu sauce on it. The pieces were also very small which left us hungry at the end. The chef and server were very friendly and attentive. The space is small and the seats are crammed next to each other which made it awkward every time the server came by to reach over to refill our glass or ask if everything was okay. They will shorten your course if you arrive late to your reservation (which the hostess noted when we called); luckily we made it on time.

Amazing 15 course omakase for only $85 per person! Every bite was delicious, and the service was very friendly and welcoming. There are only 10 seats in the whole restaurant which made the whole experience even more special. Highly recommend!

Sushi Kai is officially one of my favorite omakase spots in the city. Loved their new combinations with shrimp and scallops. Their choice of making the sushi richer rather than the usual route of going light really sold me. Some of my favorite pieces of the night was the scallop with caviar, shrimp with foie gras, ikura w uni, wagyu with uni and the otoro w/ caviar.

Omakase amazingness! Each bite was heaven, loved scallop, various rounds with caviar and with truffle toppers. A small spot with all bar seats so you can watch the magic unfold. Super fresh, price is now $85 for omakase and can BYOB. Did that and then got sake also. Totally worth it dining experience!

This was the most phenomenal dining experience. We did the Omakase at the chefs table and it was remarkable. I have to say it was one of the best meals of my entire life. Every single bite was mind-blowing. Each bite was perfectly curated for a flavorful, delectable experience. The chefs were extremely friendly and skillful. You get to watch the show of the chefs preparing the beautiful sushi as you eat. It’s BYOB and we bought Sale beforehand and it paired perfectly with the sushi. I am still in awe at how amazing this meal is. The intimate setting makes it a perfect spot for a date night or a special occasion. With only $75 for the Omakase menu it’s a great value. We left satisfied and perfectly full. I am still thinking about this meal every day and I cannot wait to go back. I cannot recommend this place enough!!!

Fabulous omakase! The service was friendly and attentive. Our chef was genuinely interested in what dishes we were enjoying most. A reservation is for one hour at the counter service, which I was concerned about. But the chef perfectly paces each course so you don’t feel rushed.

We came here for a cute birthday dinner and walked away pleased overall. Participated in the omakase tasting menu and found each bite to be fresh and different than the last. The staff was kind and personable, especially when we were running late after a train delay I had seen other reviewers mention their time was cut short, I think because we visited on a Monday night the timeline had some flexibility It feels very special watching the food made in front of you. And I guess that's the experience you're paying for. I personally found the ambiance to be a little lacking, from the lighting to the kitchen area. When paying $100+ pp, I think some small tweaks could be made to create a more intimate feeling.

Came here the first time with my friends and it was our first time. I got to say, I was really impressed and had an amazing experience. I also took my friends here recently as well. This spot is now on the top of my list for omakase! The price is fair and the quality is really good. I feel like there's so many omakase spots now & has become so saturated..lots of very generic spots but this isn't one of them! The service is great and the staff are great as well. I also like that it's an intimate and nice space. Overall I recommend!

One of my favorite omakase spots in the city with locations in East and West Village -- I liked that they weren't too traditional and had fun toppings! They weren't stingy with premium ingredients at all... we had SO much uni. Every single piece was actually FUEGO but Otoro was insanely good -- it was so melty and buttery, literally they'd broken it down that morning. Dare I say it an all-time favorite sushi bite! Other favorites include King Salmon, Seared Scallop, Truffle Tuna and Yellowtail. I'll definitely be back when the sushi craving hits again!

I will preface this by saying I'm not well-versed in omakase but do love sushi. $95 Omakase for 13(?) courses I went with people who were used to going out for omakase and this is one of their favorite lower price point spots; the price to quality ratio is high and worthwhile, according to them. The fish tasted all really fresh, and my personal favorite was the scallop with lime zest piece. At least two of the dishes utilized uni. I could only upload 10 pictures unfortunately but each one was quite delicious. Small place, good service, and they have sake as well. Would def come back. We were able to get a same day reservation for 7pm on a Sunday.

Was able to book a res for 8pm on Friday day of and was incredible and BYOB! It was pretty packed but we were swiftly seated and served. The inside is fairly small but really nicely decorated and they have outdoor seating. The omakase was delicious, filling, and not too pricey. The scallops in the trio appetizer were my favorite but everything was super flavorful and different from each other. The staff was super attentive and very friendly as well! Would definitely return!

This was my first experience fine dining and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say this was life changing. It was my first time doing omakase too and it was such a cool experience. We were able to see the chef in action as he made each piece. Every single thing I ate was probably the best thing I've ever eaten. I made sure to take my time eating things because it was so good. It was about an hour to get through everything and I've never been so zen leaving dinner. If you're ever in the area I recommend checking this place out. Price wasn't too bad and the food was amazing. Super fresh. Everything melted in my mouth. There are times I dream about my time here.

Coming from the Bay Area, price point alone here at Sushi Kai ($85 omakase for 12pc course) already gave it an edge against the omakases in the bay I'm used to ($150 starting). It wasn't hard to get a resy, and when we came to our res, it was half empty (there's only bar seating in the small space). Note that there is also a west village location, though when a different party walked in for a west village location res, they were super flexible to accommodate the change and seat them here at the east village location. If you're looking for a slow, ~ soaking it in ~ omakase experience, this, and many of the other similar east village omakase spots are probably not for you. The entire course duration was under 1 hr, probably around 45 mins. However, I'm not complaining, I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and experience. Since there weren't many customers, our chef was dedicated to us and served us the next piece just a few minutes after we finished the previous. He was also pretty generous on premium toppings/portions (caviar, uni, etc.), which was really refereshing to see. The toppings themselves were typical of the east village omakases I've previously been to that distinguish themselves with a modern twist from more traditional omakases in both NY and the bay, which I personally really love. Fish also taste super fresh. Highly rec!! 9 pieces of nigiri + 3 smaller dishes.

Made a reservation for the bar for 2 people and enjoyed the omakase ($85 for 15 courses when I visited in March 2024). Highlights included the sea bass and oyster, salmon with tomato, and uni chirashi. Overall I thought it was good, but there is better affordable omakase in town.

Scored a resy for my bestie's birthday & was super excited to hear that they do birthday specials and have BYOB. Each seating is scheduled for 1-hour increments, which we were totally fine with, having been to another 1-hr omakase that was extremely well paced. As expected, the restaurant was intimate but cozy, and seats around 12(?) at the bar and 2 at the table in the back. Favorites of the night definitely include the scallop with caviar, and the uni and ikura. 2 of the pieces (the eel & something I can't remember) were surprisingly a bit on the fishier side. The rest of the pieces were good though. Although the chef never explicitly rushed us, there was almost a bit of pressure because the next pieces were already done and lined up before we finished the current piece. Overall, we finished the omakase offerings within 30-40 minutes, and the couple next to us already left by the 30 min mark. They did deliver on the birthday surprise though, which was a nice little chirashi almost, with 3 types of fish. Overall, good affordable omakase option with tasty pieces, but not one of the best I've had.

Really awesome Omakase with fantastic service and amazing bites. Mostly sushi, but a handful of other things and the ambience was very traditional - tight, limited, seating and up close and personal interaction. Too much to recount, but we left totally satisfied, and really amazed at all of the great interpretations.

We went here on a Friday evening for the $85 15-course omakase that included an appetizer, 10 nigiri, uni ikura don, and a hand roll. Also got Japanese beers and a small bottle of dry sake to share. The chilean sea bass was my favorite as part of the appetizer and the uni ikura don. Tbh, none of the nigiris really stood out for me since it was a bit hard to taste the fish and somehow tasted all similar since all of them either had caviar, truffle and/or ponzu sauce on it. The pieces were also very small which left us hungry at the end. The chef and server were very friendly and attentive. The space is small and the seats are crammed next to each other which made it awkward every time the server came by to reach over to refill our glass or ask if everything was okay. They will shorten your course if you arrive late to your reservation (which the hostess noted when we called); luckily we made it on time.

Bargain omakase $85 pp but the sushi is either covered with truffle oil, ponzu and or torched so you don't really taste the fish. Sushi is about the rice first which was subpar and then the fish which you can't really taste as it's covered up with sauce. There are far better options in NYC

What can I even say. I'm no seasoned omakase expert, but this might be the best experience I've had, especially given the price. First, the byob. There's a sake shop essentially right next door which I'm sure is no coincidence but the sake we got was delicious and our server put it on ice. Next, the pace, which I felt was excellent. Finally, the food. I was so blown away, especially by the wagyu uni and Chu toro. It was all truly amazing though, with some creative flavor combinations that really ended up working. We had a great view of our chef preparing everything. Then, the icing on the cake, the party sitting next to us was given a piece they couldn't eat, so we got a bonus one for free! It was probably the best night of my life. Hope to go back.

Amazing food, service, and the chef made our anniversary night feel so special. The omakase had great variety and was priced very fair. I was actually full after this omakase meal and would definitely go back. Definitely worth a visit out of all the omakase spots in NYC!

Decent price for the quality of the fish and service! FYI, it has a 1 hr seating limit.

I went to Sushi Kai on Friday night and my expectations were exceeded! Immediately after my party was seated the chef asked if there were any dietary restrictions and he was easily able to accommodate my gluten free diet. I received almost all of the same dishes as the rest of my party, with the exception of two courses that had soy sauce so I as given an alternative that were absolutely delicious! My favorites included the scallop and miso cod. Sushi Kai is BYOB so we brought a bottle of wine in with us (no corkage fee), and purchased some saki at Sushi Kai. 10/10!!

Overall did appreciate the flavors. But found the service to be very awkward. Lots of chaos and confusion. didn't love the trio app at beginning and found the fish piece to be quite small. Was still hungry after.

By far one of the best Omakase spots in NY. Small and intimate atmosphere with the most unique pieces! The service was top notch as well.

Food: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Interior: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Sushi Kai caught our eye because of its affordability (under $100 for omakase) and quality sushi (based on photos from other reviews). This was my first omakase in NYC, and it was tasty! The fish was fresh and some of the nigiri were quite surprising but innovative. Our sushi chef and server were prompt at timing our next serving or checking our water, respectively. We had 1 hour to enjoy our meal, which was more than enough time for us. Had a fun time considering it was my first omakase experience in the city. My advice is to make a reservation in advance, especially for holidays! Great date spot. BYOB if that's something you're interested in.

Embarked on my first Omakase experience at Sushi Kai, and it exceeded all expectations. Reservations were a must for this hidden gem, accommodating around 10 people at a time. The Omakase journey was a flavor explosion, leaving my taste buds thoroughly impressed. The restaurant exuded great vibes with beautiful lighting and decor. The chefs were incredibly helpful, providing detailed explanations that enhanced the overall experience. Sushi Kai is a must-visit for those seeking a delightful blend of exquisite taste, ambiance, and expertly crafted sushi.

I came here for the first time about a year or so ago and recently returned. It was just as good as last time! It's definitely one of my favorite omakase places. The vibe is nice, casual, and comfy. Both times I sat at the exact seats at the sushi bar. The chefs were nice and the sushi quality was excellent. They're also BYOB so you can bring whatever booze you want to drink there which is pretty cool. You get omakase first then you can order a la carte if you want more. Service was great. The price is reasonable for what they offer and everything tastes so fresh. Love everything about this place! Would I recommend? Absolutely and I plan to return! Easily 10 out of 10 if you're looking for really good omakase at a great price- this is THE place to go!

Overall: 7/10 Sushi 8/10: Quality was good however every single piece had extra toppings except the tuna. I enjoyed the tuna the most since it was the piece that had the least amount of additional toppings and was mostly pure fresh fish. Quantity 6/10: as with most omakases, the quantity was small which was as expected Ambience and Service: As a birthday, we got an extra free bonus piece which was nice and enjoyable :)

Took my bf here for his bday a few weeks ago and we loved it! It is BYOB so make sure you bring something with you. My bf and I bought a bottle of sake from a liquor store a block away. I loved the season appetizers, especially the cooked fish! Was so tasty. All the nigiri was good but I was not a fan of the pesto one. I think it's a hit or miss, I saw a few people enjoyed it. My bf and I weren't fans and the flavor combination was definitely odd to me. Service was really good and the sushi chef made a little birthday surprise bowl which was beautiful and so nice!! It was nicely made and thoughtfully put together. It came with a little candle. I will be back here! Definitely affordable and so worth it for the quality as well.

AMAZING!!!! Best omakase experience I've ever had. Everything tasted so fresh and the flavor pairings were off the charts. Service was outstanding. The waiter always made sure our water was filled and took our dishes promptly. The sushi chef was also very friendly and explained each sushi piece and where it was sourced. We went pretty early at opening time (5pm) so we were the only ones in the restaurant at this time. chill environment with low playing music that still allows for you to talk but not have an awkward silence. COME HERE!

Sushi Kai is officially one of my favorite omakase spots in the city. Loved their new combinations with shrimp and scallops. Their choice of making the sushi richer rather than the usual route of going light really sold me. Some of my favorite pieces of the night was the scallop with caviar, shrimp with foie gras, ikura w uni, wagyu with uni and the otoro w/ caviar.

Sushi Kai was my first omakase experience. We had a group of 4 and were able to make reservations that night on a Thursday for the last seating at 9pm. It is a small place with about 12 seats at the bar. The chefs were fantastic, fun, and friendly. It was an intimate experience and very fun to watch the chefs making the delicious food. Everything that they presented us with was so delicious. The one thing I didn't appreciate though was the pace of the meal. I am a slow eater, so the sushi was coming out at rapidly. I felt like I was unable to fully enjoy my meal, and had to wolf it down. If they could have taken an extra 10 minutes, I would have enjoyed it more. You can bring your own alcohol, which is nice. There is a liquor store nearby and we stopped there to grab sake and wine.

Overall, the fish is good quality, and Sushi Kai is an affordable kaiseki restaurant. Our server was very nice and sweet. If you're looking for the usual overly attentive waitstaff, coming to a folded napkin when you get back from the bathroom, or eating dishes starting on the side of your dominant hand, then this would not be the place. However, my palette was thoroughly satisfied and I would come here again for a casual dinner with friends and BYOB.

Extremely tasty omakase and very reasonably priced! The atmosphere was relaxed and intimate. We arrived with no reservation 30 minutes before closing and the staff was extremely accommodating. The sushi chef happily paced himself to match our needs (we were rushed at first but then decided to take our time with it). Many of the staff seem to be part time students and their dedication shows!

I went here for dinner on Saturday evening, and I was a little surprised to see that we were the only ones there. The service, needless to say felt very personal and was incredible. Our chef went along with our pace of the course. It started off with an appetizer of three and moved onto the nigiri. Many reviews say that the extra toppings overpower the fish, I disagree. I think the toppings added a great touch without taking away from the fish. Overall, I highly recommend this place: it's on the cheaper end, pleasant atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious.

First time and last time. There are plenty of other affordable omakase restaurants here in East Village that are worth the visit over Sushi Kai. I do not know how one could settle for this place aside from being the food adventurer like me and wanting to try a new place out. Each season has an affect on the selection so it varies but last night choices LACKED in comparison to other establishments at the same pricing. I dined at another place the night before with friends and the experience was PHENOMENAL. Here, it is the opposite. They do not offer much outside of the 12 course. Hardly any engagement, no laughter filled moments, no complimentary sake... I came in 20 minutes before my dining time and was kindly sat at the end of the bar. One of the girls hung my coat and directed that I could leave my luggage by the coat rack. Off to a great start. However 6 minutes before 9 PM, the chef asked if I wanted to start early to which I said no, I do not mind waiting for the everyone else to join in. I am already out dining alone. I do not want to feel more outcasted. Instead of respecting my answer, he started me off. I did not understand what was the rush for. I had said no. As for the important part, the 12 course. Decent until the end, the wagyu was chewy and had a taste to it that made me hid the rest in my napkin and the salmon handroll tasted like crushed hot cheetos wrapped in seaweed. Did not finish that. Other than those two, the others were fair. Nothing to go home about. I was going to tip nothing because I regretted coming here. $100 is not much compared to the higher end omakase joints in Midtown but...I would have rather gave that amount to a homeless on the streets of NYC if someone from the future came to me that day before my reservation and asked me to chose between dining here or donating. The hostess was kind enough to follow up about my experience and explained the situation. Despite her efforts, I felt rushed and the choices and its preparation isn't worth the overlook on the poor ambience.

My first omakase experience! For just $75! Would definitely recommend making reservations - it's bar seating only (with probably about 10-12 seats). Intimate experience, and you get to see the chefs at work. Food is amazing. I was nervous that I wouldn't be full, but their course menu is perfect. Got to try so many different things. It was BYOB when I went too. Great for a date or small groups.

A great omakase spot for low price! I got the 13 course omakase and it was about $90 after tax and tip. All the nigiris had fresh fish and each bite was packed with flavor. My favorite was the otoro because of how fatty the tuna is and it melts in your mouth.

Pretty mediocre omakase. The appetizers were made of icy and watery fish. The rice was too wet and mushy until I gave that feedback. The pieces are layered in flavors that clash; strong pesto against delicate fluke? What a pity. The fattier fish have a strongly fishy taste, suggesting a lack of curing. I do prefer an edomae style sushi, and this modern fusion thing wasn't it for me- but it might be for you.

Was a very casual, "no flair" omakase spot. It was kind of like a get in and get out because they have another seating coming type vibe. Fish was good, I personally didn't like some of the combos, such as the one with pesto...kind of felt like I was eating pasta for a second. I did really like the akami with truffle (was probably my favorite). I also wish the uni/ikura rice had more rice...i know everything is supposed to be small, but at least fill us up with some rice

I love omakase and this place was a nice find. The seating was well spaced at the counter and the ambiance in the resturant was casual and relaxing. I enjoyed the meal and felt that the timing of the sushi was well paced. I didn't have to wait extra long for my next bite, which sometimes is the case. As for the food itself, it is what you expect. However, the sushi with pesto on it threw me off a bit. It was unique, but I don't think I would ever order it a la carte. Overall, this was a good experience and I would come back if I was in the area.

I love sushi Kai; it's one of my favorite affordable omakase spots and a simpler omakase option where the garnishes don't overpower the fish. Also, if you're a pesto lover, the chefs at Kai use that flavor the most on their fish, and it's a great complement to the fish.

On the NYC omakase sushi spectrum, of price and quality, Sushi Kai lies on the budget end, where $75 (exclusive of tax and tip) nets a trio of appetizer bites, 12 nigiri, and handroll.  Making that pricing more feasible is a one hour dining limit.  There's no liquor license, but they permit BYOB with no corkage fee. The simply furnished space contains only the sushi bar.  As of the end of December, there is also limited outdoor seating.  Staff and chefs are friendly and attentive as needed. Omakase ensues promptly and moves relatively briskly.  Consume each piece shortly after it's placed before you (good practice at any decent sushiya omakase) and it doesn't feel particularly rushed.  Our entire omakase concluded 35 minutes past the hour, with time to add a few pieces a la carte. Sushi quality is fair and decent for the price in almost every respect: shari texture, temperature, flavor, and neta cut and temperature.  Nori is nicely crisp.  Neta flavor isn't on display, leaning instead on strong seasonings, such as truffle and pesto.  Multiple menu options of uni on wagyu, unnecessary and besides the point at a serious sushiya, hints at the audience they are aiming for. Sushi Kai serves good entry level omakase.  Made more accessible by stronger flavors and wagyu pieces, with an appealing sub $100 bill.  The quality is commiserate with the cost, and the staff keep the short experience pleasant.  More sophisticated sushi diners can enjoy it for what it is.

Giving Sushi Kai a try since I live nearby, ordered a pick-up. The sushi is on the smaller side and mini amount of rice - which it was perfect for me. to-go is never comparable as eating indoor, but for $65 I think it's pretty good deal for the variety amount of fish you get as you can see from the photo~

Not sure you can find a better value for omakase - high quality fish paired with punchy condiments (not for everyone but quite bright / pleasing for me) and no skimping at all on luxury / premium ingredients like caviar, uni, and high quality beef sashimi. We brought a bottle of whiskey that they were very good natured about opening, serving, and placing in a tasteful basket with ice, and brought a candle on a slice of cake as we were celebrating a birthday- with zero charge for the BYOB (ie bottle opening) or free dessert (so generous!). Our chef was sweet, good natured, highly professional, and consistent with food preparation and presentation for our party of 7. We had previously requested we sit at the corner to better see each other and they honored this the night of. Would come back by myself, on date night, or in a group- unparalleled value and service.

A great budget omakase option in the city. Super small space, probably won't fit more than 12 comfortably. The trio of appetizers they give you in the beginning was a nice touch in the beginning, except I do think my oyster wasn't on the fresh side. You then get 12 pieces, including a mini rice bowl with uni and roe which I thought was cute. You end with a hand roll. The sushi was good, they paired the seasonings with each piece well, a few I thought I tasted the seasonings more than the fish though. Servers were attentive, so were the sushi chefs. They all checked in often, refilled water etc. we ended up ordering an extra o'toro hand roll at the end of our omakase experience since we saw it on the menu and it wasn't a part of prix fixe. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here, quality was not bad, definitely worth trying.

Came here to celebrate my bday, delicious omakase and they gave an extra bday sushi bowl with candle, super nice of them! There was one piece that had pesto on it, very interesting combo, all Sushi was fresh, melts in your mouth and also BYOB is a plus!

Very reasonable price for omakase. Wanted to try this place after hearing good things about it. But it was a disappointment. This place was way too crowded and narrow. Food itself was meh. My expectation was higher. I would not go back.

A counter seating roughly 10 people, Sushi Kai offers truly intimate dinner as you watch the Chef prepare, slice, and make each of your fish for you. You can also bring your own bottle, which is placed in an ice bucket in front of you if needed - so choose your drink pairing for dinner and would highly recommend this option! Every bite was truly phenomenal and such a lovely surprise - every piece lead to a gasp of "woah," or shock because of how unexpectedly delicious it was. The creativity and thought that went into preparing each piece definitely shows through. I'm at a lack of words as to how each piece is able to blend its flavours together so seamlessly, is able to just melt away upon your first bite, and yet still be so innovative. To highlight a few: the sea urchin, pesto, eel, and flamed tuna were just phenomenal. They left an imprint in my mind that I am still thinking about today.

So this place offers $65 omakase for 12 pieces with a seasonal appetizer, soup, and a handroll. #worthit Pretty worth it but the pieces are on the smaller side and I didn't think any of the pieces really stood out. I did enjoy the seasonal appetizer a lot though because that monkfish liver was delicious along with the oyster and snail. This was my first time having monkfish liver and i really enjoyed it. The clam soup was very light and comes with about 3 tiny clams. They don't have a liquor license yet so they don't serve alcohol but there is a liquor store a few stores down if you wanted to get some sake.

This was perhaps the best omakase experience I've ever had. I can say with the utmost confidence, "trust the chefs." Absolutely phenomenal. Fresh and delicious and the price is even better! A few things to note: 1) I don't drink, but if you do, it's BYOB 2) Service staff is a little rough around the edges. By that I mean we were asked to leave our seats before they gave us the bill because "they had another reservation." We were escorted outside and if we'd been more unethical, we very easily could've walked away. Eventually a woman came back out and asked if we'd paid. We said no, finally managed to pay our bill and leave. All that said, I still - highly - recommend going. I feel confident saying it's the best omakase for the price in NYC.

Relatively new establishment, opened last year July. Seats roughly 10 people at chef's counter. BYOB as of now, conveniently there's a sake store right next door. We dined for weekend lunch omakase priced at $75/pp for 12 pieces or so, decided to add torched seaperch (nodoguro). Fav pieces were no doubt the wagyuni, yellowtail and akami with truffled mushroom. Each piece was executed well. Temperature of fish was warm temperature, which I enjoy. The appetizer was also impressive, consisted of trio of torched salmon, kumamoto oyster and seabass. Service was also very good and attentive, chef explained each piece and timed the pieces well. Having been to a handful of omakase restaurants, Kai did not disappoint. Atmosphere is casual, but still traditional. Overall one of my fav omakase experiences especially for the modest price point. Even though the establishment is small, they don't skimp on the size or quality of the fish. Good balance of traditional and fusion in each piece.

Amazing hour omakase experience. Each fish was fresh and high quality and the flavor combinations were spectacular. The use of truffle, yuzu, pesto, and even the shio were well executed. Reasonably priced. Reservations needed ahead of time.

Amazing omakase in the East Village! I was impressed with each course and thought it was worth the price. Also, they can accommodate gluten free diet which was amazing! My favorites were the O'Toro and Scallop nigiri

Ingredients were not bad. Fish and uni tasted fresh But their sushi making method seems off, especially their handrolls. The sushi cuts and rice were off. It's closer to casual sushi than $75 omakase.