Nicole B.
Yelp
If you've been paying any attention at all to The Sushi Scene in NYC you'll know that Manhattan is currently The Omakase Capital of the whole, entire globe. And I'm here for ALL of it. Covid created an "opening" in the restaurant business that has allowed all sorts of chefs to take a shot at owning their own spot. A lot of these people are young and not only are they WERKING at owning/running their own spots, they are also eating at every new place that opens up and learning everything they can. They've worked at all the "big" "fancy" places and they fill in all over the city, as needed, to support fellow sushi chefs. There is an amazing sense of community and support and serious love for the craft of sushi in this group of twenty-somethings currently, mainly staffing the Omakase counters at whatever spots you have been to.
How do I know all this?? I talk to people and, more importantly, I LISTEN to people. And, I make connections. When I returned to NYC "after" Covid I ate at SushiLab Rooftop on W 47th. The location was just perfection and when they opened The Chemistry Room down on the first floor I started also going there. And I talked to my sushi chefs and we all followed each other on Instagram and I dialed directly into the whole Omakase scene and young, sushi chef life of NYC.
I met Jake Weng at SushiLab/Chemistry Room. Jake is now head chef and co-owner at Yolo Sushi. I made a special trip from Vermont to Manhattan on 4th of July just so I could eat at Yolo as soon after soft opening as possible (Pro Tip: If you want to visit The City, 4th of July is a GREAT time to go, because everyone else is NOT visiting the city...just sayin').
In all reality I have no right to say this, but I am SO PROUD of Jake and Yolo. Opening your own restaurant on the whole Upper West Side at the age of 26. COME ON NOW!!!
Let's be straight: I am HERE for the chef owned, independent restaurants. I am HERE for Generation Z finally taking over this beleaguered planet/country/society/restaurant industry. They are everything we older generations failed to be! As entrepreneurs, workers, bosses, co-workers, artisans etc etc etc.
Yolo Sushi is an Omakase Counter offering 3 seatings each night. As far as I know they are the ONLY Omakase spot in this area (Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, UWS). The location is FANTASTIC. Yolo is aiming squarely at the $100 Omakase trade in NYC and, may I just say, shots have been FIRED.
Because, again, if you've paid even a scintilla of attention you will KNOW that there is a proliferation of $100 and less Omakase in NYC right now. Don't get me wrong. I kind of also think this is pretty great. Because it's "gateway Omakase." People can dip a toe in these here Omakase waters without breaking the bank. You don't have to make a huge financial commitment, but you can still try Omakase. And 99.9999% of those spots are serving the exact, same pieces. Which, again, are FINE for the whole toe dipping thing. And the more people who try Omakase and LIKE Omakase the better. Because y'all are going to eventually be supporting the spots the rest of us want!
Here's the whole thing about Yolo: They are pricing themselves right at that $100 "sweet spot" and offering you an Omakase experience unlike anything else you will find for that price point.
I feel pretty confident in saying there is no other $100 Omakase out there in all of NYC that can hold a candle to Yolo.
Jake and Nikki Zheng (GUEST STARRING a few days a week right now fresh off a few years at Masa...!!!) are serving up fresh, seasonal, inspired, creative. SKILLED Omakase unlike anything you will get anywhere else at this price point. They spent their time working EVERHWERE In this Greatest of cities and soaking in all the knowledge and learning all the skills and now they are using all that at Yolo.
Here's the thing about food and cooking and the restaurant biz and Omakase: if/when you've lost your fire and curiosity and creativity it's over. I personally do not want to eat anywhere that the chef/owners have lost their fire for food.
AND I OWN A RESTAURANT. AND I'M THE COOK.
You can TELL when the people cooking/serving your food to you don't care.
Yolo is a REVOLUTION at the $100 Omakase price point. There is NOTHING else out there that even comes close. Honestly?? This Omakase could easily be $200. THAT is the quality, creativity and skill level being served up at Yolo.
Oh wait! I forgot to mention the playlist!!! BEST MUSIC PLAYLIST I HAVE EVER HEARD AT ANY OMAKASE. Vibe Perfection!!
GET HERE.