Taru

A great little find for dinner tonight. All of the dishes were beautifully presented and tasted sensational. The service was very friendly and attentive and the interior was modern and elegant. If you like Japanese food this place is a definite.

Wow the food was awesome, particularly the sushi was so fresh and high quality! All the side dishes were delightful and both the service and ambience were amazing! The lunch sets were great!

Ugh, what a dud of a date night. Don't let the Instagram hype seduce you--the only thing screaming at the end of your meal will be your wallet...and it'll be a scream of pain. - Kaluga Caviar: A teeny-tiny slab of milk bread toast the size of one Wheat Thin, with a sneeze's worth of caviar and a flavorless dollop of "avocado-tofu mousse". Even the quail egg had no flavor. - Toricolo: The only enjoyable dish of the night. Lots of fresh, meaty cuts of salmon, tuna and yellowtail (the holy trinity of sushi fish), in decent rice and wrapping. The downside is that it only came with four pieces for $21. - Lobster Tail Tempura: 1 point for the size of the lobster meat. -1,000 points for everything else. The tempura was unseasoned and soft, so it tasted like six layers of bread dough instead of a crisp shell. Seriously, has this chef ever actually had tempura? And the accompanying sauce was a bizarre ginger concoction that really didn't work with the tempura. It should've either been garlicky or the typical sweet soy sauce that tempura comes with. Ginger is just too....pungent....to work with all that dough. But you'll still slather it on because the bland, tasteless tempura will otherwise make you cry tears of boredom. - Uni-udon Peperoncino: A boring take on a dish that's been done a million times, and usually better. The udon was al dente, which was nice, but it was wasted in a generic mushroom cream sauce that did nothing for it, or the accompanying scallops and uni. Speaking of which, we also only got about a sneeze's worth of uni as well. And don't get me started on the peperoncino, or lack thereof... - Takenoko Kama-meshi: Added this side dish anticipating it would taste like the lovely rice pots my grandma used to make. It did not. My grandma knew what salt was. Apparently, Taru's kitchen staff does not. The rice was blander than a Taylor Swift concert--so bland, we had to mix in the soy sauce that came with the Toricolo roll just to be able to finish it. Why is this place so hyped up? I imagine the mostly white, snooty-looking clientele and hefty Baccarat Hotel prices have something to do with it. This isn't really a place for people with taste buds.

If you’ve been wanting to eat here, do it! Our experience here was exceptional! Customer service was top notch! From the moment we walked in, the host was super sweet and our server was very helpful, informative, and super nice! You can tell they only hire genuinely nice people. The chicken Kara-age and the Brussels sprouts were amazing! Usually when I order drinks I like to look at Google reviews and see which drink looks appealing to me. The one I showed unfortunately was a seasonal drink but he recommended another drink based on my preferences. I forgot what the drink is called but if you’re looking for something sweet and like dragon fruit, get the drink shown here before the season ends! This was the best drink I ever had! It was so tasty and different than another other drink I’ve had! I had a fuzzy taste to it which made it super unique. Next time we come back to NYC, we will definitely stop here again! I would recommend making a reservation since this can get booked pretty quick. Which makes sense considering how great this place is!

Great stylist interior looks a little like a film set. Food was delicious. Staff was very friendly and helpful. They had a lot of refined dishes that were really appreciated. I recommend eating here.

I recently had the most delightful dining experience at Taru. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance transported me to a serene Japanese oasis. The omakase menu offered an impressive array of fresh, mouthwatering and creative options that catered to all tastes and preferences. Each dish was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The skillful chef crafted the sushi with precision and passion, ensuring every bite was a pure delight. The attentive staff provided top-notch service, making the whole evening feel truly special. If you're a sushi enthusiast or simply seeking an unforgettable culinary adventure, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit! Will be returning again soon!

loved this culinary experience, from the food to the drinks, the details and service. everything was just great. I recommend the spicy tuna roll and hotate shiso roll, for drinks i really enjoyed the nashi chu-hi and el kyuri.

Went to dine at Taru for a double date, the service was amazing, the staff was very polite and friendly. Ambience was perfect for a romantic friday night out. We tried the wagyu ribeye sukiyaki (winter menu), uni-udon pepperoncino, wagyu gyoza, tako tempuravegetable tempuras ,and multiple nigiris. The uni udon pepperoncino was really good, the sauce was creamy garlicy (which I love) and the noodle had a good chewy texture... fyi the noodles are house made! The wagyu ribeye sukiyaki was the highlight of the dinner... super soft and buttery steak 😋 which also came with vermicelli noodles and bok choy, with poached egg yolk spread. The sushi was very tasty, I didn't need to use any soy sauce with it because the fish was very fresh. The vegetable tempuras came with a very unique pumpkin ginger sauce, which paired perfectly with the tempura because it helped take away the greasiness from the fried food. We ordered 2 desserts when already full, but finished it with no problem! I like how their desserts aren't too sweet, it is just right and perfectly portioned/ sharable. We expieremented on many different cocktails. My favorite was the Niwa Kyuri (a cucumber tequila refresher), Mikan Gold (a mandarin orange drink that comes with a sparked rosemary- smells soo good!), and the Ryu Sour (a beautiful dragon fruit drink, has a creamy texture). This was my second time going and I will definitely be back again!

Gorgeous and chic decor in the heart of Midtown - perfect for a date, business dinner, or night out with friends. Amazingly fresh seafood and inventive dishes with a touch of fusion that is, thankfully, far from overbearing. Be sure to ask your server about specials - the hamachi, truffle, and caviar appetizer was divine. And, if you're in the mood for sharing, the Taru Seafood Platter is a great main for 3 or 4 people.

Sleek and sexy space with innovative and creative dishes. Nestled right next to the Baccarat hotel and across the street from MoMA, the location is appealing for a quick lunch or relaxing dinner. The sushi/sashimi is incredibly fresh and high quality. The Taru Seafood Platter is a fantastic choice for those who enjoy sampling a variety of fish with fiends and the Uni-Don Pepperoncino, with its lush noodles, briny uni, and heat from the pepperoncino, is the definition of umami. It is an absolute must.

I have one word for my dining experience at Taru.....WONDERFUL. From the moment we walk thru the large front doors we were impressed with everything the layout, decor and the staff was extraordinary. Taru has a truly intimate feel to it and would be the perfect place to dine especially if you enjoy top notch service and fresh fish galore. We were actually the first diners seated and our server Dana S. Was friendly, extremely knowledgeable of the menu and beyond attentive. The other party with me dropped his napkin on the floor and immediately Dana was there to offer a replacement. The menu is extensive (from starters, sushi or sashimi, rolls and large plates) but offering really elegant options to choose from. We started with the shrimp miso bisque which everyone should order. The fragrant aroma is met by a velvety smooth texture which is enriched with the combination of fresh shrimp, taro root and a whisper of leek. I selected the Tako tempura the perfectly grilled octopus achieves a delicate balance between tenderness and a slightly chewy texture. Next we ordered salmon avocado and spicy tuna rolls along with the grilled king salmon and the miso wagyu flat iron steak. All perfectly plated and each flavorful with delightful spicing. I cannot rave enough about how succulent each dish was. Dessert was the matcha cheesecake (I am not a cheesecake fan the other party ordered it) but I had the chestnut cake presented to me on the prettiest plate shaped like a leaf and adorned with a few miniature flowers. I normally don't like chestnuts but after speaking with Dana (I inquired was the chestnut flavor overpowering.....she advised it wasn't) I was ready to take the plunge and try it.....it met my expectations with only a hint of chestnut flavor encased in the softest cake with a scoop of (dare I say) vanilla bean ice cream on top. It was my brother in laws birthday and I secretly asked Dana if she could bring his dessert with a candle and she was more than happy to oblige my request. Several other patrons clapped after they sang an editing happy birthday to him it was very special. I cannot wait for my next visit to this charming restaurant.

Ugh, what a dud of a date night. Don't let the Instagram hype seduce you--the only thing screaming at the end of your meal will be your wallet...and it'll be a scream of pain. - Kaluga Caviar: A teeny-tiny slab of milk bread toast the size of one Wheat Thin, with a sneeze's worth of caviar and a flavorless dollop of "avocado-tofu mousse". Even the quail egg had no flavor. - Toricolo: The only enjoyable dish of the night. Lots of fresh, meaty cuts of salmon, tuna and yellowtail (the holy trinity of sushi fish), in decent rice and wrapping. The downside is that it only came with four pieces for $21. - Lobster Tail Tempura: 1 point for the size of the lobster meat. -1,000 points for everything else. The tempura was unseasoned and soft, so it tasted like six layers of bread dough instead of a crisp shell. Seriously, has this chef ever actually had tempura? And the accompanying sauce was a bizarre ginger concoction that really didn't work with the tempura. It should've either been garlicky or the typical sweet soy sauce that tempura comes with. Ginger is just too....pungent....to work with all that dough. But you'll still slather it on because the bland, tasteless tempura will otherwise make you cry tears of boredom. - Uni-udon Peperoncino: A boring take on a dish that's been done a million times, and usually better. The udon was al dente, which was nice, but it was wasted in a generic mushroom cream sauce that did nothing for it, or the accompanying scallops and uni. Speaking of which, we also only got about a sneeze's worth of uni as well. And don't get me started on the peperoncino, or lack thereof... - Takenoko Kama-meshi: Added this side dish anticipating it would taste like the lovely rice pots my grandma used to make. It did not. My grandma knew what salt was. Apparently, Taru's kitchen staff does not. The rice was blander than a Taylor Swift concert--so bland, we had to mix in the soy sauce that came with the Toricolo roll just to be able to finish it. Why is this place so hyped up? I imagine the mostly white, snooty-looking clientele and hefty Baccarat Hotel prices have something to do with it. This isn't really a place for people with taste buds.

A great Japanese restaurant. Udon with uni was amazing All the starters were creative and delicious. The sushi was goid. Good sake selection

Delicious food, beautiful ambiance, attentive service! This is the perfect spot for a date night. The chicken karaage is so tender and juicy! You can tell it's fried really well. The agedashi vegetables are good, but the taro is a bit too dry. The shisito peppers and pumpkin are yummy and cooked well with good flavor. The chirashi bowl is so aesthetically pleasing, and the sashimi is very fresh and tender! The steak is the star of the show! It's so tender and juicy. The sauces pair so well with the flavor of the steak; rich in umami flavor, but never heavy. 10/10 would recommend!

Great restaurant in midtown! Take this review with a grain of salt as we went on valentine's day, so the tasting menu from this day might not be representative of the exact dishes on the main menu. Nonetheless, I think we were able to experience Taru properly! I think Taru is perfect for date night! But I can also see this place being the ideal spot for a corporate lunch or dinner, especially given its location. The tasting menu started off with the yellowtail tartare w/caviar. This tasted absolutely heavenly. The flavor explosion was incredible. Not to mention, it was plated beautifully. We were then brought the uni-hotate chawanmushi w/ginko nuts. We were told this was like a pudding / soup combo. That is the best way I would describe this dish. Again, the flavors were fantastic! We were then served the 3 pieces of sushi. Although all three tasted phenomenal, my personal favorite was the Nigiri Toro! Next up was the Waguy Steak. This was probably one of the best steaks I've had in my life. This was cooked perfectly and had a nice soft texture. The side of fries / crisps was a perfect complement. The brussel sprouts and potatoes were also delicious! Finally, we topped off the meal with the chestnut cake. This tasted scrumptious and was a great way to end a lovely dinner. The waiter also brought over a free glass of rose / champagne which was very kind of them. I would highly recommend trying Taru, especially if you are in the Midtown area! Great date night spot.

Great food and service. Staff was friendly and helpful with choosing dishes. Definitely worth another trip.

TLDR: I really don't understand why this place doesn't get as much hype as it deserves. Went to Taru to celebrate my friends bday. Recently changed their menu so they didn't get to have the bread service that we were all excited for, but the food and drink made up for it! Of what we ordered, my favories were the Uni Udon Pepperoncino, Furikake Duck Breast and the koji steak but I don't see the steak on the menu anymore. I also enjoyed their cocktails, especially the Samurai Slipper, See Money and Taru Dreams of Matcha. Attentive service, and beautiful space. Left happy. Overall: A little pricey, but a solid meal, great drinks, and friendly service.

This review is for the winter prix fixe. Picked this spot for a group dinner bc they were able to accommodate a party of 8 with very flexible cancellation policy (no fee). I think overall the food was solid, but not worth $125/person when comparing to other restaurants serving Japanese dishes around the same price. Out of the 5 courses, my fav was probably the oysters and least favorite was the salmon but nothing in particular stood out. I think the presentation and the restaurant atmosphere were better than the food itself.

This restaurant is on my bucket list, and I had the first girls' night out dinner of 2024 here. When I arrived, the coat check was set up nicely, hidden in a closet. The bar was there, and the bartender was accommodating to let me order all the happy hour drinks a minute before happy hour was over. The food was overall pretty good, but we ordered the popular dishes. Personal favorites were the wagyu gyoza, uni udon pepperoncino (udon is handmade in-house), duck breast, salmon, and ice cream. Service was great, and there are several individual bathrooms. The dining space is reasonable, and the sushi counter has its own space tucked in the back area. I've had a great experience, and it's a spot definitely worth checking out once.

About a 1-1.5: Taru is a contemporary Japanese restaurant. and they offer lunch, dinner, a prix-fixe menu of both seasonal and 'Taruetarian (vegetarian option), and a drink and dessert list. Instead of the prix-fixes, we opted to order a la carte from their lunch menu: +a Grilled Fish Japanese lunch set - with avocado-arugula salad, chicken karaage, salmon teriyaki with sansho pepper sauce, sisho rice, and miso soup +a Grilled Steak Japanese lunch set - with avocado-arugula salad, chicken karaage, miso-marinated wagyu flat iron wteak with chaliapin sauce, shiso rice, and miso soup +th Sushi & Sashimi set - comes with 6 nigiris, 9 sashimi, and 1 roll Unfortunately, the flavors were just not it for us - it seemed like a mish-mosh that didn't fit together, and some were kind of off-putting, such as the rice and the way the protein was prepared. The temperature and the way items were served were off-putting. This was definitely not for anyone who's looking for a hint of authenticity, and not quite sure if it could be described as 'contemporary'? We were disappointed with our meals. The interior is nice, in which a section of the restaurant looks like a lounge; the wood decor by the counter area is dramatic and eye-catching. +not-so-great flavors

During our recent visit to New York, we dined at Taru, we enjoyed a variety of dishes, starting with the Tako Tempura, Wagyu Gyoza, and the Seasonal 10-piece Sushi set. Our favorites were two of the daily specials, the Madai Sashimi and the White Tiger Roll. Both dishes were refreshing, fresh, and well-balanced, was perfect for a summer evening. They were attentive but not too overpowering. Service was excellent! Loved the decor and the vibe of the restaurant. We enjoyed our experience and will be back to try lunch menus when we visit New York again!

Came here for a restaurant week dinner with a group of 6. Place is very clean and modern. Has an upscale vibe. Servers were extremely kind and patient. The restaurant allowed us to be seated even when there was only one person in the party there. Servers also knew the menu very well. Food was superb and beautifully presented. Seafood was fresh and tasty, but some of the nigiri came with too much wasabi. The steak was perfectly cooked and came with an incredible truffle sauce underneath. I only wish I had more! Drinks are pricy but well crafted, flavorful, and came in sophisticated glassware. Would definitely come back.

Solid experience here, a lot of great whiskey and Japanese sake selections. Bartender was attentive but unobtrusive. The restaurant itself was just opening, but they welcomed us in to sit while they were preparing, and it was a nice quiet spot to talk and grab a drink as we awaited a dinner reservation for later. Pricing was reasonable, and after it opened officially, the restaurant filled up quickly around the bar; seating was less packed.

I hardly ever leave negative reviews. The restaurant business is a hard one and who really needs more negativity in the world. When I do, it's not to harm the restaurant, but to help the next diner. I wish I read a review like this before going to Taru. Let's start with the positive -- the ambiance is nice. It's a new and modern design, definitely well done. But it's midtown, so fairly dead at night, especially on the weekend. But can't hold the restaurant responsible for that. This review is really just based on the food, which was overpriced and underwhelming. We had several appetizers, all of which were meh. The hamachi tataki app was the only one really worth eating. For mains we had steak and duck, both of which were cold and also underwhelming. The duck was a bit gamey and the steak was a bit tough. Drinks were fine but really expensive even for Manhattan standards. Bill came to $300 for 2 of us, and for that money, there are 30 other restaurants that would offer food 10X better Hate to leave a review like this but go somewhere else

Service was wonderful and the food was good. I can't say this is the best meal I've ever had, but I would say it is solid.

Great service and authentic japanese food. The space is pretty big with a lot of seating. Pretty easy to walk in with no issues. The service is friendly and attentive. Food was delicious, but portition size is on the smaller size so be prepared to order a few dishes!

Overall the food was not bad. The chicken karaage was ok. It was juicy but some of the pieces had a weird taste. The scallop roll I got was good. The toro sushi was just ok. The A5 wagyu was quite delicious.

So glad we tried this sushi spot. The menu seemed limited but we continued and we're not disappointed. I came out satisfied and happy with the service. It was a great experience from start to finish. Our platter came with soup and salad. My husband got the sushi platter and I got the sashimi platter. The coconut sorbet was so good too. Will definitely be back if I'm in the area again.

The food here was very good - the sashimi pieces were very fresh and even had an almost buttery texture. We also got an order of karage and wagyu tartare - both of which were pretty good. We also got two rounds of cocktails, which were very interesting and refreshing. The only downside is the high price point and the relatively smaller portions. But all in all, the restaurant was a nice upscale Japanese spot with attentive service. The restaurant is kind of tucked away, so you may need to take some time to look for it.

Not a fine dining experience but with fine dining price. Food was fresh but tasted average, nothing standard out compared to other Japanese fusion restaurants. Wagyu was a little too chewy and didn't go well with fried rice. Udon was over cooked ( I think they should check the real Udon....) The only highlights were desserts in the end. Service was slow and inattentive.

This was a pretty good dinner, would highly recommend checking them out! Everything was absolutely delicious. Notably tried to find last minute Friday night reservations, there were none on resy but when we called they were like you can come at any time. When we arrived the restaurant was only like 50% full and they gladly accepted us as walk in. Apparently they just opened December 2023, so perhaps in the future that won't be the case. The highlights include the mackerel, which was gorgeously grilled, savory and lemony and the beef carpaccio, which was perfectly balance truffle, creamy tofu and beef. I was blown away with how tasty the desserts were, the panna cota was a surprise winner that was an explosion of flavor and the monkey bread was this savory salty sweet goodness. The waiter was very kind, attentive and everything came out in a timely manner. Finally the interior is gorgeous, perfect for a date night or friends night out. Definitely will be back to try the rest of the menu!

Taru is an absolutely incredible experience. The service is top notch. Staff is very knowledgeable and attentive. Loved the vibes and clean ambiance. I went there to have dinner with 3 friends and am blown away. The food is astonishing and fresh (even the karaage chicken ((fried))was one of the best I ever had). We ordered the smoked octopus, agedashi vegetables, uni-udon, seafood platter, matcha cheesecake, and some rolls. Each piece from the seafood platter was a melt in the mouth experience. Quality of the fish is unreal. The sake was perfect. Their cocktail drinks are strong. I highly recommend Taru!

A special way of preparing food starting with the udon Carbonara.... The perfect fusion of East and West without diluting the core aspects of each side of the equation. While the main dining room is dimly lit and relatively quiet, it is open to the bar area and the acoustics makes it a bit much. With that said, a place for unique and good food.

Now offering lunch service, one of my favorite lunch Set, very fresh and delicious! I think it's perfect for luncheon and meetings.

Taru, located near MoMA, is a new Japanese restaurant that offers omakase and a la carte menus. Omakase experience was taken place in the back of the restaurant. Food: I had an omakase with sake pairings. Every dish was fresh and tasty. We also received a gift box of desserts when we left. Service: It was very attentive. But we had to leave right after the omakase, which was a bit rushed. Ambiance: New Japanese restaurant vibes. It was modern and lively. Overall it was a great experience. Would come back sometime!

Been here a few times and I got to say it's got one of the most underrated cocktail menus in the city. Definitely worthwhile to swing by for a drink for a drink if you're in the area Food was well executed. Seems they have a rotating menu here. If you see the uni carbonara or the crispy pig ear on the menu, def grab it. You can thank me later.

Excellent omakase and food here. - the highballs are delicious and well made; would love larger ice cubes but definitely a top highball spot - excellent pig ears fried - their sushi selection is perfect - filling enough and reasonably priced with the roll - their fried rice with mushroom was good - not too salty or sweet - fish is large and fatty - Uni rice is great for Uni lovers - tasted fresh without a lot of sewage taste - omakase bar is private in the back and perfect for privacy - truffle wagyu was raw and delicious; not too heavy on truffle Overall, superior service and very fresh cuts and fish. One heck of a highball. Would come here just for those. The dessert with chocolate mousse is a 10/10. Don't forget to order it. Well worth the price. Great service by Ben and by Stephanie. Very professional.

Amazing authentic Japanese food! We had the great honor of meeting the chef! The ambiance is great! Will definitely bring clients here for closing celebration lunch or dinner.

New omakase restaurant right next to Baccarat hotel in the city. I was able to get a private table for 2 and try out a 20 course menu by Chef Anyhony Inn. Demostrating each beautiful piece with his skills. Menu is offered and it may varies due to seasonal and availability. Space is beautiful from Bar Lounges, tables in the middle for A La Carte, and Back of the secret wall which offer 10 intimate seats with the chef. Every presentable piece was fascinating and different palete, First 4 courses were starters mix of Land and Sea items that you will never eat in any casual restaurant (abalone, Wagyu A5 with shaved truffles, crab meat, Sashimi). Then The next 9 Course nigiri was absolute the best right after Tony's execution and place in the plate. You have the option to eat it with your chopsticks or by hand (they will offer you a wet piece for you to clean). Desserts was also my favorite part of the night. Japanese melon and the best warm Matcha tea I have ever had. I think my Tongue was on time out from tasting soo many flavors . Expect about 2.5-3 hour intimate seating. To accompany i would reccomend the KAMEIZUMI ETERNAL SAKE BOTTLE to enjoy the rest of the experience.

I would say the service and ambiance is fine. But the food tastes very wrong. The mushroom sorted rice is too wet at the top, and too dry at the bottom. The vegetable tempura, the eggplant is completely soaked in oil... If the restaurant cannot handle eggplant, replace it with some other vegetables. wagyu ribeye is like medium well. The taste of the blood is still there, but the sauce is not strong enough to blend in. Imagine a ribeye dish with no salt and pepper. And it is one of the most popular choices in the restaurant!??? The wasabi is not spicy at all, maybe not blending different portions correctly. Weirdly expensive, and definitely not for Japanese or Asian. One more thing is that when you use the restroom, you need to touch the same door lock before and after washing your hands... I would grab a napkin to avoid the second touch, but there is no bin outside to collect the used napkin.

Went to dine at Taru for a double date, the service was amazing, the staff was very polite and friendly. Ambience was perfect for a romantic friday night out. We tried the wagyu ribeye sukiyaki (winter menu), uni-udon pepperoncino, wagyu gyoza, tako tempuravegetable tempuras ,and multiple nigiris. The uni udon pepperoncino was really good, the sauce was creamy garlicy (which I love) and the noodle had a good chewy texture... fyi the noodles are house made! The wagyu ribeye sukiyaki was the highlight of the dinner... super soft and buttery steak which also came with vermicelli noodles and bok choy, with poached egg yolk spread. The sushi was very tasty, I didn't need to use any soy sauce with it because the fish was very fresh. The vegetable tempuras came with a very unique pumpkin ginger sauce, which paired perfectly with the tempura because it helped take away the greasiness from the fried food. We ordered 2 desserts when already full, but finished it with no problem! I like how their desserts aren't too sweet, it is just right and perfectly portioned/ sharable. We expieremented on many different cocktails. My favorite was the Niwa Kyuri (a cucumber tequila refresher), Mikan Gold (a mandarin orange drink that comes with a sparked rosemary- smells soo good!), and the Ryu Sour (a beautiful dragon fruit drink, has a creamy texture). This was my second time going and I will definitely be back again!

The new dishes by the new chef Tadashi Ono were amazing. From the Hirame ceviche, Hamachi tataki, Shrimp tomato salad, King salmon kinome-yaki, Uni-udon pepperoncino, Fried baby potato to their desserts. Must try the Matcha cheesecake and house-made sorbets. Great summer dishes! Taru Dreams of Matcha! IS my new favorite cocktail!! Taru is a delightful culinary adventure

Came here about two weekends ago for a friend's birthday party. Our server Pat was so great, super nice, so sweet. He did a phenomenal job with choosing the perfect surprise birthday dessert for our friend, which would a chocolate mousse Nutella dessert with ice cream. The cracker thing at the bottom was my favorite. We were so impressed with Taru, the atmosphere, the experience and cleanliness of the place. We would love to come back for omakase or sit at the bar for sushi. I tried the Ume drink as well as the Matcha drink. Both very good with a lot of alcohol and you can taste Japanese flavors which is cool. Excited to come back!

Came here on Valentine's Day and the ambiance was perfect. The food was delicious for the most part especially the Wagyu Tomahawk. Service was good but we did have a minor mixed up with the order of our courses. My partner and I still enjoyed the food that night. However, we both had a stomachache the day after along with some friends that also had dinner that night at Taru. Unfortunately even though I really wanted to like this restaurant because of that it only received a three stars for me.

7/12/23 - Came again for the Grand Opening of TARU X Sushi On Me Collab. It was definitely a new fusion experience you need to try to understand. None of the courses disappointed and left you wanting for more.

Exceptionally well prepared, fresh from the very beginning w/ sushi that melts in your mouth... Started our appetizer with the duck gyoza, wagyu topped with scallion, pine nuts and onion jam, pigs ears and chicken karage. We went all out and ordered the 18 piece sashimi and 10 piece sushi to try a little of everything and boyieeeee was I in for a treat!!! We topped the night off by ordering 3 desserts and as i lie here writing this review, i cant stop thinking about it. Lol

I recently had two amazing experiences dining at Taru, a new Japanese restaurant located at the base of luxurious Baccarat Hotel in Midtown. First, was in the main dining room. The décor of the restaurant has clean contemporary look that exudes elegance. There's a live bonsai tree in the center of the room that adds to the detailing. (Looking forward to returning to see its growth.) Food was excellent. I highly recommend their Crab Chawanmushi and Seared Scallop to start. Though, duck isn't my first go-to option, I highly enjoyed the duck breast which was very moist and flavorful. Second experience was at Kotaru, Taru's omakase room. Chef Tony gave us a wonderful experience with his presentation and flavors that were both visually and tastefully divine. Great attentive and courteous staff added to the overall positive experience. Two thumbs up. Will definitely return, especially for the omakase :)

Terrific setting and service, sashimi on point, wagu tomahawk steak is sizable if you love red meat, the crab chimamushi is fantastic so order one per person, overall probably the best Japanese restaurant on East 50s.

WOW is this a dynamite restaurant. I eat out every meal and I am rarely impressed. Taru is truly special and on the mark in every regard. I was fortunate enough to be a guest at a private event and spent 4 hours here. The space is really beautiful and perfectly laid out. The thoughtfulness and professionalism is apparent in literally every detail. The front is a bar and seating area that somehow works for groups large and small. There was plenty of space to walk around yet this area still felt cozy and intimate. The front door was cleverly positioned in a way that you never felt any cold air as people came and went. I spent some time 4 feet from the door and the temp never changed even one degree. The main dining area has a soaring ceiling height of maybe 18ft. It's a not huge dining area but feels so spacious and sophisticated. In a separate area in the back is a sushi bar, where I will be next time as I come back to explore more of what this place has to offer. Its very obvious that who ever designed this space is at the top of their game. Service service service. The staff here is so fantastic, organized and sweet to deal with. As I mentioned, I was here for a private event. An appetizer would come out, within seconds someone was coming behind them with napkins and cleaning up toothpicks silverware etc. The place looked spotless and organized at all times even with 100 people eating and drinking for hours. It was like the service was choreographed and timed to the perfect second. It was truly amazing to watch and even better to experience. These folks really know the art of service. All the service you want and need yet totally unobtrusive. I don't think it ever took more than 3 minutes to get a drink at anytime of night. I would walk up to the bar and someone would look me in the eye and give a smile very quickly to acknowledge me. Followed swiftly by any drink I wanted, just how I wanted it. I wish it was like this everywhere. AND of course the food. Since I was at an event and not ordering off the menu I will share just a few thoughts. This will be revised and photos added in the next couple of months. We were given a nice selection of appetizers. All done with the Japanese philosophy of having respect for the food. As each tray came out, every appetizer looked perfect. From the way they were spaced on the tray, to how they were carefully constructed. No detail too small. We had these very thin toast points with salmon crème fraîche and caviar on top. The toast points were so delicate and disintegrated as it touched the tongue making them a fantastic vehicle to transport the salmon to your mouth without competing with the delicate flavor of the fish. The crème fraîche added to the smooth buttery texture and the caviar added just a little brightness acting as the perfect seasoning. OMFG these were outrageous!! All the other appetizers followed a similar format. Perfectly spaced trays of little boats would come out with different mushrooms, peppers and vegetables tempura. The veggies were hot and crisp. The tempura was the lightest dusting as not to interfere with the clean fresh flavor of the veggies and a little sauce underneath to perfectly season each bite. I am so excited to come back and order off the menu. It's very rare to find a place where so many things are done right and without compromise. Food, service, and atmosphere are truly spectacular. If you love Japanese food, fine dining, and top notch service Taru is a must try and I'll see you at the sushi counter (please save me a seat)

I had an amazing time with my colleagues at Taru, great drinks, food and desserts! Also, attentive service, I will be going back soon with my friends and clients.

Sadly Updated Again. Didn't see this coming. But Chef Anthony Inn has left Taru and Kotaru. So my previous, stellar reviews are no longer relevant. I cannot vouch for Taru or Kotaru without Chef Inn. I guess I'm back on the Omakase market y'all! Single again in Cuffing Season. Stay tuned to my feed here...I'll be trying more/new Omakase spots.

Taru offers an unparalleled culinary experience set in an expansive elegantly designed space. The menu is a gastronomic masterpiece - from the Milk Bread, crispy pig ears, cherrywood smoked octopus, crab chawanmushi, grilled whole mackerel to the tantalizing Sashimi Platter, each dish speaks volumes of the kitchen's commitment to freshness and quality. The culinary journey was topped off with a delightful mocha hazelnut cake. The expertly crafted cocktails at Taru are as impressive as their food. The wine and sake list is extensive, with knowledgeable staff making insightful recommendations. Taru stands out as a must-visit gastronomic destination. The innovative dishes, the top-notch drinks, and the exceptional service all converge to deliver a dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary!

The food at Taru is excellent. It was nice to see Chef Tadashi Ono. The service was good. Only drawback to the restaurant is ambience / location as the restaurant is a bit too touristy for my taste.

I had the opportunity to go to Taru last night for my friends. I had an amazing experience from start to finish. The friendly staff greeted us and made us feel very comfortable. The food from appetizers , entree to the dessert was very delicious. The dishes was so unique that you simply can not get the same at other restaurants. If you want to take your significant others out , or simply going out with your friends. This is the place to be ! John L.

Came here with friends for my birthday. The entire staff from bartender Jade, to Sake expert Roy, to Head Chef Tony made it an outstanding experience. Highly recommend Taru for folks who enjoy high quality fish & top notch customer service!

Food is great! We just ordered the sushi lunch set and it was absolutely delicious. The sushi was incredibly fresh and all of the side dishes were equally delicious. The service was also fantastic. Highly recommended! #foodie #sushi #lunch #delicious #fresh #recommended #foodlover

I brought my little brother here for his first omakase experience and he was very impressed with the food, decor and service. Chef Tony Inn was so friendly and accommodating to us! He took his time to thoroughly explain every single dish he served to us. Every dish was so delicious and nicely plated. I can't wait to go back for another fine dining experience!

Because there are two restaurants under one roof, fearing the potential issue of "jack of all trades but master of none," I wanted to get a feel of the affordable casual front restaurant before making an investment in the expensive formal rear omakase. Whoa, am I glad! Although the person over the phone was very nice pre-arrival, and the host up-front was very nice upon arrival, despite the beauty of the restaurant itself, my server (the only other non-Japanese person in the room, including customers and clientele) was horrendously unwelcoming and unaccommodating. She treated me like I didn't belong there, and I guess she was right. Please refer to my reviews of experiences at Yoshino, Icca, Nakaji, Nakazawa, Shion 69 Leonard, etc., I know how to handle myself in a formal sushi-ya, so I certainly know how to handle myself in a casual Japanese eatery, but I agree that I don't belong anywhere which treats me like I do not belong.