The Office of Mr. Moto
Japanese restaurant · East Village ·
Seasonal sake-paired dining menu & Japanese-decor lounge
Seasonal sake-paired dining menu & Japanese-decor lounge
"The Office of Mr. Moto isn’t the only city’s sushi speakeasy in NYC, but it is the only one with a player piano, historical artifacts, and an unmarked entrance that requires you to solve a riddle. Based on the life and adventures of an entirely fictional 19th character, the place feels like a very earnest gimmick, but the $255 omakase is no joke. Expect 21 courses, with around 15 pieces of lightly dressed nigiri made with whatever uncommon fish is currently on hand. A second restaurant, The Residence Of Mr. Moto, focuses on kaisendon." - willa moore, will hartman, allie conti, molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah, bryan kim
"This “sushi speakeasy” requires you to decode an email before you can enter the East Village restaurant. That might sound annoying, but we promise it's not. (And it’s really easy). This omakase is based around a loose plot in which you've been invited by the eccentric and reclusive Mr. Moto to dine amongst his collection of Japanese antiques. But the lightly themed dinner theater isn’t there to distract from any flaws. The 21-course meal ($215) is focused on hyper-seasonal ingredients, so expect pieces like shirako, or red gurnard, which you usually won’t find at other spots in this price range. For a more casual option, check out The Residence of Mr. Moto, which specializes in kaisendon." - bryan kim, neha talreja, hannah albertine, will hartman, sonal shah
"Some restaurants have stories; others create them. Meet The Office of Mr. Moto, a downtown spot that endeavors to bring history alive. Inspired by the late 1800s expedition of Commodore Perry, the restaurant is designed to mimic the worldly office of Mr. Moto, a fictionalized character who could have been aboard. The dining experience begins with an electronic letter containing a coded cipher to gain entry to the restaurant. It's all a bit mysterious, though their omakase is far from a secret. From black throat sea perch and red Gurnard to omakase standards like shima aji, their fish selection is impressive. Do take a drink to the downstairs library after dinner to continue the imaginative experience." - Michelin Inspector
"When you feel like you’ve seen, done, and eaten all that NYC’s overwhelming omakase scene can offer, go to The Office of Mr. Moto. This St. Marks speakeasy is filled with eclectic Japanese antiques and requires you to decode an email before your visit. The 21-course meal ($215) is focused on hyper-seasonal ingredients flown in daily from Japan, so expect pieces like shirako, or rare red gurnard that you don’t get at other sushi spots in this price range. Stop by the lounge for a drink after your dinner and listen to the vintage player piano." - bryan kim, neha talreja, hannah albertine, molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah
"High-end sushi restaurants have a habit of naming themselves after the head chef, but there is no Mr. Moto behind this sushi speakeasy. This omakase counter is actually owned by the people behind East Village restaurants TabeTomo and Tomokase. They created the Mr. Moto character as a 19th century bon vivant, and you’ll receive an email from him with a code to crack before you arrive. The 21-course meal ($180) is focused on hyper-seasonal seafood that you won’t find at other spots in this price range. After dinner, take your date to the lounge for drinks. There’s a vintage player piano there that we suspect is being played by the ghost of Mr. Moto himself." - team infatuation
