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The rice is so salty! I literally woke up in the middle of
The rice is so salty! I literally woke up in the middle of the night after eating my meal here and had to get up to drink water, and felt dehydrated the next day as well. I know the salty rice is a signature of the place, but wow I don't think I can handle that level of salt in the rice.The overall experience feels exactly where it should be for the price point. You'll probably spend $300+ here with some drinks and maybe an add-on. The amount of food is pretty hefty for omakase, so I wouldn't worry too much about being full. The selection of fish is what you would expect, nothing too crazy. But they do have it all. The tunas, the salmon, yellowtail, snapper etc. For the price, I find it hard to say it's a really good deal, it's just what it is.The conveyor belt / commercialized feel of the place also kills the vibe for me. It feels like you're at a fast food chain rather than a more personalized, chill, and intimate experience, which is what I crave from an omakase experience. I feel as much as a cog in the machine as the rest of the restaurant.
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My partner has been super excited to try Sushi Nakazawa.
We got a reservation at 9pm same day. The restaurant is modern and clean. Upon entering, we were greeted and offered coat check. We were seated after a few minutes. We ordered the omakase. My partner had a beer and I had a tea. My tea was amazing. Great flavor! His beer was good but nothing amazing.I was disappointed by this omakase. The best bite was probably the soy marinated salmon or ikura. Everything was verrrry mid. For the price point, definitely not worth it. I would rather go to Shinn East. Cheaper and way more flavorful/delicious. Fish seemed somewhat fresh but it was just eh. No wow's or interesting take on anything. Despite the food being extremely underwhelming I will say that service is 10/10. All the servers are nice, attentive and knowledgeable about the food they serve. Halfway thru our dinner service, they noticed I was left handed and switched up my order so it would be easier for me to eat and so I could eat the same bites as my partner. My water glass/tea cup was never empty. They excel at service.Unfortunately, I will not be back. The food was truly just ok and for that high of a price point, I can't justify coming back. I am happy that I gave it a chance though.
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The omakase lunch at $180 with 20 pieces of sushi plus
The omakase lunch at $180 with 20 pieces of sushi plus tamago and dessert. It wasn't bad per se, but it was entirely unmemorable. Some serious faux pas -- one chef was responsible for 10 customers on the counter -- this ratio is unsustainable for omakase. As a result, the chef pre-sliced all the sushi pieces up front -- come on, this is not a sushi boat place! More importantly, the rice was warm -- another faux pas. And fish a tad too cold. Sushi that makes you think about temperature is no good -- it should be just right so you don't detect warm or cold, but that way you can focus on the texture and flavor. The place was also a bit pretentious for my taste, than authentic. I'd be going to Kusakabe in San Francisco any day over Sushi Nakazawa.
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One of my friends raved about this spot because of their
One of my friends raved about this spot because of their tamago-yaki. Overall, everything was exactly as expected. The fish was fresh and the chef was skillful with his work. Definitely opt for counter service vs table. It's worth the extra money. I just took one star off for slight lack of value. There are other omakase places that have similar quality food and service, but at a slightly lower cost. But even then, it was worth it to try.
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The perfect counter service and the perfect amount of food!
The perfect counter service and the perfect amount of food! Staff was amazing and really made the experience
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not worth the hype - go to sushi seki! boils down to twenty
2/5 by
S K. on 03/08/2023
not worth the hype - go to sushi seki! boils down to twenty pieces of sushi for $8 a piece would never go back - if you want $8 sushi go to kasa nori and get hand rolls they are delicious
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The fish and shellfish selection for the omakase were
The fish and shellfish selection for the omakase were sourced both locally and from Japan and very delicious. Service was very accommodating and friendly! Definitely worth a stop in you're in NYC. It will take you a couple hours or so to get through the Edomae Omakase course that is an experience.
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Brought my sister here for her 21st birthday and sat in the
Brought my sister here for her 21st birthday and sat in the dining room since counters were all reserved two weeks in advance. Managed to grab a late Sunday slot for 9:15. It doesn't need to be expressed how amazing everything was, and particularly enjoyed the shellfish course (the crab!) and tuna course with increasing fattyness. Servers do describe the dishes differently - ours told us the last piece was just "egg" while we overheard another describe it as their "original signature egg cake" - presentation makes a difference! They brought out a candle with the sorbet for the birthday festivities, which was a cute touch. I will say that while I definitely enjoyed checking off this spot but that, having had a range of omakase at different price points, a place like Sushi Kai is more bang for your buck and a bit more inventive.
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To put it bluntly, very underwhelming.
People always raved about this place, especially due to nakazawa training under the legendary Jiro. I had very high expectations, particularly because I love more traditional/simplistic style sushi where the flavor of the fish/seafood really shines. That was not the case here. Most of the pieces were very bland, some even to the point where it didn't taste like much. Additionally, the rice had no flavor. I have a few friends who haven't tried sushi nakazawa and have it on their list, but I'm reluctant to return as I'd rather spend my money on trying something new (especially with so many omakase places popping up).
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I've been dying to snag a reservation at sushi nakazawa for
I've been dying to snag a reservation at sushi nakazawa for some time now and finally got a dinner reservation but at the dining room and not sushi counter. There's only one Omakase option and it's 20 pieces of nigiri but you can add supplements like wagyu,caviar, and a sake tasting. I was left full, but not extremely satisfied. Ever since watching Jiro Dreams of Sushi and discovering that Nakazawa was Jiro apprentice, I had high hopes. Furthermore, the restaurant holds a michelin star, so my expectations kept increasing. Sadly, it wasn't the omakase I dreamed of but it was still amazing. Their nigiris were straight forward in other words not innovating. However, I believe this was intentional to let their ingredients/fish shine, but the quality on the salmon and uni was supbar. Furthermore, their rice was more overcooked than what I usually prefer, but the four pieces of tuna were too die for. I definitely think dining in the lounge also decreases the quality of the nigiri and Omakase experience as a whole because the chef isn't making the pieces fresh and pacing you accordingly. Overall takeaway: amazing but not the best in NYC, it's definitely riding off its hype.
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Absolutely spectacular, start to finish
I've had the good fortune to have sushi many places around the world. Sushi Nakazawa is in the top 3 - there are two other sushi restaurants in Japan that are very close in quality and experience, but there is nothing in the US that comes close. We sat at the sushi bar, the omakase was 21 different pieces. Additionally I opted for the Uni experience, wagyu, and truffle. I would not recommend the truffle - the Toro is so flavorful that the truffle is more of a distraction than an enhancer. Service is spectacular - each sushi chef is responsible for four diners at the counter, so there are no gaps in service. The pacing is a bit on the fast side, but that is the way Sushi should ideally be consumed. At the end we were full but not uncomfortable. We cannot wait to return!
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Is the sushi delicious? Undoubtedly.
But is it worth it at its given price point? Doubtful.Okay so like some other peeps, I watched jiro dreams of sushi and was intrigued. Short of flying over to Japan, figured this was the next best option. The decor is fancy and we were greeted graciously by the hosts. We were promptly seated and served a 21 course of aquatic goodness. Our chef was interactive and put on a show (especially parts involving the blowtorch). Because we were at the lounge counter, we ate our sushi immediately after it was made, a true blessing worth the extra $30 charge. As I heard more about each fish and where it was sourced, the question occurred to me whether this place was truly better than other omakases in town? At the restaurant's conception, the concept may have been more novel but since then, there are many other great omakase spots in the city with similarly sourced fish, many of which are less than half the price. The product did not taste 2x better (or even better at all) and the air of excessive pompousness touted by manager John Shin did not enhance the experience in any way. Rather, it pushed me to look past the blinders. Fundamentally, it is great omakase at a premium price tag.
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As soon as I stepped in, first thought in my mind was that
As soon as I stepped in, first thought in my mind was that employees seemed unhappy, customers at the bar table didn't seem happy, lady at the check-in desk was not welcoming, and the interactions were very terse and cold overall. Manager unfortunately must think that this is what an elevated experience must be like: solemn, dry, quiet, intimidating. The interior wasn't elegant or modern or new to match whatever the business is aiming for. I ate in the dining room, not at the bar.Service was fine, most staff were very friendly, except for the one guy. I'm sure any customer and employee can identify the individual. I remember wondering if he is just a friend of the owner. Not sure why else he would be acting this way. Very loud and rude, I could hear him constantly talking and coughing from anywhere in the room. I kept wishing he wouldn't be the one to bring the next plate. He was condescending, did not properly introduce the nigiri pieces, and literally tossed every plate onto the table with a clank. Not having a dedicated server was also strange. Multiple servers took turns bringing out the pieces. Similar pieces were presented at the same time on the same plate. Vibe was quite gloomy and uncomfortable. Felt like servers were pressured and oppressed to the extent that they acted scared?Food was decent. Rice was overly salty and overpowered the fish. Nothing special about the fish or seasoning. No piece stood out; every piece tasted similar. Chef tried to make up for fish quality with too much searing and torching. Too many subtle gimmicks that didn't work. Scallops weren't very fresh. Shrimp was over-poached/dry. Squid was too chewy. It was obvious that uni isn't the shop's specialty. But then again, nothing else was either. I enjoyed the unagi wrap to the course. I liked that tamago wasn't too sweet but it was slightly burnt/dry. I appreciated that drinks were very reasonably priced.Overall, a mediocre 20-piece course that felt more like an elevated sushi deluxe than an omakase. It would have been a fine night if the dining room interior and service weren't so gloomy, the one specific server wasn't so rude, and the vibe wasn't so oppressive. In any case, I would not recommend this experience or the food, especially given the price. Given the fish quality and subpar execution, I would recommend splurging elsewhere.
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Last Sunday, I had the incredible opportunity to secure a
Last Sunday, I had the incredible opportunity to secure a last-minute reservation at Sushi Nazakawa in Washington DC, and my excitement was beyond words. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by a warm and welcoming staff who took my coat and showed me to my table without delay. Although I usually prefer sitting at the sushi counter bar, I was just happy to be there and soak in the elegant yet low-key atmosphere of the dining room. As it was the Sunday before Valentine's Day, most of the diners were there to celebrate with their loved ones, and the lively chatter and laughter from the sushi bar added to the convivial atmosphere.Sushi Nakazawa offers an omakase-style menu, with the option to add on daily specials, which I eagerly opted for. From the first bite of the toro monaka caviar, a thin, light waffle with fatty tuna and caviar, I knew I was in for a treat. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the staff provided great suggestions for wine pairing, enhancing the overall experience.The nigiri was presented in rounds, with each course featuring a main category of fish. The progression started with a salmon course, followed by a shellfish course, a jack fish course, a tuna course, an A5 Miyazaki Wagyu and uni flight, eel, and tamago. I ordered the king salmon nigiri and toro nigiri again because they were so delicious and literally melted in my mouth, leaving behind a delightful taste of the ocean on the perfectly cooked rice.Each course was timed perfectly, allowing me to savor every precious bite and take a sip of tea and wine before embarking on the next leg of my sushi journey. The meal concluded with a green tea and a milk custard, which provided a perfect ending to this unforgettable culinary experience.Sushi Nakazawa did not disappoint, and it was truly a memorable dining experience. From the warm and welcoming staff to the exquisite dishes and impeccable service, I cannot recommend this restaurant enough.
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Amazing food, fantastic staff, romantic setting for
5/5 by
F T. on 02/16/2023
Amazing food, fantastic staff, romantic setting for Valentine's Day dinner. Added on uni, I feel it had a bit too much wasabi on it and would have liked to try different variations such as with soy sauce or on its own, but nonetheless still amazing.
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I am visiting New York, so have to admit I can't really
I am visiting New York, so have to admit I can't really compare other sushi places in nyc. But I was very disappointed in my experience.- there was not a single piece of sushi that was memorable. I am not sure if it was the supply issue, but the quality of the fish is not worth the price. The selection of sake was reasonable but maybe I just happened to pick the wrong one? It was not very good- I was seated at the lounge counter. The chef was very rushed. He not only had to serve the 5 guests at the counter but also had to manage other tables as servers were coming to take plates to guest sitting in the dining room. He was half throwing sushi on our plates at times. - overall, I felt it was more sushi express than an omakase experience. It is also purely sushi which is different experience than what I had in Tokyo. I would not recommend this. It wouldn't have made a lot of difference going to some fast food type sushi joint.
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Exceptional, as you would expect
Flawless restaurant with perfectly executed sushi. Lovely menu, outstanding quality of food, clinically good service and awesome sake options.
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An intimate and elegant sushi omakase experience
Best sushi East of the Rockies! Coming from the West Coast, I had always been apprehensive of trying sushi in NY but then finally gave in. Not disappointed at all! I sat at the counter with 4 others and the experience of watching each piece of sushi being constructed at such speed, ease and precision was mesmerizing. The itamae was knowledgeable, extremely skilled and very personable. It was as if one was sitting in his home and having a meal. The 20-course Sushi omakase was simply delightful. There were fish that I had not had before (and I’ve eaten a lot of sushi in my time). Would go back again in a heartbeat.
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I took the tamogoyaki home to feed it to my toy poodle
I will never forget this place because it is, honestly, one of the worst sushi restaurants that I have ever been to in my entire life of avid sushi eating. - I did not eat a single piece of nigiri that was fresh. I have had fresher sushi from the Cantonese sushi maker at my local ShopRite. - Not only were the fish not fresh, the chefs did not even try to remedy the lack of freshness with proper seasoning. Needless to say, not a single bite had any complexity at all. - The rice to ikura and uni ratios were completely off. There was way too much rice because the chefs were too stingy with the ikura and uni. - The temperature of the rice and fish was inconsistent. Sometimes it was room temperature, sometimes it was too warm, sometimes it just fell apart upon touch... - By the time tuna course arrived, I gave up on the restaurant. I gave my husband the maguro nigiri immediately without a second thought. To no one's surprise, my brother immediately said, "Maybe the second one will be better" after eating the maguro. Guess I didn't miss anything. - The o-toro was a complete joke. The toro that I ate in middle-of-nowhere Carpinteria, California is better than this somehow overly torched (which I have never encountered in my life) aburi o-toro with zero fat. - The tamagoyaki was so bad I decided to wrap it in my napkin and bring it home to my dog. Unlike me, my dog loved the tamagoyaki. Thank goodness because that was the only positive from this dinner. - The dessert was a "Japanese crème brûlée" that had a typical crème brûlée crust but with something that tastes more like a panna cotta underneath. It was okay. Nothing special. I am really expecting more from a Michelin one-star restaurant, because I have had so much better from zero-star sushi restaurants. - Not a single server asked once if "everything is/tastes okay." - I honestly do not understand how this has one Michelin star. Either Sushi Nakazawa bribed the Michelin reviewers or Michelin reviewers do not understand sushi or both. The three of us finished the meal feeling utterly awful because were so unsatisfied and knew that we would have been more satisfied if we had ate supermarket sushi instead. We have no problem dropping $150 for sushi--we frequently drop double or more. However, when commanding such a high price, we expect quality, and quality we did not get.
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Words cannot begin to explain how amazing of an experience
Words cannot begin to explain how amazing of an experience I had at Sushi Nakazawa. (opened by Daisuke Nakazawa, the apprentice of Chef Jiro from Jiro Dreams of Sushi) I went with friends and ordered their 21 piece omakase + desserts, which was $180 pp. We ended up getting still water which was $12/bottle (side note: get tap next time). We arrived 15 minutes early and sat in the waiting area, which felt super upper class, it was like sitting in a 5-star hotel lobby. The air conditioner was also super posh. Then we got seated (they pushed out and in our chairs for us, oh my gosh), and saw the extras menu / drink menu and my jaw almost dropped looking at the $200-$1000 alcohol choices. I felt so much imposter syndrome just sitting there. But once the sushi started coming out, I began to feel a lot more comfortable and at peace. I thought that I was in heaven. Each piece was crafted thoroughly to make sure you got the perfect bite in every piece. The scallop was so extremely soft and sweet, and it basically melted like butter into my mouth. By far my favorite piece, next to the uni. The tunas were kind of disappointing in my opinion, but still quite delicious nonetheless. The sweet shrimp also should not be slept on. The rest of the omakase was pretty dang good.The desserts though, ohmygosh, that was heavenly. Who knew genmaicha could go so well with creme brulee. I cannot stop thinking about the flavor combination, what a perfect way to end the meal. The chef was very nice and the servers were super attentive. tldr experience was ethereal. Total after 20% auto tip + tax came out to $242 per person. The most I ever have and ever will spend on lunch.
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Amazing, it's expensive but worth it.
Just order the omikase with some sake and sit back and enjoy.
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Top notch sushi experience! The fish was extremely fresh
Top notch sushi experience! The fish was extremely fresh and such good quality! Everything was delicious! What sets this place apart is the unique flavors, ingredients, and creative methods that are added to the nigiris. The preparation of the fish is absolutely world-class! The presentation was lovely, especially the descriptions and the different parts of the tuna displayed in four pieces. Service was very good and extremely attentive. The restaurant is very classy inside, and feels perfect for a special and memorable occasion. This place is pricey but is worth the experience if you love high quality sushi,
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The service here was top notch.
They pay attention to detail with drinks and keeping you comfortable. The Omakase was soooo good. I celebrated my birthday here and every single one of the 21 bites brought a smile to my face. Reservations open I believe 14 days from the day you want to reserve starting at 12pm so make sure you plan ahead.
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This place is absolutely fantastic, and easily one of the
This place is absolutely fantastic, and easily one of the best omakase experiences I've had. The fish was astoundingly fresh, and very well (and creatively) prepared. Every single piece was remarkable, with a wide range of flavors, textures, and tastes. I did the wine pairing too, and the drinks were a great addition. And although the food was superb, the service was perhaps the best part of the experience. The servers were attentive and quick, and made us feel quite comfortable as we enjoyed our food. I'd highly recommend this place!
Probably the best omakase I've had to date - and definitely better than ones going for double the price I've had elsewhere.Definitely recommend the wine pairing and the add ons. They told me a Beverly Hills shop should be coming soon and I can't wait!
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The most amazing Omakase I have ever had in my entire life.
The chef was super knowledgeable with his sushi expertise. I highly recommend coming here for a birthday or anniversary.
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Sushi Nakazawa was absolutely spectacular.
This was by far the best service we have ever experienced in New York City. Our chef made sure to make every moment of our Omakase experience special. Every piece of sushi was the highest quality cut of fish. We especially loved the lean, medium and fatty tuna order, which helped accentuate the flavors of the fatty tuna. We highly recommend the Sake parings as it was perfectly balanced. Each glass of sake was paired with 3 sushi pieces. Highly recommend Sushi Nakazawa.
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My favorite sushi restaurant.
Each piece of nigiri is melt in your mouth delicious and the menu changes frequently based off of what's fresh that day. There are usually some supplements you can add and I highly recommend the wagyu and uni ones if available.
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Clean, Pristine and an explosion of subtle flavors, with
Clean, Pristine and an explosion of subtle flavors, with incredible Sake to take you to heaven.
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Luxury Sushi Time in NYC
PROS Quality of food is awesome. Excellent service, superb wine list and good atmosphere. Price is aligned considering quality of raw materials, level of service a d New York City CONS Stop automatically refill water, please Ask Good occasions deserves good places. Always
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Simply... First.... Class
My wife and I had high hopes of Sushi Nakazawa and we were not disappointed. The whole experience was stunning. A fantastic meal, prepared by a warm and friendly chef, that tasted sublime. Tip - Try the Sake pairing... it was awesome.
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I would tell you that it sucks just so that you won't book
I would tell you that it sucks just so that you won't book your next date there, but I would be lying. Glad I found this place, I was starting to believe that good sushi did not exist in New Jersey and only in NYC. Never have I died over a handroll until this place. It's odd... it's just a freakin' handroll dude, but you end up saying "wtf?"
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The dinner room was so loud, Sushi is just average.
That's not a Japanese fine dinner experience.
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Omakase is one of those things that I consider a treat
Omakase is one of those things that I consider a treat yourself type of meal. Sushi Nakazawa was that and then some. I made reservations for a party of 2 for the dining room on a Wednesday night. Just a tip, I had a few Resy notify me's for that week, and almost every night had availabilities opening up, so I highly recommend turning that setting on so you're notified of an opening! When it comes to omakase, I find a lot of restaurants trying to elevate the flavor of the fish by doing something different or adding a lot of other elements. I feel like Sushi Nakazawa really focuses on the flavor of the fish itself. Everything was so fresh, tasty, and I knew immediately that I wanted to come back. Service was prompt, and the ambiance was very nice. We got 20 pieces and a dessert at the end for $150 pp. I can't wait to return!!