Chef Don still brings it. Last dinner with a friend from out of town. I had another place booked but when she said it would be her first omakase I had to switch it up and get her the best version of NY-style omakase. I don't know if people will agree but that's the term I use for the luxuriously garnished omakase that has taken over the city across price points. Ambiance is solid. Lots of wood. Intimate but not cramped. Clean and comfortable all around. Nice little touches like the cute chopstick holders. Top notch service. The restaurant was able to add in a 3rd person with us at the counter after a last minute call. Don himself is a great showman too, cracking jokes all night and answering questions. It should go without saying for omakase in general but you need to get a counter seat for the full experience, especially here. Food is top notch. They set the bar high right away with a lightly garnished bite of nodoguro (my favorite!). You'll get fun and tasty bites, garnished with caviar, truffle and the like. My companions declared their last bite as their favorite several times in a row. A splurge to be sure, but it should be on your list.
Truly unbelievable. The quality of the sushi, the service and the ambiance are top notch.
If you're looking for your next omakase restaurant that specializes on modern takes, Sushi Ishikawa is the place to be. As of 4/21/24, the price per person is $175. While it's no chump change, the amount you get is totally worth the price and then some. Sushi Ishikawa is generous with their ingredients. Some pieces have 3 pieces of fish rolled together; there's large truffle slices; and a generous portion of foie gras. I don't expect to be blown away by every piece at omakase (your taste buds like what they like, right?), but I feel like in comparison to other places I've been to, Sushi Ishikawa thoughtfully curates each piece that none feel like filler items. My personal favorites were the pieces that had lime grated on them, the foie gras piece, and the Thai chili dish. We let them know in the reservation that it was my birthday and they put a candle next to the dessert and brought out champagne. How sweet! Staff is super friendly. There was a woman who was always talking to us and she was so lovely. It was so refreshing to talk to her about what we both enjoyed and felt like I was talking to a friend. Some super minor things that didn't impact my review but things I would have liked to see: -I wasn't a super fan of the music they were playing. Some jazz, bassanova, or classic music would have been nice as I sometimes got distracted. -Not sure if it's a city thing as it's my third time having omakase, but I was surprised to see not everyone gets started at the same time and it seems like they start based off when you come in. Highly highly recommend Sushi Ishikawa for your next omakase!
Amazing! I came here for my birthday with my sister and mom and had a fantastic experience. The food was delicious and beautiful.
Wow!!! What an awesome way to celebrate friends from coast to coast coming together for a birthday but also to enjoy some yummy omakase. We all walked out stuffed to our hearts content - SO MUCH SEAFOOD!!! The service was fantastic and felt very cozy. Very well priced for such an innovative experience.
One of my new favorite omakases in the city! Definitely not cheap as it is $175 minus drinks and tip but they did not skimp on ingredients. My friend that I came with was trying omakase for the first time and she was blown away and had a fantastic first experience. Everything melted in our mouths and they made us feel very comfortable. There were some unique pieces on the menu that were beautifully crafted.
Absolutely amazing omakase experience designed by Chef Pham with 17 pieces of "heavy hitters." They use the best ingredients, perfectly paired and beautifully crafted. Each piece is a work of art. This is not your traditional edomae omakase but rather offers a fusion twist with additions such as caviar, truffle, and even gold flakes. Every piece feels like a delectable blend of 2-3 pieces (example include the wagyu, foie gras, and truffle piece and an o-toro, akami, and caviar). We came for my birthday and they treated us to 2 glasses of rose each, which was unexpected and very gracious. Highly recommend and the service, quality and value is exceptional at $175 compared to what you would get at any other omakase venue for $150+. We will definitely be back soon.
You can't make a resy for six unless you call. We were really lucky to score one for a Thursday night when chef Dom Pham was our chef! This made up for the initial awkward exchange when I learned that they couldn't serve the chocolate cake i brought for my friend's birthday. So DO NOT bring a cake to the restaurant. The UES location is the original. It is busier and louder/more fun than the UWS location. The 17 course omakase was amazing as the first time. I loved some of the repeats. My favorite was still the tempura shiso leaf topped with lobster and ikura. The uni was also better all around than our last time, which made sense as we came during a different season. I would definitely be coming back again. But now I'll know to make sure Chef Dom Pham is there for all my future endeavors here! He is a genuinely fun and nice guy who knows all his customers!
Omakase here screams creative! I came here years ago back in 2017 and I remember I loved my time here. Each piece was well thought out and the flavors were unique and worked together. Fast forward to now, the pieces seem to have shrunk ambit I still thought it was delicious and had that creative flair. The staff was super attentive and Don Pham himself makes the whole experience pleasant! My favorite pieces were the scallop, uni + toro hand roll (ended up getting another), and basically anything with uni lol. It's pricey--we spent upwards of $600 for two people. If you're venturing out for omakase, there a lot of other spots I would try first but give this one a go!
I've eaten a lot of sushi + top tier omakase in NYC. Ishakawa remains at the top of the list. Ate there last night at the sushi bar. Small and intimate -- seats probably about 12. 17 courses for $175. Not cheap, but also not in the $300+ range than comparable omakase spots sometimes charge. This is new age style omakase, meaning each piece is inventive. Each piece is a magical and artistic creation, with absolutely top tier and fresh fish serving as the canvas, and a mix of many other inventive ingredients and flavors as the paint. Each bit is a magical flavor explosion. Absolutely recommend and can't wait to go back soon.