436634 Thu Aug 30 12:08:36 -0700 2007 28 12 Boston Area 0 2897223 Looking to celebrate with a friend next weekend by going out for omakase. We would like to keep the price below $100 per person, not including alcohol. Between Uni and O Ya, which would you choose? Thu Aug 30 12:08:36 -0700 2007 15217 gini 1 2897242 I love both, but for under $100 per person, I'd choose Uni (I think their omakase starts at $75 p/p and goes up from there). Thu Aug 30 12:12:45 -0700 2007 2897223 10271 Rubee 2 2897283 I agree. I think you'll be more sated with Uni's omakase though lately I've been favoring O-Ya likely because it's newer and I've done Uni's many more times. You can't go wrong at either though. Thu Aug 30 12:20:30 -0700 2007 2897242 12702 lissy 3 2897302 Thanks for your input. I was leaning towards Uni for this celebration, especially since my friend is so keen on it, but just wanted a litmus test. Thu Aug 30 12:24:54 -0700 2007 2897283 15217 gini 4 2897342 O Ya. $100 should be OK without alcohol. Just specify that you want more fish and less cooked stuff. Thu Aug 30 12:31:54 -0700 2007 2897302 45745 wittlejosh 5 2897370 Any particular reason why? Thu Aug 30 12:36:24 -0700 2007 2897342 15217 gini 6 2897549 I think their cooked stuff isn't nearly as good, and if they start venturing into the Wagyu beef, the $100 could dwindle down fast. The Uni bluefin tuna tartare is terrific, but overall I prefer O Ya. Thu Aug 30 13:10:25 -0700 2007 2897370 45745 wittlejosh 7 2897577 Cool, thanks for the specifics. Thu Aug 30 13:16:52 -0700 2007 2897549 15217 gini 1 2897404 I vaguely remember that the omakase at Uni was $125, but it might be worth checking to see if they have lower price points. Uni would be a place where you would be more likely to get Nobu-style classics, including actual textbook dishes from the cookbook such as the unagi and foie gras; I'm trying to remember if the quail egg, uni and caviar is a signature dish from Tetsuya. Thu Aug 30 12:42:00 -0700 2007 2897223 10076 limster 2 2897443 I think you can do anywhere from $75-125 for omakase at Uni. Thu Aug 30 12:49:08 -0700 2007 2897404 12702 lissy 3 2897501 Yes, I just called Uni and they said they will do anywhere from $75 and up ($200 or so was the last number Ryan mentioned on the phone) for omakase. Thu Aug 30 13:01:21 -0700 2007 2897443 15217 gini 1 2897507 You are going to end up getting about the same quantity at both places for $100. I would pick O Ya every time. I think they have a much larger variety of well done selections than Uni, and I think their flavor pairings just work better. Thu Aug 30 13:02:12 -0700 2007 2897223 13687 Gabatta 2 2897528 It's not about quantity, at least not too much, but about flavor and atmosphere. Perhaps I'll try Uni next weekend and O Ya after that for a side-by-side comparison. Thu Aug 30 13:06:12 -0700 2007 2897507 15217 gini 3 2897817 That would be an excellent 1-2 punch. I will look forward to that report. I have not eaten at Uni in about a year, and probably won't now that O Ya is in existence. From what I remember, I would give O Ya the edge in both flavor and atmosphere. Also, the service from the owners and staff at O Ya is incredible. Thu Aug 30 14:00:51 -0700 2007 2897528 13687 Gabatta 3 2897819 And if you need someone to join you........ ; ) Thu Aug 30 14:01:32 -0700 2007 2897528 10271 Rubee 4 2897858 If you do it, must trys at O Ya for me would be: Suzuki Sea Bass Hamachi w' Banana Pepper Mousse Scallop (sashimi, I forget the specific prep) Grilled Eel Bluefin oToro (i like the wasabi in this one) Grilled Chanterelles and Portobellos Thu Aug 30 14:11:36 -0700 2007 2897819 13687 Gabatta 5 2899464 Great, thanks for the ideas. We'll see what happens in September! Fri Aug 31 05:50:12 -0700 2007 2897858 15217 gini 1 2900310 I wish I had problems like these ;) hmmmmm, Uni or O Ya... decisions decisions! Either way you go, enjoy! You're sure to have a fantastic meal. Fri Aug 31 09:59:28 -0700 2007 2897223 88180 heWho 2 2902177 I would have to say Uni would be the better bet, here is my take on both places, I dine at both fairly frequently (usually about 4 times a month between the 2). I would consider myself fairly well versed in raw preparations Uni - Now that Yuji is back as the chef things are awesome, but leave some time. I have had some chefs in the past not cut the fish the way it should be cut, but the flavors are great. The selection of fish is fantastic, and the service is unparalleled compare to any other japanese place in the city (the place is small). time is taken with the staff to make sure they know the food and there is usually only one chef that is very approachable. The wine and sake list are great, especially if you can order wine from the Clio list. O-ya Great atmosphere, although it can seem a bit distant if the the place is not full. Service is just a touch better than what you would find at any other Japanese place in the city, some college kids that dont really know the little details of the food, wines or sakes. I have had some service issues regarding omakase before and i attribute them to communication with the chef (i even speak a good amount of japanese, but ironically alot of sushi chefs in town are Chinese). Overall the food is executed very well especially the non traditional stuff. The wagyu isn't as great of a cut or quality of the ones at Uni. One visit i watched them pull piece after piece of frozen wagyu out of the freeze on the sushi line. But they do have a menu that has lots of different tastes to have your palate dance. Their traditional preparations are a bit expensive. I would pick uni, but if you are looking for more non traditional choices O-Ya might be the way to go. You really wont go wrong either way Fri Aug 31 20:23:01 -0700 2007 2900310 13110 jpeso 3 2902378 Hasn't Yuji been back at Uni for more than a month? Fri Aug 31 22:48:48 -0700 2007 2902177 10076 limster 4 2902815 yeah i think for a few months Sat Sep 01 08:34:31 -0700 2007 2902378 13110 jpeso 1 2926271 Omakase take one: Uni Drinks: Enter the dragon: nice spicy kick of cayenne pepper really punched up the taste of the stoli orange and lime juice Ginko-bai: sugar-rimmed sake-tini was too sweet for me, but I loved the liquor-soaked mountain plum at the bottom. Ming Tai: a lovely cucumber-infused cocktail - most refreshing of the three Snow Momakawa unfiltered sake with dinner: smooth, a little spicy with a sweet finish - this was a real winner Food: Tomato water to start: tomato popsicle, baby cucumber slices, chive oil drops, caper berry - clean and refreshing; a great way to start the show. 1: two Duxbury oysters: one with a cucumber shiso dressing, which had incredibly bright flavors, but out-shined the oyster a bit; the other with a soya dressing that let the briny oyster stand up but left a spicy undertone to finish. Finished with a bumpy mountain plum: a sweet counter point to the savory oysters. 2: Himachi yellowtail with ginger mignonette, fresh wasabi and pickled konbu. My DC, who thought she hated all yellowtail, was pleasantly surprised at the way actual, fresh, firm but soft yellowtail tastes - especially when topped with a zesty grate of fresh wasabi. 3: Alasakan wild king salmon with ginger and black bean vinaigrette and micro-cilantro. The salty, bumpy beans were a great counterbalance to the ultra-smooth and buttery salmon. This was one of my favorites of the night. 4: Mollusk with heirloom tomatoes, micro-greens and toasted pine nuts. A cute take on the ubiquitous caprese salad. I really enjoyed the pine nuts and tomatoes, but the mollusk got lost between the meaty tomato and earthy nuts. When eaten on its own it was firmer and less sweet than its scallop cousin. The tomatoes, in season, were gorgeous. 5: Sea Bream with cucumber and seaweed. Minuscule cucumber slices made it a little precious, but the fish stood up for itself. 6: O-toro and chu-toro with asian pear. Absolutely gorgeous cuts of locally-caught, buttery, fatty tuna topped with slightly sweet ponzu sauce and thin cuts of asian pear. 7: Deep-fried soft shell crab with miso-yogurt. Meaty and salty crab paired with a wonderfully rich sauce. What a great way to finish the tasting. Dessert: Soft chocolate with banana crumbs, violets, banana cream and cucumber ice cream. The cucumber ice cream was fresh and beautiful while the chocolate was soft, but strong enough to hold up to the intense banana cream. Service was attentive and sweet from the two knockout waitresses and the chef was informative and charming as we talked about Japan and fish. He certainly gave us a nice array of the dishes on the menu mixed with a few of his own creations. Yuji urged us to come back and try some of his specials. It was also really great to hear how much he loves his craft and that he feels so thankful to be able to create dishes that rival what he made in Japan. Though he does miss the onsen (who doesn't!?). A great celebration dinner that left my DC and me very, very happy. Mon Sep 10 07:35:46 -0700 2007 2897223 15217 gini 2 2926466 Great report. I love that tomato water starter. Pure palate water and an unbelievable essence of tomato taste. Mon Sep 10 08:33:25 -0700 2007 2926271 10214 beetlebug 1 3195980 Time to bump this baby up. DC & I are finally going to get to O Ya this month for a blow out. Any not to miss dishes? Mon Dec 10 13:25:15 -0800 2007 2897223 15217 gini 2 3196035 Re-read this awesome O Ya report --> http://www.chowhound.com/topics/431431 I especially liked the Kumamoto oyster with melon pearls, the Hamachi with banana pepper and the Salmon tataki. I don't know if the menu is seasonal, as my visit was in the summertime, but if you enjoy raw shrimp, 'tis the season for ebi too. Mon Dec 10 13:41:48 -0800 2007 3195980 10232 yumyum 3 3196090 I too love the hamachi with banana pepper mousse. I'm also a big fan of the otoro with lots of scallions as well as the foie gras sushi which I liken to dessert :) Mon Dec 10 13:56:05 -0800 2007 3196035 12702 lissy 4 3196099 Oh yeah .. in fact, we DID have that foie gras for dessert, didn't we? Mmmmmm...... sounds so good to me right now! Mon Dec 10 13:57:56 -0800 2007 3196090 10232 yumyum 5 3196106 Yes we did and that is certainly my kind of dessert! Mon Dec 10 13:59:43 -0800 2007 3196099 12702 lissy 3 3196107 ooh the search function - snazzy! Thanks for the specific recommendations! Mon Dec 10 13:59:59 -0800 2007 3196035 15217 gini