Sushi of Gari 46 or Shimizu?

[sharinski]

Going to the theater and wanted sushi in the area before hand. Thanks!

[kobetobiko]

Just responded to your other thread.

No contest: Shimizu.

[cimui]

Agreed: Shimizu. But do try to do omakase if time / the checkbook permit.

SushiDen in the same area is even better, I think.

[theskyflyer]

What's SHIMIZU omakase price?

[cimui]

Omakase varies depending on how much you eat. I took two friends there several months ago and if I remember correctly, among the three of us, with some alcohol and two desserts, it only came out to be about $80 or $90 per person.

[ask230]

Honestly, the other responders must be smoking some good sh1t. Sushi of Gari (including their 46th St. location) is one of the best sushi restaurants in the city. The fish is ultra-fresh, and the creations they churn out for their omakase dinners are outstanding. These omakase dinners are certainly among the best -- if not THE best -- in the city.

So while Shimizu may be all fine and dandy, it cannot really be compared with Gari. These two restaurants are not in the same league. It's like comparing a world-class, revered vintage wine with a regular bottle from the store that's very good but nothing you'd read about in Wine Spectator. The latter may be good, but it's not really comparable with the former, which is in an elite league.

I know this post is from ages ago, but for anyone just coming across it, go Gari 100%.

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Shimizu
318 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

Sushi of Gari 46
347 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

[gutsofsteel]

I completely agree with ask 230. Shimizu is fine, but not in the same league as Gari.

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Shimizu
318 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

[Simon]

Guts, you like Gari?...i know we both like Ushi Wakamaru and other places...but i went to Gari (UES) years ago once and it was awful -- solid/average fish at high prices, the rudest staff i've ever experienced in a Japanese-run sushi restaurant, sushi "creations" that were frankly gross (at the bar, two Japanese sararimen were staring at some of the nigiri in disgust and left parts of their omakase uneaten), and a rushed unpleasant setting, like the waiting room of a hospital...would never return...i've dropped into the UWS location and got a similarly icky vibe and left before being seated...

i trust you that you had good food there, just surprised :)

[gutsofsteel]

I have had nothing but good meals at both the UES Gari and the UWS Gari....at the UWS Gari I sit in the center of the sushi bar and leave myself in the hands of the chef...I go there more often than to the UES one because the UES one is crowded and less comfortable.

But I've mostly been going to 15 East and I just finally went to Shinbashi, which was excellent, I plan to return soon. I like Gari but it's a bit showy for me at the UES location. I like the quiet of the UWS Gari sushi bar when it's not packed. The quality at both locations is good. I've never been to the midtown one.

I'm not into the scene at Ushiwakamaru, although the food is fine - but it's not at the level of 15 East or Shinbashi. I have been meaning to try Seo...

I haven't been to Shimizu in a while - it never really impressed me all that much, although it's fine for the price.

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Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

[Simon]

hi...i will check out Shinbashi...

what do you mean by "scene at Ushiwakamaru"?...i think of it has a mellow, nice place w/o much of an attitude nor sceney crowd.

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Shinbashi
7 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017

[gutsofsteel]

Too many hipsters, chef drinks too much sometimes...food can get a bit sloppy and the bar gets a little too chatty....

At Shinbashi...I sat in the center, in front of the head chef (Mr Nakajima), left myself in his hands...

[guttergourmet]

Has anyone been to Shimizu lately? I used to go often, but haven't been for a while and someone who's opinion I respect went on my rec and did not like it. I've recently had an omakase lunch at Gari 46 which was mind blowingly good although for 3 of us with a moderate amount of sake cost well over $200 per person. Worth it to me but Shimizu was always more reasonable for great quality. Any recent reports?

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Shimizu
318 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

Sushi of Gari 46
347 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

[JeremyEG]

I can weigh in here as I had Omakases at both Gari (Upper East) and Shimizu in the last month. For me, Shimizu is a much more pleasant experience. That said, I don't usually care for more creative or elaborate sushi or rolls and there was at least some of that at Gari and none at Shimizu. I remember a few great pieces at Gari (I love their eel) and many more great pieces at Shimizu (his Uni last time was the best I've ever had). I'd like to try the other Gari locations but the Upper East Side location was too loud and sort of 'keyed up.' Shimizu is quiet and more about traditional, and serious sushi and sashimi.
You'll enjoy wherever you go but Shimizu is my pick by far.
JeremyEG
HomeCookLocavore.com

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Shimizu
318 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019