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I'm with MC and Lipoff on their assessment. I'd personally rather go to Uni or Oya.
As a general observation, when someone asks if it's "worth it" my answer is usually no, only because any luxury product is such a personal decision as to whether it's worth it. Is a Rolls Royce or Aston Martin worth the $2-300m? Not to most people but to a few.
If your question was "is Oishii any good?" I would answer yes, with the explanations already given.
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MC Slim JB
May 29, 2009 08:30 PM
The Chestnut Hill and South End outlets of Oishii probably shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath, they're such different restaurants. I like the Newton location for being a great little traditional sushi bar. The Boston one has its good points, too: a very broad menu, lots of cooked stuff, and very good creative sashimi, though not quite up to the level of Uni or O Ya, despite being right at their very dear price point.
It's huge, has a standalone cocktail bar, a big sushi bar (though more like an assembly line, a la Douzo, not the kind where you can really interact with the itamae), big rooms upstairs and down. It's more versatile and easier to get a table at. If you don't like expensive, rare, creative sashimi, you probably shouldn't go to Uni or O Ya, whereas you can bring stiffs to Oishii Boston and they'll find something to make them happy. It's also a bit glitzier and more formal than the other places, with a bigger wine list and that full bar, which can be useful in, say, a business entertaining situation.
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re: MC Slim JB
lipoff
May 30, 2009 06:09 AM
I agree with MC Slim JB pretty much completely, although I just wanted to emphasize that Oishii South End is worth a trip, which may not have come through in his post as much as I think. I've had some pretty incredible meals there. I think the quality of the fish is up to Uni and O Ya, although I don't see it as quite as relentlessly creative as either Uni or O Ya.
The kinmedai (deep sea snapper) I've had there was superlative, as were the toro truffle maki. Even something as simple as menagi (scallion bud) sushi tasted like eating a fresh garden.
It is at a *much* higher level than Douzo, for example. I agree that its size, formality, full-bar, breadth of menu and other features make it attractive of a business dinner, but it is also a very nice place for a personal meal. One can't go to O Ya all the time. =)
One thing that might account for some people's differing impressions of this place is that I'd recommending going when Ting San is there. I'd call first and find out at which Oishii he is that evening.
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re: lipoff
MC Slim JB
May 30, 2009 06:52 AM
Very accurate clarification of my intent: I like Oishii Boston, though I don't often spend at its level. Had a very impressive omakase there not too long ago for $150/head before beverages, nice mix of sashimi, sushi, and cooked dishes, and a tier above Douzo, Fugakyu, and their ilk. More likely to spend that kind of cash at Uni or O Ya when I want creative/rare; more likely hit Oishii Chestnut Hill when I want a more traditional sushi bar experience.
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