Visiting Upper East Side - restaurant suggestion? Sushi?

[cups123]

Where should we eat?! We are staying for one night in the Marriot in the UES and want a relatively affordable dinner option. Japanese would be great. I haven't had amazing sushi in a while. Any suggestions?

[JC2]

On Third bet. 93 and 94 Isohama. Not well known, but wonderful, fresh, simple food. I mostly eat sashimi, not sushi, but it is great. It has been around for many years - under the radar.

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Isohama
1666 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128

[MMRuth]

I've gone there a couple of times, but do prefer Gjyumaru.

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Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

[pups224]

This place is just another Korean run "sushi" bar. Their fish is boring and not fresh. The selection is awful and over priced. Stay away and cook at home!

[thew]

that place is a different place with a different name now

[MMRuth]

I've not noticed that -- same name outside as far as I can tell, and same employees.

[UES Mayor]

Just had another amazing meal at sushi bar (the dimunitive one up front) last night. I believe this place flies under the radar cause it has been around so long and not a glitzy place. Very dated enviroment BUT the sushi and side dishes the chef makes is top notch. I always enoy the quality and variety here.

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Tokubei 86
314 E 86th St, New York, NY 10028

[gutsofsteel]

I've been there many times. It's a fine neighborhood place. But "amazing" or "top notch?" No way.

[UES Mayor]

Perhaps I am one who gets special treatment-it really is top notch and I am an authentic foodie-not to mention the UES Mayor!

[gutsofsteel]

They simply do not get top quality fish and and do not have top quality skills. Whether or not you get special treatment, that doesn't change.

I mean when you compare Tokubei to 15 East or Shinbashi or Ushiwakamaru, etc etc...it is far, far from top notch.

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15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

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

[MMRuth]

I didn't realize there was a sushi bar up front -- thought it was just a regular bar, and then the sushi bar in the back?

[gutsofsteel]

Ruth I haven't been there (Gajyumaru) since I noticed it, but there is a different name on it now.

[olympusnyc]

Off the radar and very good is Takesushi on 2nd Ave and 54th street. It caters to Japanese salarymen but the quality is very good and the price is reasonable. Gajyumaru has great chirashi. A notch down would be Haru (Bar) on E. 76h and SushiHana on 2nd and 78th.

I would also question why you are limiting yourself to the upper eastside? This is Manhattan, man....live it up!! Kanoyama on 2nd Ave and 11th street is a great place to try as well as the many other sushi joints around the east village. And as mentioned by others, if you're willing to splurge, you can't go wrong with Sushi of Gari on E. 78th (eastside location). Enjoy!

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Kanoyama
175 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[Gelaine]

If all this info boggles the mind and at the end of the day your just tired and hungry... go around the corner to York Grill on 89th and York. Nothing special,.. but good food in a pleasant atmosphere.
Or, if you have the energy to walk... Cafe d'Alsace on 2nd and 88th. (Beer and French.)

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Cafe d'Alsace
1695 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128

York Grill
1690 York Ave, New York, NY 10128

[thew]

i used to be a regular at york grill - i'd say its a notch above nothing special

[gutsofsteel]

I agree. It's a neighborhood place, nothing more.

[chaz]

Donguri-83rd

[thew]

i have not been to donguri since the original owners left - what was that 7 or more years ago, but at least then, i wouldn't have gone for the sushi. their strength is in other japanese foods

[Fastov]

Sasabune on 73rd and 1st is a great choice.

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Sasabune
401 E 73rd St, New York, NY 10021

[thew]

sasabune is not an inexpensive place. not a moderate one either. it's costly.

[jaykay21]

Depending on how far you'd like to travel, Wajima on E. 61th between Park and Lexington is a good option. They almost always have uni (and quail egg, if you like), which has consistently been good quality when I've ordered it. It's low-key on ambiance and, although I've never visited for dinner, their sashimi special should fit your bill.

I concur with the recommendation of Poke mentioned earlier. Poke is excellent for rolls, if that's what you prefer.

If you'd like to branch out beyond the Upper East Side, try Sakagura on E. 43rd Street (basement level) for a truly unique dining experience. You can be economical there with some careful planning.

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Sakagura
211 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017

[gutsofsteel]

If Poke is "excellent" then what is Gari? What is Seki? Superduper excellent?

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Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

[jaykay21]

Sushi of Gari is excellent quality, but, as you said, it is very expensive and not what the poster is seeking.

I have not yet eaten at Sushi Seki.

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Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

[hon]

Yuko

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/...

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Yuko
1531 York Ave, New York, NY 10028

[lexismore]

I enjoy Inase more than any of the other places mentioned here, with the exception of Gari, which is a different kind of thing.

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Inase
1586 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

[thew]

sushi of gari for expensive creative sushi (ignore the map here its showing the west side branch)

for non sushi japanese tatany 72

[UES Mayor]

Splurge and go to Sushi of Gari. Other affordable options which are good but not what I consider amazing: Ichiro, Ooki, Tenzan, Poke (cash only), Amber, Mr. Ginger, Ko.

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Ichiro
1694 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128

Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Mr. Ginger
1572 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

Tenzan
988 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022

[gutsofsteel]

Tenzan is the bottom of the sushi barrel - not fresh, crudely cut, bad selection. Avoid. Poke is absurdly overpriced for what it is. I also like Tsuki and Inase, but Gajyumaru is more convenient to the OP's location and more traditional Japanese, and their cooked dishes are the best in the neighborhood (although Inase does a decent job in that department too).

Problem with Inase is that it is a very low traffic place so their fish selection has really decreased in the last year. Tsuki can be hit or miss.

Sushi of Gari is very good but it is very expensive - not what the OP is looking for.

As far as Gjyumaru goes, I haven't had dumplings there in a long time. Last couple of visits have been very satisfactory.

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Inase
1586 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Tsuki
1410 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

Tenzan
988 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022

[MMRuth]

I agree on all counts.

[cups123]

how about sushi suki?

[gutsofsteel]

Suki is mediocre at best. Not at the same level as Gajyumaru at all.

[cups123]

oh okay. I was reading reviews on yelp. Its so hard, so contradicting! I want a place like Yasuda mmmmm so good. Is gajyumaru the same idea? I don't need really fancy creative sushi, I like traditional but amazingly fresh sushi.

[gutsofsteel]

Gajyumaru is not Yasuda, nor does it cost like Yasuda. Gajyumaru is a solid, serious neighborhood Japanese restaurant with skilled sushi chefs and a skilled kitchen, and I think it is well priced for what they serve. It is not "creative sushi" - it's a traditional place. They often have interesting specials.

They do not usually have very high end fatty toro available....the demand isn't there. But what they do have is good. Don't miss the house made soft tofu.

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Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

[cups123]

what places would you liken to yasuda?
Is Gajyumaru the closest thing to yasuda without the price?

[gutsofsteel]

If you want to go to Yasuda why not go to Yasuda?

High end sushi is expensive.

Gajyumaru is near your hotel, you asked about the UES, it's a good small sushi place serving fresh fish, skillfully prepared, and very nice kitchen cooked items too. It is well pried for the quality.

If you want to spend more money, you can go to Sushi of Gari - quite expensive, but in the neighborhood as well.

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Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

[cups123]

very true, i wanted to stay in the area and was hoping to just try something new, you know?

[gutsofsteel]

Yes - so go to Gajyumaru.

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Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

[Nancy S.]

I wonder if Gajyumaru has improved since my last time there -- about a year ago. I really wanted to like it, but I was not happy. Their eel was not good -- very ordinary. Their dumplings were inedible (and I have a wide tolerance for dumplings). Also, the rice was not seasoned well and was gummy. I was very disappointed.

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Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

[Uncle Yabai]

You really like this Gajyumaru place, don't you?

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Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

[gutsofsteel]

For the neighborhood and the price point - yes.

[gutsofsteel]

The Marriott on 92nd St?

How much do you want to spend on a sushi meal? Including tax, tip, and drinks?

[cups123]

Yes thats the one. Hmm, not sure exactly. We don't drink alcohol so maybe around 100 for the two of us? Its not a strict guideline though. Is that reasonable?

[gutsofsteel]

Yes, that budget is doable...I would recommend Gajyumaru, on 1st Ave between 86th - 87th. Very pleasant service at the tables, it's a little place, fresh good quality fish and good prepared things from the kitchen as well.

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Gajyumaru
1659 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028

[MMRuth]

One of my favorites - we've been going almost every Friday night for the last year or more.