An intimate, high-end omakase experience w/ theatrical seafood presentations & meticulous detail. A true culinary journey.
Will Hartman reviews Yoshino, an expensive omakase restaurant in NYC, highlighting its thrilling seafood preparations, intimate atmosphere, and exceptional service, calling it a "quietly thrilling" experience.
Experience the exquisite artistry of Chef Tadashi Yoshida at Yoshino, a high-end omakase destination in NYC. Prepare for a meticulously crafted 20-course journey featuring prime seafood, theatrical presentations, and an intimate atmosphere with jazz music. From truffle-infused soups to perfectly bruléed tamago and velvety anago, each dish is a testament to precision and quality.
Yoshino offers an exquisite omakase experience with a focus on meticulously prepared seafood, including various cuts of tuna, scallops, and eel. Dishes like kinmedai soup with truffle and perfectly bruléed tamago are highlighted. While the sushi and overall quality are highly praised, some diners have noted an uncomfortable pressure to purchase expensive alcohol.
"The omakase menu is highly recommended, featuring standout dishes such as kinmedai soup with truffle, grilled Hokkaido scallop, chiaigishi chutoro (tuna belly), and velvety anago (eel)."
Customers generally praise the exceptional quality and artistry of the food, describing it as a top-tier sushi experience. However, some feedback indicates issues with aggressive upselling of alcohol by the sommelier.
Important Note
The restaurant is very expensive, with omakase priced at $648 per person. Some customers have experienced aggressive upselling of alcohol by the sommelier.
"The commenter recommends Yoshino for omakase."
Positive"The commenter suggests Yoshino as an alternative to Blue Ribbon due to its proximity. However, the original poster later stated that no tables were available."
Neutral"This user mentions Yoshino is really good but not as good as Sushi Sho."
Neutral"This user states that Yoshino is very good and likely to receive a second Michelin star soon."
Positive"The commenter found the food to be good to great but agreed that the alcohol situation negatively impacted the ambiance. They observed some customers engaging in a 'pissing contest' to order the most alcohol."
Neutral"This is a follow-up comment indicating that the sommelier's pushy behavior seems to be a consistent issue."
Negative"The commenter agrees that the sommelier is pushy, recounting an instance where they were pressured to upgrade a sake choice by $200. They believe the drink list is unreasonable if such upselling is necessary for a good experience."
Negative"A lighthearted comment suggesting the food pictured is so appealing it could even be enjoyed by someone who is unwell."
Positive"The commenter points out that negative reviews for the restaurant often mention poor service and staff behavior."
Negative"The commenter clarifies that they did not personally feel pressured as they didn't order drinks, but refers to another commenter for more firsthand details."
Neutral"The commenter is interested in hearing more details about the alcohol pressure, as they are sober and prefer to drink tea during omakase meals, which would be a significant deterrent for them."
Neutral"The commenter confirms that the restaurant staff pressures customers to buy alcohol, which can make the experience uncomfortable. However, after making it clear they wouldn't purchase much, the pressure subsided, allowing them to enjoy the meal."
Neutral"The commenter had a positive experience at Yoshino, but noted that some people felt pressured to buy alcohol. They personally did not feel pressured as they were not drinking."
Neutral"A brief comment appreciating the visual presentation of the food."
Positive"The original poster lists Yoshino as a restaurant they have previously visited for omakase, without explicit sentiment."
Neutral"Yoshino was included in a list of recommended sushi spots."
Positive"Yoshino was included in a comprehensive list of restaurants that did not make it onto the 2025 NY Times list."
Neutral"Mentions Yoshino in the context of high-end sushi, noting that even chefs like Yoshino nod to Masa's unique style/influence upon arriving in NYC."
Neutral"The author suggests Yoshino for omakase for a special dinner when asked for recommendations without specific price or cuisine preferences."
Neutral"Shion 69 and Yoshino are at $480 plus, which is egregiously expensive."
Negative
