An intimate, theatrical omakase journey w/ meticulous Japanese artistry. A pricey, but memorable, culinary adventure.
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.
Yoshino New York offers an exceptionally precise and theatrical omakase experience, helmed by renowned chef Tadashi Yoshida. From the antique hinoki counter to the master-crafted knives, every detail is meticulously executed. While the price point is high, diners are treated to an artistic presentation of meticulously prepared nigiri and other seafood delights, often described as a unique and transportive culinary journey.
Yoshino specializes in omakase, offering meticulously prepared Japanese cuisine with a strong emphasis on nigiri. Standout dishes include charcoal-seared mackerel, various tuna preparations, and kinmedai soup with truffle. While the food is consistently praised for its quality and artistry, the overall experience can be impacted by the high cost and, for some, aggressive upselling of alcoholic beverages.
"The omakase experience is highly recommended, with particular praise for the nigiri, charcoal-seared mackerel, and various tuna preparations. The kinmedai soup with truffle and grilled Hokkaido scallop are also notable highlights."
Customers generally have a very positive sentiment towards the food, praising its artistry and quality, though some note a high price point and occasional service issues related to drink orders.
Important Note
The restaurant is very expensive, with omakase courses costing upwards of $500-$600. Some diners have reported aggressive upselling of alcohol by the sommelier, which can detract from the dining experience.
"This commenter stated that Yoshino is great and, in their opinion, even better than Sho."
Positive"The author enjoyed the food at Yoshino, describing it as the best of the best. They also noted their experience with the wine pairing which was part of Restaurant Yuu's offerings."
Positive"The user mentioned they have booked Yoshino for their upcoming solo fine dining meal in NYC."
Neutral"This user highlights Yoshino's charcoal-seared mackerel as being even better than Noz Market's, though it's part of an omakase experience."
Positive"The commenter believes Yoshino should be elevated to two Michelin stars."
Positive"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
