I've been here twice, and both times were for my birthday, so I guess this place has officially become part of my birthday tradition. This spot is tucked away and a little tricky to find. After heading down the stairs, you walk into a small, narrow space that is dimly lit and cozy. The staff was friendly and warm, always checking in throughout the night without being overbearing. It's 18 courses for $175, with some creative toppings and ingredient combination. Every piece was beautifully plated, and the flavors worked well together. There was a lot of variety, so each course felt a little different from the last. I really enjoyed the experience very much and will probably come back again...maybe another birthday. read more

Fun omakase spot! Friendly service and chef. Note that this is an Americanized sushi spot, and the toppings are untraditional and can be very rich. We went into this knowing that, and I particularly enjoyed the lobster/ikura and foie gras bites. At the same time, the toppings can be overpowering and heavy. I'd still prefer getting more traditional omakase, but it's worth checking out! read more

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I have been coming to Ishikawa for many years. (Make sure to note if you have a RSVP for UWS or UES!) Some of the pieces have stayed the same since I started coming and some have changed. I have always appreciated the chefs' attention to detail. The staff especially are very warm and welcoming. (Especially NiNi =) They always remember who you are and your preferences. They try to get to know you and many restaurants don't do that anymore. This location is nice because it is intimate. There are no tables, so the chef cam focus on the sushi bar and on you. The omakase right now is $175 per person and you can't find a better value. Of course the fish is great, just look at the pictures! Also, they make the best green tea panna cotta, nowhere is better. read more

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Sushi Ishikawa, a famous staple on the UWS and UES for omakase, delivers a satisfying meal with solid value but heavy on the gourmet ingredients. The restaurant is quite intimate with 2-3 chef's evenly distributed and ambiance is quite lively though not too loud. The staff are quite attentive and they have a nice drink menu with diverse sake options (junmai to junmai daiginjo) and give ample ginger that was solid. The chefs were nice and engaging with diners. The omakase leaned heavily on your typical fish enhanced by gourmet ingredients - if you're a fan then this is the place for you! The fish tasted fresh with highlights being the otoro, uni, sake, ikura, and kanpachi. Four of the courses had truffle, a few with caviar and then toro with caviar and gold leaf that really just made me roll my eyes. Personally these ingredients don't add much, if anything for me for sushi but do make for aesthetics, otherwise I prefer simplicity. Overall it's a satisfying meal and decent value for the price! read more

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Wonderful food and service! Even better than expected and we had big expectations going in.

Just unparalleled- all 17 courses. Unique, intimate, hidden, impressive. I traveled the US and world for work... I've had Omakase multiple places and this place is just special. The best date night, highest quality, and just small and beautiful. Do it read more

Amazing experience with the best sushi you will ever taste! I highly suggest you give them a try. I've been more than once and will return again. read more

We came here for my birthday and it was amazing! The inside is a long counter with two chefs, each serving 6 guests. The restaurant is small, warmly lit, and has a personal vibe. Chef Don is very friendly and every piece was unique and delicious! The portions were generous and the quality was exceptional. It is 17 courses and the whole experience took about 2 hours. I wish I could dine here regularly, and I will definitely be back for future celebrations! read more

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This hidden gem on the UWS served 18 courses for $175, with a more creative twist to your traditional omakase (think lots of toppings and creative combinations of ingredients). The inside is very clean and minimal, and the service is amazing! The hosts will explain each piece to you, point out their favorites, and even start chatting with you! Since we came for a birthday celebration, my friend also got a candle and we got 2 glasses of champagne to celebrate at the end of the meal. There is an extensive list of sake here, and me and my friend got a carafe to share for $40. It was extremely fruity and refreshing! As for the omakase, all the fish and ingredients are extremely fresh, and we even got three types of uni throughout the meal as well as some appetizers and a light and delicious matcha coconut panna cotta dessert. My favorite pieces were all the uni, the seared ebi, toro and crab, chutoro, hamachi, and the luxurious handroll. Great place for a special occasion with the best ingredients, really creative pieces, and exceptional service. read more

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Sushi Ishikawa was amazing! Be sure to be on the lookout for the restaurant, which is down a set of stairs on 80th Street and easy to miss. When you arrive, the staff are super attentive, quickly bringing you to your seat and offering to hang your coat in the back. The vibe inside is very cozy and there is traditional omakase counter seating. This was by far one of the most intricate and fun omakase experiences in NYC! My party was lucky and Chef Don served us. Not only is the sushi super innovative, but also the chef provided an entertaining and memorable evening for us. It's clear that sushi is his passion - each piece that was served was so creative and had the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Chef Don and the staff also explain each course to you. Everything was delicious, but some highlights included: - Sea bream with yuzu, bamboo, and salt - Lobster, shiso leaf tempura, and ikura - A5 wagyu with foie gras, dehydrated wagyu, and microgreens - King salmon with chili vinaigrette and crispy Thai basil - Scallop, shrimp tempura, and Hokkaido uni (note: I usually don't even like uni, but this experience changed me!) If you're looking for an unforgettable experience and high quality sushi, definitely visit Sushi Ishikawa! read more

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Ishikawa is one of my go to's for omakase. Chef Don and Nini always deliver a great experience! Chef expertly pairs the fish with citrus, truffle, foie gras and different sauces. Everything complements each other beautifully! There are signature pieces like toro with truffle, but enough seasonal changes that you always get a unique meal. Nini also delivers top notch service. It's always a fun and delicious meal! Highly recommend!! read more

Surprisingly, the chef behind such professional execution is Chinese. There are plenty of toppings, yet they never overpower the freshness or original flavor of the ingredients. The chef kept checking in on us and even asked for our feedback,super thoughtful. We were already full after finishing the whole menu, but we loved their house uni so much that we couldn't help ordering one more special piece. Gotta say, sushi in New York is seriously next level. Super impressed. read more

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Incredible value and high quality sushi. Our chef was very friendly and got a good sense of humor. We must have had more than 15 courses, and I enjoyed those 8 pieces the most. I can't wait to go back again. The ambiance is intimate but also lively. read more

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Everything was fantastic. I'm a big fan of creative omakase and this is it. Lots of aburi which I like. One dish was fried soft shell crab with uni on top. So good. Atleast 5 pieces had globs of Ossetra caviar on them. I think 4 had uni on them. There was wagyu powder. Lots of black truffle and truffle salt. There was torched foi gras. You get the picture, it's not traditional sushi by any means. But it's fun and inventive and very extravagant. You get a dessert and two glasses of champagne ( per couple) if it's your birthday or anniversary. Chef was very nice. Only complaint was the music was pretty lane. 2000s hits. Hey Delilah played. Overall a great opulent time. read more

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Don is redefining the sweet spot on what is considered fast sushi and Michelin rated sushi. He's best of both worlds with the price point to match. His version of what modern sushi is supposed to be is spot on. Delicious, filling and just perfect in every way. Much better than spots like Sushi Nakazawa imo. read more

This place was phenomenal! I haven't had many omakase spots but I think this is my favorite restaurant. These are some of my favs! The service was amazing! Be careful when you are looking for the location. It is easy to miss! read more

Sushi Ishikawa - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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If you're looking for a great intimate omakase experience in NYC stop by Sushi Ishikawa. It's a place that's hidden from the street, but once you get in it's a nice small quaint place ready to serve you various kinds of sushi! Was brought here for my surprise bday and it certainly did not disappoint. We had the 17 course meal and every bite was perfectly done to a perfection by an entertaining and skilled itamae. Food was fresh, flavorful, and not a single one of the items was a disappointment! This place is small and is a great place to take a significant other without dealing with large crowds! Definitely adding this place to one of my favorties in NYC! read more

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What an amazing experience. I brought two of my friends who have not done omakase before. They both loved this experience. One even said that this may be his best NYC dining experience ever from the service to the ambiance to the delicious almost appearing never ending pieces that consistently got better and better! I don't know how they can now try other omakase places. The pieces went from classic simple ones like the scallop to beautifully created unique pieces in design and in taste. My favorite was the tempura shiso topped with lobster then topped with ikura. Everything was as amazing!!! Even the steamed egg and the dessert. As the deliciousness kept coming, we all thought 175 was worth it! Ironically, the only thing that was not as good as the other pieces was the last piece - the hand roll. I thought the uni they used in it was a touch bitter! Maybe the hand roll can be re-created to really end this amazing meal with a bang! Can't wait to bring my other friends here. read more

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An incredible journey for your palate, with 17 courses of diverse flavors and textures that never once overwhelmed me. I was pushing it by arriving within an hour of closing but since I was alone they gladly accommodated me. The service was exceptional which felt authentically friendly and they cared to get to know me and share insightful recommendations for other restaurants in the neighborhood to see as well while visiting. The courses were enough for even somebody like me who has a big appetite. I could tell they're aging things right as there's that rare melt in your mouth fatty tuna sensation you come to recognize from Tokyo and can almost never get in the USA. The fried softshell crab over scallop with the slightly spicy sauce was a great dish which I was told is influenced by the Vietnamese owner's memories of dishes from home. Multiple dishes like these broke the monotony of typical omakase like the ones I find in LA. The intimate low light, all bar seating puts you front and center with the chef and felt like a private dining experience. I can't wait to come back and am so glad they survived through the pandemic as I know they opened up in Jan. 2020! read more

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Omg. This place!!! The service is top tier. The ambiance is next level. The omakase is to die for. I've been here a few times and it will stay on my rotation. Favorite omakase in the city. read more

Sushi Ishikawa - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A bit more private than the Upper East Side location and tucked away at the garden level of a townhouse, Sushi Ishikawa UWS maintains the same level of quality that the original location delivers. Chef Don mans both locations at different points of the week. It is always great to get a counter seat with the man himself, but you won't be disappointed regardless of whoever serves you from behind the counter! read more

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Amazing again! Sinhua is soooo nice and attentive and patient. The food...unbelievable! Second time and it's just the same as last time - so generous with ingredients like caviar and truffle - so innovative! My favorite omakase read more

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Indulgent as always. We knew Chef Don was going to be at the west side location so we booked accordingly. We got the expected experience here: luxuriously garnished bites, served with enthusiasm. You get strong flavors here, thanks to the generous helpings of rich ingredients, including several kinds of uni and toro, wagyu, foie gras and caviar. The non-obvious highlights are the sea perch (the rarity and quality happily explained by the chef) and the truly sublime chawanmushi. Finished off with a few rounds of delicious yuzu sake. Service is attentive and fun. One thing to note is that the space is relatively small but it works since it's all counter seating for omakase, so you get front row seats to the chef magic. read more

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I have to preface this review by saying that I am usually a boring, hidebound sushi traditionalist. I do not enjoy, and have never enjoyed, new fangled "American" sushi like Sushi of Gari or other places of that ilk, where toppings and sauces are often used to obscure less-than-prime neta. For perspective, uber traditionalist Eiji Ichimura has been my longtime favorite sushi itamae in NYC (though my Pardner is less fond than I am of things like shiokara -- salted fish guts -- that Ichimura-san likes to pull out on occasion for favored customers). But.... a recent meal at Sushi Ishikawa (omakase only, 17 courses; $175*) may have won me over to the dark side. Itamae Don Pham's food is not traditional, edomae-style sushi, but each piece is created with an understanding of tradition. Pham-san draws on all his roots -- training as a classical sushi itamae and familiarity with fine Vietnamese and French dining -- to produce food that is utterly unique and exceptional. He pays a lot of attention to textures and progression, serving milder-tasting, more simply-prepared fish first before moving on to fattier, more strongly-flavored and more complexly-garnished nigiri. A number of nigiri were as decadent as a dessert, with layers upon layers of umami-laden flavor (think foie gras, molecular gastronomy-esque wagyu powder, caviar, uni from San Diego and Hokkaido, truffles, etc...). Pham-san makes liberal use of his butane torch. (To be honest, I would, too, if I had one. Those things look fun!) I admit there were times when I just wanted to taste the fish by itself or otherwise deconstruct the components of an eight-ingredient piece of nigiri because everything was of good to excellent quality -- but in no case did the overall bite disappoint. Although most nigiri were made with run of the mill wasabi paste, several special pieces included real wasabi root -- freshly grated from a huge, beautiful, pristinely fresh piece -- and that was a lovely touch. Shari is cooler and pressed / compacted slightly more than some itamae serve it. I imagine that is in part for structural stability as the neta became more and more complex. Neta to shari ratios were perfect in my book. I can't end this review without noting that the staff's sense of hospitality is absolutely amazing. Pham-san is probably the most approachable, entertaining, kind, and non-judgmental sushi itamae and oyakata in NYC and it was as much a pleasure to enjoy his company as it was to eat his food. His right-hand woman in front of the counter (Nita IIRC?) was witty and wonderful, as well -- and also firm! She quickly reprimanded me for flipping a nigiri piece upside down to eat early in the meal. It doesn't work for this style of well-topped nigiri. At some point, we asked what some white powdery stuff was on a piece (wagyu powder). She joked that it was cocaine. The digs are unusual. It's a basement space that's wedged in next to a balloon specialist (fun to watch if you show up a few minutes early for dinner and wait at the door). Don't be discouraged by first appearances. Once you enter the sliding door, the restaurant within is a beautiful, elegant oasis of deliciousness and fun. :) We cannot wait to go again!! * No pun intended, but this is bargain basement pricing for an omakase meal of this quality. read more

Every single course was absolutely delicious from start to finish. I didn't think I was going to be full midway through the courses, but was absolutely stuffed at the end! Will definitely come back in the future! Service was amazing along with the chef! Very nice atmosphere and people! read more

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One of the best omakases ive been to. The price was great and value was definitely there. The chef took the time to learn your palate and allergies and tried to accommodate as best possible. Some of the bites didnt quite gel together but they always asked for feedback and added another piece to make up for it. Overall it was great and I will definitely be coming again. read more

Nice food , place is a little bit small and crowded, but food is nice, sushi is very fresh and delicious, and also love dessert very much. read more

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Cuisine: 10 Service: 9 Decor: 8 Value: 10 Overall: 9 Unlike his original UES location, Chef Don opened a smaller, more intimate sushi bar. He is here at times, but most days, it's helmed by his good buddy Chef Ken. I have known Chef Ken over 10 years from the days where I was a regular at Geisha Table. Trust me, on the days Don is not here, the restaurant does not miss a beat. Four of us attended the restaurant two days after it opened to celebrate my birthday. The sushi was top notch as always. It's not traditional, but who the hell cares? The oceanic combinations are divine. For two of my guests that have never experienced omakase with Chef Don and Ken, this was beyond memorable. Both agreed that it was in their top three omakase experiences all time. Here's what we had for the night. Sushi: Nodoguro (Black Throat Sea Perch) - chives Namadako (Live Octopus) - smoked salt, lemon zest Otoro (Fatty Tuna) - seared, shaved truffle Aji (Horse Mackerel) - fried shallots, chives Dungeness Crab, Otoro, Caviar Lobster, Ikura (Salmon Roe), Shiso Tempura Triple Chutoro, Black Truffle Botan Ebi (Spot Prawn), Shaved Bottarga (Mullet Roe) Hokkaido Uni, Ikura, Caviar, Black Truffle Tasmanian Sea Trout - sweet miso SB Uni, Zucchini Blossom Tempura, Shaved Truffle Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, Foie Gras, Wagyu Fat Powder Otoro, Akami, Caviar - gold flakes Sashimi: Shima Aji - fried shallots, sweet chili sauce Hokkaido Uni & Scallop - uni sauce Hand Roll Uni, Toro, Ikura, Takuan, Rice Puffs The meal was absolutely amazing, we added a few more pieces, including my favorite Uni (swapped Santa Barbara for Hokkaido), Zucchini Blossom Tempura, Shaved Black Truffle. I can easily eat two dozen of these babies if they didn't break my bank. If you had omakases before, get ready for a different kind of experience. If you never had an omakase before, but love sushi, then get ready to have your mind blown. read more

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One of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Fish was extremely fresh but more importantly, the combination of flavors were heavenly. Service was attentive, friendly, and so much fun. Loved the intimate environment as well (diners sit around the sushi bar). Highly recommend. read more

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Another great omakase experience w Chef Don Pham! Having him as our sushi chef for the night really highlighted his passion and love for his trade. Hopefully there will be many more lucky people to get the experience to chat w him! He is extremely entertaining and made our experience more enjoyable. Outstanding quality and unique pairings to enhance flavors of the fish. All fish are sourced and flown in from Japan. Looking forward to our next visit! read more

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One of THE best values for Omakase dining in the City! Don Pham takes a unique approach to his art by combining traditional sushi flavors & textures with the earthy richness of foie gras, shaved black truffles and seared wagyu. Each bite is a delectable explosion of taste. The wine & sake menu is not to be underestimated and perfectly matched to the incredible cuisine. But, what really ties this all together is the vibe! While you may see folks dressed to the nines, you'll find as many - if not more - dressed casually. There is nothing stuffy or pretentious about this place! Sushi Ishikawa is all about a good time with friends, family & amazing food. Don and his incredible staff go out of their way to insure everyone has a memorable experience. It's one of the reasons why we keep coming back time after time. read more

If you like fusion omakase, this place is for you. I normally lean towards a more traditional omakase, however I really enjoyed my experience here as well! The different ingredients in tandem with the sushi paired extremely well. Additionally the order of the courses flowed very nicely. Highly recommend to check it out. (Of note, I came here for the Valentine's Day special menu. Not sure if it may be vastly different from the regular menu.) read more

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Worst dining experience because management allowed party of ten (10) regulars to loudly and rudely dominate the very small dining room. Clearly embarrassed, the manager apologized for other guests behavior and volume, then attempted to distract us with incessant conversation. Food was excellent but cannot recommend establishment due to poor management decisions in taking reservations from known habitually obnoxious and rude "regular" clients. I expected at least moderately better and this was truly horrible. read more

Is good . I like. Quality high. Ambiance high. Service high. Price also not the worst considering the other prices in nyc and what you get for the price. read more

Pro Tip/ Look for Balloon Kings and you'll find this hidden gem. Could I please please give them more Stars!! We were very lucky to have gotten the last 2 seats for the 5PM seating (impromptu btw, counting my lucky stars). 17 course Omakase along with Sake Pairing. Our chef was David who was super engaging and also added extra truffle for one of my pieces when I said, I didn't eat greens! Sadly didn't get our manager's name - she was out of this world! She was warm, knowledgeable and HILARIOUS! Believe the venue is a 12 seater and 2 reservations were regulars on a first name basis with her. The pieces flowed and layered on so well... I kept saying 'this is my favourite' only to be topped by the next piece. Come hungry :) I cannot wait to revisit this establishment (over and over again)! read more

Sushi Ishikawa - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This is by far my favorite sushi spot in the city and the place I take all my friends I'm trying to impress! Chef Don Pham has created an exquisite, seasonal menu that far surpasses all other sushi spots in the city. Each piece was decadent and unique with unique toppings (i.e. chili jam, miso-marinated barley, shiso tempura) and premium ingredients (multiple types of uni, truffle, wagyu, toro, caviar, etc). If you want traditional omakase though, this is not for you. You'll leave full after the omakase meal which includes dessert and yuzu sake! Highly recommend- the service and food is top notch! read more

Amazing omakase from Chef Pham!!! From the service to the food - everything was superb. The UWS location is small with just a counter with two chefs making the pieces and I believe chef Pham is here on the weekends. I had too many memorable pieces that I can't say which one was my favorite but they were all so good!!! This is probably one of my top 3 favorite places to go for omakase but if you're looking for something traditional, then I wouldn't recommend it. The omakase here is more creative, a bit fusion but delicious since the flavors work so well. I will be back for sure!!! read more

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AMAZING OMAKASE. Food 5/5: Unique and delicious pieces, a beautiful and nicely portioned dinner. Didn't feel too full afterwards, which I thought was very satisfactory. Perfect amount of rice. Service 4.5/5: I think out chef forgot to add caviar on one of our pieces, but otherwise he was extremely nice and the waiter introduced each piece to us. Environment 5/5: Amazing bathroom-beautiful candle scent, lovely aroma and dim lighting. A little tight in the walking space but very graceful and elegant. read more

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Sushi Ishikawa has been on my list for the longest time and I finally came here for their New Years Eve event and could not be more impressed. We had an 18 course menu and 2 types of sake. The pieces are more experimental than traditional but everything was absolutely delicious. My favorite piece was a shiso leaf topped with lobster and a lobster brain sauce. Not only was the quality of the ingredients divine but the experience was exceptional. We were sat with Chef Don who had commentary about where every ingredient came from. You can see how passionate he is. Our wait staff was also very knowledgable about the menu and had great recommendations for the sake. It is pretty pricey but I think it's worth every penny for special events! read more

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I'm not sure who the snob was who left this place a bad review, but this was the greatest Omakase I have ever had. The UWS location is quaint and exactly what you would expect. Getting to watch the chef assemble and speak with him enhanced the experience. The quality of the rice and fish are top notch. Yes they add fancy ingredients, but I would argue it enhances the overall flavor, not detract from it. If they use truffle it is shaved so thin it melts immediately. It's not like they add pounds of truffle and mask the main ingredients. This is a must try if you are in NYC! read more

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