Sushi of Gari UES

First time back to this location since the reopening last year. Same great sushi and service, with a fantastic renovation.

This is truly one of the best sushi spots that I’ve been to, and highly recommend it. Everything was very fresh, and the chef was a master.

Dine in is open now

A little over rated. Very pricey

Sushi of Gari is sadly now stuck in my mind as the picture of sad, soggy sushi. This location is pick up only, and I wouldn’t recommend. I ordered online and thought it was odd that two rolls would take over an hour. But I got there a minute before the promised time, and the woman working at the counter had to dig through bags to find mine buried at the back. Not a good sign. When I opened the container (after zero transport) all of the cuts were sad, broken u-shaped balls and the hand roll was so, so limp and soggy. At these prices, I’ll stick with SugarFish for cheaper, fresher, better quality.

Sushi from NYC's old school sushiya, Sushi of Gari. It once it held a one Michelin star but not anymore to my knowledge. It is definitely one of the restaurants that started the sushi culture in the early 1990s for New Yorkers and still keeps its class to some level. For sushi perhaps, I have had better looking ones, however, the full umami flavor from its aged fresh fish was another level. You can copy the look, but the flavor was unique and this place had that depth. Of course out of their own pride or dignity, they are too cool to offer miso soup or a maki along with the nigiri. Nonetheless, I think you still need to try it at least once. I personally found their sautéd tomato garnish over the salmon nigiri very interesting. It was such a surprise how much umami flavor came out from pairing the salmon and tomato. Also, the funniest part is that the $140 sushi omakase comes with fresh wasabi, but the $40 something chirashi comes with cheap soulless dry wasabi lol...you definitely get what you pay for here....or a bit less. Speaking of the chirashi don, even though you are getting low quality, gloomy wasabi, the fish on top of the sushi rice are still very pronounced. The snapper was aged well, as I chewed a few times its flavor hit my tongue. For the akami, I usually feel that it is bland compared to other tuna cuts, but not from here. It is definitely a nice and economical way to taste aged fresh fish flavors. I see many reviews of disappointment with the food or service. However, it is worth trying in my opinion.

Will not take phone orders. Could not get delivery!

So good great place to eat been here a few time and it always good