I have to preface this review by saying that I am usually a - Sushi Ishikawa Upper West Side New York - Buy Reservations
Getting a Reservation at Sushi Ishikawa Upper West Side New York for Today or Tomorrow is Easy!
Buy a verified reservation at Sushi Ishikawa Upper West Side New York from someone who doesn't need theirs anymore.
If there is nothing that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
We only list verified Reservations!
All listed Reservations are reviewed by our team before appearing in the calendar or being allowed to answer a bid you place. That's why AppointmentTrader comes with a included Money Back Guarantee for each transaction.
New York's Best Restaurants that are most frequently booked by customers of Sushi Ishikawa Upper West Side New York
😍 5/5 - I have to preface this review by saying that I am usually a
By 👻 @Jane D., 05/01/2023 3:00 am
|
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.
0 Replys
0 Comments |
Be the first to Reply |