1800SUSHI.COM

[best_sushi]

Blue Ribbon Sushi. : Creative, superlative sushi that's worth the wait.

It's definitely hip and crowded and, like its partner, Blue Ribbon, down the block, Blue Ribbon Sushi caters to a late-night crowd. After a seemingly interminable wait for a table (even after midnight) diners are rewarded by sampling from the huge menu that features expertly prepared versions of sushi and sashimi. Fun, though purists may object, are the wonderfully creative sushi rolls and pieces made with vegetables, whole live lobster, filet mignon or lamb all impeccably prepared. The wine list isn't much, but choose from a dozen or so well-chosen sakés that are served traditionally in wooden boxes.

Address:
119 Sullivan St. (Spring & Prince Sts.) Map
New York, NY 10012
212-343-0404

ENJOY

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[best_sushi]

Asian pizzazz meets London sophistication is this NoHo sushi.

BondSt

This townhouse triplex is a hot spot with attitude to match---lots of attitude. Image-conscious diners in new designer outfits seem to pack the place. The black-clad staff, though, is accommodating and gracious. The candle-lit cocktail lounge is cozy and romantic. Upstairs is a cool and casual dining room, with a busy sushi bar. BondSt cuisine is Japanese---sushi is first-rate with many exotic varieties like amberjack and Japanese red snapper---with fusion touches, as in pan-seared foie gras with miso sauce, soba risotto and rack of lamb with Asian pear and shiso. Desserts are a highlight: chocolate fondue for two and an ice cream assortment in a bento box with a chrysanthemum-petal cookie.

Address:
6 Bond St. (Broadway & Lafayette St.) Map
New York, NY 10012
212-777-2500

[best_sushi]

Union Square sushi spot that's anything but square.

15 East

The elegant, understated space that was once Tocqueville has been transformed into...an elegant, understated Japanese-inspired space. Which leaves diners to focus all of their sensory feelers on the food. Sushi chef Masato Shimizu, late of Jewel Bako and Tokyo’s renowned Sukeroku, doesn’t disappoint. The menu boasts creative cooked dishes, like steaming bowls of homemade, hand-cut soba noodles; rich squid ink risotto; and ultra-tender rib-eye of Colorado Kobe beef. But it’s the sushi that will bring you back for more. Sit at the bar and let Shimizu surprise you with a procession of sushi. The chef is even known to pull out his book of fish, explaining to patrons exactly what they’re eating. The slow-poached octopus, sprinkled with sea salt, might be one of the most savory items to come out of any kitchen in New York. The sea eel, Shimizu’s signature sushi and not easy to find on these shores, is melt-in-the-mouth goodness, rivaling the lemony raw scallops and the trio of tuna, all of which are crowd-pleasers.

Address:
15 E. 15th St. (Fifth Ave.)
New York, NY 10003
212-647-0015

[best_sushi]

Geisha seems like two venues on one site---a downstairs bar scene and an upstairs place to find some exciting cuisine.

Geisha

Geisha's upstairs dining room is a far more convivial place than the loud, crowded downstairs lounge, with a David Rockwell design that takes full advantage of what is a fairly narrow room that ends in a tall window overlooking East 61st Street. Kampachi (amberjack) sashimi and fluke nigiri-sushi is first-rate in texture and temperature, and a spicy tuna roll with cucumber, kaiware sprouts and scallions is a fine spark to the appetite, as is a caterpillar roll of freshwater eel, toasted sesame seeds and creamy avocado. Enjoy the grilled shrimp lollipop marinated in coriander, ginger and scallions and served on a sugar cane skewer. Black tiger shrimp dumplings sound fearsome but are delicate ravioli with shrimp and coriander stuffing with roasted pumpkin and a lovely, slightly spicy green curry broth. Western and Eastern fusion has striking results here, especially in the roasted lobster served with udon noodles, portobello mushrooms and asparagus. Almost as noteworthy is baked red snapper with spicy Korean broth and Chinese broccoli. Desserts at Geisha complement the entire menu, like a yuzu millefeuille with kumquat confit.

Address:
33 E. 61st St. (Madison Ave.)
New York, NY 10021
212-813-1113