Sasabune

I love it when it's all omakase all the time. I always believed that the Japanese chef knows better than me when it comes to walking me through a delicate series of appetizers, sushi, and sashimi for an hour.

Since you really can't control what you'll be ordering, I guess I could just hope they give you some of my notable favorites:

- monkfish liver. Wow. Just melt in your mouth creamy and an exquisite flavor.
- salmon roe. It's so different when it's this fresh.
- black cod with a piece of seaweed on top. I really like the taste conbo and I normally don't specifically like the cod, but this was one of the more interesting white fish from the selection.
- sea urchin. Once again, a very fresh and sashimi grade cut for this place. Lovely.

I also really love how they tell you exactly which dish can be dipped with soy sauce and which should be without. Hint: look for the light green onion topping. I feel like they also take great care in ordering the 12 or so plates.

This is not exactly the jiro dreams of sushi land, but it is definitely inspired by it. If I were to do it all over again, I would probably go with fewer people (2 seems to be best) and sit at the front bar.

My slight gripe about this place is that the rice is a little too warm. I don't think they packed it enough because it kept breaking up slightly as it was picked up.

What an adventure for my tastebuds! I certainly would eat any of those pieces of sushi over anything else served anywhere.

Perfectly seasoned rice. Taste wise this joint comes very close to what I've experienced in Japan. Extremely enjoyable! The octopus was the best I've ever had. All other items were ultra fresh and delightful as well.

"Just Trust Us" is their motto and they are right.

We were with friends who are "old hands" and the one thing they said was that they wanted "lite on the rice" which was a good idea.

Plates kept coming.....each with 3 sushi items.......each wonderful. Our server was a terrific guy who told us when to use soy sauce and when not.....and what we were eating.

Everyone working here seems happy and nice. And yes, dinner for 2 is expensive at $250/couple including tip. And yes, the place is very small with only 3 or 4 tables.......of course you can also eat at the sushi bar.

These guys know who they are and are don't try to be anything else.

No longer the only establishment to hold the distinction of a 29/30 food rating in Zagat (it has since been joined by Le Bernardin), the omakase-only joint is still wowing palates with its sushi, some of which comes in from as far as Spain and Greece. A visit to the diminutive spot may begin with more questions than answers: Why is there a sign on the front door proclaiming, “No California Rolls. No Spicy Tuna Rolls. Trust me”? Why are there only five rickety wooden tables with a rather, well, ugly carpet underneath? All this is forgotten, however, with the arrival of the chef’s first plate. Priced at roughly $100, the omakase consists of around 15 pieces of fish. A more reasonably priced offshoot, Sasabune Express, recently opened on East 59th Street.

Been to Tokyo and enjoyed sushi there. The food, freshness and variety is unmatched to any other Sushi restaurant in the city and is the closest to my Japan culinary experience. This is not your typical sushi going out place and is an experience you will never forget if you enjoy being surprised and delighted by the chefs!