Everything is great about Sesamo! Unique food, great drinks, great atmosphere!! We come here often!!! read more

Sesamo - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Ambience 5/5 Food 5/5 Service 100/5 Always a delightful experience at Sesamo! I love coming to Sesamo because their ambiance is always cozy and inviting, and the service was attentive and friendly. Please get Sesamo's West Coast oysters as they start bursting with flavor. The best oysters in Hell's Kitchen! The sea bass -- incredibly tender and flaky! My favorite -- The Caesar salad is... just wow, with umami-rich miso and the crispness of the salad was just lovely/ I'm so lucky to have Sesamo right around the corner! read more

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Great all around. Three course menu rocked. Tempura chicken Parm? Yum. Gelato pretty good too.

The restaurant is cozy and inviting. I love Asian food, and my husband loves Italian so it made perfect sense to come here, and I found my experience to be very pleasant. We started with drinks, I opted for the Pearfect Negroni and my husband got the 50 shades of earl gray. My drink was perfect, from the flavors, to the dried pear garnish, I wholeheartedly enjoyed it, my husband's drink I thought was great but a little sour for his liking. This was our first and last meal for the day so we did go overboard a bit. For apps: 1. kissing god (bread and butter app). The bread had a nice hint of sweetness but for me the butter was a bit more citrusy than I'd like 2. Tuna nigiri (since they were out of oysters we tried this) and this appetizer was done almost 2 minutes it being out. We enjoyed the flavors, although I think I'd enjoy it more if the rice was crispier? But either way it was really tasty... 3. Arancini we didn't order this but the chef sent out since they were out of oysters and this was another surprisingly good dish. Their tomato sauce had the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness. 4. Fried artichokes, this was my favorite. The artichokes were the right amount of crispy, and that gochujang aioli was a very nice touch. For entrees: I chose the tempura chicken parm, per the recommendation of our server, and it didn't disappoint. The panko they use to make the chicken cutlets really holds up to the sauce and cheese and maintains its crunch. The bucatini side with vodka sauce was excellent-I could have had that as its own entree. I didn't try the duck breast but my husband enjoyed it, but the braised endives that came with it was delicious! read more

The squid and fried artichoke appetizers were 11 out of 10. The pastas Duck ragu a 5, the spinach mushroom pap was -2, just awful pasta overcooked sauce was way tooooo much cream. My friends brother do not finish the chicken parm. A GREAT start and extremely downhill beyond! read more

Decided to dodge traffic (foot traffic) and b lined right into this place . Hostess was inviting, the bartender was a gentle giant who had a good pour and the food was pretty decent . The menu was small but everything we ordered was tasty . We sat at the bar and ended up having great conversation with another couple which also added to the experience. The bathroom wasn't kept well , the toilet didn't flush , tissue was everywhere, lost a star ... it was also uncomfortably warm . But besides that it was good , I recommend. read more

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A double date night took us here to try a new place not too far from home. Very cute and cozy inside. Looking at the menu ahead of time I was intrigued with the Italian/Asian fusion and how well it would work. I can now say it works quite well for the most part. The traditionally Italian dishes are just tweaked enough with an Asian influence to allow it to work well without becoming awkward. The only miss for me was the Korean Style Chicken Parm. The chicken was too thick (should have been pounded) and the batter wasn't enough of an Asian spin. Everything else was really delicious, especially the broccolini and the steak! We ordered dessert and a round of espresso martinis to round out a fun evening. One last critique is that the cocktails are market priced but some are served in tiny glasses leaving you feeling a little cheated. read more

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I walk by SESAMO often and finally made it in for a meal. We were seated immediately (had a reservation in OpenTable, but also possible from the restaurant website). At 6:30 on a Sunday night it was already very busy - reservations are recommended . I ordered the Hiramasa Crudo, the Delicata Squash, and my husband selected the Duck Ragu Pappardelle, and as an appetizer, the Kissing God (bread with citrus pepper butter.) The presentation is spectacular (see photos). The Hiramasa sashimi is top-quality fresh, and likewise the roe on top. The squash was unexpectedly cold, but unlike any squash I've had before: it's loaded with ricotta, spices, pumpkin seeds and oddly, croutons. My husband enjoyed the flavors of the Duck Ragu, but felt the choice of noodle didn't fit the dish. In general, both the sashimi and squash dishes were served with a generous amount of sauces and complex spice combinations - definitely unrepeatable (for us anyway) at home. The ambiance is candlelight and cozy. Excellent service all around, our H20 glasses were never empty. The slogan "When Italy Meets Asia" is masterfully exemplified at SESAMO. read more

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Really amazing dinner experience. Loved the vibe, the food and especially the drinks. Beata (sp?) --Your drinks are amazing.

Our server was really attentive and welcoming and the food was plated well and relatively tasty. I took off one star because the food is generally missing flavor and is more on the bland side, especially the vegan lasagna. I'm still impressed that the lasagna tastes the way it does though, with the melty cheese and texture. read more

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Went here on a Saturday night January 20,2024 for a 6pm reservation. Location: This is on 10th avenue which is a bit of a walk on the frigid day I went here but I'm happy to report it was worth the bone chilling walk. Interior: Very chic and cute inside. Note it is a bit tight but they make it work. Something I never think to comment on is if a location is ADA Compliant but I will on this place. Another party was there before me and had a member of their group that was wheel chair bound. The restaurant was able to accommodate them and when it was time for their departure the patrons at tables in that path of egress were asked to scoot their tables to widen the path for them to leave. (Which we all did with no issues) Food: Everything was phenomenal!! We had the apples and cheese appetizer which is weird thing to order at a restaurant but the description on the menu sells it- it was very tasty! The vegan lasagna was good and they were not cheap with the truffles!! Also it comes out popping hot and is a very generous portion. The DUCK RAGU PAPPARDELLE was epic- hence why it's capitalized!! The flavor was delectable and they weren't cheap with the duck. Overall, the portions were good and I didn't feel hungry after eating. We didn't need dessert after we were done. Service: The wait staff were very attentive and pleasant. The hostess has to get a shoutout in this Yelp. My friend was late for the reservation and I let the hostess (younger thin tallish Asian woman with long black hair not the owner) know as soon as I learned she was running late. The hostess was patient and still seated us despite blowing past the 15 minute table hold. Perhaps she took pity on me since I had been there right at 5:45... I was fully prepared to go elsewhere because they were busy and I know it's not fair to hold a table hostage when complete parties arrive on time (hence why I refused to be seated until my friend arrived and I sat at the bar while I waited) . The way she handled this was top notch and it made the experience even better. Cost: This was a reasonably priced dinner for the City and in light of the quality of ingredients we had in our meals. Overall: I will highly recommend this place! read more

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This is really more of a three and a half star review. *** 1/2 There's a lot to like about Sesamo, and maybe a few things that were not as likable. We live in the 'hood but had never been. It's been on our radar many times, but we always seemed to discount it by it's outside appearance, which was clearly wrong. Let's start with the good. It's adorable. Don't be fooled by the exterior. The interior is inviting and lovely and gives you a feeling that you're in for a nice dinner vibe the moment you walk in. The service and staff were (mostly) awesome. The moment we walked in we were greeted with a very welcoming greeting by the manager. The server came over pretty fast to welcome us and take our drink orders, and then soon to tell us the specials for the night. The only irritation which was pretty consistent was that we were one of only two or three tables and we constantly had to flag someone to get the attention of our server, who seemed very distracted by conversation by the bar and things on her phone. The back waiter however was AWESOME! As my husband said at the end of the meal, "the tip was really for the back waiter more than anyone." We started with the watermelon salad and the Octopus with kumquat agrodolce, daikon root 'fries'. Now I love, LOVE charred octopus. However, this was overly charred and overly cooked to the point that you couldn't cut into it, it was that rubbery. I couldn't even get through two bites. So I had to send it back. This seemed to cause a bit of conversation and irritation among the staff as everyone from the cooks in the back to the other staff seemed to stare and discuss this, which seemed a bit odd and made me uncomfortable. We eat out regularly and my husband is a server at a well-known, bougie restaurant. Never have I seen so many people seem to make a fuss in front of the customer over an over cooked-burnt appetizer. Five or 10 minutes later after what should have been a very innocuous moment (at least in front of the customer) but wasn't, the owner or head manager (not sure which; he was different than the gentleman who seated us) who was sitting at the bar soon got up and came over to apologize or acknowledge the mishap. Though I wasn't sure really why he came over. I opted not to get something in its place mostly because we were headed to a show soon. He loved his watermelon salad. For our entrees, I had the cauliflower (not sure why. I'm usually a steak man and should have gone with that.) The hubby had the Summer Black Truffle Tortellini, with ricotta and lemon zest tortellini, black truffle, cream sauce, scallion, and extra black truffle. The latter was worth the extra $12. There was literally not a drop left on his plate. The cauliflower was good. But, unless you're vegan or a vegetarian, leave it as an appetizer. A little cauliflower goes a long way and there was a lot! Lol. For dessert he had the Chocolate Ganache Tart. We both had double expressos, but again. Something was off. We're both double espresso guys and I'm not sure if she just made it wrong or what, but it somehow tasted very watered down. I don't know how to describe it, but more or less not made properly. We let it go. Not sure if this will be one of those one time places we too often end up at. He'd be up for it. But, I just don't know that I see going back there. read more

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Sesamo beautifully blends Asian and Italian flavors. Starting the evening with fried artichokes and sriracha aioli that just is over the top yumminess. Savory miso glazed black cod with 45-hour miso demi, taro mash, bok choy, taro chips. Incredible!!! read more

Sesamo - Black Cod - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

A phenomenal spot with incredible, refreshingly interesting food! Our server, a lovely woman whose name I unfortunately didn't solidify in my brain, gave phenomenal recommendations for drinks and dishes. At the end of the night, my earring broke and we were looking around for a piece that had fallen off -- It was a cheap earring, but she was ready to jump in and help us search! She even said she'd contact us if she found anything. Just gave off the kindest, most sincere vibe, and was very attentive. The drinks were perfect, in my opinion. My partner got a mulled wine (necessary after a chilly walk from Lincoln Center) and I got a Star Child. One of my favorite drinks I've had in the city. I was tempted by an apple cider old fashioned, but I'm glad I branched out. Atmosphere is charming and cozy, a little rustic, a little elevated. I haven't been to all too many restaurants in the city yet, so I can't really compare to other spots, but I enjoyed it a lot. My partner got the angel hair ramen, and it looked exceptional. He had no complaints. I got the vegan truffle lasagna. It was great, but I do admit that it was the dish that was 1) the most accessible for dietary restraints 2) the least aligned with the Asian-Italian fusion aspect of the restaurant. It was VERY good, and filling, which I needed! Great that there are plant options! We also shared this bread with citrus butter, and a katsu brownie dessert. I can not understate how delicious these were. For any restaurant, if they offer a bread and butter plate, GET IT. I've already recommended the spot to others! Hope I can come back and get an even cooler dish! read more

Sesamo - The vegan lasagna in the foreground, and the angel hair ramen-style in the back! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

We had about one of every starter and every single bite was so good. To drink I had the peppermint espresso martini which was so so good. Service was awesome, place looks great. We were in and out in time for our show. Fully recommend!!! read more

Excellent!!!! We were greeted very kindly upon check in...were a half hour early for our reservation , but were seated promptly at a nice table along the wall/window. Our server was knowledgeable about all the food and drink options. We split (for 2) the tasting menu and had the salmon nigiri, burrata, lobster tortellini, and strip steak. The burrata and steak were our favorite. The steak was perfection and in a miso steak sauce broth that was to die for. It came with little potatoes and mushrooms that were perfectly seasoned. We also had a chocolate torte with orange for dessert. The drinks were phenomenal and we had the 50 Shades of Earl Grey martini as well as another martini (can't remember the name). Would go back a thousand percent! read more

Must try: Small plates: Octopus, Calamari Fritti, Burrata, Polpette (meatballs) and Caesar Salad! Entree: Mushroom Tortellini, Chicken Parmesan, and Ribeye Steak! Drinks: Jasmine Tea Beer! Why: This Italian Asian fusion is amazingly delicious! Each dish had a creative Asian flare to it and there was not a dish we did not love. The seafood small plates were so good that even my friends who don't like "fishy foods" loved it! The Caesar Salad had seaweed flakes, spiced croutons and fish sauce, which all blended so well together. The meatballs had Korean red gochujang sauce, which I loved. Small plates were perfect for sharing. The Mushroom Tortellini was my absolute favorite dish! I loved the addition of bok choy for added taste and texture - to die for! Chicken Parmesan was cooked with Japanese panko breadcrumb - yum! The Ribeye steak was perfectly cooked more rare and was marinated with Chinese shaoxing rice wine - melts in your mouth! Lastly, I found the Jasmine Tea Beer refreshing and ended up have a few throughout the course of the meal! Notes: The team here is superb. Manager Sabrina and Chef Sandy are the best! They even came over to check-in and chat with us. Bartenders and waiters were also attentive and friendly, even being short staffed on a super busy Saturday night. The restaurant is chic inside with nice outdoor dining options. A great place for a romantic dinner, a medium-large celebration with family or friends, or a solo dining experience at the bar! Overall, my friends and I had an incredible dining experience. We can't wait to return to try all the other dishes and drinks. Great addition to the vibrant HK neighborhood! read more

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Sesamo is a favorite place of mine in Hells Kitchen! They have a good brunch and dinner menu. They have a boba cocktail, which I have not seen anywhere else! I love their carbonara and white pepper lemon ricotta cake, it is my favorite thing on the menu! The Italian Asian fusion menu is very intriguing and I want to return to try their take on chicken parm! read more

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Tonight last minute I Googled restaurants near me in Hell's Kitchen. Google suggested SESAMO, an Asian influenced Italian menu: The Nigiri, truffle mushroom lasagna, Porchetta (family recipe) and coconut miso Salmon dishes were tasty. "B" our server, welcomed us, educated us and served us an exquisite meal. The hibiscus mock-tail was the best mock-tail I have ever had. Very much like eating at home if your mama was a badass Italian chef from Asia. read more

Sesamo - Coconut Miso Salmon - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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At $35, the prix fixe lunch is a great value. They let you choose any app & main, no restrictions! I went with the Caesar salad and the foraged tortelloni. Both were delicious, unique and beautifully presented. The prix fixe deal also comes with matcha tiramisu and tea or coffee. The tiramisu is sooo good and the white peach tea I had was incredible. Service was excellent, our waiter was really on top of everything. We were the only people on the outdoor patio and felt well cared for. The patio is really nice, with planters separating it from the hustle and bustle of the sidewalk. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because, while the entrance is wheelchair accessible, the bathroom is not. There are two small toilet rooms and both are far too narrow to fit a chair. read more

A great place. Cozy, friendly, elegant and tasty food. The chicken liver board is really good. Grilled broccolini, Japanese eggplant and coconut miso salmon, and fried artichoke. Not one dish was bad. read more

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Sesamo attempts to combine Asian and Italian flavors in a stylish space. While the atmosphere was on point and service was good, the drinks and food were very disappointing. To start off, we got the Dragoncello and Mango Boba. Both these were boring, watery, and just didn't really have any character. The boba drink was especially weird as the boba wasn't chewy - it had the texture of salmon roe... why?? None of the dishes were impressive either. The burrata was meh with a few slices of tomatoes. The mackerel carbonara was average but didn't standout. The Japanese eggplant was almost good - the eggplant part was delicious but the capers and olive mix on top was way too salty. And to finish off, the black tea creme brulee didn't taste of any tea. read more

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I had a great experience at this unique restaurant. The ambiance is sleek and perfect for a night out. The food was creative and delicious. We got the Lemon Ricotta Crostini to start, which was delicious and fresh. For mains, we got the Mackerel Carbonara and Citrus Ricotta Tortellini. I would recommend both! The service was quick and respectful. The portions were a little small so just be aware of that. Really popular on a Saturday night so I would recommend reservations! read more

Sesamo - Mackerel Carbonara, Citrus Ricotta Tortellini - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Brunch was so good. Mel or sever was phenomenal. The food and selections was great. I would definitely recommend.

I was strolling by...ambiance drew me in... Hostess Melanie and new bartender Fredrick were so kind and attentive. Drink and food worth taking time to write about. Visit! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. I had their oysters. Wishe i were hungrier. Watched lots of food coming out of the kitchen. Customers looked happy before and after their salacious looking meals. VISITAperol Spritz WHEN IN NYC!Aperol SpritzAperol Spritz Rozweaver@yahoo.com read more

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One of my favorites in the neighborhood. I will trust anything coming out of this kitchen. The Anadama bread with cultured honey butter sets the stage for everything else and is perfect for sopping up the medley of delicious sauces and curries from other dishes. The spicy and creamy burrata with gochujang works ridiculously well, and I was particularly impressed by the light and fresh foraged tortellini. The spicy chicken parmesan was everything I wanted - an elevated but classic comfort food. Will definitely be checking out the brunch and lunch menu! read more

Sesamo - Spicy chicken parmesan. So tasty. - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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I came in for brunch with a 4-top. Pros: - Interior has plenty of space. Saw that they accommodate large parties - Early reservation gave us a quiet space to talk before other tables came in - Sake available on cocktail menu - cute food presentation - great service and attention Cons: - Asian influence on the food fell flat The food itself was not spectacular. For the "dim sum" app I wasn't sure which pieces had shrimp or the duck based on positioning. For example, is all shrimp on white sauce or is placement of shrimp and duck randomized on plate? Vegetarian hash with Gochujian felt like "potatoes + spicy" and did not have other supporting ingredients to help with conveying the Korean influence. Overall, I recommend this place for socializing and drinks. The food is alright but I was not wow'd hence the 4 stars. read more

Sesamo - Assorted Dim Sum - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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The waiter was delightful and the cocktails were delicious but the food was terrible. Great place for cocktails only!

Amazing Service Great Italian Food Fight Broke Out The Vibes Felt Off Had Fun Though Wife Didn't Like Food read more

Wow! What a perfect little gem! Never had I heard of this type of Fusion and was very excited. My first meal in NY, and what a treat! We had a later reservation and they were still packed. Individual tables, community style and bar seating. Greeted by our server who explained the portions are large and can be shared! We had the winter crostini for an appetizer, coconut miso salmon, Mackeral carbonara, along with delicious Bevvies!!! They are beautiful and even offer boba alcoholic. We met the owner, Sean who was extremely warm and welcoming, introduced us to Mike- the chef and his wife since they're concept combines both their cultures. The ambiance to the decor, wine bottles lined on the wall, great staff! It's definitely a MUST if you can get in! read more

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This restaurant is across the street from us and we come here often. Their tuna nigiri rice is so fresh and by far my favorite dish on the menu. Ousters are always always fresh! The miso salmon is also a delicious option. Cocktails are strong! read more

Sesamo - Tuna Nigiri - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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I was in town on a business trip, and a coworker recommended Sesamo. We decided to sit at the bar, and I'm so glad we did. The bartender, Eddie, made the best drinks I've had in NYC--each one was perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious. He was incredibly welcoming and had a demeanor unlike any I've experienced anywhere else. Sesamo will definitely be my go-to spot on future business trips! read more

This was a nice place to check out. My friend is vegan and there were some good options. Food: I want to highlight the lasagna which, as an avid cheese eater, I forgot it was even vegan which really surprised me. Roasted brocolini: brocolini with a very Peanuty peanut sauce. It was delicious and I recommend getting only if you like Peanuts and pb Japanese eggplant: good but not very memorable compared to everything else we got Dessert: CHOCOLATE KATSU BREAD: I have no idea what this even was but it made me so extremely happy. This is not vegan at all. It comes with 3 pieces of the bread. I ate one and was very happy (I probably could have eaten the entire thing if I put my mind to it) . Service was great and quick. They always kept our water glasses filled (I drink water SO fast) and they checked on us frequently to make sure we didn't need anything else. We got there early, around 6pm, and got a seat but this place got packed fast so I recommend getting a reservation ahead of time or going before 6. read more

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Entered and was greeted by a surly woman who also turned out to be our server. We tried to order drinks but she said we needed to get the food order in because the kitchen was trying to close early --it was 8 pm in NYC. When we finally ordered our cocktails she announced " that was no problem ". Huh? We never saw her again. No way to order wine. The bartender then announced she was our new server, as ours had left sick. Then she reappeared, and said she had been talking to her boss, -- all a weird lie. Not a fun dining experience, though the food was good among the rude, strange service. read more

What a nice surprise. Wasn't sure what to expect, but this was exceeding my expectations! Cozy spot, server was very attractive. The food was different and delicious. Favorite: Seafood Tortellini. read more

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With an unassuming storefront on the corner of 10th Ave, Sesamo is a super friendly and warm Italian restaurant with an Asian twist. Personally love how Chef Sandy Dee Hall incorporates flavors like gochujang, garam masala or chile peppers to spice up classic pasta dishes. Walked-in and sat at the bar near the window. It was happy hour time, so of course ordered myself a fruity, delicious glass of white sangria. Then ordered the lunch prix-fixe with a winter squash salad and duck ragu pappardelle. Was so full that I could only finish half of the massive matcha tiramisu dessert. A fun place to check out if you're in Hell's Kitchen! read more

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Very cool spot. Nice and vibey with attentive, friendly staff. In descending order of deliciousness we got the Kissing God (focaccia), the Bluefin Nigiri , the Duck Ragu Pappardelle, the Fried Artichokes, and the Matcha Tiramisu. The Kissing God is an absolute must-try, and I very much recommend the Nigiri and the Ragu. The other items I wouldn't need to try again. I've heard good things about the cocktails, but the Smoked Old Fashioned was far too sweet for my taste. Not poorly-made - just too sweet. read more

Sesamo - Duck Ragu Pappardelle - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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The menu has some creative dishes, like pasta with Asian-inspired sauces, and they're plated beautifully. The flavors, however, were a bit hit-or-miss for me. Some dishes, like the dumplings, were flavorful and well-balanced, but others felt a bit too experimental and didn't quite hit the mark. read more

Love this new restaurant in the neighborhood. The first time we stopped by was to have dessert and drinks after dinner. The servers were very nice and did explain that we had to order something (ie. dessert) to drink liquor, so we happily obliged as we were in the mood for some panna cotta - it was delicious. We then returned again the next day with other friends to have dinner here. We started with fried calamari, it was very crispy. For our entrees, we ordered 1) stinco (lamb shank) 2) branzino 3) spaghetti and 4) fettuccine alfredo. The menu is very simple, serving all classic Italian dishes. We enjoyed every bite and the portions were very generous. You can tell when a dish is prepared with love and care. No detail was missed - even the bread dipping oil came with garlic and chili peppers. Luckily for being a corner restaurant, they have a pretty nice setup for outdoor seating and are looking to expand. We also learned from the owners that they just opened up during the pandemic and are looking to become neighborhood favorite. Will return again!i read more

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Wanted to like this place a lot; it's been in my bookmarks for a while but the experience was lackluster. We wanted to take our time to order and share food as it came but were told we had to give the kitchen the whole order at one time to get anything. Then we were told at the end of our meal that our drinks were not part of happy hour because happy hour was only at the bar, but their menu and website don't mention that at all. The food was decent but for a one-time taste, better to set your expectations. read more