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    Watami Japanese

    4.6 (59 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Watami Japanese Reservations

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    Damian X.

    The experience was underwhelming overall. Ambience (3/5): Standard setting, nothing particularly memorable. Food (3/5): Sushi was average, texture is off and might not be really fresh. Portion is on the smaller end with thin slices of fish. Value (3/5): Fairly expensive given the quality and portion size. Service (3/5): Slow and unhelpful, with no explanation of the dishes.

    Final toro handrolls that were part of my omakase
    Christina Y.

    The cleanliness and quality of service was what stood out the most to me here. This place is located practically in the heart of Manhattan pretty much right next to Times Square area. It was $80 for the omakase sushi which is standard. I did enjoy every piece of sushi, especially the toro. It was just a bit surprising to me that the rice was not warm compared to other omakase experiences. For that reason, I docked off one star. Otherwise, I had a good experience here. Unsure of how busy it gets because I came to eat pretty early before 12pm.

    Max H.

    This is the Exclusive Sushi Premium from Watami in West Midtown -- $49 before tax, $70 delivered. No soup, but comes with a toro roll. Fish quality? Solid. Toro, uni, hamachi, fluke fin -- fresh and well-seasoned. But the pieces? Tiny. Some of the smallest cuts I've seen at this price point. Presentation was mid, rice came warm. Toro roll slapped, though. Bottom line: if you're gonna charge premium, give premium-sized nigiri. Sushi Noz, 35 West, Sugarfish -- they all get this right. Watami? Not quite. C+ Full breakdown + visuals on my TikTok: @therawreport

    Salmon & California roll

    The sushi is pretty good! Service is quiet and nice, fresh and fast. Quality of the fish is good!

    Sweet Heart Roll
    Stefanie A.

    Delicious sushi spot! Very close to 5th ave we worked up an appetite after shopping! The service was amazing and vey attentive. The lady who greeted us at the front was extremely helpful with explaining things I was curious about. We ordered the sushi premium my husband loved it! I ordered the sushi lover roll it was so delicious I wanted a second roll so i got the salmon truffle roll both were delicious and so fresh! It's a very spacious and easy to find!

    Jane L.

    Was staying across the street and stopped in for dinner. The sushi was delicious! It looks much nicer inside than outside.

    Stefanie C.

    My friend found this new-ish spot while searching online, and we decided to give it a try since we were craving sashimi and nigiri but weren't in the mood for an omakase experience. I'm so glad we did--what a fantastic find! We ordered the Sushi Premium Plate, which offers a great variety of nigiri. While you don't get to choose exactly what you'll receive, they're happy to accommodate preferences--big thanks for leaving out the eel for us! We also went for the Sashimi Tasting, along with the Watami Roll and Crazy Girl Roll They offer cocktails, beer, and wine, and though we missed happy hour, it's worth checking out Don't sleep on this place if you're in the area--I'll definitely be back!

    Ashley C.

    I was really surprised that the sushi was so good here. The restaurants overall look doesn't make you think top notch sushi. I only took the plunge after seeing reviews. I would definitely recommend.

    Yellowtail and jalapeño app.

    Service and food quality were very good. Reasonable price and nice ambiance. Quiet. Good for family dinner or a date night. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a break from the overpriced sushi places in Manhattan.

    Rebecca C.

    The fish was high quality for the price but I was bothered because the service was EXTREMELY slow. It took maybe a whole hour to get served my meal - which was the premium sushi set. And then a really long time to pay my bill. I felt the need to stand up and start putting my coat on to get them to take my bill. I did still leave somewhat hungry because the pieces were small.

    A la carte options
    Krystal O.

    Great food! Nice service! Check this place out while in NYC. A friend of mine was talking about sushi earlier in the day. I decided then that I would get some sushi because it's hard to find good seafood where I live. Here are my thoughts: Food (5/5): I ordered so much. And it was ALL good. I ordered the Watami Memoir 2024 which I highly recommend. Each piece was a hit. 9 sushi pieces and one sushi roll. I enjoyed every bite. After finishing the Watami Memoir, I ordered a few pieces a la carte. I was hungry from a day of walking! I had the Miyazaki Gyu Wagyu with Foie Gras, an ebi, and toro sushi pieces. I also ordered the Wagyu toro hand roll. This place isn't cheap but the sushi melts in your mouth. I thoroughly enjoyed my food. Service (5/5): I was indecisive and caused a little confusion and they maintained their professionalism and kindness. The service was great. No complaints! Atmosphere (4/5): the place is clean and unassuming. I suppose for the price I was expecting something more extravagant. I was underwhelmed. And the omakase bar area is not well lit (like maybe a light bulb went out?) So even though I made a reservation to sit there, I opted for table seating. They have so many options to choose from here-- a la carte, a variety of rolls, appetizers, and a few set sushi menus. I highly recommend checking this place out today!

    Giselle P.

    I was really excited to try Watami since it recently opened and I love to explore new restaurants in the city. Yelp has as a "full bar", not true, they don't have liquor license. Very bright, like a cafeteria, and food was ok. Wasn't bad, but not what is expected for the prices. Service was friendly but not great or efficient for an empty place. Im all for supporting local business but they need some adjustments. Plus, our sushi was "luke warm" not cold, not even room temperature. Made us wonder safety since is raw fish. Hope they can make some changes as they can potentially be a good addition to midtown restaurants one day.

    Tuna Roll Spicy Tuna Roll

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    4 months ago

    Ramen was incredible. Sushi was so good would highly recommend. Excited for the lady Gaga roll next time.

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    10 months ago

    Food poisoning from my lunch here. Never again. Ikura was low-quality and seemed coated with old cooking oil.

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    2 years ago

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    Meiyun L.

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    6 months ago

    Food + service was great! Sushi was fresh and the specialty rolls were fantastic. We will be back!

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    8 months ago

    Very small portions. I was surprised at the size because of the cost. I was disappointed with the portion sizes.

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    Sanyuu West

    4.4
    (164 reviews)
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    price - $87 per person pre tax…read more food - 5/5 service - 5/5 ambiance - 5/5 I got the chance to try out Sanyuu West for my birthday and I had such an amazing time! from the moment I stepped into the restaurant, the waiters were super sweet and attentive to my friend and I. the courses kept coming out and each piece was super tender and bursting with flavor! my favorite was definitely the uni, toro, and wagyu on milk bread course! I love how the flavors mix so well together, I felt like I was in heaven! the service was amazing, like the never left my water cup empty!!! (props to them) the ambiance inside was also super calm and vibey. overall, I had such an amazing time and I would love to go again soon

    Came for takeout and got the Salmon Set which includes 8 huuuuge salmon nigiri for $30. You'll…read moredefinitely want to share this one. The slices aren't thin, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth as one usually gets in a sit down; they are extra thick, and I had to really bite down on some of the pieces. The rice was nicely seasoned and was cooked well + portions are also big to match those thiccccc salmon slices. To be honest, I was getting a little nauseated after 5 pieces, haha~ They were definitely delicious but I'd probably just eat 3 or 4 pieces and share with a friend! It was easy to text the number on the website and coordinate a pickup time, and the staff was friendly when I arrived. The restaurant is a little hard to find as the windows are blinded and the sign is a piece of paper on the door.

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    Konban

    Konban

    4.4
    (468 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    konban is a modern Japanese restaurant that focuses on creative takes on classic comfort dishes,…read moreespecially katsu, noodles, and small plates. We walked into a stylish, energetic space with a menu designed around sharing, making it a good option for a casual dinner or group meal. The interior has a contemporary, lively feel with an open kitchen that adds energy to the room, and the seating is arranged to accommodate both small groups and larger parties comfortably. Instead of sticking strictly to traditional Japanese dishes, the menu mixes familiar flavors with more modern presentations, creating a dining experience that feels both approachable and exploratory. The standout item is the katsu, which is where the restaurant really shines. We ordered the pork loin and tenderloin versions and found the breading crisp while the meat stayed tender and juicy, the crust holding up well without becoming greasy. The mazemen is another highlight, with chewy noodles and a rich sauce that brought a lot of flavor without feeling too heavy, the sauce coating each strand evenly and the toppings adding layers of texture and depth. Beyond those, dishes like the butter scallops, corn ribs, and seafood options added variety and made it worth ordering multiple plates to share. The scallops were well seared with a buttery finish, and the corn ribs offered a smoky, slightly charred flavor that paired well with the richer dishes. The desserts are also a memorable part of the meal. The corn ice cream is one of the more unique items, with a sweet and savory flavor that sounds unusual but works surprisingly well, the sweetness of the corn balanced by a subtle savory note that kept it from feeling cloying. It fits the restaurant's overall approach of taking familiar ingredients and presenting them in a more unexpected way, and the creativity of the dessert menu feels consistent with the rest of the meal. Service and atmosphere add to the experience, with attentive staff and a lively dining room that feels suited for groups. The team checked in at the right moments and kept the pacing of the meal comfortable, and the open kitchen added a layer of engagement as we watched the dishes come together. Reservations can be difficult to get, especially during busy times, and the small plate format means the best experience comes from ordering several dishes rather than focusing on one entree. The variety across the menu encourages sharing, and the pacing of the meal works well for a longer, more social dinner. konban delivers a well-executed modern Japanese dining experience. While some of the more hyped dishes may not completely live up to expectations, the katsu, noodles, and seafood dishes make it a worthwhile visit. The combination of creativity, quality ingredients, and a lively atmosphere makes it a destination for exploring different flavors and dishes together rather than just ordering one signature item, offering a meal that feels both engaging and satisfying.

    For a friend's birthday dinner, we went to konban, which she apparently has been visiting every…read moreyear for her birthday the past three years. The interior is minimalistic with a japanese feel through the zen garden. For drinks my friend and I had the sayonara which I enjoyed, but she thought was too strong. We ordered family style, sharing the corn ribs, zucchini, butter scallops, ebi tempura, pork katsu, mazemen, ube tiramisu , and corn ice cream amongst four people. The ube tiramisu was free since we wrote a google review for the restaurant. Everything was delicious and the zucchini was surprisingly good as well. The pork was so tender. the ebi tempura were huge, and the mazemen was thankfully not spicy. However, the scallops could've been more tender and we we were all unimpressed with the ube tiramisu. Overall, I would come back and would definitely recommend konban! Get the corn ribs, zucchini, pork katsu, and corn ice cream! My friend did notice that some menu items changed from her previous visit (instead of the zucchini they had the eggplant in the past)

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    Izakaya MEW

    Izakaya MEW

    4.3
    (3.3k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    There's a reason why people have willpower for the hours-long wait here on weekends. There are many…read morerestaurants with lines that I can't say are worth waiting on, but this restaurant is worth every minute and every ounce of energy left for the wait. I've taken a lot of friends here over the course of 10 years, and without fail, every one of them has walked out mindblown--and why wouldn't they?! The wait times have gotten better over the years (probably because people are waiting for the restaurant next door), but the food and drinks here are still top-notch. Staff is always great, and they all work so efficiently. I am generally a fan of izakayas, but there are very few that offer plates that are designed to be shareable, and this is one of the reasons the food here is so enjoyable in a small group setting. I am obviously biased and think they can do no wrong, but some of my staples that have stood the test of time: Kimchi cream udon, avocado tofu salad, salmon sashimi tacos, and the kani cream croquettes. I was so excited when they opened an outpost in Flushing years ago, but sadly it shuttered during COVID. It is definitely small and there is always going to be a wait, so don't be those people who come in with a huge group during prime time because they like to move (getting customers in and out) very fast.

    I've been coming to Izakaya Mew for years and it's still great! The food is solid and the ambiance…read moreis that of a casual bar/izakaya. It can be a little tricky to find as it has a small door on the street level and is located down a flight of stairs on 35th. They have a variety of drinks such as frozen kirin beer and Japanese inspired cocktails. For food, they have a large variety of Japanese classics from sushi, skewers, fried dishes, and noodles/rice. My favorites here are the Omu Soba which has some tasty noodles inside and the salmon don which has some sashimi and sauce over rice!

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