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Soto Reviews List

Soto

Located in the West Village, Soto offers inventive seafood dish and traditional sushi. Additionally, Chef Omakase courses are available.
See more Soto details
91 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall 
4.1 / 5
(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5
(91 Reviews)
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Breakdown 91 reviews
5 stars
(44)
4 stars
(25)
3 stars
(13)
2 stars
(6)
1 star
(3)
Food 
4.6 / 5
(Outstanding) 4.6 / 5
Service 
3.7 / 5
(Very Good) 3.7 / 5
Ambiance 
3.4 / 5
(Very Good) 3.4 / 5
Noise Level
1.7 / 3
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
  • fit for foodies(50)
  • special occasion(27)
  • neighborhood gem(22)
  • hot spot(8)
  • romantic(8)
  • great for outdoor dining(2)
Soto Reviews List
Review 1 for Soto
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/18/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Some of the best sushi to be had in New York. It's on the expensive side, but well worth it."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Masterpiece Theatre

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/16/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Every dish I was served was the best thing I had ever tasted up until that point, and each dish was better than one before. Soto's small plates and appetizers are the definition of refinement and balance, served in near perfect progression by a the very talented Sotohiro Kosugi. Having eaten at Le Bernardin, Per Se, Jean Georges, Marea, and Eleven Madison Park, I can honestly say the quality and creativity of Soto's dishes stand up to all the heavyweights, while often besting them in a more casual and relaxed environment. Judging on cuisine alone, Soto earns a place at the top of the ladder in NYC. Go early, sit at the sushi bar, in clear view of the master, and you will probably avoid the service pitfalls bemoaned by many of Soto's critics"
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 3 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Japan at its best

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/10/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Very few japanese restaurant at this level in town !"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 4 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Best Japanese I have ever eaten

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/08/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"the food was so special - tastes and aromas I didn't even know existed. It's not just the sushi (that was splendid), every course was was a feast. My favorite was Uni cocktail. all in all it is the place for people who like sea-urchin."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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Review 5 for Soto
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

This time : big mess ...

OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/08/2013
Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"We like Soto a lot and wanted some family visiting us to discover it.
But even if our reservation was not late : 8:30 pm on a Wednesday, it was a mess
No more Steamed Lobster and enough Black Cod
45' to wait for the last and delicious cold course.
I spoke to the manager (behind the sushi bar) and he didn't seem to care (no discount on the bill...)
"
Dined on 5/08/2013
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Review 6 for Soto
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/07/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"We have been to Soto several times and really enjoy the omakase option. The cuisine is outstanding and service usually top notch.
During our most recent visit, however, Soto San seemed very angry and slammed cupboard doors and yelled several times. These outbursts immediately hushed the entire restaurant, creating a slight aura of fear in the ambience. It unfortunately detracted significantly from an overall lovely experience."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 7 for Soto
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

japanese from the kitchen

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 4/30/2013
Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"soto is very different michelin 2 star, very small , 8 tables and one bar, "japanese from the kitchen" which was tasting was good
suschi is not the one of the best I eated,suchi is above the average only.
Price is very high and drink list is weak, so if you want a good "japanese from the kitchen" this is the place
"
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 8 for Soto
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

We used to LOVE Soto for the

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
"We used to LOVE Soto for the fresh sushi and artistic presentation. But, alas, with popularity something gets lost. On this visit, service was not poor, but severely lacking. Perhaps it was just too busy, but our order was not taken for a good 20 minutes and water glasses were not refilled regularly. The noise level was unbearably high with loud chatter and we had a grossly over seasoned lobster sashimi order. Otherwise, the food was excellent, but the atmosphere and service has seriously declined."
Dined on 04/23/2013
 2005
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 9 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Uni heaven

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"We love uni so when I read about Soto in Zagat I booked a reservation. Specific dishes that stood out were the uni cocktail, the uni tempura, and the karei karaage. Soto respected the delicate nature of uni but also beautifully enhanced and embellished its taste. Worth every penny."
Dined on 03/23/2013
 2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 10 for Soto
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

I can say it's around top

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"I can say it's around top sushi in NYC, specially UNI. But, there are too much time gap b/w the foods. Also, you need to share some dishes with your company.
I have to share one Uni and one lobster dish with my friend and it's really small........ I saw four people share a small plate in my next table. It's LOL......
"
Dined on 04/12/2013
 2012
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Review 11 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Have been to "Soto" at least

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Have been to "Soto" at least 4 times. It is probably my favorite Japanesse restaurant in New York City. The Omakase has always been terrific.
It is truly one of the great sushi experiences at the world !
"
Dined on 03/25/2013
 2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 12 for Soto
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

Sad

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Never received our sushi course almost two hours after ordering. Simply paid and left. Very sad"
Dined on 04/03/2013
 2000
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Review 13 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Sushi with finesse!

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Absolutely the best place in town for sushi. Finesse is what it is all about. Razor sharp precision....."
Dined on 03/30/2013
 2013
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Review 14 for Soto
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Great Food Trumped by Consis Dining

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"While the food is simply spectacular (and one surely pays up for that), many factors make dining at Soto very frustrating. The wait time between tiny appetizers is 20-30 minutes. Add the 12 piece omakase menu (to four appetizers) which comes very slowly and you have a three hour dinner where you are still quite hungry at the end. To make matters worse, the service is quite poor as they appear clueless to the diners' frustration."
Dined on 03/22/2013
 2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 15 for Soto
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
4 / 3
Energetic
"Great food, but sushi chef is severely overworked. The restaurant is too big for him to serve. My friend and I both had the nigiri sushi omakase and it took over 90 minutes to get the meal."
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 16 for Soto
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

I ordered omakase, I could

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"I ordered omakase, I could pay what I wanted, but the waiters were unable to explain what the difference was between f.ex. $135 and $200. I was then recommended to pay $170, which I did - but then ended up with only 4 pieces of sushi at the end. Not exactly what I was told at the start of the meal. I was ready to pay much more than $ 170 and told the waiter so at the beginning of the meal. What I really wanted was a great food experience. The clumsy way this was handled made the experience less valuable. I ended up ordering more sushi so I got what I needed, and paid no more than what I perceived the value to be - but the whole experience was unnecessary clumsy and makes me less eager to recommend the restaurant."
Dined on 03/12/2013
 2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 17 for Soto
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Too long to serve the food

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"The food was very good, however, it took four hours to deliver it all to our table, even though we did not order that much food and we were only two of us. It was a Saturday night and they appeared to be significantly short staffed."
Dined on 03/09/2013
 2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 18 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

The uni was out of this world.

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"The uni was out of this world. Spectacular. The entire omakase felt like we were sitting in Japan, truly wonderful."
Dined on 03/05/2013
 2005
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 19 for Soto
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

A quick jump to Japan

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"This small restaurant offers a real treat and a quick jump directly to Japan.
Every dish is stunning both in looks and in taste.
We enjoyed ourselves tremendously and will be sure to visit again.
"
Dined on 03/01/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 20 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

an Uni Lovers dream

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Such a fabulous menu. Wonderful staff. Creative, elegant, and above all, full of wonderful flavors. An Uni lovers dream come true. At the moment this is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in lower Manhattan. Well Done!"
Dined on 03/04/2013
 2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Soto
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

The food is outstanding and

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"The food is outstanding and made with the freshest ingredients. However, the price is really over the top and at the end of the day, Soto is not worth it."
Dined on 03/02/2013
 2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 22 for Soto
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

T he price was very high for

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"T he price was very high for unsuficient dinner comparing to other resyaurants with the same kind of food in other european countries"
Dined on 02/19/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
+1point
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Review 23 for Soto
Overall rating 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5

Rude rude rude waitress. Talked

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Noise Level
Quiet
Quiet
"Rude rude rude waitress. Talked to us like we never have seen sushi before"
Dined on 02/26/2013
 2009
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Review 24 for Soto
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Excellent, had the omakase

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Excellent, had the omakase and each course was better than the next. However, we expected sushi at the end only to find out that it was priced additional to the omakase which was unexpected. That said; do not let that stop you from this experience."
Dined on 02/16/2013
 2007
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Review 25 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

My wife and I had a Valentines

OpenTable Diner Since
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2001
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2001
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"My wife and I had a Valentines Day dinner here, maybe our fifth time dining at Soto. We had the omikaze, which shows off the skills of the kitchen as well as the raw fish. We had an absolutely outstanding meal; yes, we were there 2 1/2 hours, and were appropriately cautioned about the time it would take, when we ordered it. There was no special meal prepared for the day; there didn't need to be. It continues to be just an outstanding restaurant, worthy in our opinion of its 2 Michelin stars."
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2001
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 26 for Soto
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Disappointing. The first

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Disappointing.
The first two Michelin Star restaurant you cannot wait to leave.
- extremely slow. 20 minutes between dishes...and we ordered 10...
- LAUGHABLY small dishes that you are supposedly supposed to share (for a nominal fee of $25)! One small bite per person!
- exceptional sushi, but similar quality to the best local neighborhood spot anywhere in Japan. They do not have O-toro, the more desirably fatty cut.
Michelin raters need to beef up on Japanese places."
Dined on 02/01/2013
 2010
+1point
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Review 27 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

note only the freshest and

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"note only the freshest and most delicous sushi I have found, but the prepared hot foods from the kitchen are also wonderfully prepared and worth a try."
Dined on 01/31/2013
 2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 28 for Soto
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

Waited at least 30minutes

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
1 / 5
(Poor) 1 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Waited at least 30minutes between dishes and sushi omakase. sushi came out real slow"
Dined on 01/26/2013
 2008
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Review 29 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Best sushi in NYC. Uni cocktail

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Best sushi in NYC. Uni cocktail is amazing"
Dined on 01/22/2013
 2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 30 for Soto
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Uni to die for. He is a character,

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Uni to die for. He is a character, to say the least, but the man knows his uni!!"
Dined on 01/22/2013
 2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 31 for Soto
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Super Soto

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Incredible meal and a great value (for super high end Japanese). One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Nice small spot, super attentive service and really great, very creative food. Lots of Uni and plenty of unexpected combinations and ingredients. Highly Recommended."
Dined on 01/21/2013
 2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Soto
Based on the average of (60) ratings-only reviews
Overall 
4.3 / 5
(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food 
4.7 / 5
(Outstanding) 4.7 / 5
Service 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
Ambiance 
3.4 / 5
(Very Good) 3.4 / 5
Noise Level
1.7 / 3
Moderate