Transcendent sushi meets its equal with creative appetizers and entrees at Gari, the 64-seat Upper West Side outpost of Gari's (Masatoshi Sugio) popular Upper East Side restaurant. Gari also features a creative menu of cooked fare from Executive Chef/Partner Mike Lim. Tony Chi of tonychi and associates has created an environment where Gari and his team can craft their cuisine in pure, harmonized comfort - a virtual sushi studio - and every seat in the house allows guests to observe the chefs/artists at work.
"Fantastic raw selection, apps, and . We got a pretty wide range of apps and each of us ordered several different cuts of Maki/Ngiri/etc... and every single thing we ate ranged between very tasty and delightful. That's a very rare thing for me to say, since I tend to be a bit picky. I felt like it was probably better than or equal to Nobu, and significantly better than Blue Ribbon. I especially recommend the Fatty Tuna and Scallion Roll, Foie Gras, and Cheese Shumai."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"If your looking for one of the best sushi restaurants in the city that specializes in out of the ordinary pieces, this is the place to visit. I recommend letting the chef pick your pieces and just sit back and enjoy the well dressed pieces. There is no accompanied soy sauce for a reason. Each piece is properly prepared with garnish and dressing to the chef taste. Just sit back and enjoy piece after piece of new creations."
Dined on 6/12/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining
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"We hand the lunch omacasa which was amazing. I brought back a friend to try the full omacasa and must admit I was disappointed. Out of the 12+pieces of sushi served, only one was great, the rest were good, two were out of my "taste good" range of fishiness. Service was nice."
Dined on 6/03/2013
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"Gari was my very very favorite restaurant in NYC (even more so than Per Se and other top ranked places) since it opened. My husband and I went every year to celebrate our anniversary. We went Sunday night and were crushed by the changes . Service was okay. However, they changed how they made all of our favorite sushi dishes and the new versions are half the size and just dont taste very good (not to mention that they are "mini pieces" compared to most high end sushi restaurants. On top of that, the prices have almost doubled. We wont be going back."
Dined on 6/02/2013
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"The sushi is terrific, understood. When told there was no fresh crab available, but there was snow crab - and then when one asks if that could be put into a roll; the answer is a hard and final - no. When we called to increase our reservation from 2 to 3, it was explained we had 1 1/2 hours at our places!(an adequate amount of time for an early not formal occasion!). And yes, there were tables open upon our timely finish!!!
Again, the overall meal was enjoyed by all at the table."
Dined on 5/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"This was pretty good sushi at a reasonable price. The dunplings were a really good appetizer and the rolls were quite tasty. My only complaint would be that the sashimi price was a little steep per piece. Great service and was greeted in formal Japanese."
Dined on 5/31/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Delicious and inventive sushi. You have to have the chef's recommendation platter, worth it!! Even the spicy tuna roll I ordered for my 10yr old was phenomenal. I would definitely go back, loved it"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"This was one of the best sushi experiences I have had in the past few years. I love that they prepare the sashimi and nigiri with creatively delicious flavorings like Sakura blossoms or truffle. We ordered the omakase and were so impressed with the array, that we kept ordering more pieces! It's a little pricey, but so worth it. Can't wait to go back."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Sushi of Gari is a high end Japanese restaurant. There fish is outstanding, but their dishes lack the creativity of competing fusion style Japanese restaurants. There decor is "fair" at best and the service is, while OK, is not consistent with their pricing.
High end Japanese sushi restaurants that charge commensurate prices ought to have better decor, service and creativity.
In summary....great quality fish but over priced given the entire picture."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"If you like sushi and are willing to do have the chefs tasting menu - omakase you should visit a Sushi of Gari in the city. Of course even if orderin al la carte the fish is so fresh and some of the best in the city."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"As long as you know to ask for all of the different sauces, this is just one of the best sushi experiences in Manhattan. Also very expensive, but no more so than any of the other top places like Sushi Seki or Sushi Yasuda."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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"Overall I felt the food was good but the sushi is just completely over priced. You definately leave hungry unless you are willing to hand over your paycheck for the month."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2008
Special Features: special occasion
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"The sushi never disappoints. Delicious and Fresh! There is only one negative, the space is so small so I invariably feel rushed here.Good alternative is the sushi bar."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Some great food, but not everything hits. You feel that it should, given the prices. Service was just fair, but you don't go to Gari for the service or ambiance."
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"My husband and I had a wonderful time at Gari. We had the sushi omakase for lunch and were very impressed by the inventive and absolutely delicious bites of sushi. We highly recommend this place and look forward to returning!"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Gari's food is between excellent and outstanding. I don't think it was as special as it used to be, but is still excellent. The Omakase is the way to go."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Three words....UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE! Ive been here before but I wanted to take my husband who is not a big sushi eater and we had the Chef tasting. DELECTABLE. Pricey, but worth every penny"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Bad experience overall. waitres was too aggressive and eager to get us out of there even before we had ordered. we were sitting close to the door and while eating the people waiting for tables we were pretty much on top of us. also every time the restaurant door opened, a bitter cold wind hit our table. in fact, we ate with our coats on. i wouldnt recommend Gari."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2009
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"Went for Valentine's dinner. Came an hour earlier than our 9:30pm reservation hoping they could seat us, but the hostess apologetically but firmly told us they cannot seat us until our reserved time. Even for our 9:30pm reservation, every seat was filled and it was quite loud, which is understandable for Valentine's Day. The sushi was excellent as expected such as the fatty tuna and salmon, although a couple of the more mundane pieces like the yellowtail was a bit chewy. The staff was bustling, but even at the end of the night but our waitress was always attentive and friendly to us."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"This IS hands down THE BEST SUSHI I have ever had in my entire life. Nothing comes remotely close. I have been to plenty of great sushi restaurants and they are just not on the same level. Don't get your normal rolls. Make sure you just get whatever the chef suggests for the night. It is expensive but once you eat you realize how great of a deal you actually got. Just the best. Love this place.
Also our server Lilly was amazing. She knew SOOO much about every piece we were ordering and had suggestions for the next time we went. Between my girlfriend and I we at 16 pieces, 4 hand rolls, soup and edamame. It was the perfect amount and Lilly suggested a whole different assortment next time we went. We can't wait."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Sushi of Gari- Columbus Avenue