Sushi Yasuda

Sushi Yasuda is not your average sushi restaurant.  Eating here is a sushi experience. 

It's is a labor of love by the proprietors — Naomichi Yasuda, Shige Akimoto and Scott Rosenberg and it shows.  It was voted as one the best restaurants from New York Magazine. 

Don't come here for the ambience. It's extremely bright, even at dinner. 

That doesn't deter the crowds. It fills up very quickly so make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance. Also they will give your table away if you're more than ten minutes late so keep that in mind when making plans. 

Chef Yasuda (which the restaurant is named after) is serious and loves to share his knowledge of sushi with you. Feel free to ask him any questions about sushi but don't joke about sushi. He takes it very seriously. 

Appetizers are limited which is fine as the sushi is the main event. However if you’re really hungry get the edamame. 

This restaurant serve authentic sushi, meanings no spicy rolls, no tempura rolls and no cream cheese rolls. 

Don't worry if you don't have hundreds of dollars to drop. There's lots of deals including: sushitake which includes eight pieces of sushi & a half roll for $22.50 or sushi matsu which includes 12 pieces of sushi and a half roll for $36.

You can also get five pieces of sushi and two rolls for $22.50. Choices of rolls include salmon-roll, yellowtail-roll, cucumber roll, tuna-roll, and sushi choices include tuna, stripped bass, shrimp, yellowtail, eel and squid. 

Other options include shrimp, crab, octopus and squid which can get pricey at $4-$6 a piece. 

So you don't plan wrong, they are closed on Sundays. Also they only give you the table for an hour and half so don't plan on going here for an extended business lunch or romantic date. 

There's not much selection in terms of desserts but try the mochi cakes, if you're really craving something sweet. 

HelloMetro Tip: Sit at the bar and ask for Chef Yasuda, when making your reservation and let him pick all your sushi if you really want an experience. Also, for a real treat, eel lovers need to try the shirayhaki.

- by Danielle Sonnenberg, New York Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Danielle Sonnenberg

Danielle Sonnenberg is a freelance writer living in New York City. She is passionate about stories and asking questions. She has written for several publications including the New York Post, TheStreet.com, Lifestyles Magazine, and Minyanville.com To view more of her work please go to, Her website is www.daniellesonnenberg.com