Sushi Ishikawa

This hidden gem on the UWS served 18 courses for $175, with a more creative twist to your traditional omakase (think lots of toppings and creative combinations of ingredients). The inside is very clean and minimal, and the service is amazing! The hosts will explain each piece to you, point out their favorites, and even start chatting with you! Since we came for a birthday celebration, my friend also got a candle and we got 2 glasses of champagne to celebrate at the end of the meal.There is an extensive list of sake here, and me and my friend got a carafe to share for $40. It was extremely fruity and refreshing! As for the omakase, all the fish and ingredients are extremely fresh, and we even got three types of uni throughout the meal as well as some appetizers and a light and delicious matcha coconut panna cotta dessert. My favorite pieces were all the uni, the seared ebi, toro and crab, chutoro, hamachi, and the luxurious handroll. Great place for a special occasion with the best ingredients, really creative pieces, and exceptional service.

Sushi Ishikawa was amazing! Be sure to be on the lookout for the restaurant, which is down a set of stairs on 80th Street and easy to miss. When you arrive, the staff are super attentive, quickly bringing you to your seat and offering to hang your coat in the back. The vibe inside is very cozy and there is traditional omakase counter seating. This was by far one of the most intricate and fun omakase experiences in NYC! My party was lucky and Chef Don served us. Not only is the sushi super innovative, but also the chef provided an entertaining and memorable evening for us. It's clear that sushi is his passion - each piece that was served was so creative and had the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Chef Don and the staff also explain each course to you. Everything was delicious, but some highlights included:- Sea bream with yuzu, bamboo, and salt- Lobster, shiso leaf tempura, and ikura- A5 wagyu with foie gras, dehydrated wagyu, and microgreens- King salmon with chili vinaigrette and crispy Thai basil- Scallop, shrimp tempura, and Hokkaido uni (note: I usually don't even like uni, but this experience changed me!) If you're looking for an unforgettable experience and high quality sushi, definitely visit Sushi Ishikawa!

One of the best omakases ive been to. The price was great and value was definitely there. The chef took the time to learn your palate and allergies and tried to accommodate as best possible. Some of the bites didnt quite gel together but they always asked for feedback and added another piece to make up for it. Overall it was great and I will definitely be coming again.

Don is redefining the sweet spot on what is considered fast sushi and Michelin rated sushi. He's best of both worlds with the price point to match. His version of what modern sushi is supposed to be is spot on. Delicious, filling and just perfect in every way. Much better than spots like Sushi Nakazawa imo.

Amazing again! Sinhua is soooo nice and attentive and patient. The food...unbelievable! Second time and it's just the same as last time - so generous with ingredients like caviar and truffle - so innovative! My favorite omakase

Incredible value and high quality sushi. Our chef was very friendly and got a good sense of humor. We must have had more than 15 courses, and I enjoyed those 8 pieces the most. I can't wait to go back again. The ambiance is intimate but also lively.

Every single course was absolutely delicious from start to finish. I didn't think I was going to be full midway through the courses, but was absolutely stuffed at the end! Will definitely come back in the future! Service was amazing along with the chef! Very nice atmosphere and people!

A bit more private than the Upper East Side location and tucked away at the garden level of a townhouse, Sushi Ishikawa UWS maintains the same level of quality that the original location delivers. Chef Don mans both locations at different points of the week. It is always great to get a counter seat with the man himself, but you won't be disappointed regardless of whoever serves you from behind the counter!

This place was phenomenal! I haven't had many omakase spots but I think this is my favorite restaurant. These are some of my favs! The service was amazing! Be careful when you are looking for the location. It is easy to miss!

An incredible journey for your palate, with 17 courses of diverse flavors and textures that never once overwhelmed me. I was pushing it by arriving within an hour of closing but since I was alone they gladly accommodated me. The service was exceptional which felt authentically friendly and they cared to get to know me and share insightful recommendations for other restaurants in the neighborhood to see as well while visiting. The courses were enough for even somebody like me who has a big appetite. I could tell they're aging things right as there's that rare melt in your mouth fatty tuna sensation you come to recognize from Tokyo and can almost never get in the USA. The fried softshell crab over scallop with the slightly spicy sauce was a great dish which I was told is influenced by the Vietnamese owner's memories of dishes from home. Multiple dishes like these broke the monotony of typical omakase like the ones I find in LA. The intimate low light, all bar seating puts you front and center with the chef and felt like a private dining experience. I can't wait to come back and am so glad they survived through the pandemic as I know they opened up in Jan. 2020!