Omakase By Yanaga

What a great omakase experience! Yes, the price is steep, but I found the experience worth the price. The wait staff is very attentive, and Chef Yanaga was very entertaining as he prepared each piece.Forgive me, for I am a bad yelper and failed to get the name of each piece, but everything was delicious. Each piece was distinct and perfectly balanced. Since each seating only seats 8 people at a time, the space was intimate, but made for an amazing view of each cut of fish and preparation of each amuse. My favorite from the whole experience was the otoro with caviar on top. SUPER fatty and melted in my mouth. I also ordered the green tea on the side, and it was perfect for cleansing my palate after each piece. The tea was the perfect complement for my meal. Overall, I was very satisfied and actually full unlike many of the omakases I've had elsewhere. If you are looking to go to a very nice dinner for a special occasion I highly recommend you to make a reservation here.

Omakase by Yanaga is a coveted experience!It is imperative to arrive on time for your reservation, as the seating is for only 8 guests at a time. Everyone needs to be present to begin, and you won't want to be late for this! Twenty-five amazing courses of the cleanest sushi/nigiri I've ever experienced. The atmosphere is very intimate and quiet. We weren't sure of the etiquette of conversing amongst ourselves while Chef Yanaga created his masterpieces. Even after enjoying 25 courses, we were pleasantly full without being stuffed. They offer a full bar, in addition to seasonal cocktails and sake paring (at a premium). We've experienced omakase at another restaurant in Philadelphia and we weren't impressed. In addition, they were not forthcoming about the cost - we were floored upon receiving the bill. Omakase by Yanaga is upfront about the price, and we appreciated that. This experience is indulgent and best if you're comfortable dropping some bank. This isn't the kind of experience you're going to schedule several times a month, but if you are, can I be your friend? :) If you're the type of person who likes to give your significant other an "experience" rather than a gift, then this is the place for you.

My boyfriend and I have sorely missed omakase experiences in Philly since relocating from NYC. We tried another omakase restaurant last year (which shall remain unnamed), but it was truly awful and soured our desire to shell out for omakase in Philly.But Omakase by Yanaga proved us wrong! The omakase was excellent, and a great mix of classics and unique pieces (scallop w/ preserved lemon & plum sauce, foie gras roll, and a sea bass & winter truffle roll were a few highlights). The meal was finished off with a delicious honey pie from nearby Beehive Bakery (which was a much better version of Milk Bar's "Crack Pie").Chef Yanaga introduced every piece and bantered with customers throughout the meal, which is always a fun addition. It is certainly an intimate experience, with only eight counter seats (and as a loud talker, I always struggle with small dining spaces because I don't have a whisper setting). Keep that in mind--I felt myself speaking very softly throughout the meal.As far as price, it was $195pp for 25 courses. I felt like I got my money's worth--and wasn't struggling at the end to finish courses. My BF got the sake pairing (which I had a few sips of too and was very impressed). Plus tax and tip, our final bill was around $615. Certainly not a cheap date, but if you're an omakase fan, it's well worth the splurge.

The food and experience are simply amazing. We ate there last night for the second time and it was just as good as the first. Kevin Yanaga is a gifted and talented chef, who makes absolutely beautiful fish right before your eyes. This has to be one of my favorite places to eat in the city and definitely one of my favorite Omakasa restaurants. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. There is not one thing that disappointed us. We have already made our reservation to return in January.

Yesterday, I was finally able to try Omakase by Yanaga, but my excitement quickly diminished upon being greeted, or lack their of, by the Chef. As the third person to enter the private 8 person dining room I smiled and said hello to the Chef as I took my seat, and was met with silence. Five people walked in after me who were all praised and welcomed in by Chef Yanaga. I tried not to take personal offense and continued to enjoy my experience. The food was very fresh and delicious, but for a 25 course meal it was very repetitive. There were at least 7 courses that included similar white fish atop rice and a strong soy sauce which I found took away from the natural flavors of the fish. I was looking forward to hearing about the theme for the menu or descriptions of what we were served but each course received a very rudimentary introduction. As a foodie, I tried to ask questions about the food and preparation, such as why a certain wood was used for smoking the fish, but the Chef often didn't have an exact answer or maybe just didn't care to. I very much enjoyed the quality of the food, and the people I dined with, however the Chef and experience lacks personality and politeness in my opinion.

Love this place. Love that it's so personal with the one man show and love his take on his menu. Loved the preserved lemon. Honestly, what's not to love about this place! Great food and great show.

My wife and I just experienced an Omakase dinner with chef Kevin Yanaga was a very enjoyable experience throughout. The 25-course menu was elegantly curated with a nicely done progression. with appropriate pacing in between each course. The service was impeccable and Chef Yanaga interacted so nicely with us and the rest of the guests. We didn't partake in any pairings, as the cocktail menu had some unique takes on classics that we wanted to try. We will definitely return to Omakase by Yanaga, and recommend it for anyone planning a romantic night out or a special occasion.