Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • Sushi of Gari- Upper East Side

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at Sushi of Gari- Upper East Side

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size
Sushi of Gari- Upper East Side
Sushi of Gari- Upper East Side

Sushi of Gari- Upper East Side Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://sushiofgari.com/
  • Phone: (212) 517-5340
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner: 5:00pm - 10:45pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Executive Chef: Masatoshi "Gari" Sugio
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Beer, Counter Seating, Delivery, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Smoking Area, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Catering: We do offer catering services for various settings. Please kindly inquire at catering@sushiofgari.com for more detail.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: B/W 1st Ave. & York Ave.
  • Public Transit: Subway #6 train @ 77th Street
  • Parking: Public Lot
A word from Sushi of Gari- Upper East Side
Welcome to Sushi of Gari! This restaurant is the original restaurant specializing in the wonderful taste of Gari Signature Sushi by Masatoshi GARI Sugio. This restaurant is rather a small establishment, but we offer an amazing Sushi as well as many traditional Japanese dishes. In addition to… many very fresh authentic Japanese Sushi, let us surprise you by Gari's originality: some area slightly cooked, or marinated, and served with a variety of home-made sauces or other delicacies which enhance the daily marketfs freshest seafood, many of which are from Japan especially for Sushi of Gari.Continued
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerJapanese
Diner Reviews
  • "Sushi was very good. Have had omakase past few times, this time ordered sushi special. Was not disappointed , sushi fresh and delicious. Pieces were smaller than with omakase and less spectacular but definitely better than any other local sushi place. Even with a reservation was seated at a tiny circular table top by the corner window that did not have enough room for all 3 menus to be open simultaneously on the table"
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "Gari is the absolute best, since I moved Into the neighborhood I've been going to Gari almost once a week. A few months ago we were determined to try the Omakase menu even though we never enjoyed nigiri sushi before. EVERY single peice was phenomenal and I will never order a regular sushi roll again! (Except their spicy scallop cut up roll which is out of this world!)"
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "Omakase is a must here - food was perfection! Even if you think you know what you like, leave it to the chefs here to introduce to new and amazing sushi/sashimi"
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "Delicious ! I didn't expect I can eat real sushi in America .... After I had dinner there I see why they have one star ..."
    Dined on 6/19/2014
  • "Appetizers and sushi were excellent. Cooked main course dishes were surprisingly poor and disappointing."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "Many people were recommending certain items from here and most were awesome. I highly recommend the spicy tempura shrimp roll, the half fatty tuna (so soft you don't have to bite it), and definetly the tuna tartare with crispy seaweed. Just ask your server and he/she will know what to recommend. It was all so fresh, elegant, and delicious."
    Dined on 6/13/2014
  • "There is no denying the superior quality of the fish. The size of the cuts, relative to the price paid for same is, in my mind, irreconcilable. If you have money to burn and enjoy very small pieces of very good fish, then this is the place for you. To me it just feels stingy."
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "delicious as always, some of the best sushi in the city. it's not yasuda...but its pretty damn good"
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "THIS USED TO BE BY FAR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN NYC! WE'VE ALWAYS ORDERED THE OMAKASE, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN 1 MICHELIN STAR WORTHY!! THIS LAS TIME, THEY TOOK FOREVER TO ASK US FOT THE DRINKS, TO TAKE THE ORDER AND TOOK LIKE 20 MINUTES BETWEEN EACH PLATE….BY THE END WHEN THE WAITER ASKED US IF WE WANTED SOMETHING EXTRA, I COULDNT BELIEVE IT! THEY ONLY SERVED US WITH 3 PIECES AND NO APPETIZER AND THIS TIME THE PRICE WAS EVEN MORE EXPESVE WHICH MADE IT COMPLETELY RIDUCULOUS TO HAVE PAYED 1,000 DOLARES FOR 3 PIECES OF OK SUSHI WITH TERRIBLE SERVICE! DEFINETLY NOT WORTH IT! THEY SHOULF BE STRIPPED OFF THEIR STAR….SO SAD!!!! BUT I FEEL ABSOLUTELY ROBBED BY THESE PEOPLE!"
    Dined on 5/31/2014
  • "This small restaurant offers really good service which by far is better than is cramped ambiance. Nonetheless, I would go back for the food which was really good."
    Dined on 5/25/2014
  • "Food is ok, but it's way overpriced. The whole experience lasted less than 40 mins and I was expecting a fine-dining experience. Ambience is not great at all and it feels like going to a fast food restaurant. The sashimi food has way too much sauce on it that ruins the experience of eating great quality sashimi I am sure there are a lot of better options out there for that price point."
    Dined on 5/12/2014
  • "We had a very enjoyable meal here. The four of us shared some appetizers (the portions were rather small but tasty) and three sushi sets (generously portioned, with 8 nigiri pieces plus one roll). The Gari's special all tuna sushi course is always our favorite. One would think having all tuna sounds uninteresting, but the nigiri pieces ("Gari style" with various toppings and sauces already on the fish) are all different in fun ways. I think the only one that I didn't care for was the tuna with fried onions on top. We were very happy with our meal. To top it off, the restaurant had somehow remembered that we had celebrated my daughter's birthday here exactly one year ago and surprised her with dessert. I was impressed with this extra touch."
    Dined on 5/11/2014
  • "Great place to do Japanesse food, avoid to ask for soy sauce..."
    Dined on 5/8/2014
  • "Sushi of Gari (UES) is my favorite sushi restaurant in NYC. I've had the chef's tasting every time I've been there and it never disappoints. The fluke with quail egg is my absolute favorite. The intricate flavors in each piece of sushi prove time and forethought are put into every bite. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves sushi and is looking for something outside of what one finds in normal, every day sushi restaurants."
    Dined on 5/6/2014
  • "Everytime my husband and I are in NYC, we have our date night at Sushi of Gari. When I made this reservation it was my birthday treat for my husband and I specified that I wanted the sushi bar. When we got there they said that there was not space so we were quite disappointed. The food was delicious but there were several items that were better served at the sushi bar (like the salmon with hot tomato). When it reached us the tomato was cold and it no longer had the same taste as if served at the bar. The sashimi (first time to try this) was delicious. All is all it was good but not our best meal here. Travelling 24 hours to eat here and not getting the sushi table is a bit sad. "
    Dined on 4/26/2014
  • "Best Omakase!! So glad to have it in the neighborhood within walking distance. Omakase always a treat and never fails to please."
    Dined on 4/25/2014
  • "The omakase is good but it very overpriced. We spent $400 for two plus a bottle of sake and two desserts. The interior of the restaurant lacks character - it is dumpy and depressing. Service is very good but beware of upselling. "
    Dined on 4/25/2014
  • "Have tried Gari's other locations - the best is still Upper East Side! Tuna with tofu sauce - my husband can't get enough of it. Great presentation, responsive & helpful chefs! Thanks for another memorable meal!"
    Dined on 4/22/2014
  • "You sit, you ask for Omakaze, and you get one delight after another... really it cant get any better, food is perfect."
    Dined on 4/17/2014
  • "Everything about this place is amazing. Food, service and quality. Well worth the cost if you love sushi. "
    Dined on 4/16/2014
  • "The omakase at Sushi of Gari UES is a phenomenal exploration for the palate. I highly recommend letting the chef provide his choices for you. No wasabi nor soy sauce needed: perfection!"
    Dined on 4/13/2014
  • "Very good for tasting none common sushi. Highly recommended the Chef Selections"
    Dined on 4/11/2014
  • "Food is perfect but the service is lousy as usual."
    Dined on 4/8/2014
  • "For those who are looking for a unique sushi dining experience I recommend this place. Sushi of Gari not only has great sushi selections but takes it up a notch with a culinary twist on flavor and texture combinations. Great for sushi lovers and foodies alike."
    Dined on 4/6/2014
  • "Their sashimi, my favorite, was superb. The fish was so fresh, it melted in our mouths. The Upper East Side location is a bit tiny and crowded, but next time I'll try the sushi bar."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "The omakase menu fell short of the standard established by other sushi heavyweights in the city. While select pieces were enjoyable, most lacked refinement and were excessively heavy in both rice and fish."
    Dined on 3/29/2014
  • "I returned to Gari this past weekend (March 29) anticipating a wonderful Omakase for three. Somehow, the sushi chefs forgot how to prepare the rice properly (cold, densely packed and little, if any, taste). The composition was not at all creative - salmon with baked tomato? Really? Vastly unimpressive - especially at $175 per person! Other pieces presented had good texture, however, none had the same impact previously experienced. Gari appears to be resting on its laurels. Further, the Sushi of Gari chefs seems to turn out pieces using a script rather than providing the best dining experience possible using only the freshest fish - as one would expect when ordering Omakase. Yasuda wouldn't serve sushi like this! Tip - stay with the sashimi."
    Dined on 3/29/2014
  • "At first we felt the service was lacking, perhaps because we did not get the omakase. But another server picked up slack and she was fantastic. We ordered shumai, a special seaweed salad and a few pieces of eel. All of that was great, and then we shared five rolls. My girlfriend is more used to the Americanized version of sushi, and we got two eel avocado, a fatty tuna and scallion, spicy scallop and spicy shrimp tempura. All of the rolls were the perfect temperature and very fresh, especially the tuna. With the above, sharing a bottle of white wine and tip, it was 170, but well worth it as this place is clearly on a different level from your typical NYC sushi place."
    Dined on 3/28/2014
  • "Excellent food. We had the chef tasting and it was excellent. Would totally recommend it. Ambience was a little loud but not notable."
    Dined on 3/27/2014
  • "Went here as visiting NY from London. Starters and mains were ok but nothing that blew my mind. Was expensive but this was expected. Probably wouldn't return. Expected something a little more special. Still had a nice evening though."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "I took my daughter on a Sunday as it opened. There were two Japanese families waiting for the doors to open with us. Within 10 minutes of opening, the place was packed. All the tables were filled with groups of Japanese, except for us and one other Anglo couple. That says it all. If you want authentic Japanese sushi, without frilly, over-sauced specialty rolls, go here. The Tuna Gari was excellent, as was the sushi deluxe platter I ordered. We were short on time before our train back to Philly, or we would have ordered the chef's tasting menu, which is what everyone else was ordering. Great saki list too!"
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "Best sushi ever. Omakase is very expensive though."
    Dined on 3/12/2014
  • "Amazing high-end sushi. No gimmicky rolls, just fabulous fresh fish and house-made garnishes, like toro with a small dollop of silky home-made tofu and home-made chili oil on top. Go with omakase."
    Dined on 3/2/2014
  • "I ordered the chefs special special @ $110.00. I have had it before and it was memorable. Waitress asked me if i could eat lobster and foie gras, which was very good the last time. This absurd price gives you 12 pieces of what is supposed to be outstanding cuts and spectacular sushi. The 1st course of vegetables came that was watery, frozen and tasteless. By the time i had eaten 8 pieces there was nothing special about anything, I asked the waitress where the lobster and foie gras was and i was told i would have to pay more. I had them take back the last 4 pieces as they were bland looking and uninteresting.My husband ordered a $30 assortment that was better than mine. I would never go back and not recommend this restaurant to anyone!"
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "I had omakase at Sushi of Gary on Columbus few days before, by the bar. Was exceptional !! I brought my friends to this location on the hope we'll have a t least the same experience. They start asking if we want sushi or sashimi omakase. Never got that question before, in any place. Then first thing they brought was some predone, kind of dry stuff. Can't even tell exactly what it was, but it wasn't good !!! Very, very disappointed. We had to order extra Uni and Yellow tail, as we felt that most of what they brought wasn't good (let alone great as I was expecting). The noise I think is normal, but then it's so bright lights...... So, I don't think I'll go there again. West side, for sure and probably at the bar :((("
    Dined on 2/27/2014
  • "we were told the omakase cost $120 but were charged $150 per person. Additionally, the food was mediocre, the fish was tough and the presentation was strange."
    Dined on 2/23/2014
  • "Went here for Valentine's Day dinner and the experience was absolutely fantastic. It was very quiet and the restaurant itself isn't super fancy, but the service is spot-on and the sushi is the best I have ever had! We got the Sushi Special, so the omakase, and every single piece was perfection. It was definitely the freshest I've had in the city. We also got tempura udon, which was also delicious, although the sushi was the real standout. Highly recommend."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "You would think you were in any neighborhood sushi place, until you try the food! Delicious! 12 piece omekase for 2 with a bottle of wine, just over $400. The diners at the 3 adjacent tables were just ordering a la carte off the menu which may be more cost effective."
    Dined on 2/12/2014
  • "We enjoy coming here. The sushi is really outstanding. We like the sushi better in the spring and summer."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "First, forget the tempura, it's awful - greasy, over-breaded, and unimaginative. Second, do not order the Omakase unless you know you want a lot of food that someone else chooses and you love paying an unbelievable amount for this surprise package. Yes, the sushi and sashimi is beautiful and tasty but the waiter we had was less than helpful about the menu but was always selling a more expensive version. If you want sushi just order it a la carte. This way you won't be so shocked and will know what you're getting."
    Dined on 2/4/2014
More reviews ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›
Diners' Choice Awards
  • New York / Tri-State Area Winners
  • Japanese
  • Manhattan Winners
  • Japanese
Learn more ›