Sushi by Bou - Albany NY @ City Beer Hall — Restaurant in City of Albany

Disclaimer: The sushi itself isn't too bad.

But this particular location of the 19-franchise chain restaurant has decided to focus on: "The Experience." And that experience is NOT some 85-year-old sushi master with a tiny shop in Tokyo.

However, if you enjoyed the sushi bar on the promenade deck of your favorite Carnival Cruise Line "fun ship" ...you will definitely love everything here.

So, good news, Gaijin! "Please use your hands only." No need to use the waribashi! Which is just as well - that keeps the splinters of the lower quality bamboo away from your mouth.

Also, just wondering, what is Hiragana for "Bou-gie," ...the word actually used here for the larger of the only two dinner selections available: (17 pieces - including one maki and a temaki, vs 12 pieces for standard.)

And Bou-gie is also the description for the unspecified brand of caviar service, $100, 1oz, "with accoutrements." I'm guessing it's not N25 albino Beluga. It's pretty dark in this cellar restaurant, with loud distracting background music, so whatever they serve will surely be a surprise.

Oops, we're halfway through service: it must be time for everyone to toast shots of an unknown brand sake with the sushi preparer. You better hurry up, though, because the current business model only allows you in that seat for 48 minutes. It appears that the plan is to turn over that seat 4 times in 4 hours. You can stay longer, just not at the bar.

This sushi restaurant's wine list has a limited spectrum of sake and Japanese whiskeys - hoping that you decide to impress your companion(s) with a bottle of Dom or glass of JWBlue. Vintage, down in the warehouse district, tried that type of 'limited spectrum wine list plus super high-end choices' for a few months - before they closed back in 2019.

I don't have anything against sushi chain restaurants - the Kura chain (40 in US, 500 total, mostly in Japan) of sushi conveyor restaurants is lots of fun and surprisingly good. And there are a couple locations just outside NYC.

What's this? They have merch available! As you would expect from every "HIGH QUALITY, TRADITIONAL OMAKASE EXPERIENCE." (So the website proclaims.) And, it's just in time. Who knew I needed a "Bou"-themed Bic lighter, hoodie or baby onesie to commemorate my 48 minutes at the restaurant? Just like the cruise ships!

Despite all that, of the 60 sushi restaurants within a 60 minute drive of the NYS Capitol building, it is probably in the top...

I was really looking forward to celebrating my wife’s birthday at Sushi by Bou Albany, but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from the start. My wife and I did not feel welcome at all. The host was noticeably warmer and more polite to other guests, but with us, she was indifferent at best. She initially sat my wife at a wobbly barstool that was so unstable she almost fell. Not a great first impression.

Once it was time for the meal, the staff (the host, a man with a backward hat—possibly a busser?) guided us to our assigned seats. We were placed at the corner of the bar, not even sitting directly next to each other. Unlike the other guests, we didn’t receive the same tableware—our plate was small and black, while the other guests had large, silver, more elegant plates with placemats. This made us feel like second-class diners. The only difference? We hadn’t initially chosen the 17-course option. The unspoken pressure to upgrade was real—we felt uncomfortable enough that we ended up upgrading, even though I knew my wife would be full long before the 17th piece. Sure enough, she was completely stuffed after 12 pieces.

The food itself? Fantastic. The sushi was incredible, and the chef was clearly talented. If only the rest of the experience matched his level of expertise. The birthday treat at the end—a sushi roll—felt like an afterthought. We were already beyond full. Something like a dessert or a drink would’ve made much more sense.

Service was another disappointment. My wife’s wine was served in a dripping wet glass, which she felt was careless for a place at this price point. The host’s attire (flannel shirt, jeans, flat boots) was also unexpected for what’s supposed to be an upscale omakase experience. She walked around taking drink orders and clearing plates, but it wasn’t clear what her actual role was. To top it off, the manager from the restaurant upstairs came down just to sit at the end of the bar and talk about only coming downstairs for “Tito’s.” It was awkward and added to the already uncomfortable atmosphere.

We spent $380 on this experience, and it was not worth it. The sushi itself was great, but for that price, I expected so much more in terms of service, ambiance, and overall hospitality. I wouldn’t return, and I wouldn’t recommend it for a...

We didn't take pictures of the sushi because the experience was so amazing and immersive, but I can't recommend Sushi By Bou enough. Located in the old speak easy below City Beer Hall, Albany, the sushi was beyond fresh and beyond gourmet.

It is prepared in front of you and handed right to you from their funny, kind, and professional sushi chefs, in the form of 12 or 17 courses (Omakase style), plus the opportunity to add extras al la carte. Each course seemed to get better than the last, and each one brought different flavor explosions and complementary textures to the palate. It was beyond worth the price (70$ for 12 courses), and honestly it was one of the best food experiences my fiance and I have had anywhere. Even though the menu is selected by the chefs, they are also accommodating to any allergies or food aversions. For example, someone next to us doesn't eat beef, so for the surf and turf course (wagyu beef and sea urchin, which was AMAZING) the chef made theirs a unique surf and surf combination.

Anyone who loves sushi or fine dining experiences, or simply wants a very memorable night out to celebrate with loved ones, NEEDS to try this place out. Keep in mind it is reservation only. Also, they have fantastic and thoughtfully crafted mixed drinks on the menu as well (shown below is an N/A yuzu lemonade and a whiskey ginger highball). The environment itself feels very cool and special, and the staff was amazing. However, be warned, as you might be spoiled when heading back to your current favorite sushi spot after tasting the quality and flavors this place has to offer. We are already looking forward to our next opportunity to go, and next time we will certainly upgrade to the 17 courses, because we really didn't want the...