Imasa Nori Sushi Izakaya — Restaurant in New York

Stumbled across the small Japanese restaurant while en route to another destination. Outside appears clean and warm, and considering it was exceptionally cold out, that was all the invitation we needed. While inside, we were immediately greeted by a friendly staff member who gave us our choice of seating. The seating is mainly open with up-to-date wood decor. There are two individual restrooms that were clean and maintained. Again, the little things all add up to the full experience.

The menus are clean and laminated. This may not sound like a big deal, but similar to a receptionist in a doctor's office, first impressions such as greeting staff or menus can often set the tone for the rest of the experience. The menu had many selections that included sushi, sashimi, traditional Japanese lunch boxes, teriyaki, etc. The prices were reasonable, especially for being in theater district in midtown Manhattan.

I ordered a Japanese lunch box and my wife ordered a three roll combination. The clear soup came quickly with plenty of pieces of mushrooms, fried onion, and cilantro. This is the first time I'd experienced clear soup with cilantro and I really enjoyed it. Now I'm going to be looking for this as I visit other Japanese restaurants. They also kept a supplied with hot green tea which was both warming and comforting.

Both entrees came shortly after we finished our suit. Both on trays were large in volume and beautifully presented. Additionally, the quality of the food was as should be expected. The fish was fresh, the tempura was crispy, and the rice was perfectly sticky. After having a nice size bowl of their clear soup, the entrees were difficult to finish. We took the rest with us and surprised our daughter who also gave the quality of the food 5 stars.

This accidental find made our afternoon and will be on our "will visit...

Nestled in the bustling heart of New York City, directly across from Crunch Gym, on 54th street n Broadway, Imasa Nori Sushi Izakaya is an absolute treasure for lovers of authentic Japanese cuisine. From the moment we walked in, we were embraced by a warm and inviting ambiance, perfectly blending modern aesthetics with traditional izakaya charm. Our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional, made even more special by our incredible waitress, Sherri. She was an absolute delight; attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about ensuring we had a memorable evening. Her service was impeccable, striking the perfect balance between being present when needed and giving us the space to savor each dish at our own pace. The menu at Imasa Nori is a true testament to Japanese culinary artistry. Every dish we ordered was crafted with precision and presented beautifully. The sushi was incredibly fresh, with each bite melting in our mouths, while the hot izakaya offerings provided the perfect balance of bold flavors and comforting warmth. Beyond the phenomenal food and service, this visit was particularly meaningful as it was in celebration of my daughter's 18th birthday. The team at Imasa Nori went above and beyond to make it a night to remember, ensuring her birthday gift was nothing short of amazing. Their thoughtful gestures and genuine hospitality elevated our experience to another level. In a city where restaurants come and go, I truly hope Imasa Nori Sushi Izakaya stays around for years to come. It’s a rare find; offering not just great food, but a complete dining experience that leaves a lasting impression. We will absolutely be back and highly recommend this spot to anyone seeking authentic Japanese flavors in a warm and welcoming setting. Thank you again, Sherri and the entire team, for making this such a...

Fish was fresh - getting that out of the way.

As far as value is concerned, this is probably a better lunch spot due to the lunch special options. It wasn't bad by any means, but there are many options in the neighborhood that I think are better. I was attracted by the 4.9 rating (out of 177), but I'm not sure if I would come again.

A little weird that they don't offer green tea as an ice cream flavor (but you can get matcha mochi ice cream). Also, just so you know, the vanilla ice cream is french vanilla so it looks orange. Nothing wrong with the taste, but don't go thinking they gave you the wrong flavor 😅

The tuna carpaccio has too much sauce on it. On the other hand, my 12 year old liked it so it didn't go to waste (even though it was not intended for him).

The staircase that the imperial sashimi is plated on...while pretty, it is a little weird since the steps don't face you. If you rotate the plate, the empty area is away from you. In the end I had to face it at a 45 degree angle so I didn't feel that the plate wasn't obstructing my access. It comes with rice, but it was the smallest bowl of rice I've ever gotten at any Japanese restaurant.

Uni, japanese red snapper, and red clam were delish. Botan ebi was average - I would probably not...