Kaiyo Omakase — Restaurant in New York

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kaiyo Omakase, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. This restaurant truly excels in delivering a memorable culinary journey.

From the moment I stepped in, the ambiance was inviting and intimate, perfectly setting the stage for the omakase experience. The decor strikes a balance between modern elegance and a cozy atmosphere, making it ideal for a special occasion or a treat-yourself night out.

The chefs at Kaiyo Omakase are nothing short of artists. Each dish was meticulously crafted and beautifully presented, showcasing their expertise and passion for Japanese cuisine. The omakase menu offered a delightful progression of flavors, textures, and ingredients. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and the combination of traditional techniques with a modern twist made each bite a delightful surprise.

One of the standout moments was the interaction with the chef. They took the time to explain each dish, the sourcing of ingredients, and the inspiration behind the preparation. It added a personal touch that elevated the entire experience.

The pacing of the meal was perfect, giving enough time to savor each course without feeling rushed. The sake pairing was also thoughtfully curated, complementing the flavors of the dishes beautifully.

Kaiyo Omakase is a gem for sushi lovers and anyone looking to indulge in an unforgettable dining experience. The attention to detail, the quality of ingredients, and the impeccable service make this restaurant a must-visit. I can’t wait to return and see what new creations the chefs...

The previous omakase in the same spot, Daizen, was one of the best, reasonably priced omakase NYC - we used to go quite frequently and would happily tell anyone who asked for omakase restaurants because we’re Japanese. Anyways, we tried Kaiyo and were so disappointed. It’s no longer fresh/authentic sushi as its predecessor was. A lot of the nigiris have some topping or sauce added to it that simply masks the taste of the fish instead of complementing it. The quality of fish is good but not great - maybe I just had too high of an expectation given Daizen’s quality - its not terrible, hence the two stars.

And the waitress was attentive but overly so.. it was almost uncomfortable. She would stand on the other side of the bar watching us and probably came over to refill our water over 10 times throughout the meal - and no, we were not excessively thirsty, she simply kept topping up our water glass to the brim after we took one or two sips from it. Once or twice is totally fine but every 5-10mins is excessive.. Basically, we kept getting interrupted mid conversation - and while she poured water would ask “is everything ok? Is the food good?” After the first time, how many different ways can you respond to the same question? I mean I used to be a waitress so I know the deal but come on.. especially at a supposedly high end restaurant where you’re paying $100pp.. it’s not keeping with...

If you are looking for something comparable to the previous restaurant at the same location, the answer is no.

Ingredients are fresh. Services are good. Maybe if you never been to authentic good sushi, you can have 5 stars experience

Giving 2 stars because of the taste and the super non-traditional way of making sushi. I was crying innerly for all good ingredients being ruined. The balance of taste is destroyed by the “creative” method of mixing stuff together for no reason.

Also the foundation - rice doesn’t taste good. Sometimes I would get some dried rice.

For some fishes, I believe the processing went wrong. I got some super chewy part from two sushi, that stayed in my mouth and destroyed the tenderness feeling.

Also, putting Jalapeño on top of sushi…. OMG, too creative. It killed all flavors.

The order of giving sushi was weird. We were having stronger taste fish before the lighter ones

Finally, mochi ice cream dessert was average grocery quality.

Would never go again. As a premium pricing, I believe chefs were not qualified to...