Kawa Omakase — Restaurant in New York

I really wanted to leave a good review. Genuinely. I just feel I must be honest and I hope it helps improve the whole experience.

Quality of fish was excellent. No arguments there.

Service for an omakase was below standard. We had to ask many times for refills, except for green tea - always was flowing. But I would’ve liked to have my water refilled regularly as well. It never was. Every omakase experience I’ve ever had, they were on it. This just seemed below average.

Portions were very small for the pricing and maybe this was because of the quality, so I don’t want to be too harsh on this. It was just noticeable.

Flow of the courses was slower than I had ever experienced and I think this was the biggest constructive criticism. I want to take into account they only had one chef and 9 customers. This shouldn’t have been the case. We were placed in a corner and the chef was with all the other customers. We didn’t get to experience any of the moments of him creating any of the dishes and there were moments of 20+ minutes passing without another course. I would recommend a second chef or just don’t take as many reservations. I do get they are still working out the kinks so I hope this helps.

additionally it got quite warm in the room.

Again, I say nothing to bash this business. I want them to succeed so I hope they incorporate changes and listen to feedback. It will only help them and I really do wish them the best. They seem very kind and I would love to support...

Made a 6:15pm reservation at Kawa to celebrate my wife on Mother’s Day. We were greeted by Ryan (manager) & Tony (chef) as they began our omakase experience. We ordered a bottle of Dassai 45 (a Junmai-daiginjo) chilled sake. A terrific smooth sake with a melon essence. We enjoyed a 14 course omakase made just for us exclusively for us (I guess folks were cooking for their mom’s at home?) The standouts for us were the black cod with yuzu pepper sauce, the maguro (lean tuna) & wasabi, the red snapper bite was outstanding as was the sea bream.

The restaurant interior is located below street level with a simple contemporary design. Black stone countertops & a brightly light white brick wall behind the chef’s sushi station make for a stark contrast and a clean, sharp looking space.

Ryan and Tony were exceptionally attentive and consistently smiling. Ryan insisted on kindly pouring our sake and refilling our waters. Both gentlemen asked for feedback & seemed genuinely appreciative.

We were absolutely shocked this hidden gem was all ours for the two hours we were there…I’m certain we won’t enjoy that exclusive experience at Kawa Omakase again!

I highly recommend a visit & we’ll certainly be back. Oh…I failed to mention, where else will you find a well executed 14 course omakase menu for $88/pp in...

I had an exceptional dining experience at Kawa Omakase. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the restaurant’s calm and intimate ambiance, with its minimalist yet elegant decor.

The owner, who also served us, was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making the experience even more special. He and the chef took the time to explain each course, showcasing not only his expertise but also his passion for high-quality but affordable sushi / Omakase experience.

The fish was incredibly fresh, and each piece was delicately prepared and beautifully presented. Every bite literally melted in my mouth, with perfectly balanced flavors that highlighted the natural richness of the ingredients. The progression of the meal was well thought out.

Overall, Kawa Omakase exceeded my expectations, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic, high-quality omakase experience with excellent service. I will definitely...