Tsumo UWS — Restaurant in New York

The sushi is really good, very fresh, the chef was talented and very nice as was all the staff. The only complaint I have is that they tell you they allot 75 minutes per meal. The chef worked so fast that all 13 delicious pieces arrived in less than 50 minutes. I felt rushed and could see that the other diners who were being served by the same chef felt the same way. The sushi was so good that I would have enjoyed more time to experience it.

Here's why they lost a star. I was dining alone, love sushi and when dining alone, sushi bars are usually a good choice. Initially they seated me in the last seat by the bathrooms like a woman alone was an embarrassment. I hate being two feet from a bathroom so I asked to be moved. They did move me and were very gracious, but it was awkward and they announced to the other diners that they needed to move down to accommodate me.

I wanted to order one glass of sake to celebrate the end of dry January, but they only sell it by the bottle. They don't sell wine either by the glass or bottle and I don't like beer. I ended up ordering a small bottle of sake which was $35 and made the dinner much more expensive. It felt like I was being penalized for being a single woman. Kinda like the single supplement at a hotel.

Will I return? Maybe with a friend or two, but definitely not on a night when I when I spontaneously feel like sushi.

One other thing. they send this text the day before your reservation. I found it a bit inhospitable and aggressive, but maybe that's just me:

"Hey there! This is Tsumo-Upper West Side located at 782 Amsterdam Avenue . Just want to confirm your upcoming reservation. We would like to put forth a few reminders and notes before you dine with us: Menu: All parties will be automatically subjected to our prix fixe price of $58per person upon dining. Our prix fixe menu comprises mainly of raw fish so we are unfortunately not able to accommodate any vegan or vegetarian diets. Reservation Policy: Please arrive within five minutes of your reservation. We hold all reservations for five minutes. After the five minute grace period, we may not be able to guarantee seating. If you are running late, please send us a text to let us know immediately, we will try our best to accommodate. Thank you! Dining Limitation: Dining time may be limited to 75 minutes. Please plan your travel time accordingly so you can enjoy the full dining time. Cancellation fee: A cancellation fee of $58 per person will incur if the reservation is canceled within twelve hours of your reservation. There is no exception to this policy so we ask that our guests plan accordingly. With that said, thank you for your reservation! We look forward to seeing...

Update: 2nd visit. Still worth it, Gina. Nothing north of here, in Manhattan, is better.

I live in this neighborhood. Sushi W is to In & Doubt, what Tsumo is to Shake Shack. Wait. What ?

Finding quality sushi this far up on the UWS is like discovering the Americas while looking for China.

It’s a vibe. Yes. They took their time to design the space and it feels like you’re in a legit Japanese sushi restaurant, unlike most that just makes you feel like you’re in a generic restaurant.

Note: the chefs here seem to be all Chinese. Ditto the support staff. So, it lacks that Japanese vibe that one might be used in an authentic Japanese spot.

That’s said, service is friendly & efficient, albeit cold and stiff. English is spoken well enough where not too much gets lost in translation, but there can be some confusion when pronunciation isn’t clear from the actual chefs of the next course is given.

Date spot ? Absolutely. It’s timed, though. Dinner is 75 minutes, lunch- an hour. This has its pros and cons, choose wisely.

Easy on the wallet ? Check. Bang for your buck? No doubt. Packed ? Not yet.

It’s straight Omakase, mandatory. You can order more at the end and their menu is in order. There’s extra options on the menu you can also get, not in the Omakase.

Note: seating is traditional omakase style, nothing private, but you knew that already- didn’t you, Chad.

A destination? For ballers on a budget and neighborhood hood rats like me who don’t wanna hop on a train to have Omakase with excellent service minus wondering if I’ll have enough $ for rent next week: Yes.

They took the time to design a space that doesn’t feel like I’m not on 99th...

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Taino UWS, and it was truly an exceptional experience from beginning to end. The quality of the fish was outstanding — every piece was fresh, flavorful, and prepared with the kind of care that immediately sets this place apart. Each bite highlighted the chef’s attention to sourcing and technique, which made the meal not only delicious but also memorable.

The presentation and demonstration were equally impressive. Watching the chef work so skillfully right in front of us added an extra layer of appreciation to the meal. Every course was introduced thoughtfully, with clear attention to detail and artistry. It was as much a visual experience as it was a culinary one.

The chef was also extremely attentive throughout, checking in on our preferences, explaining the selections, and ensuring everything was tailored to the moment. This level of interaction elevated the meal into something far more personal and engaging than a standard dining experience.

The service overall was fantastic. The staff were professional, warm, and well-coordinated, creating a smooth and welcoming atmosphere that made us feel well taken care of from the moment we walked in.

I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an elevated sushi experience at a very affordable price -$58 pricefix. Between the impeccable freshness of the fish, the precision of the demonstration, and the attentiveness of both the chef and the staff, it’s the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression and makes you...