Omakase Fishtown — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Our omakase dinner with chef Kevin Yanaga was an enjoyable experience from start to finish. The 25-course menu was carefully curated for maximum enjoyment, with appropriate pacing in between each course. This having been my first official omakase experience, I’m not certain how this would compare with some of the other omakase offerings in the city. However, I enjoyed the fact that not all courses were sushi-based and that there was a variety of inventive dishes (such as unagi chawanmushi and chilled corn miso soup) in between the sushi courses. The guests were also able to interact with chef Yanaga throughout the dinner, which only made the experience more memorable for us. While we did not opt for the sake pairing ($65 pp) on top of the meal, we did order several of the cocktails on the omakase menu, which were all delicious and on-theme. The entire dinner took about an hour and 50 minutes, leaving us full and satiated as we vacated the room for the next seating. Overall, I would definitely return to Omakase by Yanaga for the next special occasion and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a special and intimate...

Very much enjoyed my Friday evening omakase experience at Omakase by Yanaga. The room is secluded in the back and painted with dark colors, so it feels cozy and intimate. Service was terrific and knowledgeable about the sake pairings.

One of the reasons I like omakase is that it forces me out of my comfort zone--I can't simply order my favorites a la carte. For instance, I learned in this omakase that while I hate truffle oil (tastes dirty to me), I love actual shaved truffle (tastes rich and salty). Plus, who wouldn't like the opportunity to eat some of the fattiest tuna nigiri-style? And underneath much of it was Yanaga's delicious 5-vinegared/seasoned rice...yum!

Is it expensive, yes, but it's also a treat for all your senses, particularly when the chef is well-trained and generally personable.

P.S. Yanaga served a honey sea-salt tartlet from the nearby Beehive Bakery, which was delightful, and I loved that he was supporting another...

The Omakase by Yananga tasting experience was truly sensational; 25 courses served with personality, flavor, and precision. From start to finish, each bite was bursting with layers of surprise and satisfaction. The fish melted in your mouth. The hand rolls were dusted with truffles. The chef presented each course with awkward humor and playfulness. Pair your tasting with a beverage or two from the wine/Japanese whiskey menu. There is also an impressive Japanese tea list.

I was lucky enough to find an opening for two. If you cannot find one, put yourself on a waitlist. The Omakase by Yanaga tasting menu is worth every penny, especially if you're celebrating a...